Dc8

[EnFuego]

Sorry for such a stupid question, but can you explain to me exactly what the DC4 and DC 8 is? Is it just the outlets that you would plug your lights into/pumps/anything else you want to hook into your controller and that way the controller can control turning them on and off? Thanks.

-Mark

 

[heedicus]

Yup,
Its 4 or 8 controlled outlets that you can configure with you controller to turn off or on given specific triggers, or a timer or pretty much anything else you can think of.
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[EnFuego]

Thanks for the reply. So whats the difference between the DC4 or DC8 and a surge protector? Is it just that a normal surge protector can't plug into the ACII, so they made the DC4 and DC8 that will plug into it? Thanks again.

 

[collins]

a surge protector can be used between an electrical outlet and any of the devices in question. They each have their own power cords.

 

[leebca]

So then, does each outlet of the DC4 have its own designation, recognized by the control unit?

 

[heedicus]

Yes each outlet has its own designation so you can control it from the AC,
Enfuego if I understand your question correctly, a surge protector you cannot control any of the outlets (I.E. turn the off or on) but with the dc4 or 8 you can have that control from you AC to do just that.

 

[dougc]

The purpose of the DC4 and DC8 is to eliminate the problems often seen when using X10 modules to control lights, heaters, etc. X10 passes control signals through the 110 volt house wiring. There are all sorts of things that can interfere with these control signals, sometimes resulting in the aquarium equipment failing to turn on or off. The direct-connect modules have built-in relays and control circuits to switch devices on and off. They connect directly to the AquaController using an RJ-11 (telephone) cable. Because the control signals do not pass through the power wiring of the house, there is no risk of the control signals getting lost because of electrical noise or other interferences on the electrical lines.

The bottom line is that the direct-connect boxes (DC4,DC8) should be more reliable than X10. They certainly bear little resemblence to a power strip or surge suppressor.

 

[EnFuego]

thanks for the help guys. It makes sense to me now.