Would you buy?

MtuPup · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 03:59 PM

So, being a nerd and considering the career that I'm in, I decided to mix work with pleasure. I've begun delevoping an application (both hardware and software) that will allow me to monitor temperature, humidity, amount of light per day/hour/month along with looking into being able to automatically cycle my vivariums lights and fans based on temperature and humidity setpoints along with remotely turn on lights and fans and humidifier. The ultimate goal is to develop a software package that will be networked therefor accessible by a home PC and ultimately be able to log in remotely to an established IP address.

So my question is from a herp hobby standpoint would anyone else actually buy this and how much would you be willing to pay? With the hardware I'm speccing out the system would be completely expandable to take on up to 99 different tanks each with their own space temperature and humidity monitoring and depending on how the system hardwares(i.e. lights and fans) are set up, controls for lights and fans.

Epiphile · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 04:04 PM

What is the interface like? Would you have a breakout box-type piece of hardware? I guess you'd have to if it were controlling that many devices, no? I like the idea, but am having trouble visualizing how on earth it would all come together.

MtuPup · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 04:42 PM

It would have to be a business model similar to Mist King - have a standard off the shelf box product but then have modular expansions with configurable software. Obviously the major trick would be for anyone to be able to set it up but that's already being addressed in the design of the system.

By off the shelf - I would include your temp and humidity sensors and fans but then have power outlets so you can use whatever lighting you'd like. There would have to be some minimal wiring but make it like a big box computer where everything is all color coded.

Obviously this is something for the serious herper or someone whose on vacation and wants to be able to check up and see what their tanks are doing.

Epiphile · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 04:58 PM

Heck, I'd be happy just with a bit of hardware that would control everything- I'd prefer personally for my computer not to be involved. It's tough enough to even find a thermo/hygrostat that'll control heating and cooling devices as well as regulating humidity. Still, being able to rig all of one's tanks to a single unit would be handy, for sure.

MtuPup · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 05:02 PM

Well the plan is to use a PLC (programmable logic controller) which is completely stand alone from a PC but with the capability to be put on ethernet therefor with software able to pull information off and display on your PC. But these little buggers are what are responsible for automation in most industrial settings and due to the simplicity of a vivarium would actually be really easy to use.

Epiphile · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 05:15 PM

I would say so- it'd just be a matter of someone applying the technology where it'd be useful. Let me know if you need someone to test a prototype out for a while, ha ha.

beckdg · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 05:16 PM

there is logic controllers, greenhouse controllers, x-10 controllers, etc. that already are capable of doing (for the most part) exactly that already.

IMO, what we need is an all in one unit specifically for our purposes that's completely idiot proof (user friendly) and affordable (ideally around $100 - $200) with an idiot proof interface. also something to consider would be an intelligent logic style socket with variable resistance for controlling heat and light.

ideally with such a system heat and light would be 2 separate entities therefore eliminating constant adjustment of light which can lead to things like the animals being freaked out or increased wear on your bulbs which could lead to a short vacation when the temp drops cause the bulb blows.

one other note... for this to retail on a large scale wiring and programming MUST be non-existant. plug it into the color coded socket... set the parameters by pushing the up or down arrow... forget about it!

MtuPup · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 02:27 AM

Yes, the technology is already there, it's integrating it into an affordable application that I'd be trying to do.

beckdg · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 12:32 PM

so what price range are you thinking? really i'm not asking for original retail price when the idea is brand spanking new. i'm more interested in after the initial price has dropped to a sustainable price range that could be considered semi permanent.

are you thinking about integrating wireless like a wireless g receiver? eliminating the pc from the whole situation would make it more attractive i would think... even for on line applications. seems that might be more difficult and costly though. but the up side is you wouldn't have to worry about your application crashing with your computer which would be a problem for a lot of your target audience imo.

MtuPup · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 09:44 PM

I don't have a pricepoint, right now I'm developing, but hardware wise, it is looking like it'll be around $250 and the particular controllers I'm looking at have an ethernet port so you'd just run cat5e to a router and viola!