AC3 Problem

[s.macnaught]

Hi

I have recently been experiencing some problems with my AC3 system, specifically with my Auto top off system not turning off when required, or turning on intermitently. The hardware and AC3 program have been working properly for over 3 years and this issue has only started a couple of months ago. Initially I thought the problem may have been the float switches and subsequently replaced them.

Can anyone have suggest how I might fix this issue?

Thanks.

Steve

Background information: The hardware I use includes the AC3 connected to PX- 1000 and IO Breakout Box module. Power is controlled by two DC4 HD and a DC8 connection module.

My top off system uses a combination of three mechanical float switches and two I0 Box switches shown below:

Sump
"¢ Float A1 - Operating lvl
"¢ Float 3 - (INLINE between IO Pwr and Float A1)

RO/DI reservoir
"¢ Float - A2 - Low level
"¢A Powerhead called TOP (connected to DC8)

PROGRAM:

TOP*-A06
SwitchA2 (IO BOX)
SwitchA1 (IO BOX)

If SwitchA2 OPEN Then TOP ON
If SwitchA2 CLOSED Then TOP OFF
If SwitchA1 CLOSED Then TOP OFF

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Sounds like the DC8 getting a little old and the top-off pump being close to the lower limits of a triac. Normally you want small pumpt like those used in top-off to be on a relay port (4/8 on the DC8) but as you mention how old you unit is you might not have relay ports. Relays are on DC8s wth serial numbers 9000 and greater. You could move the TOP pump to a 4HD; they are always relays I believe or you can get an AC Expansion (and plug into DC8 port 6) or you could try plugging in a small night-light into the same outlet along with the TOP pump and that usually cures the problem of it not turning off.

 

[s.macnaught]

Hi Kenargo
I will try the solutions you provided in regards to the TOP staying on.

Now on my previous post I also describe that the TOP is turning on intermittently. So on some intermittent occasions the TOP will start (when the float switches combinations should not allow it to start). In this case I have been able to stop the circumstance by manually selecting a NET Reset on the controller. I hope this is enough information for you to help you identify the intermittent on problems? Let me know if you need more info.

Thanks for getting back to me so soon.

Steve

 

[Deleted member 143833]

My 1st guess would be that the float is bouncing or a loose connection but you can confirm by, assuming you have space, adding a dummy timer for each float and then examining the timer logs next time it happens.

 

[s.macnaught]

AC3 Problems, getting worse?

AC3 Problems, getting worse?

Hi Kenargo.

Let me begin by addressing your last post first. I have added timers to the log, and haven't enough data yet to validate the problem.


The bigger concernes are related to some new issues!! These new issues have surfaced over the last week or so since your last post, and are making me think their is something failing somewhere in my controller system,(program included below for you reference if necessary) these are the events that lead me to this conclusion:

1. Top up problem we have been dealing with in the previous posts

2. Both my "pH"(Main tank) and "pHA1" (effluent from CalcReactor) probes where no longer providing consistantly accurate results (both probes where replaced as part of regular maintenance less than a year ago), so I re-calibrated them both pH & pHA1 over the last week. I am still seeing pecular readings from the "pH" probe. It hasn't changed from 2.38 over that last couple of days.

3. My ORB sensor is now reading 872 which is not likely correct based on the historical values which have fluctuated in my system between 290 - 410

4. I noticed last night that my Metal Helide timer (MH2) turned on outside of my normal photoperiod. I did a net restart and things came back to normal for the that time. But when I checked the tank about 1 hr after the MH2 photoperiod was supposed to start, it was not on until once again I did a Net Restart.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have had the system ACIII system working pretty much flawlessly over the last 3 years, and this pattern which developing is quite a concerning. Would you have any suggestions or advice?

Sincerely Steve

Reference: I have included my current programming which has not been modified for quite a while except for adding the new timers SW1 & SW2 which are for the TOP up logging.

