Hey guys I have my apex all set up but what im wondering if I can have it set up so that it fills my tank once every 4 hours adding a larger amount of water "1/4 gallon" instead of it turning on 50 times a day adding such a small amount of water. any idea of how I would program that?
Apex ato
- Thread starter acasp4
- Start date
swearint
New member
The method that I use is to create a virtual outlet that limits the time/duration that the ATO can run.
[ATO_Allow]
OSC 000:00/030:00/450:00 Then ON
[ATO]
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON
If Outlet ATO_Allow = OFF Then OFF
ATO_Allow is ON for 30 minutes out of every 8 hours, otherwise OFF. So, when ON, the floatswitch is alowed to run the ATO as needed. This basically 'saves up' all the little ATO bumps and runs it for the equivalent amount during the time slot. This also acts as a limited failsafe. In the event that the float somehow fails CLOSED, the ATO can only run for 30 minutes every eight hours.
Todd
[ATO_Allow]
OSC 000:00/030:00/450:00 Then ON
[ATO]
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON
If Outlet ATO_Allow = OFF Then OFF
ATO_Allow is ON for 30 minutes out of every 8 hours, otherwise OFF. So, when ON, the floatswitch is alowed to run the ATO as needed. This basically 'saves up' all the little ATO bumps and runs it for the equivalent amount during the time slot. This also acts as a limited failsafe. In the event that the float somehow fails CLOSED, the ATO can only run for 30 minutes every eight hours.
Todd
Is there some disadvantage to many small freshwater bumps throughout the day over several larger refills like you have?
I don't dose via ATO... is that it? Am I putting extra strain and stress on an aqualifter pump by turning on and off so many times per day?
swearint
New member
My ATO is supplied directly by RO filter and it is thought that longer continuous runs are better. Although, I originally devised this approach due to false signals caused by snails camping out on the float.
Todd
insomniac2k2
Active member
By using larger/timed bumps of freshwater you will also be able to track your evaporation and be able to get better visibility on a few things. Things like when your skimmer goes crazy and uses up more water than usual.
I usually open my door daily. If i see that im not topped off at a certain time, i know something unusual happened that used more than the standard ammount of water. It's time to check salinity, RO/DI resevoir, etc.
I like having that extra control.
I usually open my door daily. If i see that im not topped off at a certain time, i know something unusual happened that used more than the standard ammount of water. It's time to check salinity, RO/DI resevoir, etc.
I like having that extra control.
NO! What you just posted will result in the ATO running for 30 minutes out of every 8 hours REGARDLESS of the state of Switch1 or Switch2.
Take a look again at Todd's code... there is the actual ATO pump outlet [ATO] and then there is a virtual outlet [ATO_Allow].... you can't merge the two sets of statements or parts of his code into a single outlet.
Take a look again at Todd's code... there is the actual ATO pump outlet [ATO] and then there is a virtual outlet [ATO_Allow].... you can't merge the two sets of statements or parts of his code into a single outlet.
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swearint
New member
As Russ pointed out, you need to use the virtual outlet. It allows you to implement a conditional statement, 'If Outlet ...'. In the example I posted, it acts only on the OFF state, leaving the switches to act otherwise.
Adding the Min Time is an improvement to your code, but it does not help with a failed float switch. If either Switch1 or Switch2 fails to OPEN, the ATO will run indefinitely.
Todd
Adding the Min Time is an improvement to your code, but it does not help with a failed float switch. If either Switch1 or Switch2 fails to OPEN, the ATO will run indefinitely.
Todd
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when switch 1 falls do to water evaporation it turns on the ATO pump to fill it back up and then turns off when enough water is added. switch 2 is a back up so that if switch 1 gets stuck switch 2 will shut off my ATO pump.
if makeing a virtual outlet useing OCS is the way to go how do i do it and what do i need to change ?
if makeing a virtual outlet useing OCS is the way to go how do i do it and what do i need to change ?
when switch 1 falls do to water evaporation it turns on the ATO pump to fill it back up and then turns off when enough water is added. switch 2 is a back up so that if switch 1 gets stuck switch 2 will shut off my ATO pump.
if makeing a virtual outlet useing OCS is the way to go how do i do it and what do i need to change ?
if makeing a virtual outlet useing OCS is the way to go how do i do it and what do i need to change ?
swearint
New member
Sorry, I made a slight mistatement. Both of your switches would have to fail in order for the ATO to run indefinitely. So that may provide you with sufficient redundancy. The virtual outlet would provide additional safety.
As for implementing virtual outlets, the New User Guide stickied at the top of the forum has a chapter dedicated to them. It is worth understanding, they really extend the functionality of the coding language.
Todd
As for implementing virtual outlets, the New User Guide stickied at the top of the forum has a chapter dedicated to them. It is worth understanding, they really extend the functionality of the coding language.
Todd
Cool. Todd's method is overall a much more more elegant and IMO, a better method, but adding the Min Time is the simplest way of doing what you want.
