Gen 2 problems

d4a2n0k

New member
Ive had an MP40W for a little less than a year and have been mostly happy with it. I am soon upgrading tanks so bought another MP40W but I waited until the Gen 2's were shipping so I didnt have to send my existing driver back to get the new firmware. I figured I would do it myself....

I ordered from Aquarium Specialty a new MP40W which I was assured was a Gen 2 and a magnet kit to upgrade my older MP40W.

I got the pump last week (minus the magnet kit but thats another story) and tried to upgrade my older one but was only getting the lights flashing on the supposed Gen 2 saying the upgrade was complete. There was no 3 minute wait like the instructions say, the light flashes instantly. I followed the instructions and tried a few times but get the same thing every time.

I tried setting up the night mode last night. I held the mode and set buttons until it flashed red, white & blue then held them again and the pumps did nothing but flash a few different colors and continued doing what I had them doing already. There was no 50% cut in power and they are both turned up almost to the max speed, they are not running at a lower speed.

The new MP40W came with the new magnet, screw, nut and back plate so it looks like it should be Gen 2. I called IceCap today and the gentlemen said that the box would have come with a round, silver sticker that says something like Gen 2 on it. My box does not have this.....The new pump has no extra features that my older pump doesnt have. Still the same 4 settings. He also mentioned that when upgrading the firmware, there is definitely a waiting period for it to finish and if I am getting the "completed" lights flashing right away, that means they are using the same firmware.

Did I get the shaft? The last thing I want to do at this point is send the driver in when I waited just so I didnt have to.
 
Since the box does not have the silver sticker stating Gen 2 New & Improved it is very possible and most likely not a Gen 2. When talking with you today, I asked to view the color flashes at start up. The Gen 2 will have a brief red - followed by 2 green - then 2 blue flashes. This means it is Gen 2. Any sequence other than that is NOT Gen 2. Your options are to send one controller in to us for flashing to Gen 2 or see if your retailer will swap it out for you.
 
It is possible that you were sent a first generation pump that had been upgraded with a magnet but not the code. I sent Scott at Aquarium Specialty some magnets to perform upgrades but expected him to reflash the code as well. Perhaps this was overlooked. I recommend you either send the driver in to us, find a local aquarist with the Gen2 code or contact Scott to see if he can work out something with you.

Technically, if the pump does not have the Gen2 sticker then it is not a true Gen2 from the factory.

-Tim
 
Gen 2

Gen 2

I had the same problem with my pump. I called Scott and he took care of the problem Asap. He said he thought he was sending out Gen 2 pumps.

Greg
 
Thank you, that is correct. We found out later about the software upgrade on the driver. The pumps we have in stock are now Gen 2....including the new magnets and new gen 2 driver software.
 
What do I need to send? Do I open the white controller box and unplug it and just send that? Any power cables needed?

Also, please post the address for Icecap.
 
You will need to contact us directly for an address. IceCap may be Ok with posting their address in a public forum but that's not my place to decide. you can always contact us directly for any help...
 
I sent out the driver on Tuesday and you received it yesterday. I also requested 4 mounting tabs for my two Vortech because Im switching tanks soon.

How long is the turn around for the software upgrade?

Thanks
 
What is your name so we can look it up??
Normal turn around time for the upgrade is same day.
As for mounting tabs, check Home Depot. I do not carry those in stock.
 
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