It might work, worth a try.
Updated the stand-alone rate controller. It works with UDP on a network or USB without a network. The only change to AOG is to send 1 PGN for worked area, speed, relays.
Nice to work out the bugs, then the code can be easily added to InterApp later.
were do i find the gerber file file for rate control PCB board 
I didnāt use gerbers. Iāll open Kicad, make them and put them on GitHub.
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Thanks
trying to send rate control INO to nano and getting this message. Arduino: 1.8.12 (Windows 10), Board: āArduino Unoā
RateControlNano:2:10: fatal error: EtherCard.h: No such file or directory
#include <EtherCard.h>
^~~~~~~~~~~~~
compilation terminated.
exit status 1 
EtherCard.h: No such file or directory
This report would have more information with
āShow verbose output during compilationā
option enabled in File ā Preferences.
The gerbers for the main pcb are here:
https://github.com/SK21/AOG/tree/master/RateController100/RC31/RC31%20PCB
For the switches pcb:
https://github.com/SK21/AOG/tree/master/RateController100/RC31/Switches%20PCB
The updated rate control INO for both the Nano and Nano33:
https://github.com/SK21/AOG/tree/master/RateController100/RateControlNano33
The Rate Control app now includes a virtual nano so it will simulate flow without a real nano. It uses the same code as RateControlNano33.
About the error message, I think it should be set for either a Nano board or a Nano33 board. The EtherCard library needs to be installed.
3 Likes
Could this be used to fully controll a flexicoil vr tank?
Mine is giving me constant issues and Iād like to do away with the monitor completely.
I have a Flexi 3850. It would take a lot to duplicate the entire control system that the box does. I have the switch box for adjusting the rates, best i could do is parallel a relay with each switch direction and āswitchā the rate up or down. Although i still would have feedback on what the actual rate is.
An option for you is buy a whole new control system, I think the new control box is like 5 grand ?? maybe i was confused but an option to look into. Once it starts getting buggy, full replacement of electronics is a good decision. Or the whole tank. When you gotta seed - time is costly fixing.
Hello ,
I just went through this topic and a few others regarding rate control.
An application that would be useful to me and a lot of other people would be to be able to control a pneumatic seed drill metering unit. This is relatively simple, when you know how to code ā¦ I carried out a test with an arduino code, but it would be much better if it looked like the rate control of sk21. All it is necessary is to know the width of the seeder, the desired dose / ha, the quantity of seed elapsed per tick / metering revolutions, the speed and to mix this in a simple mathematics to output a motor speed of the metering unit. . Such a control system costs at least 1500 ā¬ with an application on android, see more than 4000 ā¬ with a box that manages everything and I imagine a little more if it had to be isobus ā¦ It is a shame! I think AOG and sk21 rate control is an ideal medium to accomplish this. It would help many farmers who like me built their own seed drill. unfortunately after many hours of looking at this with visual studio, I do not advance an inch 
5 Likes
Is it not possible to directly use the PWM signal from the sk21 application?
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The rate controller can do Kgs/Hectare. The cal number for kgs/revolution would have to be calculated. The implement width and speed are sent to the rate controller from AOG. A rpm sensor for the meter would be connected to pin 3 on the rate controller nano.
This would only work for one metering shaft. Multiple meters and a way of calibrating them would be something to be added to the rate controller.
3 Likes
Donāt understand what is "rate cal # "?!
The rate cal # or metercal is used to convert pulses from the flow rate sensor to units of product being applied. For example if the rate cal # is 70 it takes 70 pulses for one unit (kg, lb, Litre, gallon, etc.). Divide the pulses per minute from the sensor by 70 to give units/minute.
Frequency = (1.0 / (double)pulseDuration) * 60000.0; // pulses per minute
FlowRate = Frequency / MeterCal; // units per minute
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So correct me if Iām wrong, but would I just have to replace the vcn with a pid to run a motor rather than a control valve?
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Thatās a good question. I havenāt ran a motor with the vcn code. I think if the wait time is set to 0 it may work. Iāll try it with a motor to see if it will work.
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A little feedback on the tests for seed drill,
i failed to get the motor to run with vcn so i opted to include a pid in the nano, and it seems to work. The only problem is that I canāt adjust it from my tablet because I donāt have the skills to code it, but itās okay once I find the right settings, it should be the same for all seedsā¦
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Great that its working. Maybe just use the vcn fields on the settings page for pid values. When the nano receives the settings adjust them to work for pid.
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I will explore this idea as soon as I have some time for it
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