I am thinking of using a microcontroller for a timer project for a greenhouse. Which one will be the most recommended?
With the advent of microcontrollers (PIC, Arduino, MSP430 and others) many current makers and designers think that they replace any type of component or circuit in practical projects. Although this is real, there are cases that are not worth using a microcontroller, unless it is a requirement, for a teacher, for example, for schoolwork. If we want a simple timing, turning on and off an LED at regular intervals, generates low frequency rectangular signals, we do not need to use a microcontroller for this. Flashing an LED with a microcontroller is like "using a cannon to kill a fly". This project would be interesting to show how the microcontroller works in a didactic application. So, before choosing to use the microcontroller, analyze the cost-benefit ratio. Flashing an LED is much simpler and cheaper, for example, using a 555 and the same is true in the case of a greenhouse in which a sensor can be easily added to indicate the time when it should be turned on.
