My Grow Light Broke... Part 2

Previously in Part 1, I talked about how my grow light gave up on me for the second time.

Tired of unreliable store-bought lights, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Let’s

build one from scratch!

Shopping Spree: I grabbed some LEDs, a PWM module, a tiny fan, and a bunch of random hardware. Honestly? Buying the parts separately didn't break the bank at all.

Putting it Together: I wired up the LEDs, hooked the PWM module to an STM32, and let the microcontroller handle the fan. After some cable management and soldering, I slapped it all together with masking tape. It looks pretty "janky," but it works! 😂

Firmware Development for STM32:

To ensure the system was smart and autonomous, I implemented several key features:

• RTC (Real-Time Clock): For precise timekeeping.

• Wi-Fi NTP Synchronization: Automatically syncing the time via the network to keep the schedule accurate.

• PWM Dimming: Allowing for smooth control over light intensity.

The Result?

It has been running continuously for several months now without a single glitch. While using an STM32 development board comes with a higher upfront cost compared to off-the-shelf solutions, the peace of mind is worth it. I finally have a setup where I can guarantee the durability and reliability of the entire system.