EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40 Release Information

[1SickReefer]

let me get this correct, these are only manual controllable?? they do not have a wavemaker that is automated?

 

[melev]

Not yet. That is a separate controller, but you can plug it into a wavemaker if you like, as long as it has a 1 minute intermission before restarting.

 

[1SickReefer]

so i can use my ACIII to start and stop these?

 

[jnarowe]

I will use my AC III for them. Should be almost as good as their controller, but I am not sure if the AC III can be programmed to change the speed. That would be ideal so that during night time the pumps could be slowed down. I think that may be beyond the AC III but I will contact them about it as soon as I get my pumps.

 

[melev]

I'm not sure. Maybe with the DC-4 or DC-8 system, but I have a feeling it won't work well with X-10 modules. I could be wrong of course. There is a Beta Test thread where someone might have used X-10, and if they did they would likely have posted their experience.

I pretty much just dialed mine in to the speed that worked for my tank in the location it is placed, and adjusted it when necessary either faster or slower. I have two Tunze 6100s at the other end that switch back and forth and ramp up and down, so the flow was random via those pumps.

 

[jnarowe]

I think, but someone can correct me if I am wrong, that the AC III is limited to just turning the cicuit on and off and cannot raise or lower the current.

 

[melev]

That is correct.

 

[jnarowe]

I'll bet that one of RC's resident electrical geniuses could figure out a DIY method to do that...

 

[~ChrisB~]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7173060#post7173060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mattseattle
Chord, eh? align it with the Vortech's Chord!

Justin - I think there is a misspelling!

Maybe he's a music buff?

 

[Mike.B]

sknoch78 thanks for tanking pictures with something to compare it to. Im gonna go cut a pop can in half and see what this beast will look like

 

[Mike.B]

ahh hell ya, pop can test worked good!

Definitely going to get one of these, but I'll get it last because by the time I buy 2 grand in other equipment I'm sure ecotech will be caught up

 

[ReefWaters]

When the controller does come out, will it control the intensity of the flow in the same way that the Tunzes do?

In other words, could you go from 100gph to 3100gph slowly and then back again and so on and so on?

Also, will that controller plug into the manual controller or will it replace the manual controller?

 

[melev]

Also, is there any word on when the battery backup will become available, and how much it will cost? My power was out for the past 3 hours, and it would have been nice if the VorTech was keeping the circulation going. Fortunately, I had a generator, but it was pretty loud at 3am.

 

[jnarowe]

Marc,

You can use a UPS to keep the Vortechs going during a power outage so you don't have to wait for their backup battery.

 

[melev]

True, if I plug it into the UPS and the UPS into the wall. I was just wanting to use the port that is built into the driver, and wanted to know the details anyway.

 

[MadTownMax]

If you can use a UPS - why would they even consider making a power supply?



They should concentrate on building a smaller and cheaper unit first

 

[jnarowe]

yeah!

:lol:

Using a UPS would provide clean current and backup capability but it would not be able to control the unit's function.

If I remember correctly the Vortech controller and backup functions were in a combo unit.

 

[mattseattle]

not from what i understand - the controller should be wireless from what i've read.

 

[melev]

Hopefully Tim or Andy will chime in soon.

 

[MadTownMax]

*jeapordy theme*

If it was a wireless back-up power source, I really gotta see this