expansion module

[whodah]

been a while since someone asked

any news on the expansion modules for the AC3's?

thanks!

 

[cmhollis]

Yeah,

C'mon Curt, how about throwing us a little bone here? Can you give us any information at all? Dates, new functions, etc?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[jnfallon]

Wishlist,

1) It should be able to control Tunze streams. Not just the oscillation frequency but the power setting as well.

 

[clp]

The features of the expansion box are:

- Add pH, ORP, and tempprobe or 2 pH and temp probe.
- Has 4 digital inputs.
- Works on AC3 or AC3PRO.
- Up to 7 expansion modules can be used. For a AC3PRO that would make a total of 26 probes, and 32 digital inputs.

The Tunze streams controller is on our possible future products list. If demand is high enough we'll make it.

Curt

 

[jnfallon]

wow!!!

Does digital inputs mean I don't have to jerry-rig a box in order to use a high/low water alarm?

I would buy the streams controller. The multi controller is ok, but not exactly muilt-faceted.

 

[cmhollis]

Curt,

That rocks. Any idea on a release date and ballpark price? I know this is a lot to ask for, but now that you have fed the beast, he wants more.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[whodah]

cool!

can you release the firmware source code? 1/3 of us RC'ers are in IT of some kind anyways... of that 50% are programmers...

we'll get it all coded and more for ya in 2 weeks time.

ha ha, kidding! or am i...

in all seriousness: thx for the update!

 

[DrBDC]

Will the expansion modules increase the number of controlled devices?

 

[szwab]

i'd go for the tunze controller!!

any idea on the price of the expansion modules?

 

[Double-J]

Hey Curt any updates on this!!! wanting to set up another tank soon.

 

[clp]

The expansion box is in beta test now, so far it is working well. If no problems are found in the next week or two, we'll begin the production build. FCS should then be about 4 to 6 weeks.

Curt

 

[1SickReefer]

:bounce1: :bounce2:

 

[revnull]

I'd also like to add my vote for Tunze control. Any new info on pricing and availability?

 

[collins]

A Tunze stream controller would be a welcome addition.

 

[clp]

Pricing is going to be $174.95 and include a temperature probe. The feature set has been slightly modified to:

- Add pH, ORP, and tempprobe or 2 pH and temp probe.
- Has 6digital inputs.
- Works on AC3 or AC3PRO.
- Up to 7 expansion modules can be used. For a AC3PRO that would make a total of 26 probes, and 32 digital inputs.

The units are being built now, and shipments will begin in July. The online ordering will be updated next week so that you can place pre-orders.

Curt

 

[whodah]

please don't interpret this as negativity as it's not intended to be. it's curiosity!

that's interesting that it's going to come bundled w/ a temperature probe...

may i ask why this was decided upon? seems like a second pH probe would be more valuable.

i'm wondering what the thought process was as perhaps i'm overlooking something?

maybe the idea is that one AC3 can monitor multiple tanks w/ the new expansion modules? (which would be pretty nifty btw!)

and if so - this leads me to the question of: how far away (distance wise) can an expansion module be wired from the AC3?

thx curt!

 

[DrBDC]

Monitoring my other tank (or maybe even my 2 fw ones as well) is what I plan to do with one expansion module so distance issue is a question I have too.

It would be nice if the aquanotes could have an option to seperate the expansion modules as another tank as well.

 

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7558938#post7558938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clp
Pricing is going to be $174.95 and include a temperature probe. The feature set has been slightly modified to:

- Add pH, ORP, and tempprobe or 2 pH and temp probe.
- Has 6digital inputs.
- Works on AC3 or AC3PRO.
- Up to 7 expansion modules can be used. For a AC3PRO that would make a total of 26 probes, and 32 digital inputs.

The units are being built now, and shipments will begin in July. The online ordering will be updated next week so that you can place pre-orders.

Curt

Will the expansion be connected to the controller via RS232 or Ethernet cable?

 

[DrBDC]

It may be up to the capabilities of the rs232 cable. Here is a link I found and I would think that the controller would need the highest baud rate which is a max. of 50 ft. I hope that will be the case.

http://www.lammertbies.nl/comm/info/RS-232_specs.html

 

[tacocat]

Let me clarify:

Are the expansion modules going to use the RS232 serial protocol or an 802 ethernet protocol?