Cable confusion

[Aquaduck]

I got my ACIII yesterday, thanks Curt!

Does the ACIII use the serial connector for firmware updates or does it use the temperature jack like the ACJR? Firmware upgrade connections are not identified in the manual.

The reason is I have a firmware cable for the ACJR that I want to modify to use as a serial cable to interface my PC to the ACIII for programming. I would cut off the 4 pin jack that plugs into the temperature port on the ACJR and replace it with a correctly wired mini DIN8 connector for the ACIII. However, I do not want to hack up this cable if I need it to update the ACIII firmware in the future. I will make a new cable if this is the case.

 

[szwab]

why not use the cat 5 input.

I think the serial port is no longer supported/ reccomended for the ACIII except for the expansion module which is due out soon.

 

[Aquaduck]

I do not have my ethernet cable run to my tank yet. So I made a new serial cable and kept the firmware upgrade cable intact. I would still like to know what cable to use for firmware updates though.

 

[clp]

On the AC3 and AC3PRO only the ethernet port is the supported PC connection method. Firmware updates on the AC3 or AC3PRO are done through the ethernet port as well. The Jr firmware upgrade cable will not work.

Curt

 

[Aquaduck]

Ok thanks. Maybe that's why I'm getting a runtime error if Aquanotes encounters an unidentified timer name when trying to change my program using the serial connection?

 

[clp]

It gives the error because the serial communication is corrupt, and AquaNotes is getting unexpected data. BTW, the online manuals have been updated and have removed the serial port communication method. Only Ethernet is supported.

Curt