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A few weeks ago I ran across a thread on here that was talking about variation in the habitats of frogs, rather than the clockwork schedules and tasks most perform in their keeping. I was trying to think of how more variations could be created within enclosures, without creating a TON of extra work for the keeper. Being a reefkeeper, I remembered that some aquarists use controllers to provide various changes in their tanks (light intensity, wave action, temperature, etc.) to make it more natural. You can log in climate and weather information (overcast, storm, etc.) and the controller does various things to help create that.
Anyway, I tried to get ahold of some folks familiar with the equipment and controllers used for this, and asked how applicable they would be for simulating rainforest type conditions (lighting, misting, etc.). For those interested, here is the response I received from one person:
I have a series of PLCs that I no longer need that will do what you want perfectly. The events you are primarily trying to control are timed events I think. See this link for more info on these devices
CPU226
EM235 A14/AQ1 X 12 Bit
EM 231 AI1 4 X Thermocouple
PLCs
The CPU can do any and all timed events misting, lighting...
The 235 is an analog input device, it can monitor the output of most any device and create a change. For instance, if you are monitoring RH and your frog box (dunno what its called) drops below 92% RH the input signal from the meter changes, that causes the 235 to send a signal to the CPU turning on a mister. When RH hits 100% it shuts off. (just an example).
The 231 is for very precise temp control (you'll need to supply the heaters and what-not).
There is a 4000 word (thats 4000 16 bit instructions) you could store in the CPUs memory, I would think that the amount of data to emulate a rainforest could be much smaller than 4000 words (as far as emulating weather and yearly patterns are concerned).
The software is included and is not diffucult to learn, its windows driven. You will not be writing any machine code or having to learn a whole language just to run it.
The 226 connects to your PC and you use the drop and drag devices to build your program. Once done you click a button, the PC complies your program, and sends it to the PLC. At this point (assuming your done everything correctly) the PLC can be unplugged from the CPU and connected to your devices that control your frogs and you can relax. There will be some learning curve of course, but there is also a CD that has the full instruction set and examples.
I don't plan on actually obtaining or setting something like this up, but thought that I would transfer the information and possibilities for those who might be. If anyone is serious about it, let me know and I can pass the contact information on.
Anyway, I tried to get ahold of some folks familiar with the equipment and controllers used for this, and asked how applicable they would be for simulating rainforest type conditions (lighting, misting, etc.). For those interested, here is the response I received from one person:
I have a series of PLCs that I no longer need that will do what you want perfectly. The events you are primarily trying to control are timed events I think. See this link for more info on these devices
CPU226
EM235 A14/AQ1 X 12 Bit
EM 231 AI1 4 X Thermocouple
PLCs
The CPU can do any and all timed events misting, lighting...
The 235 is an analog input device, it can monitor the output of most any device and create a change. For instance, if you are monitoring RH and your frog box (dunno what its called) drops below 92% RH the input signal from the meter changes, that causes the 235 to send a signal to the CPU turning on a mister. When RH hits 100% it shuts off. (just an example).
The 231 is for very precise temp control (you'll need to supply the heaters and what-not).
There is a 4000 word (thats 4000 16 bit instructions) you could store in the CPUs memory, I would think that the amount of data to emulate a rainforest could be much smaller than 4000 words (as far as emulating weather and yearly patterns are concerned).
The software is included and is not diffucult to learn, its windows driven. You will not be writing any machine code or having to learn a whole language just to run it.
The 226 connects to your PC and you use the drop and drag devices to build your program. Once done you click a button, the PC complies your program, and sends it to the PLC. At this point (assuming your done everything correctly) the PLC can be unplugged from the CPU and connected to your devices that control your frogs and you can relax. There will be some learning curve of course, but there is also a CD that has the full instruction set and examples.
I don't plan on actually obtaining or setting something like this up, but thought that I would transfer the information and possibilities for those who might be. If anyone is serious about it, let me know and I can pass the contact information on.
