actuated valve on a timer?

[crazzyreefer]

Im looking for a way to control a actuated valve on a timer, I have a ACjr but it dosnt allow enough code entries, Im looking for it to be timed at 1-2 min on and 10 min off, and once an hour during the night for only one min. I dont want it on a high, low of my sump for many reasons. is there a controller out there that can do this? I counted over 200 entries to do this. Im not looking for the cheapest way, Im not opposed to saving a bit of green, but so far not much has been cheap, and a few hundred more or less isnt going to make that much of a difference., could I control it from multiple ACjr units?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions

 

[widmer]

If you haven't checked into it yet, there are the actuators for co2 supply on the freshwater planted tanks. Not sure what goes into controlling those...I've always seen them at drsfostersmith.

 

[cabrego]

There is an oscillation feature the AC Jr has hwy not use that under the time condition aht you are interested in.

Sounds pretty simple to me.


If time is >y

OSC 2/10 on

else off.

 

[messar]

You may want to look at Zelio smart relays. This would be quite simple to set up. A 4 in/4 out controller is about 135$ (unfortunately, you also need a special cable - I think mine was about 90$. Design software is free from Schneider electric.

matt

 

[crazzyreefer]

Thanks Matt, I look into it, I have about 20 valves, some are 110v others are 24v, some will need to be on timers with multiple times pre-programed, but I ran into program restrictions with the current controllers, for the money spent they could go with a larger chip than I had on my commodore 64 in the 80s

Cabrego, Sorry the message is so poorly constructed that I cant tell if your telling me that I can or cant use a acjr

 

[cabrego]

I am sorry let me be more clear.


There is no reason you should have to right code that has 200 entries to do the simple oscillation during a certain time period. If I had to guess you are trying to dose something during the evening. In any event I think that ACJR can do this out of the box, of course you do need an actuator.

Were you going to literally write out the logic for each on/off case? Save yourself some time and money and learn how to use the ACJR OSC feature. You may also have to have an additional statement to determine what time it is.

Check in with the neptune forum here I am sure someone has done this before.

 

[crazzyreefer]

Well what I have is about 10 valves, but 3 of them controls the surge, they will be on a set time on and off each one of them so that the dump tank dosnt empty completely, It will look totaly random but it will be like a bad radio station, listen long enough and you will notice a loop. At night time the surge will be going on for only 1-2 min per hour, the surge tank will over flow slowly into the sump so that its not as chaotic as it is during the day time. To do this I have to have a controller open valve 1 at 900hr, close at 902hr open valve 2 at 901 close at 904hr open valve 3 at 915hr close at 917hr...ect...ect.. I had a ACpro along time ago and it gave me only 100 lines of booleen code, this will take several hundred lines of commands, I looked into the smart relays, I think they might work, just not sure, I wil have to have a few because some valves are 110v ac and others are 24v dc

 

[mr.wilson]

Paul at Oceans Motions has a controller and relays that will do that with his revolving valves. They can be as random as you wish. Actuated valves may give you corrosion, noise, and premature wear with frequent use. The cost will also be higher, but it sounds like you already have them.

 

[crazzyreefer]

Georg Fisher, are industrial valve, they have a very long life and are used in machines for just this purpose, I will have spare valves and actuators. I have used these same valves for food distribution, The seals are the key to a extra long life

 

[mr.wilson]

As cabrego stated, your controller is capable of such a sequence. You just need to spend some time teaching yourself how to use it. The DIY forum is better for this topic. How much did the valves set you back?

 

[crazzyreefer]

I posted i the DIY and although lots of views...received no response... I know there is limited people using this type of system, and even fewer no using just High/low from the sump to trigger the relay. The valves like all the rest of the build was expensive. Will look into the controller again, Thanks.

 

[mr.wilson]

You picked an unpopular method of skinning the cat, so you won't get many responses. I would try Paul at Oceans Motions 1 877-812-4108, or PM H20ENG on here. It may still be cheaper and easier to rethink your method if your current controller can't handle it.

 

[crazzyreefer]

I know H20ENG, Ill give him a call, and yes Im not normal, so I dont do things in a normal way.....Just ask my wife...