Controllers

[DMBillies]

I'm starting to think about getting a controller for my SPS tank. I'm having trouble keeping my temp in a small enough range and I'd like to consolidate timers and whatnot into one device. The AC Jr., for the most part, looks like it will do what I really need a controller to do and is in a reasonable price range for me. The problem is that I find the information on Neptune's website to be completely opaque. They basically list that it is capable of doing a bunch of things, but I can't figure out if they are standard features and/or what peripherals I'm going to need to buy in order to get things working.

For instance, I have 5 tanks throughout my house. They talk about X-10 being capable of using your houses electrical lines to control various devices. I'm assuming I can then control the lights and pumps in my other tanks? However, I have no clue what I would actually have to purchase to do this... I'm assuming it isn't standard equipment?

The information on the site says they are limited to controlling 12 devices. I'm assuming this includes those being controlled by X-10...so if one of my tanks uses up 8 of the devices, I would be limited to controlling only 4 more in another tank, regardless of how I have them "attached?" It's not 12 direct connect and 12 X-10?

Is there a built in alarm for if the temperature/pH get out of whack? I found some type of alarm module on marinedepot and I'm curious about why you would need this if there is a built-in alarm (as I think there is)? Does this have to do with X-10?

I'd be interested in hearing experiences that people have, issues they've come across, and any recommended add-ons that I should definitely purchase with the unit. This will be my first one and I want to make sure I'm getting something that will do what I need it to and something that I will not feel like I will absolutely need to upgrade from in a years time.

TIA

 

[crumbletop]

The low-end controllers (of which the AC Jr. is one) will not work very well for controlling multiple aquariums. The AC Jr. is an awesome system and comes with most everything out of the box, but it really should only be used on one tank -- maybe 2. X10 is super unreliable, especially with lighting ballasts. Use the direct connect power strips.

 

[crumbletop]

Re: Controllers

So now for a more detailed response

For instance, I have 5 tanks throughout my house. They talk about X-10 being capable of using your houses electrical lines to control various devices. I'm assuming I can then control the lights and pumps in my other tanks?

As I stated, I would avoid X10 and go with the Direct Connect power bars. The standard package I think comes with a DC-8 to give you 8 controllable outlets total. I have a DC-4HD in addition, so I have 12 available outlets on my system.

The information on the site says they are limited to controlling 12 devices. I'm assuming this includes those being controlled by X-10...so if one of my tanks uses up 8 of the devices, I would be limited to controlling only 4 more in another tank, regardless of how I have them "attached?" It's not 12 direct connect and 12 X-10?

It is 12 total. If you have enough capacity (i.e. you aren't overloading the circuit) you can plug more than one item into a single socket. I have 3 fans on a single socket on mine (they are only 100 mA fans).

Is there a built in alarm for if the temperature/pH get out of whack? I found some type of alarm module on marinedepot and I'm curious about why you would need this if there is a built-in alarm (as I think there is)? Does this have to do with X-10?

There is no built in speaker. The controller (or any controller for that matter) simply turns on/off outlets based on certain conditions. You can program a channel to come on if the pH is out of whack, or the temp is out of whack, and once on it could buzz a buzzer if you have one hooked up. So you'd have to purchase a buzzer of some sort. I have heard of people using doorbell buzzers to do this.

X10 is simply a technology to send a signal through your power lines to an outlet to have it turn on or off. These are prone to issues with noise causing them to turn on or off unexpectedly and therefore should not be used, IMO. I don't even think Neptune Systems recommends them -- they just have them available for the customers with older stuff.

I'd be interested in hearing experiences that people have, issues they've come across, and any recommended add-ons that I should definitely purchase with the unit. This will be my first one and I want to make sure I'm getting something that will do what I need it to and something that I will not feel like I will absolutely need to upgrade from in a years time.

There is plenty of experience in the club with controllers. A bunch of us have AquaControllers. There are at least 5 AC Jrs around (I have one, C_stowers, TitansFan, APFish, Anthony34 (I think)), and 4 AC IIIs (waynesworld, rcmike, ocd_mariner, gflat). Kaine has the Premium Aquatics Lighthouse. I believe Highside has a Reefkeeper 2.

If you get an AC Jr., I recommend getting the one with the serial port. It has a digital input that you can use to hook up things like a float switch so you can cut power to your return pump if the water level drops too low, or things like that. You can also access it from your computer. I don't have the serial port and mine works fine, but sometimes I wish I had the additional functionality of the float switch and the pc connectivity.

 

[gflat65]

I've got the ACIII, but haven't had a chance to even hook it up yet... That is the project after unloading the POD, getting the plumbing finished out (doing a little something different that I meant to do before), and a million other things. I don't know about the AC Jr, but the ACIII can have modules added to control other tanks (in theory). I can't wait to hook it all up, though. Buying a new phone and looking into Blackberries so I can go online whenever needed and look at code or shut things down if necessary.

 

[rcmike]

I have an ACIII and really like it. I am actually running my lights off of X10 modules and haven't had any problems yet. I had tried X10 before controlled by a computer program and it was very unreliable. Since being ran by the ACIII it has worked flawlessly. I do have my MH ran through a relay though because the X10 modules aren't heavy duty enough. Basically X10 can work but in some houses it can get interference. I wouldn't run anything very critical off of it.

 

[drfdisk]

Do the ACs delay the lights on after a power failure to let halides cool?

gflat, look at some mobile 5.0 or the newer 6.0 phones. The browers on the BBs suck and might not do what you want it to. The smartphones will view almost any web page other than one in flash.

 

[crumbletop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9753472#post9753472 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drfdisk
Do the ACs delay the lights on after a power failure to let halides cool?

