AC Jr. & mixing DC units

C

clsanchez77

Member
I will be getting the AquaController Jr. and want to use the direct connect units.

I was wonering, can I mix a DC4HD, DC8 & a DC4.

Reason being is I want to have my lights (VHO, 2xMH & refug) in the DC4HD, which will be in a separate GFCI from the other two units. The DC8 unit would have my 2xtunze streams, wavebox, return pump, chiller & 2-heaters and the extra DC4 would also have a powerfilter (carbon, phosban...) chiller pump and 2 more heaters, in sync with the return pump, chiller & 2-heaters on the DC8.

Also, I if I were to use a X-10 controller and hit the button cooresponding to the VHO lighting (for example), will the DC units coorespond and turn the VHO lights on/off?

Thanks,
Chris
 
Yes, you can mix DC4, DC4HD, and DC8s on any of the AquaContorllers. The Jr can control 12 devices, so some legal configurations would be:

3 DC4s
1 DC4 & 2 DC4HDs
1 DC8 & 1 DC4HD
1 DC8 & 1 DC4
etc.

Curt
 
On a Jr, No; it only controls 12 devices. You actually could plug that configuration into the Jr, but you would only be able to control 12 of the 16 outlets.

An AC3 you can control 20 devices, and a 3 Pro controls 30, so your mix of DCs would work. The addressing would be different however, as the address settings on the DC8 are only from 1 to 8 or 9 to 16. Like: DC4HD A1-A4, DC4 A5-A8, DC8 A9-A16.

Curt
 
Ok Curt,

First, I need to correct my previous post; the planned configuration would be:
DC8: M1-M8
DC4: M5-M8
DC4HD: M9-M12

Second I need to clarify your point, I think I am getting the definition of 'controls 12 devices' wrong.

I am assuming that a device is a X-10 unit address and that the controller is ignoratant as to wheather 1 or 2 devices use a common device address. That said, my proposed DC configuration only uses 12 'devices' or addresses even though it is comprised of 16 'outlets'.

But from what you are saying, if I have my return pump connected at address M7 on the DC8 (set to channels 1-8) and my skimmer connected at M7 on the DC4 (channels 5-8), and the controller is programmed:

If FEED Then PRT Off, where PRT = M7

the controller will not operate both items on the same address?

If not, I will have to ditch the DC idea and go with all X-10 modules, can do just not prefered.

Thanks for you help so far, I hope we can clear this up so I can go the correct direction.

Chris
 
I didn't realize that you were trying to overlap addresses on purpose. Yes, the 4 outlets M5-M8 of the DC8 and the DC4s M5-M8 outlets would both respond indentically and be controllable by the Jr. Note that only letter codes A through D are supported on the direct connect boxes, though.

Curt
 
if the device is running thru a tele cord in to the DC?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6703094#post6703094 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clsanchez77
BTW, will a DC unit respond to an X-10 command sent from a device other than the aquacontroller?
Click to expand...
 
i thought for a minute we were communicationg - another device sending out x-10 signals thru your house's 110v power lines will not communicate with your DCs - that is the point of them - to be hardwired to the aquacontoller - so they are not interfered by electical interference from appliances on your power line.





<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6703304#post6703304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clsanchez77
No, elsewhere in the house, but I see where you are going with this...so I suspect it won't work (not reliably anyway).

Chris
Click to expand...
 
Wonder if this will work from a blackberry...

The aquacontroller will hardwire to the DC units, otherwise there is no point.

What I thought would be a neat 'extra' would be to have some X-10 switches with LED status indicators mounted next to the tank. I happen to have 2 4 address switches laying around. The aquacontroller would update the stsus of these thru the powerline interface. What I was curius about is would it work the otherway...would pressing a switch cycle the cooresponding DC outlet. I realize it will not change the status of the aquacontroller so I am not suggesting it as an alternative to the manual control. But was curious as to if it would work.
 
it appears to work from your bb

I am sort of lost - not thinking laterally enough right now

status is shown on the aquacontroller screen, no?



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6703790#post6703790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clsanchez77
Wonder if this will work from a blackberry...

The aquacontroller will hardwire to the DC units, otherwise there is no point.

What I thought would be a neat 'extra' would be to have some X-10 switches with LED status indicators mounted next to the tank. I happen to have 2 4 address switches laying around. The aquacontroller would update the stsus of these thru the powerline interface. What I was curius about is would it work the otherway...would pressing a switch cycle the cooresponding DC outlet. I realize it will not change the status of the aquacontroller so I am not suggesting it as an alternative to the manual control. But was curious as to if it would work.
Click to expand...
 
P4189A.jpg


Thanks, but that will make the inside of my stand look a little cluttered and the indicator lights would be in the back of the stand so it defeats the purpose.

This is what I already have on hand just so you get an idea of where I was going:

4217wrbig.jpg


They mount on a base and I already have 2 on hand, so would only need one more. I can mount these in an electrical box and connect them to the house electric with an appliance cord. The Aquacontroller would update these with the X-10 transmission. They could be flushed mounted to the side of the stand. They just would not feature any control of the DC outlets.

It really isn't a big deal, just was an idea.

Chris
 
Now what that chord will do is allow me to plug 2 devices into one outlet on the DC, eliminating the need for me to have to buy the extra DC4...so thanks.

Question for Curt, if we didn't loose him on the sidetrack, can I plug in a 1/10th hp chiller AND a Mag7 pump into one DC8 outlet?
 
an artica? - they draw what about 3.5 amps? and the mag 7 how many - the chiller will draw a bunch on startup but just for a second - I ran this by him once and I think he said the startup draw would be ok - maybe but yes, you should let clp chime in


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6705210#post6705210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clsanchez77
Now what that chord will do is allow me to plug 2 devices into one outlet on the DC, eliminating the need for me to have to buy the extra DC4...so thanks.

Question for Curt, if we didn't loose him on the sidetrack, can I plug in a 1/10th hp chiller AND a Mag7 pump into one DC8 outlet?
Click to expand...
 
Pacific Coast CL-280 1/10 HP Inline Chiller
pc-280.jpg

1/10 hp - 2.5 - 3 Amps ?

Mag7 Pump
70W - < 0.7 Amps

Total less than 4 Amps

DC8 capacity is 6 Amps, DC4 capacity is 8 Amps, DC4HD is 12 Amps.

Guess I'm ok.
 
maybe but it worries me you have your main return on the same sort-of-challenged-circuit

not sure why having the chiller on the aquacontroller is a need - i can see with heater - to provide double insurance your heater is not stuck on to roast your tank

chillers don't stick, they just quit working - and subjecting its compressor to a possible on/off other then its own thermostat

i live in s flor and thought - my instincts are that it is better to have chiller off the aquacontroller - and even on a differnt house circuit - if the total circuit is approaching its limit otherwise

jmo - don't let it worry you except you do not want the dc fuse to blow (or that relay in the DC to burn out due to amps;) and chillers do like triple their draw for a second

however - you are below capacity as long as clp agrees the second triple draw poses no problem - I think its the heat that causes the fuse/relay to go - and one second of triple juice does not make heat - I've gabbed enough



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6706366#post6706366 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clsanchez77
Pacific Coast CL-280 1/10 HP Inline Chiller
pc-280.jpg

1/10 hp - 2.5 - 3 Amps ?

Mag7 Pump
70W - < 0.7 Amps

Total less than 4 Amps

DC8 capacity is 6 Amps, DC4 capacity is 8 Amps, DC4HD is 12 Amps.

Guess I'm ok.
Click to expand...
 
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