Hey everyone, I’m diving into the world of hydroponics and automation, and I’m thrilled to share my journey! 
I recently set up an NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system and decided to automate the pH and EC levels using ESPHome. It’s been quite the learning curve, but incredibly rewarding!
I started by gathering my components: an ESP32 board, EZO sensors for pH and EC, and two peristaltic pumps for adjusting the solution. The goal was to create a system that automatically maintains the optimal levels without manual intervention. Here’s how I approached it:
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Hardware Setup: I connected the EZO sensors and pumps to the ESP32, ensuring everything was powered correctly. The sensors communicate via I2C, which simplified the wiring process.
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Software Configuration: I wrote a YAML configuration file for ESPHome, setting up the sensors and pumps. The tricky part was getting the automation right. I wanted the system to check the pH every 5 minutes and adjust if it went above 6.5. After some trial and error, I managed to implement a 30-minute wait period between adjustments to prevent overcorrection.
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Testing and Debugging: Initially, I faced issues with the pump control. The system would sometimes activate the pump for too long or not at all. By adjusting the delay and using static variables to track the last adjustment, I stabilized the system. It was a matter of fine-tuning the intervals and ensuring the logic correctly handled the state changes.
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Current Status: The system now runs smoothly! It automatically adjusts the pH and EC levels, logging the changes for monitoring. I’m even considering expanding it to include more sensors or integrate with my home automation system for real-time updates.
This project has been a fantastic way to combine my love for gardening with tech. If anyone has tips for further optimization or suggestions for additional features, I’d love to hear them! 