Tips to scale up ZAF

How to scale up ZAF?

ZAF design is about modularity so without major modifications you can easily implement more feeding outputs.

The first steps is to multiply the hardware. Adding extra pump and therefore all the complementary electronics, connection of a motor driver to the servo Hat bard, and tubing can increase ZAF capacities. You can add 8 extra LN298 to one servo hat and each of them can be connected to 2 pumps. Thus, one ZAF can distribute foods up to 80 tanks!! You can also simply connect bigger pumps (similar to the one use in ZAF+) and then multiply the number of output in the water separator panels.

You will also need to adapt the code.

• If you like to add a new pump, you need to first register the new pump in Ctx class we have in python.zaf.ctx submodule.
• Then, you can go to python.zaf.fishfeed submodule and use the new pump at any point of the code you like.`
• For instance if you added a new water_in pump, you can adapt your code to use two water_in pumps as shown below:

Ctx.pwm.setPWM(Ctx.water_in, 0, 4095)
Ctx.pwm.setPWM(Ctx.water_in2, 0, 4095)
sleep(0.5)
Ctx.pwm.setPWM(Ctx.water_in, 0, 0)
Ctx.pwm.setPWM(Ctx.water_in2, 0, 0)

If you have have further questions about scaling up ZAF feel free to contact us by opening an issue on our repository.