DC8 problems

[Gary Majchrzak]

(water spills aside!) something tells me I'm not the only one with DC8 problems here. I have circuits stuck open and circuits stuck closed. A quick search of the Neptune Forum reveals similar problems. Anybody else here have problems with open and/or shut circuits?
In all fairness, Neptune has been very good in the past with customer service but I don't think the suggestion of tapping the box with a hammer is going to solve my DC8 woes this time. The controller has been excellent. The DC8 stinks (IMO).

 

[StashuDave]

Actually smacking the DC8 against a hard flat surface has worked well for me! All kidding aside...how many are stuck and which ones??? In all fairness...Curt has changed them quite a bit, the new ones are Energy Bars and don't seem to run into that same issue. The circuit breaker has been a nice addition and you can actually monitor the amperage that you are using, of course that is if you upgrade to an Apex or Apex Lite!!! Neptune would probably be willing to look at/fix the outlets if you gave them a buzz, I'm sure someone has an extra DC8 lying around that you could borrow in the mean time.

Dave

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

1, 3 and 6 are currently(!) stuck.
I'm sure that high inrushing current from an Icecap 660 did one circuit in.

Are the basic units redesigned or just the Apex ones

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

looks like Energy Bars might be only compatible with Apex

 

[jfl14609]

wow gary 1 3 and 6 are bad thats weird. I had a similiar problem but that was 4 and 8 and I was told that those two have mechanical switches and to wack it with a hammer where the others are supposed to be electrically controlled and wouldnt need "wacking"

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I'm going to unhitch everything and give it another good whack. Net is in top tub. :wink:

 

[jfl14609]

thanks gary but to be honest I wouldnt do it. I was told by neptune that only works for 4 and 8 but it did work perfect for me.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Out of curiosity, was that fried MH ballast using one of those circuits? Perhaps there's some correlation?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Out of curiosity, was that fried MH ballast using one of those circuits? Perhaps there's some correlation?

bingo

 

[StashuDave]

Wow, tough to blame the DC8 if your MH ballast fried while attached to an outlet.... 3 outlets in the stuck position would suck though, and it's not even 4 or 8 the most common.... I'd at least give Neptune a buzz and see what it might cost to look at it if anything.

There have been a couple of different versions of "DC8's", the original design had an internal fuse that was a pain to get to if it blew. Then there was a version that had the fuse that would "pop" so that it could be reset, and the latest Energy Bar version has the resettable fuse and can be monitored as to the amount of energy actually being used, unfortunately this new version will only work with the Apex lineup.

Another idea... if you only need to replace 3 controllable outlets you could add some X-10's on a powerstrip.... not a fix for the DC8 I understand, but could be a reasonably cheap way to get control back( maybe like $40 used) and not have to tear apart what you've got going and hope that those outlets can be fixed.

P.S. Gary, I've got extra Neptune stuff if you need to borrow anything, I'm a real controller geek.

Dave

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

thanks for all of the suggestions, Dave.

the ballast that fried was on an outlet that would constantly get stuck. I no longer run my Ice Cap 660 off of my ACjr because it destroyed one outlet.
I love the controller- I just need to work around the faulty DC8 for now.