Anyone using a RKL?

[planejane]

Am I a moron or is the RKL User Manuel the most usless piece of literature ever written? I just got one yesterday and have not been able to figure out how it works. I could contact DA support, but I'm so confused I don't even know what to ask. Digital Aquatics should be embarrassed to have ever put out such a POS.

 

[Shawnbeaulieu]

I use the Aquacontroller 3 its manual was useless but you could at least figure it out on your own

 

[seased]

I agree - the manual that comes with the unit is not very clear. What helped me when I set mine up was to go to the DA site and go to their forums. Go to the Reef/Saltwater Aquarium Controllers section. Go to the RKL section and look for their Basic Programming Guide. It is a good howto on setting up standard equipment. Once you see how it works, it will become clearer, but at first, it is confusing. HTH

 

[EllieSuz]

First, once you get your RKL up and running, you will absolutely love it. I agree, however, that the manual is a disaster. I received my unit on a Friday and spent the entire weekend trying to figure it out with little success, until I could call their customer service. It was furiously frustrating. Instructions should assume zero knowledge on the part of the user and Digital Aquatic's manual is more like a reference tool. It should contain step-by-step details for every single setting. I understand that they are changing the manual, along with a firmware update. Unfortunately, the current manual doesn't explain how to update the firmware. Give them a call; they are very nice and will help you out.

 

[ct_vol]

What exactly are you trying to program it to do Janie??? I'm more than happy to help...

 

[planejane]

I spent most of yesterday reading the DA forums. I found them more scary than helpful, looks like they have a lot of ongoing problems that takes a computer geek to fix. I think I've screwed up the iTemp, the manuel said to calibrate, but then I found in the forums that it comes already calibrated and I changed the value??, but I'll deal with that later.

I've set it up to run 2 dosing pumps, or I think I have. I have no idea WTH the Muli-timer function is supposed to do.

Randy, I'd like to hook up with you one day when you're at CR maybe and you can give me a tutorial. Sounds like a good topic for a club meeting!!!! If the way I have it programed now doesn't do what I want it to I'll give you a call.

 

[macclellan]

Who is Manuel?

The RK2 manual was very helpful; I had mine up and running in about 20 minutes. I think the programming interface is the same for the RKL (up down and select). You may want to download the RK2 manual and just use that, since it is made by the same company and has the same interface.

Multitimer turns an outlet on and off multiple times over a day when you tell it to. I don't use that for anything.

 

[planejane]

Manuel is there tech support/janitEr pearson!!!

 

[ct_vol]

I use the multi-timer function for my actinics... I like them to come on for an hour around 6 or so I can check on my tanks and see if there is any reason to get my arm wet... They then come on again later in the afternoon... The regular light programs only let you turn on and off once during the day... I'll let you know when they come in at CR... Should be soon... Or you're more than welcome to come over here and I can give you a tutorial...

 

[planejane]

I have no idea how I did it, but the dosing pumps are working as programed!!! Next thing is to try setting up the iTemp to the heater.

 

[ct_vol]

Do you have the dosing pumps hooked up to the RKL???

 

[planejane]

Do you have the dosing pumps hooked up to the RKL???

Yes dear.