DIY 12V Koralia Controller

der_wille_zur_macht said:
Most of these projects focus on in-tank powerheads: 12V koralias are cheap, but "hard" to control (this is the only instance of a DIY controller for them that I'm aware of.) Tunze stream powerheads are more expensive, but require only a 0-8v DC signal to control, so it's pretty straightforward.

For an external "inline" pump (i.e. on a closed loop) there's not much out there in the small size range. Your best bet might be a DC pump intended to run on a solar panel for pond fountains, or a DC bilge pump - but it will be hit or miss to find one that's saltwater safe. If you need a large pump, the easiest solution is probably to swap a 3-phase AC motor on a large wet end (one of the Reeflo pumps for example) and then use a VFD to drive it.
Click to expand...

I'm working with a nano tank so having two powerheads inside a tank is a crowd. I had some though of using valving on the output of a single pump to drive the motion and take the load off of switching the pump. Most solenoid valves are relatively expensive devices ($300-500) for something in either PVC or stainless. There has to be a way to do this.

Thinking....
 
Oceans Motions devices, but clearly even the smallest would be too big for a nano.

What about a Tunze wavebox style device? They're gigantic, but have a "clean" look that would be easy to blend in next to an overflow, etc.
 
This is a great little project, I'm just proud to see someone using their college lab breadboard after they are out of college! I tossed mine in the trash when I started working, as we had a nice Quick Circuit Machine for prototyping.

As for the blown FET between a resistor and the powerhead, it could have something to do with inductance vs. resistance. I'm thinking the powerhead is essentially and induction motor, where you have a fixed stator (pump body) and a rotor (impeller). The rotor needs to be started somehow, maybe by resistance or capacitance? Any thoughts from some other folks, my expertise is in antenna's and comm systems, not motors and control.
 
I had a 2 way koralia controller but it got wet when my house burnt about a month ago. The controller got wet and now I am out of luck but the pumps are still good. They are k4 with mods. I am looking for a way to at least get them running so I can use them again. If someone has an idea I can use for now let to get them running me know. I thought about getting a 15 v ac power supply off ebay or something. Let me know if this will work haha. Thanks
 
I've thought about diving into this type of control myself - but - have never gotten around to work on it.

From my experience in light control (christmas) my "prefered" way to control is with PWM via an opto-isolator and a triac - and by using a snubber on the output.

A simple speed / two pump control would be quite easy to acomplish with something as simple as a 555 timer and a pic.
 
Last edited:
My apologies for the lack of input in this thread. I'm currently preoccupied w/ my studies - end of semester = lots of projects and exams.

Anyhow, as for the triac, I'm not sure that's going to work. I'm not really sure how you can use a triac to alter the AC frequency needed to control the motor.

My circuit is a prototype just enough to make the motor spin. Eventually, my approach will kinda be like a single phase cycloconverter, adjusting the AC frequency to change motor speed.
 
The 12v ones?

The Seio is off and on right? In other words it is 100% then 0%?

Is there much clicking noise?

Do you have the maxi mod on yours?
 
The Seio is not an off and on controller. It ramps up and down from 50% to 100% power on the two K4"s . No noise at all!
Not sure what the maxi mod is?
 
They are the standard K4's that they first came out with. That mod looks like it's for a maxi jet and not a Koralia
 
They also work on the K4... I have them in my k4s now. Look it up on RC you just switch out a few parts and bam 2 times + the flow.

Do you have a link for the controller?
 
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