Aquacontroller III ?

kelhuffman

kelhuffman

Premium Member
I heard a rumor that Neptune is releasing a new version sometime soon that does away with X10 modules. I can't seem to substantiate the rumor either but I know I read it somewhere. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Can anyone add any further info?

Thanks!!
 
bump

looking to buy an AQII, would be nice to know that a III is on the way. I have X10 bits lying around mind you, but would prefer hardwired solutions (more reliable).

tnx
:cool:
 
I'm also looking into an aquacontroller. Has anyone esle heard about the Aquacontroller III? It would really suck to spend the money on a II and then have the III come out soon after.
 
I have had an Aquacontroller for over a year and it is the best piece of equipment that I have bought for my tank. Has anyone e-mailed Curt at Neptune Systems to see if this is true or not. He has always been upfront with me.
 
Hi All,

I was also one of the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œearly adoptersââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ of the AquaControllers and I have never regretted my decision.

The were times though, when I was dealing with interference issues, that being a EE came in handy.

On technology that is proving interesting is ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œEthernet Over Power Lineââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ networking.

This will allow for the kind of two way communications that overcomes many of the problems with the X-10 approach.

Maybe that is what they have in mind?

Regards,

Scott
 
I did email Curt a couple of weeks ago with several questions about the Aquacontroller II and asking him if he could confirm the rumor about the Aquacontroller III. He was extremely polite and helpfull, fully answering my questions about the II. However, in response to my question about the III, all he would say was something like "Our policy is not to comment on plans for potentially upcoming products." I think it is definitely an understandable policy and good business practice, but it does suck because I'm in the same boat as you guys.
 
Their hardwired solution works great. I've got it on my heaters, chiller and lights. It's nice in that you can use all your X-10 modules in addition to hardwiring the equipment you want.

Actually, the only thing I would want more from my AQ2 is the abilty to have it react to multiple float switches.
 
I'm thinking of buying a controller but have a few worries.
If your unit crashes then everything stops working. With seperate pieces of monitor/controler equipment only one piece would be affected.ie; heater/chiller on MEDUSA
lights on timers, PH monitor and so on. Any thoughts
 
Can the direct connect "hard wired" unit work with the aquacontroller 1 one? Or is it only compatable with the 2?

THanks,
Mark
 
I'm thinking of buying a controller but have a few worries. If your unit crashes then everything stops working.

Agreed. But I have never ever heard anyone post or say that the controller crashed. So I think you can not worry about that.

Can the direct connect "hard wired" unit work with the aquacontroller 1 one? Or is it only compatable with the 2?

It works with the X-10 port. You just assign the hardwired ports and X-10 address and plug it into the X-10 port of the AQ. So I would it will work with both. I'd call Neptune Systems just to be sure.
 
I'm thinking of buying a controller but have a few worries. If your unit crashes then everything stops working.
Click to expand...
Yes they do crash. . . Seems to happen more frequently to those who use the Aquanotes software for Programing, Mine needed "rebooting" twice in the past 8 months and had to clear the program memory both times.
If your unit crashes then everything stops working
Click to expand...
Not really, The X-10 modules will remain in the last state they were in when the controller went out and will remain there until the controller comes back online to update the signal.
 
John,

If your unit crashes then everything stops working. With separate pieces of monitor/controller equipment only one piece would be affected i.e.; heater/chiller on MEDUSA lights on timers, PH monitor and so on. Any thoughts/

Well as I said above, I was one of the early adopters and have had one running continuously for years. My original one is now running various lights around the house for security purposes.

The only problem that I ever had was when the controller got accidentally unplugged.

For ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œmissionââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ critical devices like heating and cooling, you should have backup overrides.

Here are some recommended precautions when using the X-10 based controllers:

1 Use heaters that have internal thermostats and set them a few degrees higher than the set point for the AquaController. If the Aquacontroller fails to turn a heater off, the thermostat internal to the heater will turn it off before any danger point is reached.

2 Use chillers that have internal thermostats and set them a few degrees lower than the set point for the AquaController. If the Aquacontroller fails to turn a chiller off, the thermostat internal to the chiller will turn it off before any danger point is reached.

3 Use blocking filters to keep electrical interference generated by electrically ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œnoisyââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ devices from interfering with the X-10 communications. Certain devices such as metal halide ballasts, and some florescent ballasts are ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œknown suspectsââ"šÂ¬Ã‚.

4 Blocking filters to isolate you entire system are also a good idea to keep you from having ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œX-10ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ wars with your neighbors. I had a neighbor that had an X-10 system for home automation. We were inadvertently turning on and off each otherââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s devices. I identified who it was by going out on my patio at night and hitting the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œAll lights onââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ button on a X-10 controller that I had.

If isolating your entire house from the public power grid is your goal, Use Levitonââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œMulti-Phase Blocking Couplerââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ Leviton part # 6284.

Individual ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œdevices that are generating interference can usually be isolated with Levitonââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œPlug-In Noise Filterââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ Leviton part # 6288.

Here is Levitonââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s Home Automation URL:

http://www.leviton.com/sections/prodinfo/automate/s5c9p1.htm

At the bottom of this page is a really neat PDF catalog. (The Tech Manual)

Regards,

Scott
 
Good points Scott, thanks all.

I'm still wanting one to help control issues, particularly fluctating heat.. heaters have crappy thermos, and I want to turn fans on.

Not a big fan of having something critical like heaters on X-10 though, but will at first. No doubt the DC4 will be expensive. ugh. Of course the DCM8 would be sweet.. ;)
 
Fishysan,
Check their site for the DC4 I think it is about 160.00 US. You can plug in 4 devices. You can daisy chain several together.
 
Hey all, great to see someone finally respond to my post even if not able to confirm the rumor about AC III. Although I did start this post, I didn't start the rumor. I also asked Neptune and his answer was consistent. Can't really discuss planned future products. As much as I want a different answer, I understand where he's coming from.
 
Cool, thanks Gary.

Can you "remote" them fairly well with wire? Or do they have to be very close to the unit?

Likely I could make an extension from the ACII to the DC4. I would ideally like to have the ACII in the basement in the sump room, but have the DC4 (or one of the DC4s if I had 2) upstairs with the main display tank.

Something I can inquire with Neptune if I am about to buy one too.

Thanks & cheers.

:cool:
 
Fishysan,

You can do that. I've got one DC4 in my basement controlling the heaters and chiller, another upstairs in the living room controlling the lights. they connect to each other using a phone cord. the last DC4 in the chain then uses a phone cord to plug into your X-10 transmitter. HTH
 
Great Joe, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear! :)

How long can you have the "phone cords" to join them together? Likely 15' hey?

Nice - I've found a nearby mailorder place with the ACII in stock, however I'm not sure if it's the backlit model. I'd like backlight, but for 10% more of the unit price.. hmm.

Stupid question, but I gather each of the four plugs in the DC4 are individually controlled, similar to the X10 - just give them an address? I'm wondering if I can control them outside of the ACII's X10 controls. For example, an X10 remote that issues a "feeder mode" signal to shut some pumps down, or signal the ACII to do it.

Ciao.
 
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