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Show HN: Oasis – An open-source, 3D-printed smart terrarium

(github.com)
140 points jbuch | 3 comments | 24 Jun 25 14:03 UTC | HN request time: 1.31s | source

See the website for a demo video: https://oasis-terrarium.com

This project is an enclosure for growing plants. Features include:

  - high-power LED lighting
  - a built-in water tank and mister
  - fans for airflow
  - temperature and humidity sensing
  - wi-fi connectivity and a web-based interface for control and monitoring (see https://oasis-terrarium.com/docs/usage_guide/#web-interface)
The entire project is open-source:

  - electronics: designed in KiCad
  - 3D models: designed in CadQuery
  - software: written in Rust
I initially started this project during COVID and built a working prototype using a Raspberry Pi and off-the-shelf parts. The first prototype worked, but was pretty rough. Several months ago, I picked up the project again and began a complete re-design. After two rounds of circuit board design and countless iterations of the 3D-printed parts, I'm finally happy with the results. Along the way I learned a lot about electronics design and fabrication, 3D modeling, and Rust.

Happy to answer any questions - thanks for checking it out!

Here are some direct links to parts of the project you may find interesting:

  - demo video: https://oasis-terrarium.com
  - detailed build guide with pictures: https://oasis-terrarium.com/docs/build_guide/
  - interactive 3D model: https://oasis-terrarium.com/docs/3dmodel/
  - detailed info on electronics design: https://oasis-terrarium.com/docs/electronics/
  - 3D-printable models: https://www.printables.com/model/1315117-oasis-smart-terrarium
1. craghack ◴[24 Jun 25 15:35 UTC] No.44367356[source]▶
Well built and a great write up!

Addressing some of the comments/concerns in your documentation:

* To protect the ultrasonic mister from bad firmware frying it, you could probably replace R6 with a sufficiently sized capacitor to make an effective DC block

* I've also had issues with a thermal sensor just reading board temp, best solution is to make the sensor a separate board. Short of that, one can mill slots around it and reduce copper pour to reduce thermal conductivety from the PCB.

replies(1): >>44367470 #
2. jbuch ◴[24 Jun 25 15:46 UTC] No.44367470[source]▶
Thanks!

> To protect the ultrasonic mister from bad firmware frying it, you could probably replace R6 with a sufficiently sized capacitor to make an effective DC block

That is an excellent idea - I'll definitely keep that in mind for a future version.

> I've also had issues with a thermal sensor just reading board temp, best solution is to make the sensor a separate board. Short of that, one can mill slots around it and reduce copper pour to reduce thermal conductivety from the PCB.

I ended up just moving the sensor offboard and as far away from the heat source as I reasonably could. I did consider the milled slots + reduced pour option, but given the amount of heat generated by the LEDs, it seemed best to move the sensor further away.

replies(1): >>44367533 #
3. craghack ◴[24 Jun 25 15:52 UTC] No.44367533[source]▶
Most of my time designing hardware is spent trying to find ways to prevent the doofus writing the firmware from releasing the magic smoke. I am that doofus