Digital Aquatics Archon Owners Thread

[kenman345]

Well I can not even get on their forums. I changed my email address in my profile a while back and got a email saying:



and of coarse you would think this would be a day or two but no.

When ever I Try to log in it says:



There FAQ says the same to contact a administrator but guess what? You cant contact a administrator unless you are logged in. That is messed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I contact DA support and well guess what no word from them.

You think a company with a bad rep for support and with a new launch would be on this stuff.

their spam filter is the absolute worst. try commenting on facebook, they seem to look there.

 

[shellsea]

Just wanted to say I did the latest update. Instruction from Eric on DA support site were precise and easy for a non-tech guy like me to grasp. It went fine. Love the time and date format change. As far as their web site user DA support, after a day or two just try logging back in. That's what I did and new log on worked although I got no notification it had been re-activated.

 

[shred5]

Just wanted to say I did the latest update. Instruction from Eric on DA support site were precise and easy for a non-tech guy like me to grasp. It went fine. Love the time and date format change. As far as their web site user DA support, after a day or two just try logging back in. That's what I did and new log on worked although I got no notification it had been re-activated.

It has been almost two weeks..


But anyway someone must be monitoring this thread or someone said something because a couple minutes latter I got access..

 

[SoloGarth]

So does the tablet stay lit all the time?
You just keep it plugged into the charger the whole time?
I like that...

No it goes to sleep. Just have to hit the button to turn it on. Yeah it's plugged in under the stand.

 

[SoloGarth]

If this is something that's catching on, would you like me to work up a webpage to add on the archon so that we can give you a little bit quicker readouts on the tablet as well as organize quick and easy buttons to use for maintenance? Say, like you use standby 1 for your feeding cycle, well, lets give you a big button to initiate standby with a quick tap instead of a few clicks. or maybe you like turning off a few different things when you notice something wrong, you can customize the page to have those things readily available.

Sound like something you want? Please try and keep it concise in your responses or just PM me if you have some idea of something unique and want to explain it fully, and I'll try and work something up.

BTW, I was also thinking having the lighting intensity in a simple readout as well as the time and temperature would be good, especially since we do not need to change those necessarily but might want to know the current value.

Yeah that sounds great! I was thinking about trying to write an android app for it. Something that fits the screens but better. I am my a fan of the grey on grey parameters. Too low contrast. I would like to be able to set the parameters a little larger and easier to see on the tablet. Also my standby button doesn't work on the tablet using Firefox.

 

[SoloGarth]

Just wanted to say I did the latest update. Instruction from Eric on DA support site were precise and easy for a non-tech guy like me to grasp. It went fine. Love the time and date format change. As far as their web site user DA support, after a day or two just try logging back in. That's what I did and new log on worked although I got no notification it had been re-activated.

Have you had any issues with the Archon clock losing the set time? Mine does every night . . . Like clockwork. Just not the right kind. Have to go and manually shut the frag tank lighting down every night. Total PITA. Might as well just be using a light switch at this point.

 

[outlaw481]

I've been looking at these on their website. It looks like most of the new modules aren't available yet, is that true? I like the look of this, but I currently have no controller. I'd hate to buy the older ones just to upgrade down the road.

 

[SoloGarth]

I've been looking at these on their website. It looks like most of the new modules aren't available yet, is that true? I like the look of this, but I currently have no controller. I'd hate to buy the older ones just to upgrade down the road.

Seems like most of the new modules are the same as the old ones. The main differences being the SLX replacing the SL1 and the PB4 and PB8 replacing the PC4. I'm not sure what the SAL3 is going to be though.

 

[outlaw481]

I thought I read there was a difference in the communication of the new boxes and the old ones, that the main box was backward compatable but the newer was going to be the preferred method. Or maybe I dreamed that somewhere...I don't know anymore lol

 

[SoloGarth]

I thought I read there was a difference in the communication of the new boxes and the old ones, that the main box was backward compatable but the newer was going to be the preferred method. Or maybe I dreamed that somewhere...I don't know anymore lol

Someone else might have a sure answer to that. I don't think that is the case though. The only bus difference I heard about is that the newer power modules put out more current than the previous ones.

 

[DaveMorris]

All of the RKE/RKL legacy modules will work with the Archon, with the exception of the RD1, NET, and the head units. At some point, the head units will e able to be used as remote displays and the NET module will be repurposed to act as an extension of the bus communications through a regular network. The Archon branded modules that have RKE/RKL era equivalents are basically the same. Some firmware in them is slightly different to deal with how the Archon communicates. Functionally there is no difference. The PB4's are currently shipping and the PB8 should be shipping in a few weeks.

