Reef Angel Forum

So I just got my first RA, and unfortunately, due to the design, I had to return it. I bought a tank that had a pretty nice acrylic holder for a controller display. Its on the face of a display door, and basically moves quite a bit when the door opens for access. The ph probe connector, the temp connectors, the float switches all being connected to the display/joystick controller really was a bummer for me. I should have paid more attention, but was looking for something that had a main body with connections for ALL the probes and extra connectors that could be stowed into the stand up high and out of the way, but because the LCD is also about half of the input connections, it just didnt work. I've heard other say, just use a iphone, but Im not going to leave a iphone in the display case so that the wife can control the unit and see the status, has anyone moved the functions to a break out box, or at least added a new DISPLAY and joystick to another box? Im sure some of you understand what I am asking, if not, I will try to explain with more detail, in the meantime, thanks for reading my post.


-John

Roberto, in email you mentioned a different display? Do you have any details, or is it still in development and not meant for open discussion? I really like your open source, I just would like to move all the joystick/display functions away from any of the input collections (ATO's, ph probe, temp probes(3)). Thank you for any response.

You can use a second head unit, just like the main head unit, except you would use it as remote display.
So, you would have the main head unit with all probes mounted somewhere and you would have another head unit working as remote diplay in your cabinet mount.
The other remote display unit is not nearly close to completion yet.
I had to stop development to focus on some other priorities.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I will continue to monitor the progress of your very cool device. While searching for more info on this, I actually found some blogs talking about upgrading the LCD to a larger unit, looks like lots of people going with the RA and pushing its development along.

-John

iPod touch is a very inexpensive option that provides a very easy interface.

Seedlessone wrote:iPod touch is a very inexpensive option that provides a very easy interface.

either iPod touch or older android device. Can be had cheap used on ebay. You could even throw a cheap android tablet in there. Just need something with wifi.