Liquid Culture (LC), Auto-Mixer - Show and Tell

Hey everyone,
Wanted to share a project that i’ve decided is about complete. I set-up the Sonoff-S31 to run my LC-Mixer.

Initial Dashboard Layout -

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Widget Configuration and Examples:

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Graph (Synchronous)[Highstock] Widget -

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[Defaults] -

Example Config - Current (A)

Config above produces Graph below - Amps, (A)

Graph (Angular)[Highcharts] Widget -
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[Defaults] -

Example Config - Amps

Config above produces Guage below -
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Example Config - Amps - Volts

Config above produces Guage below -
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Measurement Widget -

Measurement
[Defaults] -

Example Config - Measurement (kWh)


Config above produces Widget below -
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Output Control Widget -

Output Control (Channel) -
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Example Config - Control Commands

Config above produces Widget below -
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Pressing ‘On’ turns the relay on indefinitely.
Off - Sends the off command which turns the Relay off.
Entering a Value in the Input field and Clicking ‘Seconds On’ Will turn On the relay for the specified duration.

Indicator Widget -

[Defaults] -

Example Config - Indicator Widget


Config above produces Widget below -
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Spacer Widget -

[Defaults] -
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Example Config - Spacer Widget


Config above produces Widget below -

Inputs -

Input Config - Below

Outputs -

Output Config - Below

This function is what I ran for testing. I just set the time a minute in the future. Clicked Save. Then on the Function screen I selected ‘Activate’. By doing this my Relay was able to be schedule to turn on at designated time.

For Stirring my liquid culture I am going to considering starting with a 5-minute Stir once a day. I am considering backing this off to 2.5 Minutes and running a second Trigger 12-hours later.

Hardware -
ADVISORY WARNING - The use of this Smart Plug requires rooting the device. This requires disassembly of the device soldering serial cables onto the PCB board and applying open source firmware [Tasmota] to allow the plug to communicate via MQTT. Also MQTT needs to be installed and configured on your Mycodo Server for this to function.

If you are new to electronic projects that involve serial communications/solder/flashing firmware be advised that all of that goes into getting these plugs controllable.

There are plenty of resources on Tasmota on the Forum. I found a YouTube video that helped and I did my best to document the endeavor here: Tasmota Energy Monitor Configuration Question/Help/Support

SONOFF S31 WiFi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring, 15A Smart Outlet Socket ETL Certified, Work with Alexa & Google Home Assistant, IFTTT Supporting, 2.4 Ghz WiFi Only (1-Pack)

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YDC6D4D?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

There are two models if you don’t go with the amazon link ensure that you DO NOT purchase the Lite version. The Lite Version only accepts On/Off commands it does not provide input data.

INTLLAB Magnetic Stirrer Stainless Steel Magnetic Mixer with stir bar (No Heating) Max Stirring Capacity: 3000ml
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From https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072K24X5P?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Magnetic Stirrer Mixer Stir Bar,
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From https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L3KXRCB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Liquid Culture Mason Jar Lids Wide Mouth for Mycology Value Caps (Wide Mouth)
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From https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LTSVQZL?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
Ball Wide Mouth Quart (32 oz.) Mason Jars with Lids and Bands, for Canning and Storage, 8 Count

Which ever size fits into your pressure cooker.
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If you ordered Wide-Mouth lids ensure your jars are Wide-mouth though.

From https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Mouth-Quart-Canning-Storage/dp/B09VCRRB1P/ref=sr_1_5?crid=30P5S02SJ1Y7Q&keywords=ball%2Bmason%2Bjar%2Bwide%2Bquart&qid=1684374702&sprefix=ball%2Bmason%2Bjar%2Bwide%2Bquart%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-5&th=1

Liquid Culture(LC) - Recipe’s

I’m running somewhere between 2-4% Honey per 1000ML water.

I have yet to inoculate this LC as I was trying to get this set up first.

Any suggestions for upgrades or improvements are welcome!
Thanks,
Scott G.

3 Likes

This is very interesting, thank you for sharing it with us!

Instead of having to root a SONOFF plug, and install Tasmota, and then setup MQTT, you could have simply used a Kasa WiFi plug (KP115) or a Kasa WiFI power strip (HS300 or KP303) since the Kasa API is already integrated into Mycodo. All of those Kasa models also have built-in energy monitoring.

1 Like

Thanks for the tip. Yes that would have been much easier in hind site!