AC II & Auto topoff

[Budman912]

Can you guys show me how you are connecting your floatswitch to the external inputs of the serial connector on the ACII when the AC II is permanently connected to a pc via the serial port. Do I have to just cut into the serial wire? I hate to cut into my cable and ruin it. I know i've seen people post pics of their connectors but I did a search and couldn't find anything.

 

[kattner]

Page 23 and 51 of the ACII manual discusses it, but yes you have to pull the Switch wires off the serial cable (probably by cutting it). I've posted a wiring diagram for the ACIII in another thread, but since you have the ACII, you have to modify the serial cable. I used to have the ACII, but can't remember what the plug looks like going into the controller. If it is all molded plastic then you have to cut the wire, if it is a plug that can be disassembled you can take it apart and pull the switch wires out of the plug. What I would do is just buy a new plug at radio shack and cut the old one off and modify it. Or just make a whole new plug from scratch. I think Curt sells the unfinished cables that have the round plug on one end and just open wires on the other end. You could then wire up your own serial plug on the other end and pull off the switch wires. This would be the safer route so you don't inadvertantly ruin the other plug

 

[Budman912]

Thanks Kattner for your help. I will email Curt and see if he can see me one of the serial cables that you were talking about. I went to Radio Shack and they didn't have any of the mini-din connectors and I looked around Comp USA and couldn't find one there either, but it was busy and I couldn't find anyone to help me so they may have one. I'll need to get a longer extension cable to reach my computer which is in the equipment room next to my aquarium room

 

[xinumaster]

Hi Kattner,

Can you draw me diagram on how you wired your auto-top off to your ACIII? I would like to do the same for my ACpro.

Thanks.
Perry