If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
If Power 000 Then ALM ON
If Timer WTC = ON Then ALM OFF
If pH < 07.80 Then ALM ON
If Temp < 73.0 Then ALM ON
If Temp > 88.0 Then ALM ON
If Time > 00:00 Then ATO ON
If Timer WTC = ON Then ATO OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then BAD OFF
If Temp > 90.0 Then BAD ON
If TmpA > RT+-0.5 Then CHL ON
If TmpA < RT+-0.1 Then CHL OFF
Max Change 002 M Then CHL OFF
If Timer PRT = OFF Then CHL OFF
If Timer PRT = OFF Then CHL OFF
If Timer WTC = ON Then CHL OFF
If pHA1 > 06.20 Then CO2 ON
If pHA1 < 06.20 Then CO2 OFF
If pH < 07.80 Then CO2 OFF
If Timer WTC = ON Then CO2 OFF
If Timer BAD = ON Then CO2 OFF
If TmpA < RT+-0.3 Then HET ON
If TmpA > RT+-0.1 Then HET OFF
Max Change 015 M Then HET OFF
If Timer WTC = ON Then HET OFF
If Timer BAD = ON Then HET OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then LMN OFF
If Timer LTA = OFF Then LMN ON
If Moon 000/000 Then LMO ON
If Sun 000/000 Then LRF OFF
Max Change 015 M Then LT5 OFF
If Sun -035/035 Then LT5 ON
If Timer BAD = ON Then LT5 OFF
Max Change 005 M Then LTA OFF
If Sun -065/065 Then LTA ON
Max Change 015 M Then MH1 OFF
If Sun 000/000 Then MH1 ON
If Timer Tmp = ON Then MH1 OFF
If Timer BAD = ON Then MH1 OFF
Max Change 015 M Then MH2 OFF
If Sun 000/000 Then MH2 ON
If Timer Tmp = ON Then MH2 OFF
If Timer BAD = ON Then MH2 OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then OZN OFF
If ORP > 430 Then OZN OFF
If ORP < 350 Then OZN ON
If Timer WTC = ON Then OZN OFF
If Timer BAD = ON Then OZN OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PCA ON
Max Change 010 M Then PCA OFF
If Timer CO2 = ON Then PCA ON
If Timer WTC = ON Then PCA OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PMN ON
If Timer WTC = ON Then PMN OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PPR ON
Max Change 010 M Then PPR OFF
If Timer WTC = ON Then PPR OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PRT ON
If Timer WTC = ON Then PRT OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then Tmp OFF
If TmpA > RT+7.0 Then Tmp ON
If TmpA = RT+7.0 Then Tmp OFF
If SwitchA2 OPEN Then TOP ON
If SwitchA2 CLOSED Then TOP OFF
If SwitchA1 CLOSED Then TOP OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then TpA OFF
If TmpA = RT+-8.0 Then TpA ON
If Time > 00:00 Then WTC OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then SW1 OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then SW2 OFF
If SwitchA2 CLOSED Then SW2 ON
If SwitchA1 CLOSED Then SW1 ON


HET&-A01
PCA#-A02
ATO$-A03
CO2$-A04
OZN$-A05
TOP$-A06
LMN$-A07
LRF$-A08
ALM$-A09
MH1$-B01
MH2$-B02
LT5$-B03
CHL&-B04
LTA$-C01
PMN#-C02
PRT#-C03
PPR#-C04
LMO$-D01
BAD$-E01
TpA$-E02
Tmp$-E03
WTC%-F02
SW1%-G01
SW2%-G02

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Yea, things are not sounding good... You might want to just give neptune a call and try to get ahead of what is going on.

Hey; an excuse to get an Apex :bounce3:

 

[s.macnaught]

Hi Ken,

I appreciated your help with this, I have phoned Neptune and left a message. Hopefully this can be resolved or fixed before things get completely out of control.

I'd like to say yeah... to Apex, but my wife has other views on that!

Thanks again
Steve