Controllable Automatic Fish Feeder?

[paperdesk]

I was in the process of purchasing an automatic fish feeder to use when I go on vacation, and happened across the Apex Auto Feeding Station. It looks amazing, however, it got me to wondering: Why pay for electronics in a feeder I already have a RA?

Isn't there a simple feeder that could be actuated by the RA? Anyone have a success story?

Ted

[rimai]

You can try one of these:
http://www.super-feeder.com/asfmodel.html

[paperdesk]

Neat looking feeder, not much in terms of cost saving though.

[paperdesk]

I'm looking into the Super Feeder, it seems to be pretty large, not sure I have space for something that size, but I can measure when I get home. Anyone know of other options? Seems there might be a simple digital feeder you could "modify" to actuate via the dimming ports . . .

[Sacohen]

People have connected the EHEIM "FEED-AIR" DIGITAL AQUARIUM FISH FEEDER to the Reef Angel.

http://www.aquacave.com/eheim-feed-air- ... 7AodbBUA6A

Here a couple of threads on it.

http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1415

http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.ph ... ilit=Eheim

[paperdesk]

People have connected the EHEIM "FEED-AIR" DIGITAL AQUARIUM FISH FEEDER to the Reef Angel.

http://www.aquacave.com/eheim-feed-air- ... 7AodbBUA6A

Here a couple of threads on it.

http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1415

http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.ph ... ilit=Eheim

Thanks Steve, I'm reading through the posts now!

[paperdesk]

Would the Eheim Everyday Feeder work too or just the "Feed-Air"? Or possibly any feeder that has a "feed" button?

[Sacohen]

Theoretically, any feeder with a feed button, but you would need to figure out the modification on it.

[paperdesk]

The two Eheim feeders mentioned above look almost exactly the same, but I don't know how the wiring compares. I haven't heard anyone particularly liking the air system, I'm hoping the "Everyday Feeder" would work the same.

On another note, would the Apex feeder even work with the RA?

[paperdesk]

Well I decided to order the "air" one in the hopes of replicating success!

[rimai]

The feeder that apex uses is from lifegard aquatics.
http://www.lifegardaquatics.com/product ... sh-feeder/
It's pretty simple to mod it too.

feeder.jpg

All you need is a small relay to close those 2 contacts to simulate the press of the button.

[paperdesk]

I wondered if they were the same!

[cosmith71]

I think the "Everyday Feeder" is just a newer version/packaging of the "Feed Air". They're both model 3581.

--Colin

[lnevo]

Theres another one i've seen posts on RC for that cost like $15 on ebay. Some chinese brand that looks pretty easy to hack.

[paperdesk]

I ordered the eheim, but like the look of the intelli-feed. The eheim was under $30 so probably it's a better model to play with in case I toast something!

[Sacohen]

I toasted my first one because I suck at soldering.
I haven't attempted it again on the 2nd one yet.

[paperdesk]

Yah, I'm not very good either, especially with the really small stuff. However, I'm getting better with practice, and hope I can pull this off.

[Sacohen]

It' not that they are small solder point (which they are) it that they are SMD (Surface Mounted) so then tend to unsolder and slide off where they are supposed to be.

I think I melted the push button switch on my first feeder.
I was taught to solder by letting the things being soldered get hot and the put the solder on them.
Obviously SMD has to be done differently.

I think you have to tin the soldering iron and the wires you are adding to the contacts and use flux on the contacts that you are soldering to and then just touch the iron to the area to be soldered, and the solder will transfer off the iron to the area that is fluxed.

[paperdesk]

It' not that they are small solder point (which they are) it that they are SMD (Surface Mounted) so then tend to unsolder and slide off where they are supposed to be.

I think I melted the push button switch on my first feeder.
I was taught to solder by letting the things being soldered get hot and the put the solder on them.
Obviously SMD has to be done differently.

I think you have to tin the soldering iron and the wires you are adding to the contacts and use flux on the contacts that you are soldering to and then just touch the iron to the area to be soldered, and the solder will transfer off the iron to the area that is fluxed.

I'm with you on this! I just discovered the same thing on a recent project. It turned out quite nicely after I figured it out! Still, I don't feel very confident working on these kinds of things.

Ted

[Damion]

The feeder that apex uses is from lifegard aquatics.
http://www.lifegardaquatics.com/product ... sh-feeder/
It's pretty simple to mod it too.


All you need is a small relay to close those 2 contacts to simulate the press of the button.

What relay would you recommend?

[paperdesk]

The feeder that apex uses is from lifegard aquatics.
http://www.lifegardaquatics.com/product ... sh-feeder/
It's pretty simple to mod it too.


All you need is a small relay to close those 2 contacts to simulate the press of the button.

What relay would you recommend?

A Reef Angel!

[Damion]

Roberto, what specific relay would you recommend on the intelli-feeder?

[rimai]

Use something like this to be safe:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/310566336050?nav=SEARCH

Sent from my Galaxy S5 with Tapatalk

[Damion]

Thanks

[Damion]

Are you shorting the output of the relay to simulate a button press or applying voltage?

[Sacohen]

The way it has been done on the Ehiem Auto Feeder is we are applying 12v current to a relay that in turn is closing the connection for the feeder button and rotating the feeder chamber. Simulating a push of the button.

[Damion]

Thanks Steve,
I think I understand, you're using a relay to activate their relay?

[Sacohen]

Yes, if they are using a relay.

[wideawake]

Use something like this to be safe:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/310566336050?nav=SEARCH

Sent from my Galaxy S5 with Tapatalk

I have some relays similar to this and honestly I have no idea how to wire it and program it with the RA.

Any low level tips or links to a tutorial site would be much appreciated.

[lnevo]

http://wamas.org/forums/blog/13/entry-4 ... ontroller/