Aqua controller hook up to pc
- Thread starter mako56
- Start date
yaitisme
In Memoriam
Now why do you start these projects at 9 at night lol?
So you are interfacing using a network cable (RJ45 cat 5) between the controller and the computer.
Is this the first (only) or second NIC (ethernet) card in your computer?
How are you trying to communicate with the controller... using a browser or controller software?
Does the controller have a dedicated IP address (ie 192.168.1.x) or is it static (address chosen by network)?
Should you be connecting the controller to a router or directly to the PC per the controller instructions?
Two NIC card in a PC under windows is very finicky setup.
So you are interfacing using a network cable (RJ45 cat 5) between the controller and the computer.
Is this the first (only) or second NIC (ethernet) card in your computer?
How are you trying to communicate with the controller... using a browser or controller software?
Does the controller have a dedicated IP address (ie 192.168.1.x) or is it static (address chosen by network)?
Should you be connecting the controller to a router or directly to the PC per the controller instructions?
Two NIC card in a PC under windows is very finicky setup.
yaitisme
In Memoriam
Mike,
after skimming though the aquacontroller pdf file, it sounds like you should be connecting through a router as opposed to using two NIC cards. You could prob. do it with two NICs but a router would be much easier.
check pages 46-47
http://www.neptunesys.com/AquaNotes.pdf
after skimming though the aquacontroller pdf file, it sounds like you should be connecting through a router as opposed to using two NIC cards. You could prob. do it with two NICs but a router would be much easier.
check pages 46-47
http://www.neptunesys.com/AquaNotes.pdf
mako56
Premium Member
:lol: I wasn't using geek as a swear word :lol: You forgot about the napkins and the toilet paper. I am mostly a welding, pipe fitting, pump geek with lots of jack of all trades master of none geek on the side. Anyways I have been struggling for two days trying to make it work and thought I would see if there is an easy (right) answer. I don't understand very well what this all means but I have read it yesterday and set the ip address's up right I think.
So you are interfacing using a network cable (RJ45 cat 5) between the controller and the computer.
I have a cat 6 wire that I made up cause the one they sent is only 6 feet or so long. That one is a cat 5 but they still both have 8 wires so I really don't know what cat 5 and cat 6 mean don't know if that is bad or ok the led lights are not lighting up where I plug it in and the computer says that the network cable isn't plugged in. I tried bring the controller up to the computer and hooking it up with there cable and the same thing.
How are you trying to communicate with the controller... using a browser or controller software?
I am using the controller software.
Should you be connecting the controller to a router or directly to the PC per the controller instructions?
So a good plan would be to buy a router and that would plug into where I am plugging into now? Should a person go wireless right away? I am soooooooooooo confused.
So you are interfacing using a network cable (RJ45 cat 5) between the controller and the computer.
I have a cat 6 wire that I made up cause the one they sent is only 6 feet or so long. That one is a cat 5 but they still both have 8 wires so I really don't know what cat 5 and cat 6 mean don't know if that is bad or ok the led lights are not lighting up where I plug it in and the computer says that the network cable isn't plugged in. I tried bring the controller up to the computer and hooking it up with there cable and the same thing.
How are you trying to communicate with the controller... using a browser or controller software?
I am using the controller software.
Should you be connecting the controller to a router or directly to the PC per the controller instructions?
So a good plan would be to buy a router and that would plug into where I am plugging into now? Should a person go wireless right away? I am soooooooooooo confused.
mako56
Premium Member
Yep Bri give me something to weld or some pipe to make up and I am ready to go but tell me how to make this work and duh.:lol: Maybe we will have it all figured out by then if nothing else I can ask the electricians at work too.
Thanks again for all the help yaitisme and Jason
Thanks again for all the help yaitisme and Jason
yaitisme
In Memoriam
No worries Mike, this would be like me stumbling around trying to get an old welder to stick two pieces of metal together. The instruction kinda suck and seem geared toward getting a serial (DB9) controller to work.
Cat 5 or Cat 6 will not matter for this type of application. Cat 6 is just the newest rating higher speeds. If you made your own cable, it is very easy to cross wires. Check the communication and LED sequencing with a known good cable, I believe you should get flashing LEDs even if your setup isn't 100% correct. You have to have the LED flashing to have communication.
The router would make diagnosing much easier, like I said two NIC cards in a PC is a pain. I have setup PC based test systems both ways and the router option is well worth the extra $30. A router will also give you a better firewall for your PC and let you increase your highspeed internet bandwidth if connected to two or more PCs. If you do buy a router, it makes sense t get one with wireless as one without costs the same and most times more than one without. If you don't plan on using the wireless then don't go crazy and buy one with the fastest wireless, G will be fine and shouldn't cost much more than $40.00. Make sure it is a router/switch (most wireless ones are) and keep the recipe incase this doesn't work.