By the way, the Archon, PB4, PB8, and the modules are all made here in the good ole USA. The power bars are made using aircraft aluminum stamped and folded in DA's Woodinville shop. The circuit boards are all populated in their shop as well using SMT machinery. Every unit is programmed and tested by DA employees. None of it is farmed out.

 

[Pickupman66]

So, I have not been on this thread at all since RC is not my "home Forum" but wanted to provide a goofy little update for you guys here. I am one of the BETA testers on the Archon. Im not that tech savvy to be able to write code and all, but I do like to tinker.

For those that dont like the coloring on the interface, If you know HTML and style sheets and such, you can edit it. Just make a back up copy of the HTML files and Style sheet on the drive and then get to editing to your liking.

now something cool. I have a Lumentek Pro 240 light. it has three channels and its own on-board controller. With the help of RC member O2surplus, I now have complete PWM control over this light with my Archon. I can independently control each of the three channels using the 0-10V channels (so that I could do three) by using a 0-10V to PWM control board. The PWM on the Archon wont work because the lights require an opposite signal to dim the ballasts. IE, when you want 75% light, you send a 25% signal. to turn them off, you need a 100% PWM signal. so they are inverted.

WHY? well because I wanted to figure it out. and a little birdie told me there may be some killer custom lighting programs coming out in the near future for the Archon along with a 3 channel PWM module.

anyways. here is a video for your amusement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUrqZitUUAk

Unfortunately youtube cut of the first bit so if you pause it at the very beginning you can see that the on board controller has the blues and white set to zero.

 

[janes_mw]

So, I have not been on this thread at all since RC is not my "home Forum" but wanted to provide a goofy little update for you guys here. I am one of the BETA testers on the Archon. Im not that tech savvy to be able to write code and all, but I do like to tinker.

For those that dont like the coloring on the interface, If you know HTML and style sheets and such, you can edit it. Just make a back up copy of the HTML files and Style sheet on the drive and then get to editing to your liking.

now something cool. I have a Lumentek Pro 240 light. it has three channels and its own on-board controller. With the help of RC member O2surplus, I now have complete PWM control over this light with my Archon. I can independently control each of the three channels using the 0-10V channels (so that I could do three) by using a 0-10V to PWM control board. The PWM on the Archon wont work because the lights require an opposite signal to dim the ballasts. IE, when you want 75% light, you send a 25% signal. to turn them off, you need a 100% PWM signal. so they are inverted.

WHY? well because I wanted to figure it out. and a little birdie told me there may be some killer custom lighting programs coming out in the near future for the Archon along with a 3 channel PWM module.

anyways. here is a video for your amusement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUrqZitUUAk

Unfortunately youtube cut of the first bit so if you pause it at the very beginning you can see that the on board controller has the blues and white set to zero.

All cool things, but I would like the basic functions (like timers for one) to work first. Archon has potential for sure, but not sure DA is up to it. It appears to be a one man show and that poor sole can't be everywhere and everything to everyone

 

[SoloGarth]

+1 to that.
Core functionality needs to be addressed first. The clock issue and pH being the largest. Even though I feel like the Archon wasn't ready for prime time given these two issues alone I am still glad to have upgraded from the RKE. These issues will get fixed. Hopefully sooner than later. As I understand it the clock issue is not being seen by those on the west coast. I may try to adjust my time zone to the west coast tomorrow and see if my clock starts working.

 

[DaveMorris]

Archon has potential for sure, but not sure DA is up to it. It appears to be a one man show and that poor sole can't be everywhere and everything to everyone

Actually, that is not the case. There are multiple employees working on the Archon. Hopefully we will see an update addressing the time clock issue soon. Its really a strange problem though. My Archon has been up and running 204 hours and the time is still dead on accurate to the minute. I am in the Pacific time zone and the note about the west coast people not having the clock problem is interesting. I didn't put that together. Hopefully it helps the programmers figure out what the issue is.

 

[shred5]

Actually, that is not the case. There are multiple employees working on the Archon. Hopefully we will see an update addressing the time clock issue soon. Its really a strange problem though. My Archon has been up and running 204 hours and the time is still dead on accurate to the minute. I am in the Pacific time zone and the note about the west coast people not having the clock problem is interesting. I didn't put that together. Hopefully it helps the programmers figure out what the issue is.

