This is the machine that runs my maple syrup machine room. The PLC (the large grey box on the left in the second section from the top) runs a MEGA2560 Pro Mini with an ESP32 as a WiFi modem. There are more than 4,000 lines of BascomAVR running on the MEGA2560 and around 800 lines of Sketch on the ESP32.

The top section is power distribution. The middle section is supposed to be PLC only but my 24V power supply and distribution leaked into the right hand end opposite the PLC. The bottom three sections from left to right are analog input, digital input, and digital output.

This thing runs a vacuum pump (a MasterCool 90066A), a transfer pump (a small Iwaki), an RO pump, and two solenoid valves (to be replaced with motorized ball valves this summer.) It takes inputs from a bunch of float switches, two vacuum transducers, a pressure transducer, three high precision digital thermometers, and two last time of flight sensors. This thing runs the entire process from the trees through collection and storage through the RO into secondary storage and out a tap to be boiled in the evaporator.

The PLC uses a pair of custom boards that I designed to fit in the BUD case they’re installed in. I’ll post pictures of the inside shortly.

      • MyFeetOwnMySoul
        2·
        1 year ago

        Yeah, no kidding! That’s a lot of io.

        I like the conduit frame btw. Where do you get conduit like that?

        • MapleEngineerOPM
          3·
          1 year ago

          Yup. Lots and lots of IO.

          The conduit is called wire duct. you can buy it from electrical suppliers like Nedco and Westburne or from Active/Gervais or you can order it on Amazon, Ebay, or even AliExpress. I used to work in structured cabling so when I needed some I just put out a call on Facebook for any of my old cable friends and someone gave me three lengths. I’m going to replace the plywood it’s currently screwed to with a metal 24" x 36" x 8" electrical box next year so I’ll need to get more wire duct. I plan to order three pieces on Amazon.

  • MrBungle
    2·
    1 year ago

    noice! I used to work as a building controls programmer. I always loved seeing the panels that the fore-person would build up :)
    Brings back that nice warm fuzzy feeling seeing dinrail, fingerduct, low voltage separated from line voltage.

    First time seeing mitered corners on fingerduct. I kinda like it

    • MapleEngineerOPMEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I’ve had comments about those mitered corners from a couple of people who build panels. This is the first panel that I ever built. I watched a BUNCH of videos (mostly from RSP Supply on YouTube. They miter their corners so I did the same. Mine aren’t very tight. I’ll be more careful when I rebuild this panel into a steel cabinet.

      I do like the clean look of a well designed panel. I decided to do with the DIN rail style because I was getting so many inputs and outputs that connecting them all directly to the controller was getting to be too much.

      Thanks for the comment.