Newbie help withVM201 - 8-Channel Ethernet Relay Card Module

Modules VM201
1

Hi Guys,

I have just got my first project, The idea I have is very simple, to control pumps (Air, water) and lights for my familiy fish tank (Sad isnt it LOL).

I have a couple of questions as Im not used to these projects (Please be patient with me)

    • The firmware on the VM201, is it possible to get the code and be able to change it ? Im assuming not at this point hence next question

  2. -Assuming I can’t modify the firmware, my idea will be to use a rasberry pie, to act as a webserver to control the VM201, HAS any one written the code for a webserver to operate the relays, timers etc on this project ? And if so may I have a copy pls ?

As I say this is just for my own personal use, and I intend on working this project eventually to control water level, temp etc, so any help that can be given to me would be fab !!

2

Hi and welcome to the forum.

  1. The project isn’t sad at all. A complete aquarium/terrarium climate control is a rather complex system and you’re in for a lot of learning.

  2. Velleman never publishes the source code or hex files for any firmware. This is their protection against cheap rip-offs of their projects. They do make the source code of the PC side access libraries as well as the schematics available.

  3. Don’t know.

I am not sure if the VM201 is the right card to start your project with. In order to measure water levels and temperature you need inputs as well. For temperature usually a sensor like an LM35 or a thermistor connected to an ADC input. For water level maybe a swimmer with multiple digital inputs or connected to a potentiometer and another ADC. I believe the VM201 has only one input, so you can’t get all the information you need from it.

There was recently someone here asking for Python code to control a K8055/K8055N board with a Raspberry PI. We unfortunately never heard back if he was able to get the Python code from the Open8055 project running on the Raspberry PI or not. Once that code would be working, building a Python based, simple web server should be relatively easy.

Regards,
Jan

3

Hi MostlyHarmless,

Thanks very much for the reply.

I know where you are going with the right choice or not, however, my thought is to start this as a starter project, as I am assuming all Velman type projects follow the same sort of communication / interface. Im thinking of putting together a way of controlling mutiple VM201’s int he same app, but basics first LOL

My plan looks like it may work, so I will update once I know more

Thanks again

Jez

4

One would hope, but as far as I can tell this is not really the case. Sure, all of them send messages back and forth, but that is pretty much where the similarities end for many projects.

Good luck and let us know if you need any help with the circuits you intend to connect.

Regards,
Jan