AC3 randomly turning lights off and on

[CW from the OC]

After 3 years of running flawlessly, suddenly my AC3 is turning lights off and on at random times. The lights are plugged into the DC8. I haven't changed the programming. Any ideas to trouble shoot? I'm thinking it is more of a equipmnt failure rather than a programming issue, as it has run perfectly for several years.....

 

[tcwayne]

I just started having the same issue this morning. All my lights came on and that's six different timers. I can turn off and on manually but in auto they all come on. I did a restart and no change. I'll be calling Neptune as soon as they get in on the west coast. All other timers work fine but my main pump shut off for some reason this morning. I took it off and plugged it into a regular outlet. Very curious!

 

[CW from the OC]

Hi Chuck,

Let me know if you haave any luck. After much searching, all I've been able to find it to make sure there is no equipment near the control modules, potentially causing interference.

So I removed the external X10 controller I had daisy chained from the DC8. And I moved the wires from the Neptune control box to the DC8 away from everything.

I also re initiated the controller.

Hopefull thay will fix it, or I'm looking at a new DC8 and/or controller.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Try changing the control cable; when it gets old and begins to tarnish it can result in less than optimal communications.

 

[CW from the OC]

Try changing the control cable; when it gets old and begins to tarnish it can result in less than optimal communications.

Good idea, thanks. Does anyone know if a standard phone cord works, or do I need to track down a genuine Neptune cable?

 

[RussM]

A standard phone cable is fine *as long as it has 4 wires*... most only have 2.

 

[ebman74]

Was having the same issue. I switched outlets on my DC4HD and have had no further issues. The number 1 outlet on my DC4HD was the problem.

 

[tcwayne]

Hi Chuck,

Let me know if you haave any luck. After much searching, all I've been able to find it to make sure there is no equipment near the control modules, potentially causing interference.

So I removed the external X10 controller I had daisy chained from the DC8. And I moved the wires from the Neptune control box to the DC8 away from everything.

I also re initiated the controller.

Hopefull thay will fix it, or I'm looking at a new DC8 and/or controller.

It happened again the next night but just switched everything to on. I could only assume it was some sort of noise from another piece of equipment like my chiller. I have a dedicated 20 amp circuit for my tank and have had everything running off of that with a few small things on the nearby 15 amp. I moved the AC to the 15 amp circuit and haven't had one single issue. Noise from another piece of equipment can do some strange things.