AC3 Best practices

[Deleted member 143833]

I need a program to turn on my auto top off 4 times a day for 30 min at a time.

Can some one post a program that I can just cut and paste into the Apex advanced set up box?

Thanks!

You should start a new thread rather than using a thread about the AC3 which is a different controller but the program you can use is:

Fallback Off
OSC 000:00/030:00/330:00 Then ON

The above will turn on top off at midnight, 6 am, 12 noon and 6 pm

 

[ToLearn]

You should start a new thread rather than using a thread about the AC3 which is a different controller

Can we got a mod to un-sticky the info on a discontinued product and create a new sticky on best practices for the Apex?

This forum is a good place to go for info, but when new users of the Apex turn here for help and the second thing they see is info about the Ac3...

 

[Steveb]

Why? Lots of ACJr and AC3's floating around... Maybe the title of the thread AC3 Best practices might provide a clue that this is not for an Apex....

 

[ToLearn]

Ok, leave the sticky for the 1% of people that visit this forum who still have an AC3 and need help using it. But for the other 99%...

 

[Steveb]

Ok, leave the sticky for the 1% of people that visit this forum who still have an AC3 and need help using it. But for the other 99%...

Sheesh....

What are pretty much all of the active threads in this forum about? Answer: The APEX, APEX Lite, APEX Jr.

I'm sure that with the new user guide sticky and the other 99.9% of the threads, a new APEX/APEX Lite/APEX Jr. user can most likely find the answer they seek. If not they can post and get an answer since 99% of the people out there are using the APEX (I'm using your % for argument sake, I don't agree with it).

Surely this one sticky on the older products is not such a great inconvenience to you or the other 99% that you/they can't just glide on past it while seeking the answer to an APEX family related issue. I happen to own the APEX and 2 ACJr's, so I can appreciate both sides.

 

[Silkyslim]

Thanks for leaving this up I got ac3 used from someone leaving the hobby.

Btw I like being in the 1#

 

[janakaybravo]

Can someone refer me to how to turn a light on 2 hours in the morning, off for 6 hours, and then on for two more hours? In other words, stagger the time on the same light. Would this work?

If time > 10:00 then LT 3 on
If time > 12:00 then LT 3 off
If time > 18:00 then LT 3 on
If time > 22:00 then LT 3 off.

Maybe not the exact wording on my AC3, but this is from memory. Would it work to turn the light on at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and back on at 6:00 p.m. and off at 10:00 p.m.?

Thanks so much. Kay

 

[sps4fun]

Can someone please PM me thier contact info to help me program my AC3? This is the first controller I have ever had the the user manual is like reading German. SOMEONE please help a fellow reefer out!

 

[rlpardue]

So I acquired an AC3 and am pretty happy so far. However, I'm lost on how to set up the iPhone app and aquanotes and everything.

My main question is how to update the AC3's firmware. I downloaded the "Aquacontroller 3 Firmware Revision 3.4" from the Neptune Systems site. I extracted everything. In the readme file it says to run "ac3loader.exe" but when I do that the computer starts thinking a bit, but then nothing happens. I don't see anything running in Task Manager. Any ideas what my problem is? I think I've diligently pursued self-help lol; time to ask people who know what they're doing

 

[acer]

Well. I sure am glad this thread is still up. I am getting back into the hobby and before I got out ( 3-4 years ago) I purchased a used AC3. I never had it set up - so now will try to use it. I have a AC3 controller, a breakout box, 2 DC8's, 2 small float switches and one very large float switch, and a bunch of cords that look like telephone cords some have smaller plug ends and one has a larger end plugs ends (Ethernet?). I have no idea how to use this. I know it is older tech- but if someone is still using this system and can help - it would be appreciated. Hate to just throw it away.

Thanks

 

[Reef Reactor]

I can help. What do you need? Old school, but I am using a complete ac3 with all modules on my system and dont need to go to apex by the $$ and cover all what I need.

 

[acer]

LOL- Just trying to remember the equipment what what it does. Wish I had some instructions- I think I knew this when I bought the stuff, but because I never used it, I am pretty clueless now.

1) Can it monitor PH ( it has a PH probe input)? So just plug in a PH probe and hit the select button until it comes to the PH and then it displays the PH? How to calibrate or is this self explanatory once I plug in the unit and select PH. Will any PH probe work - or are there specific AC3/Neptune type of probes needed?

2) Does it control pumps, etc. I think i remember the pump control = on/off via the DC8 plugs.

3) I assume it does the same for lights = on/off via the DC8.

4) AUTO top off +/or dose with kalk water via float switch via on/off DC8 plug

5) The Temp port seems to be a phone line input- how do you use this?

Once I know the capabilities I can then figure out the programming works.

Do I run an the Ethernet cable or a different much longer cat5 cable from the unit to my router or do I run it to a PC/laptop in order to interface with the unit and program and monitor remotely?

Sorry to be a pain. I am also searching and reading AC3 info all over the internet to try and remember how to use this. I know at one time this was the latest and greatest.

Edit- Found and downloaded owners manual

 

[Reef Reactor]

LOL- Just trying to remember the equipment what what it does. Wish I had some instructions- I think I knew this when I bought the stuff, but because I never used it, I am pretty clueless now.

1) Can it monitor PH ( it has a PH probe input)? So just plug in a PH probe and hit the select button until it comes to the PH and then it displays the PH? How to calibrate or is this self explanatory once I plug in the unit and select PH. Will any PH probe work - or are there specific AC3/Neptune type of probes needed?

yes it can monitor ph. You need tonfollow the instructions about how to calibrate the probe and then program it. Very useful to control a ca reactor.

2) Does it control pumps, etc. I think i remember the pump control = on/off via the DC8 plugs.

3) I assume it does the same for lights = on/off via the DC8.

Yes for both

4) AUTO top off +/or dose with kalk water via float switch via on/off DC8 plug

Yes, but you need to connect the float switch by the breakout box

5) The Temp port seems to be a phone line input- how do you use this?

The temp probe has the phone line at the end of the cable, you just need to connect the temp probe to the controller and thats it. I think it does not need calibrarion.

Once I know the capabilities I can then figure out the programming works.

Do I run an the Ethernet cable or a different much longer cat5 cable from the unit to my router or do I run it to a PC/laptop in order to interface with the unit and program and monitor remotely?

Both of them can works. I have access to my ac3 by any device on my LAN by wifi and I configure it to send me an email if something needs my attention.

Sorry to be a pain. I am also searching and reading AC3 info all over the internet to try and remember how to use this. I know at one time this was the latest and greatest.

Edit- Found and downloaded owners manual

I can recommend to download the kenargo simulator. It permits you to save your configuration on your pc and permits to keep comments on your code. Permits simulate and validate the code and import and export to your ac3. Very useful tool.
If you need more assistance including code, let me know.

Good luck! [emoji106]

 

[acer]

OK at work now - Found Kenargo simulator website and send the link to my home email. THanks.

I need to take the time to hook up the Ethernet cable to a laptop and to try to connect to it to see if it works or not. I don't have the Aqua-notes even.

Thanks for clearing up the temp probe stuff. I did confirm that any PH probe will work- I have a Pinpoint monitor that can use the probe if I cant get the AC3 up and running.

 

[Reef Reactor]

Dont worry, you do not need aquanotes. Kenargo simulator is more than enough.