AQ status problem

[JB NY]

Hey Curt,

I've been trying to find the cause of this for some time. I now use the AQ2 to keep tabs of my electricity usage of reef equipment and this problem is causing a lot of errors.

The problem is the status of the chiller, many times, shows ON when it really is not on. What I mean by this is the status in the AQ notes lists the chiller as ON, but the X10 controller has not been told to turn the device on, so the actual chiller is off.

As far a practical use it is not a problem. As the chiller it self always turns ON at the set temperature and OFF when the temp is below the set temperature. But as the temp rises from the set OFF point, at some time before it reaches the set ON point the status changes from OFF to ON. As I stated the actual chiller does not turn on though.

From a reporting standpoint there is a problem, As the chiller is not on most of the time it reads that it is.

Here is a chart of the chiller on/off with the temp. You can see the status goes to ON way before the actual chiller turns on, which as you can see doesn't happen until the temp starts to drop.

 

[JB NY]

Here is a copy of my program

If Moon 000/000 Then MON ON 
If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then CRX ON 
If Time > 00:00 Then OZN OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PHY OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then FNB OFF
If Time > 19:00 Then RFG ON 
If Time > 10:00 Then RFG OFF
If Time > 10:00 Then PHY ON 
If Time > 02:00 Then PHY OFF
If Time > 13:00 Then OZN ON 
If Time > 17:00 Then OZN OFF
If Time > 07:45 Then VHO ON 
If Time > 20:50 Then VHO OFF
If Time > 07:30 Then MHR ON 
If Time > 08:01 Then MHR OFF
If Time > 12:00 Then MHR ON 
If Time > 20:45 Then MHR OFF
If Time > 07:35 Then MHC ON 
If Time > 08:02 Then MHC OFF
If Time > 12:01 Then MHC ON 
If Time > 20:50 Then MHC OFF
If Time > 07:40 Then MHL ON 
If Time > 08:03 Then MHL OFF
If Time > 12:03 Then MHL ON 
If Time > 20:55 Then MHL OFF
If Time > 20:45 Then MHF ON 
If Time > 21:45 Then MHF OFF
If Time > 20:50 Then VHF ON 
If Time > 08:55 Then VHF OFF
If Time > 02:03 Then MHF ON 
If Time > 09:00 Then MHF OFF
If Time > 08:00 Then KRX ON 
If Time > 08:05 Then KRX OFF
If Time > 20:00 Then KRX ON 
If Time > 20:05 Then KRX OFF
If Temp > 81.0 Then COL ON 
If Temp < 79.1 Then COL OFF
If Temp < 78.4 Then HET ON 
If Temp > 78.9 Then HET OFF
If Temp > 82.0 Then ALM ON 
If Temp < 77.5 Then ALM ON 
If Temp < 50.0 Then HET OFF
If pH   > 8.60 Then ALM ON 
If pH   < 8.52 Then TPF ON 
If Switch1 OPEN Then TPF ON 
Max Change 002 M Then TPF OFF
If Power Fail Then ALM ON 
If Power Fail Then FNB ON 
If Switch1 OPEN Then SWA OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then SWA ON 
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ALM ON 
If Switch1 CLOSED Then TPF OFF
If pH   > 8.55 Then TPF OFF

 

[clp]

Do you have a thermostate on the chiller? I suspect that it is not turning on the chiller until a higher temperature. So the AquaController turns the chiller on and then the temperature eventually rises enough to turn the chiller thermostat on.

Curt

 

[JB NY]

no thermostat on the chiller. It's an aqualogic, if I plug it into the wall directly it will run till the tank freezes.

 

[clp]

Maybe the X10 commands are reaching the module? Is the control module and the control interface on the same circuit. If the status is showing on, then the controller is definitely sending out the commands.
You could always power cycle (reboot) the controller to ensure that the internal state is 100% consistent. To power cycle remove the 9V battery and unplug the AC adapter. When power is restored you'll only have to set the clock (AC2 & ACPRO). All program and configuration settings will be intact.

 

[Aquaduck]

Another thing to do is try turning on the chiller using manual control. See if it responds. It should change states almost immediately if you do this.

 

[JB NY]

Yes all on the same circuit. The chiller is actually hooked into a DC4.

When in auto mode and the status is ON, but the temperature has not hit the set point, the chiller is not on, but if I change the status from auto to manual, the chiller will immediately turn on.

The AQ2 has been rebooted numerous times. This problem has been consistent for at least two years. I would say in that time the AQ2 has been rebooted at least 50 times, and once completely reset and re-initialized due to a memory problem.

 

[JB NY]

Another thing to do is try turning on the chiller using manual control. See if it responds. It should change states almost immediately if you do this.

I can turn the chiller on or off immediately by putting it in manual control.

 

[clp]

What version and date of the firmware?

 

[JB NY]

Can I tell that remotely or do I need to physically be at the unit?

 

[clp]

You can issue the 'v' command from the serial port.

Curt

 

[Joboo]

wow I thought my Program was long This may be off topic but keep an eye on the amount of lines in your program. I had a program with over 55 lines of code and was having major issues with the controller resetting and doing some whacky things. I called Curt and he confirmed that there was a limit on the amount of lines in the program. I can't remember for certain but I think it was like 55 or 56?? Curt can you confirm this info? Thx

 

[clp]

It is 56 for the AC2. I count 54 in his program so this is not the issue.

Curt

 

[JB NY]

What version and date of the firmware?

Copyright 1999 - Neptune Systems - Rev 1.60 - 5/01

 

[JB NY]

It is 56 for the AC2. I count 54 in his program so this is not the issue.

Curt

Yeah, I'm well aware of that hardline limit.

 

[JB NY]

Any ideas?

 

[clp]

Email me the complete program and timer names. I'll see if I can replicate the problem.

Curt

 

[JB NY]

Email me the complete program and timer names. I'll see if I can replicate the problem.

Curt

Done.

 

[AcroSteve]

Joe, hope you don't mind answering this here. Sorry for the hijack. Answer in pm if you have the time and would rather not clutter this thread.

In the 1st several lines of code, you initialize 5 timers to a certain state. Why just those timers and not others? I know you are close to the limit for program size. Is this why you do not initialize more?

What is CRX? You only initialize it once, and then never change the state.

What are MHF, VHF? Metal Halide and VHO on the frag tank?

How about PHY, FNB?

Is SWA a visual indicator of alarm condition so you can see it on your web cam?

Thanks in advance.

 

[earraval]

I would like to know the problem with it !!!! post it here, please.....
tks,