DC4 Problems

Stormtrker

Stormtrker

New member
Added a DC4 to my AC Jr. It is daisy chained to the DC8. My Deltec skimmer is plugged into 2 of the DC4 switches. Switches are named B1&B2. Program reads-
If time >0:00 SK1 on
If time>0:00 SK2 on

I have both switches set to on by manual control but they both turn off after about 2 hours even though the controller still says they are on. I have a 6 foot telephone line connecting the DC4& the DC8 together. What is causing the DC4 switches to turn off? I am not having any problems with the DC8. I did have the skimmer programmed to turn off during feed cycle with auto control setting and the switches also turned off randomly. So it doesn't matter if control is set to manual on or auto the switches randomly turn off.
 
a 10' max total would be odd considering that the units only come with a longer cable and my guess is that the DC4 and DC4-HD are daisy-chained more often than being the sole power outlet. Also, the manual for the DC4 or the controll unit doesn't indicate that it requires a total between all DC boxes and the control unit of no more than 10' -- just no more than 10' between DC units.

At least I am hoping this is the case because I will soon be daisy chaining once I get my DC-8 back from Curt, and the only cables I have (the ones that came with the units) add up to a total of more than 10 feet.

Jack
 
Well my DC4 didn't come with a cable so I went to Radio Shack and bought a 6ft 4 wire cable to connect. I am just so frustrated because this is not working and now I am out the cost of the DC4. Like I stated I have had no problems with the DC8. The switches on the DC4 just randomly turn themselves off and the controller doesn't sense it.
 
Yes, I have both a 10 & a 6 ft cable and it happens with both cables. Not sure what you mean by verified the dip switch settings. I did go into manual control and verified the switches were on. When the switches turn off the control still reads that they are on.
 
By "dip switch" he means the address select switches located on the side of the DC4/DC8. Make sure you have the DC4 set to a different letter than the DC8 and make sure these correspond to the timer names in your controller program.

I am having trouble with my electronic ballasts causing random on/off events that the controller is not issuing. I'm getting new ballasts and hopefully my problems will go away.
 
yes, the switches on the DC4 need to be set to B. The cable can be tested by swapping it with the one on the DC8 which has worked to this point.
 
I have my DC8 switches names A 1-8 & the DC4 switches Named C 1-4. Still couldn't get switch 2 to turn on. Well as I was sitting next to it my 3rd set of T5HO lights came on as per timer program.(these are on the DC8) This turned the DC4 switch 2 on also. Guess I also have ballast interference. I have 6 T5 lights on 3 ballasts. These are not Icecap brand- they are AccuStart5 from ReefGeek retro kit. No way this should interfer with the DC4. I am ready to give up on using the DC4 at this point! Guess the AC Jr really only runs 8 switches and not 12.
 
just to clarify, you report that the DC4 is set to C1-4, but the timer names you listed are B1 and B2 is this correct?

according to the Neptune website, the jr controls 12
 
Well I definitely know what the problem is now. I manually turned off my lights 1 at a time and found that the ballast turning on or off interfers with the DC4. Now how to remedy that?
 
you might also try putting the DC4 ahead of the 8 in the chain - I don't know if it will help, but it is worth a shot
 
Well now all the switches on the DC4 are on and working but I can no longer control them manually. I tried disconnecting the cable from the DC8 and connecting it to the DC4 only and still cannot control it manually. Looks like the controller doesn't recognize the DC4. Curt do you have any idea about what is going on?
 
you're welcome. There is one last thing you might want to test... Mybe try a different dip switch setting and changing the timer designations, leaving the DC4 connected first. Also you might want to power cycle thye controller.

again good luck
 
Just wanted to add that my DC4-HD does not respond as quickly as the DC-8 does. When I first hooked it up I had trouble doing manual and programmed control of the outlets on the DC4HD even when it was the only unit connected. After a little while it seemed to start working fine, though. I wonder if it filters out line noise as well as the DC-8?

Jack
 
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