Digital aqautics was bought out and this is not the original company is that correct? It was bought out by a bigger company?
Honestly though right now it feels like the company is only throwing one man at this and not giving it the full support it needs.

I have have been following the Archon pretty closely because I love my reef keeper now.. I purchased for my new set up the apex since it was the best for control over the internet at the time last year.. The project went south when a seam on my tank was no good. Anyway I bought that just as the Archon was announced. I been wanting to sell it to get Archon but I have not been able to bring myself to it yet.

Now is the Archon going to be cloud based because someone said earlier it wasnt? I thought it was, Man I hate doing port forwarding and stuff especially since I have uverse and it is not my router.

 

[SoloGarth]

Digital Aquatics Archon Owners Thread

Digital aqautics was bought out and this is not the original company is that correct? It was bought out by a bigger company?

Honestly though right now it feels like the company is only throwing one man at this and not giving it the full support it needs.



I have have been following the Archon pretty closely because I love my reef keeper now.. I purchased for my new set up the apex since it was the best for control over the internet at the time last year.. The project went south when a seam on my tank was no good. Anyway I bought that just as the Archon was announced. I been wanting to sell it to get Archon but I have not been able to bring myself to it yet.



Now is the Archon going to be cloud based because someone said earlier it wasnt? I thought it was, Man I hate doing port forwarding and stuff especially since I have uverse and it is not my router.

Same company. Someone had said they were bought out by Dynon instruments. This is not the case. I have a module that is about 4 years old that has Dynon Instruments written on the PCB.

As for cloud based I don't know what the future will be but right now it is not. I think that was written in a blog somewhere . . . Reef builders maybe. Perhaps they were confusing cloud based with wifi enabled. Personally I don't mind it not being. Unfortunate to have to pay for a dyndns account though.

 

[Pickupman66]

IIRc there are plans drawn up for the Archon to report to a cloud based system to eliminate port forwarding but that has not been implemented and I dont know a timeline.

FWIW, the time fix will be pretty quick here. I have mine working by doing holding the reset button and then changing my UTC to -5 and re-entering my wifi information. once rebooted go to system page and in the command box enter "SynchronizeTime()" and then hit send. then telnet into the system and type "date" and hit enter. should return the time the system has. you are welcome to try that but I make no guarantees it will work. may need to try a -4 ofset for you east coasters. (i know this may not be the proper offset). i also removed the check for the DST setting. timers are fully functional now as all of my voltage ports are tracking as expected.

one thing to consider if you are doing a ramp, the off time in the timer needs to be greater than the ramp . so for a 2 hour ramp 2 hours and 1 minute will suffice. I also have a basic timer for my Fuge light and it seems to be spot on as well. my graphs tell that story fo rhte msot part (sans where i have been screwing with the system).

 

[janes_mw]

Thanks for the tip!!

 

[shred5]

IIRc there are plans drawn up for the Archon to report to a cloud based system to eliminate port forwarding but that has not been implemented and I dont know a timeline.

FWIW, the time fix will be pretty quick here. I have mine working by doing holding the reset button and then changing my UTC to -5 and re-entering my wifi information. once rebooted go to system page and in the command box enter "SynchronizeTime()" and then hit send. then telnet into the system and type "date" and hit enter. should return the time the system has. you are welcome to try that but I make no guarantees it will work. may need to try a -4 ofset for you east coasters. (i know this may not be the proper offset). i also removed the check for the DST setting. timers are fully functional now as all of my voltage ports are tracking as expected.

one thing to consider if you are doing a ramp, the off time in the timer needs to be greater than the ramp . so for a 2 hour ramp 2 hours and 1 minute will suffice. I also have a basic timer for my Fuge light and it seems to be spot on as well. my graphs tell that story fo rhte msot part (sans where i have been screwing with the system).

That's good to hear.. With uverse it is hard to do much because you can not run your own router behind theirs so you are stuck with what ever they give you. More and more companies are going this way too with these all in one boxes.

See those things you mentioned should have been fixed before launch and handled in Beta. I mean the clock dont work right?

I have done allot of beta testing for reef equipment because of my years in the hobby and my understanding. I also beta lots of computer related stuff do to my computer back ground. My last beta for the gyre. Lately there is a trend to release things early. Seems like street dates are set and everyone goes nuts if it is missed.. Me I would rather have then take their time and do stuff right.