Remove the second NIC card from your PC. Setup the router per the quick install instructions that come with the router (PC to port 1, controller to port 2, internet from cable router or DSL box to the 5th or internet input port). When everything is setup you should get flashing LEDs on the computer NIC card and controller. You can interface the router through your internet browser by typing in 192.168.1.1 this should give you a window that asks for login name and password (listed in router setup usually something like admin password). This will pull-up a web type page generated by the router. There should be an option that allows you verify attached devices (attached devices, items on network, connected devices, or something like that) that will tell you the IP addresses of all items connected to the router (one will be your computer the other the controller if all is well). These are the two IP addresses you will need, if sounds like the controller will try to grab 192.168.1.50 as this is it's default. Your PC will be a static IP, which means it will grab what ever IP address is available every time the PC boots so if the controller needs a fixed IP to communicate with the computer we can set that later.
Hopefully this will at least get you 'talking' with the controller. This is how I would go about fixing the communication, hope it helps!
Cat 5 or Cat 6 will not matter for this type of application. Cat 6 is just the newest rating higher speeds. If you made your own cable, it is very easy to cross wires. Check the communication and LED sequencing with a known good cable, I believe you should get flashing LEDs even if your setup isn't 100% correct. You have to have the LED flashing to have communication.
The router would make diagnosing much easier, like I said two NIC cards in a PC is a pain. I have setup PC based test systems both ways and the router option is well worth the extra $30. A router will also give you a better firewall for your PC and let you increase your highspeed internet bandwidth if connected to two or more PCs. If you do buy a router, it makes sense t get one with wireless as one without costs the same and most times more than one without. If you don't plan on using the wireless then don't go crazy and buy one with the fastest wireless, G will be fine and shouldn't cost much more than $40.00. Make sure it is a router/switch (most wireless ones are) and keep the recipe incase this doesn't work.
Remove the second NIC card from your PC. Setup the router per the quick install instructions that come with the router (PC to port 1, controller to port 2, internet from cable router or DSL box to the 5th or internet input port). When everything is setup you should get flashing LEDs on the computer NIC card and controller. You can interface the router through your internet browser by typing in 192.168.1.1 this should give you a window that asks for login name and password (listed in router setup usually something like admin password). This will pull-up a web type page generated by the router. There should be an option that allows you verify attached devices (attached devices, items on network, connected devices, or something like that) that will tell you the IP addresses of all items connected to the router (one will be your computer the other the controller if all is well). These are the two IP addresses you will need, if sounds like the controller will try to grab 192.168.1.50 as this is it's default. Your PC will be a static IP, which means it will grab what ever IP address is available every time the PC boots so if the controller needs a fixed IP to communicate with the computer we can set that later.
Hopefully this will at least get you 'talking' with the controller. This is how I would go about fixing the communication, hope it helps!
mako56
Premium Member
Thanks sounds like a plan I will order a router today.
Now what do you mean two NIC cards I seem to only have one place to plug my wire into the computer?
I am still in the stone age here I have dialup just out of range for AT&T my only option out here right now is satellite and that just costs to much.
I will wake this up again when I get the router and still can't figure it out :lol: :lol: :lol:
Thanks again Scott
Now what do you mean two NIC cards I seem to only have one place to plug my wire into the computer?
I am still in the stone age here I have dialup just out of range for AT&T my only option out here right now is satellite and that just costs to much.
I will wake this up again when I get the router and still can't figure it out :lol: :lol: :lol:
Thanks again Scott
Rhodesholar
New member
Your ACJR has an Ethernet port on it? Cool. Usually, when connecting two pieces of computer hardware via ethernet sans router, a crossover cable is needed. This will be a special cable, of usually a bright color and clearly labled as a crossover.
Also what version of Windows are you using? It is possible the ethernet controller is disabled if you are using Windows XP, or in XP or any other version the driver may not be installed..
Also what version of Windows are you using? It is possible the ethernet controller is disabled if you are using Windows XP, or in XP or any other version the driver may not be installed..
mako56
Premium Member
Well The computer came with windows ME and now it has XP but when you look at the hardware it says its working properly if that means anything. I am going to Best Buy before work today and picking up a router hope that makes it go. Will this work or will I still need a cross over cable? I have the Aqua Controller 111.
Thanks Guys
Thanks Guys
yaitisme
In Memoriam
Sorry Mike, miss-read your first post. Though you were saying that you installed another NIC card in your PC.
Good idea Rhode a crossover may help. If a crossover is needed the router will perform that function and will be easier to interface with over a home network, which is essentially what you will be setting up. Mike if you have a RJ45 crimp tool you can make a crossover to your custom length or I can build one and send it to you.
Good idea Rhode a crossover may help. If a crossover is needed the router will perform that function and will be easier to interface with over a home network, which is essentially what you will be setting up. Mike if you have a RJ45 crimp tool you can make a crossover to your custom length or I can build one and send it to you.
