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PCB V2

A project log for UltraTower 2023

Grow vegetables with ultraponics tower

j-gleyzesJ Gleyzes 07/04/2023 at 07:300 Comments

Like the previous PCB, you can choose the modules you want. This board has been designed to be modular to suit your needs.

Update :

- New alternating current circuit for disks and current control circuit (log)

- Power supply voltage changeover from 18V to 12V

- The 5V problem seen in this log has been corrected by adding a second CN3903 3A.

- Change of layout to avoid mixing voltages

- Component optimization

We will look at each module one by one:

Main module :

This module is mandatory. It is the brain of the tower with the ESP32 and it is the one that allows the power supply of the board, the generation of the fog and the filling of the small tank thanks to the pump.

ComponentQuantityCostLink
PCB V211.6€
Lolin 32 Lite12.85€Aliexpress
CN3903 5V 3A 
DC-DC Step down
20.5€Aliexpress
Capacitor 200V 100nF  1206 30.02€
Capacitor 200V 4.7nF  1206 20.02€
IRLML250210.3€
DC Charger connector 10.2€
12V 3A Charger  15.23€
330uH coil40.32€
100 ohm resistor20.025€
10K ohm resistor30.025€
FDD7N25LZTM   20.3€Onsemi
Mini JST 2.0 PH  30.088€
Usb Pump connector 10.3€
5V Pump110€Aliexpress
108kHz Disk22€Aliexpress
1N4001 Diode10.014€
2 Kohm resistor20.025€
470 Kohm resistor10.025€
LED20.57€
2 ohm resistor10.025€

EC module:

This module allows you to know the mineral concentration of the solution. Optional module.

ComponentQuantityCost
330 ohm resistor20.025€
22nF capacitor10.013€
Mini JST 2.0 PH  10.088€
EC probe11€

pH module:

This module allows the acidity of the solution to be known, given that a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is desired. This module is optional.

ComponentQuantityCostLink
MCP648710.4€Microchip
TC766010.99€Microchip
BNC connector10.73€Aliexpress
pH probe111€
200k ohm resistor20.025€
10k ohm resistor20.025€
22K ohm resistor10.025€
82k ohm resistor10.025€
4.7k ohm resistor10.025€
1uF capacitor20.013€
10uF capacitor20.013€

Temperature module:

It provides information on the temperature of the ambient air, the root chamber and the water in the main tank. It also compensates for pH and EC sensor values that are correlated to the water temperature. This module is optional. You can also use a single sensor depending on your needs.

ComponentQuantityCost
DHT2212.46€
DS182022€
10k ohm resistor10.025€
4.7k ohm resistor10.025€

Conclusion:

The electronics of the tower cost 49,5€ with all the modules but it works with only the main module which costs 28,1€. You can reduce the price by recycling an old 12V 3A charger.

You can find the gerbers in the project files. (PCB_V2)

Schematic:

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