Aqua II Problems

[explorer364]

Curt and group!!

I have the AquaController II and have always noticed when I touch the unit to make changes or control different devices, when the screen returns showing pH, ORP and Temp the numbers will be different and they slide up and down the scale just by touching the wires. Everything is far away from any ballast ( I have a dedicated sump room ) and when I designed the last setup - I made sure no power wires were even close to any of the signal wires and my pH and ORP probes are 13inches apart. Is there a fix for this problem or is this a common for the unit? Is there a firmware upgrade for this unit? I did speak with a tech a while ago when the pH monitor was reading wrong and he told me a way to get into the unit and make the necessary changes - can you email me what those steps are as it appears after numerous calibrations the pH is reading low? I have pulled the battery and AC adapter at the same time and let it sit for quite a while to see if re-setting the unit will fix my problem. Are the Aqua Pros any more stable?

I noticed in a thread that you stated that in the ORP setup menu - having the pH compensation turned off is the standard - is that true or did I miss read the thread?

Also, what is the cost on a signal transfer device for connecting two circuits together? What is involved in installing one of those so that I can explain this to my electrician.

Thanks!:lol:

 

[clp]

It is not common for the pH, ORP, etc. readings to change when the unit is touched. If you have a serial cable installed try unplugging it; there may be a ground loop. If so you need an isolator (part # SERIPC9). Perhaps there is corrosion on one/all of the connectors and this a causing a flakey electrical connection to the probes.
Yes, the industry standard is to have pH compensation turned off on the ORP probe.
We sell the signal bridge for $89.95 (part # SBLEV). It is wired directly into the breaker panel. There are 3 wires to hook up (2 hot wires to each phase, and 1 neutral wire). Before spending money on an electrical and more X10 equipment I recommend that you use our direct connect boxes to control your tank. They are more reliable and in the long run I think you will be much happier with your system.

Curt

 

[explorer364]

Curt,

Thanks for the information. I have looked into the direct connect boxes and was just curious about the signal bridge.

I have the controlling unit mounted in a place far from water and I clean the bnc connectors monthly to keep a good connection.

I am still having a problem with the pH monitor not calibrating against two other test that read the same. Can you email me the buttons to push on the front side of the unit to get into the programming side so that I can adjust the pH to match the others?

Also - is there a firmware upgrade available? And last - are the pro units more stable and accurate?

Thanks again!

 

[clp]

Here is how you get to the manual calibration menu (not recommended):

Go to the second screen of the selftest display. Press the up button twice, the down button twice, and then the select button. You should now be in the manual cal menu.
The latest firmware for the AC2 is version 1.60.
The accuracy of all the controllers is about the same assuming that there are no interference issues. The Pro units are more immune to interference due to there different grounding/reference scheme. I'm not aware of any stability issues with any of the controllers.

Curt