The AC3 does. You can set the time delay for whatever you want. I don't think the AC Jr. does because it doesn't have a battery backup.

 

[DMBillies]

Thanks for all the input so far. This is a big purchase that I'm hoping will make my life easier...not harder... so I am fretting over it, especially because they seem pretty darn complicated.

Jack- the ac jr does keep time over a power outtage though, right? In other words, it will come back on when the power does come back and not have "lost" the time that the power was out? This is one of the things that I find most annoying about a lot of the timers that I have for my lights. Every time the power goes out I have to reset all of my lighting. From what I understand it won't lose the programming, but I thought that it still kept time during an outtage.

 

[crumbletop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9754678#post9754678 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DMBillies
Thanks for all the input so far. This is a big purchase that I'm hoping will make my life easier...not harder... so I am fretting over it, especially because they seem pretty darn complicated.

Jack- the ac jr does keep time over a power outtage though, right? In other words, it will come back on when the power does come back and not have "lost" the time that the power was out? This is one of the things that I find most annoying about a lot of the timers that I have for my lights. Every time the power goes out I have to reset all of my lighting. From what I understand it won't lose the programming, but I thought that it still kept time during an outtage.

I think it does. It has never lost the time on me.

It is complex to set up, but not too bad. It is very versatile, and so it takes some getting used to how to make it do what you want.

 

[drfdisk]

Has anyone had any experience with the Digital Aquatics Reef Keepers? They seem to do the same thing cheaper. I'm with DM, its a big purchase and I dont want to screw it up.

 

[crumbletop]

Do you mean the Reefkeeper 2? It is more $ than the AquaController, and does a bit less. It can only control 8 max channels, and doesn't have as sophisticated a set of programming capabilities. I think Highside has an RK2.

 

[drfdisk]

I guess your right...See thats why you are here, to set nOObs like me straight. hehe I have only just started researching these things recently.

It does seem have a backup batt. and what they call Sure On for halides after power failures which the Jr doesnt have. They have an external dual outlet to make it up to 10 channels now also. Its like they made it to be between a Jr and a III. I love toys, I just hate deciding on which one to buy

Here is a link to it...See what you think

 

[DMBillies]

Does anyone have any experience controlling multiple tanks with the ACIII? This is the one thing that could potentially make me decide to save my pennies...that and I know I wouldn't need to upgrade any time soon. It's looking like the added modules have to be hardwired to the unit though, is that correct?

Also, the ACIII can be connected to the internet with a ethernet cord. If I'm shelling out the extra $$$, the e-mail notifications and online checking is something I'd really want. The problem I have is getting an ethernet cord to where the tank is. Are there options for connecting one wirelessly.

 

[crumbletop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9757233#post9757233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DMBillies
Also, the ACIII can be connected to the internet with a ethernet cord. If I'm shelling out the extra $$$, the e-mail notifications and online checking is something I'd really want. The problem I have is getting an ethernet cord to where the tank is. Are there options for connecting one wirelessly.

See, you need something to use your fancy new phone with. Didn't you just get a new phone so you could have 24/7 RC access? :lol:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9757011#post9757011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drfdisk
I guess your right...See thats why you are here, to set nOObs like me straight. hehe I have only just started researching these things recently.

It does seem have a backup batt. and what they call Sure On for halides after power failures which the Jr doesnt have.

Ooops. It turns out I was wrong. The AC Jr. does have power failure detection and you can set the delayed start time to whatever you want on any channel.

Also, RE the expansion for 10 channels on the RK2 -- that is just the same thing as an extension cord. It doesn't add 2 channels -- it only adds an additional outlet for the channel it is plugged in to. So if you plug it into channel 8, you lose that channel but then add 2. The 2 are not individually controlled, but only switch on/off when channel 8 switches on/off. The AC Jr. has these available as well. Max channels on the RK2 are still 8. Max on the AC Jr. are 12...

 

[DMBillies]

Jack, you are indeed right. I did just get a new phone... which would be great for online tank monitoring... and which will also come in handy for calling an ambulance when I try to convince Moriah that I need that controller :eek1:

Would I be able to set it up to monitor her blood pressure? :lol:

 

[gflat65]

I'm telling you guys, a few margeritas and you can get whatever you want.

Thanks for the info drfdsk. I wasn't sure what to look for in a new phone. The only other phones I've had were company phones, so I had no say in what kind or what options, etc.

I plant to run the 125 and 120 off of the ACIII if I can plug enough things in. Of course, they are adjacent to each other and will have dedicated electrical lines to handle the amp draw.

 

[drfdisk]

I'm telling you guys, a few margeritas and you can get whatever you want

LOL - Just be sure she is still drunk when you order it and get her to sign the receipt if possible.

 

[atvdave]

Sorry to intrude.. but I just purchased a used ACjr and found this thread doing a x10 search.

It looks like most of you prefer the DC8 or DC4 power strip. I was looking into the x10 dew to the low cost, I found some cm466 (am466) on e-bay for around $7.00 each. Still looking for the IM513, may have to purchase that from Neptune.

I was wondering if any of you have a ACjr running the x10 modules?, and if so have you had any problems?

I'll be running t-5's, heaters, skimmer, and a pump or 2.

Just looking for a little input.

Thanks
Dave

 

[TitansFan]

Hi Dave.
I had heard rumors that electronic ballast do not run on x10 very well sometimes. Something about interference. Maybe someone here with more knowledge on it can chime in.

 

[crumbletop]

I have heard/read the same thing about X10. I think it is more because of noise on the power line introduced by the ballasts (and other things in the house) that tricks the outlet into turning on/off when it shouldn't.