Hardware & firmware wish list
- Thread starter Matthias Gross
- Start date
ReefRockerLive
GHL Mitras LX7 Club
The Expansion slots in a box idea is something I would buy! 
An expansion box ... Yes! Yes! I made this suggestion a couple pages back but didn't get too good of a response. I'm glad to see others chiming in with the same request. .... And make sure it has at least 6 slots, and a built in communications port to connect back to the controller.
AQD_ottawa
New member
Heres the deal.
The profiLux can not be expanded in this way, it was a suggestion i put forward about a year ago.
You have the option of Networking the controllers together, or adopting the use of the ProfiLux light II so you can seperate your lighting requirements from the main unit, making the ProfiLux main unit mores specific to parameter control etc.
When you take into account the expansion provided by the profilux EX you have more than most would require in a single unit. 6 controllable L ports for starters, expandable to a further 2 more.
You still have 3 ports free all of which can be doubled up with the dual parameter cards in effect giving you 6 slots free.
I think most would agree they would have trouble filling this with a futher 6 parameters.
The profiLux can not be expanded in this way, it was a suggestion i put forward about a year ago.
You have the option of Networking the controllers together, or adopting the use of the ProfiLux light II so you can seperate your lighting requirements from the main unit, making the ProfiLux main unit mores specific to parameter control etc.
When you take into account the expansion provided by the profilux EX you have more than most would require in a single unit. 6 controllable L ports for starters, expandable to a further 2 more.
You still have 3 ports free all of which can be doubled up with the dual parameter cards in effect giving you 6 slots free.
I think most would agree they would have trouble filling this with a futher 6 parameters.
If there was an expansion box with more slots available I would like to fill one of those slots with a memory expansion card that could be used to log data for extended periods at fairly frequent sampling rates.
Currently I'm logging data at 15 minute intervals which means I can only log data for a little over one day before the 600 spot recording limit is reached.
Sure, if I only logged measurements once a day I could go for months but I have a keen interest in the diurnal (daily) changes that take place in the tank. Some of these changes are really quit subtle and are very intriguing. These changes only become obvious with high frequency sampling rates.
I would also like to record the times that lights, pumps, etc come on and go off and have the graphing package show this along with the recorded sensor data. Yes, I could go into Excel and enter that stuff manually and overlay the sensor data but I would like to see it easily in Profilux Control.
Currently I'm logging data at 15 minute intervals which means I can only log data for a little over one day before the 600 spot recording limit is reached.
Sure, if I only logged measurements once a day I could go for months but I have a keen interest in the diurnal (daily) changes that take place in the tank. Some of these changes are really quit subtle and are very intriguing. These changes only become obvious with high frequency sampling rates.
I would also like to record the times that lights, pumps, etc come on and go off and have the graphing package show this along with the recorded sensor data. Yes, I could go into Excel and enter that stuff manually and overlay the sensor data but I would like to see it easily in Profilux Control.
AQD_ottawa
New member
I am not saying this is possible as i do not know, but if an expansion card was made a vailable for the profilux to accept memory cards (again, i have no idea if this is possible) you can still use of of the 3/6 slots available to you already.
The only thing I can say for certain is that an expansion box is not on the cards. There simply is not the global demand for it.
The only thing I can say for certain is that an expansion box is not on the cards. There simply is not the global demand for it.
See I dont hink you guys really know if that is true or not. How do you know until its out there. People might not be asking for it but if they saw it would buy it JMHO Everything on this thread im sure anyone that has a controller would want. Do you realize how many people would want to be able to shut off something from there computer from a site if they needed to while on vacation or work man I could think of a million things lol
AQD_ottawa
New member
They already can have remote access without the need of any expansion box, this has been available for a long time now. Thats nothing new, anyone has this option if they have the LAN or WLAN card.
So as I said, no need for an expansion box for that option.
So as I said, no need for an expansion box for that option.
I don't really agree there. Already a few members here have expressed interest within a few day who nows how many more just can't be bothered.
I have the eX already and it's full.
L1/2 - Led stick/spot for Sunrise/sunset and moonlight etc
L3/4 - 2 Channels for Dimmable T5's
L5/6 - Fan controllers
L7/8 - Controllable pumps
L9/10 - empty
Although L9/10 are empty I would like more than 2 channels of controllable pumps and really would like 4 - 8 channels of dimmable light control.
I also want the GHL chiller to go on here somewhere.
Card slots
1 WLAN card
2 Humidity/ Temp card
3 L port card
As said earlier I would like more L ports and I would also like a second pH and Temp card to start with.
