7096 R&D and Updates?

[rvitko]

Yes, the Mac version needs a little longer, we just wanted to get something out there so people could see we are really working on it, normally both would be released at the same time but it takes time to translate the code.

Random mode is sequential and 3 or more pumps and idle speed turned on, in this way the pumps can come on at any of 3 speeds at random. A later update will expand upon this and make it more "random" but for now, this is what it does.

 

[Yogre]

Yes, the Mac version needs a little longer, we just wanted to get something out there so people could see we are really working on it, normally both would be released at the same time but it takes time to translate the code.

Thanks for keeping us posted, Roger, it's appreciated. :thumbsup:

 

[rsaha]

I normally use my Mac but wanted to try the new features so I downloaded and installed on an XP box. I run two 6105 plus a nano wavebox. I set things up to try same wave timing for the wavebox, 6 hour interval, pump on when not its interval with a 3 second pulse and .2 ramp. Nano wavebox is plugged into port 3.

1) Both 6105 were on but there was no pulse (i.e. no change in water velocity) on either pump.
2) The wavebox did nothing. The lights on the controller did not flash.

I checked to see if it was writing to the unit by changing a couple parameters without sending to unit and receive from unit. It seemed to be writing to the unit.

Hooked up my mac and put everything back to the way it was and it all seems OK.

What am I doing wrong on the XP box?

 

[rvitko]

What you describe sounds like night mode, perhaps the photocell was in a dark location during the test? In nightmode the wavebox would turn off and pulsing of the pumps would stop.

 

[rsaha]

Thanks Roger. That worked. Interestingly though I had not selected night mode so I guess now the light sensor is mandatory whether or not you are using night mode? I will see what happens when the lights go out today (i.e. will it revert to night mode even if I don't select it).

 

[Bryan]

Roger:

I know you are not a computer guru, but is there any way of getting help from the programmer in Germany on my issue with the 7096. Ever since I bought it I have never been able to flash a new update to the controller. Because of this I don't get the advantage of using the new features. This is the error message received.

I have done a bit of embedded programming as a hobbyist and have the tools to reflash the unit, but reluctant to do so as don't want to "brick" it.

 

[rsaha]

Lights went out and the wavebox is still going so I am guessing my "nightmode" issue isn't an issue.

 

[rvitko]

If nightmode is off, it shouldn't go into night mode. Does it seem to work normally now?

 

[rsaha]

All good now. Thanks!

 

[disaster999]

Yes, the Mac version needs a little longer, we just wanted to get something out there so people could see we are really working on it, normally both would be released at the same time but it takes time to translate the code.

Random mode is sequential and 3 or more pumps and idle speed turned on, in this way the pumps can come on at any of 3 speeds at random. A later update will expand upon this and make it more "random" but for now, this is what it does.

Roger any news on the update? been 6 months since you last mentioned it:bounce3:

 

[reefernutz]

Roger - is there any way to add a second moonlight to the 7096? I'm getting a 5' tank and would like to have 2 of them to cover the whole thing.

 

[rvitko]

The 7096 draws only 1W of power from the pumps so it cannot run multiple LED's. However, the single LED should be plenty for a 5ft tank, the key is placement, place it on the side aimed lengthwise down the tank with a very gentle downward angle. The goal is only to replicate the dim light of the moon.

 

[disaster999]

after 9 months from the aug 11 update, tunze manages to change the food timer program so we can turn it off when needed.

i expected a little more from tunze. where is the "random flow" update you mentioned 9 months ago?

 

[rvitko]

If you are using Windows, it is already present, it is the idle mode check box. When idle mode is clicked on and used with sequential mode and 2 set pulse speeds, the pumps will come on at one of 3 speeds (idle(30%), or the 2 you set which should be other than 30% for the most randomness) at random. The mac version is coming but is delayed, we have one programmer and he had to postpone the update to work on the software and firmware of the products we showed at Interzoo.

 

[disaster999]

i was hoping of a more random flow like you mentioned back in aug as you said below

Random mode is sequential and 3 or more pumps and idle speed turned on, in this way the pumps can come on at any of 3 speeds at random. A later update will expand upon this and make it more "random" but for now, this is what it does.

 

[rvitko]

The complication is the limit of the memory on the controller. We are still working on it but there is no true random, just like when you see a nice tile mosaic and it looks random, someone drew it out and placed the tiles that way. A more complex random mode requires a lot of code and it excedes what the controller can store. We are still looking to add more features and there may be some compromise.

 

[Rosscopeco]

It's not really a complication as such. I've been using the 7096 now for some time and fail to see how anyone could even tell the difference between the current configuration and a true random output.
I'm not saying that I'd knock back future updates to the software but this fascination with random flow seems to be a waste of time. Just what is the magical benefit of a flow pattern more random than the existing one?

If you really want more random flow in the tank you need a greater number of pumps.

PS. For Roger, I'm not sure about the programming side of the unit so this might be too difficult but it would be great if there was more flexibility with the control of individual pumps. I run a wave box and two 6105s and have considered adding a third pump. The way the 7096 pairs pumps and devotes two channels to the wavebox function really limits my options to a piggy back on one of the first two pumps. It would be great to be able to program the pump individually.

 

[disaster999]

thanks roger for clearing that up.

 

[Rosscopeco]

I just downloaded the latest update with the food timer change. Awesome.
It's much easier to use the food timer set to 15minutes as a feature for general maintenance and still be able to use it for feedings by simply pressing the button again once done.
Now that's a useful feature.

 

[rvitko]

I like the wavebox one channel idea, I had thought that myself. I expect that a lot of what we are working on for the 7097 (LED light controller) will result in improvements to the 7096.