Now I realize you can connect other components via network etc but that seems like a waste of money just getting another computer to add those things but I would pay that if they could be networked in a easy fashion. By that i mean just log into my Profilux Control and all the info is there. I don't care if you had the list broken down like you do now where each unit would break down into all it's timers etc but i don't want to have to log into them individually and would prefer that all sensor data si downloaded together.
If that's possible than i guess i would be happy.
AQD_ottawa
New member
Yes it is easy, we have one current board member who already has this up and running very successfully.
All you need is two RS485 cards and a LAN, you then switch between controllers in profiLux control
This feature has been around since the beginnings of profiLux Plus II and is well used in Europe with great feedback.
All you need is two RS485 cards and a LAN, you then switch between controllers in profiLux control
This feature has been around since the beginnings of profiLux Plus II and is well used in Europe with great feedback.
The other thing if i can network them together in th above way. Will commands be communicated between the units I.e.
What if the Led sticks are on 1 computer and the pumps are on the second computer and also the lights. Will the storm effect still do everything (change pumps speed, lightning and dim down all dimmable light channels between the 2 computers?
Annd also what about temp control? Will that still turn on and off points etc based on the temp of controller 1?
What if the Led sticks are on 1 computer and the pumps are on the second computer and also the lights. Will the storm effect still do everything (change pumps speed, lightning and dim down all dimmable light channels between the 2 computers?
Annd also what about temp control? Will that still turn on and off points etc based on the temp of controller 1?
AQD_ottawa
New member
it is shown in the back of the manual and briefly explained
The two units will work independantly from each other but share the same pc software control, you just choose which unit you wish to view or change parameters of.
To bring this back to the beginning. The suggestion of an expansion box will not be a future feature that is offered.
HOWEVER - that does not mean nobody is listening to all your great suggestions, and also it does not mean something similar (but different) is not already being worked on.
The two units will work independantly from each other but share the same pc software control, you just choose which unit you wish to view or change parameters of.
To bring this back to the beginning. The suggestion of an expansion box will not be a future feature that is offered.
HOWEVER - that does not mean nobody is listening to all your great suggestions, and also it does not mean something similar (but different) is not already being worked on.
Hi Michael,
Read the manual and yeah it's doesn't really tell you anything useful.
It gives the indication that the units communicate with each other but from what you said they don't which in my opinion makes the network feature useless. Only advantage is you can log into either computer easily but you are still running two completely separate systems as such (i mean what's the good of having a separate controller running lights etc if it can't link to your existing controller that has the temp probe and controls chilling etc? It won't turn the lights etc off when it's too hot). I hope this is something Matthias can fix be it either more expandability or at least a true networking of two machines.
I would be nice to know what may be on the horizon (i know it's not always practical) so i don't end up buying another computer and spending extra cash on something I know i'm not going to be fully happy with and may have to spend extra money just double up on some things I don't need and won't function exactly the way i want only to have something come out a few months later.
Read the manual and yeah it's doesn't really tell you anything useful.
It gives the indication that the units communicate with each other but from what you said they don't which in my opinion makes the network feature useless. Only advantage is you can log into either computer easily but you are still running two completely separate systems as such (i mean what's the good of having a separate controller running lights etc if it can't link to your existing controller that has the temp probe and controls chilling etc? It won't turn the lights etc off when it's too hot). I hope this is something Matthias can fix be it either more expandability or at least a true networking of two machines.
I would be nice to know what may be on the horizon (i know it's not always practical) so i don't end up buying another computer and spending extra cash on something I know i'm not going to be fully happy with and may have to spend extra money just double up on some things I don't need and won't function exactly the way i want only to have something come out a few months later.
AQD_ottawa
New member
Nothing is coming out this year, that is 100% fact.
I appreciate what you are saying, but the idea is to split your system, one for lighting maybe and one for control of parameters, you then can view both units via one profiLux control
Your best bet is to drop michael a line (MSHUR) he has this all hooked up and loves it to bits.
I appreciate what you are saying, but the idea is to split your system, one for lighting maybe and one for control of parameters, you then can view both units via one profiLux control
Your best bet is to drop michael a line (MSHUR) he has this all hooked up and loves it to bits.
chachijoe75
New member
Ok, how about being able to change the display to vertical. This way one could mount the unit sideways on the side of the stand. Probably 2 digits per row, but that could work!
Ei.
pH
7.0
Tp
79
Ei.
pH
7.0
Tp
79
AQD_ottawa
New member
Interesting thought, but not a flyer im afraid
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