Help Set Up AC3
- Thread starter chillncm
- Start date
D
Deleted member 143833
Welcoms to the club!
The connections are simple; the AC3 has a "Control" plug (like a phone connector) which you plug a cable into it and then into the "Control In" of the 1st DC8, then from the same DC8's "Control Out" you connect a cable to it and the "Control In" of the next DC8.
You should, before trying to use/program set the address switches on the DC8 so that 1 is default (A01-A08) and the other is different (e.g., B01-B08).
Next, it's off to programming.
If it helps, I've written a PC simulator that can come in handy to build your program and see how it would work in time-lapse mode (1 second == 1 minute). It's on my software page of my website.
After that, ask questions; we have a great community always ready to help!
The connections are simple; the AC3 has a "Control" plug (like a phone connector) which you plug a cable into it and then into the "Control In" of the 1st DC8, then from the same DC8's "Control Out" you connect a cable to it and the "Control In" of the next DC8.
You should, before trying to use/program set the address switches on the DC8 so that 1 is default (A01-A08) and the other is different (e.g., B01-B08).
Next, it's off to programming.
If it helps, I've written a PC simulator that can come in handy to build your program and see how it would work in time-lapse mode (1 second == 1 minute). It's on my software page of my website.
After that, ask questions; we have a great community always ready to help!
D
Deleted member 143833
Sorry, by default I mean that you don't need to change the switches; they ship with the switches set to A01-A08. You will only need to change the setting on the second DC8 (you can't have 2 DC8s at the same address).
Kenargo can you elaborate on the switches of the DC8? How does one set them? What exactly do they allow you to do?
Also I noticed on your timer names on your website that you include "&" in some of the names "$" on other, etc. What is the reasoning behind this?
I'm not trying to hijack this post, these were questions that I had that I thought might be useful to chillncm as well, but I can start my own thread if chillncm would like.
Also I noticed on your timer names on your website that you include "&" in some of the names "$" on other, etc. What is the reasoning behind this?
I'm not trying to hijack this post, these were questions that I had that I thought might be useful to chillncm as well, but I can start my own thread if chillncm would like.
Please refer to the DC8 manual for how to set the DIP switches and explanation of the purpose.
There are four symbols that may be used as the 4th character in timer names. They are used to signify which icons are displayed on the main 'Run' display of the AC3/AC3pro/ACjr for each corresponding DC4 or DC8 outlet when the timer is in Auto mode.
$ is a light icon
% up or down arrow icon (for heaters and chillers)
# is a wave icon (for pumps and powerheads)
& is a box icon (for any purpose)
I've read the manual, but it's not clear to me why you would need 4 letters and 16 numbers to play with when you only have 8 plugins? This would mean there are a number of combinations to run only 8 pieces of equipment, am I right? To be perfectly honest, I've found the manual very confusing up to this point.
Also all of my switches appear that they are in the up position (this is if the switches are the little white nubs). To turn one off do I need to manually move the white nub down or is the turning of the switches done only through Aquanotes or the controller itself?
I'm just a little confused on the whole topic and I haven't seen anything yet that really spells it out for me, so I guess I'm hoping to get a little clarification.
Also all of my switches appear that they are in the up position (this is if the switches are the little white nubs). To turn one off do I need to manually move the white nub down or is the turning of the switches done only through Aquanotes or the controller itself?
I'm just a little confused on the whole topic and I haven't seen anything yet that really spells it out for me, so I guess I'm hoping to get a little clarification.
if I understood the manual correctly..the first two white nubs control the letter and the next two white nubs control the number..for example, if you have one DC8, then all four white nubs have to be off in the up position controlling A01-A08. if you have the second DC8, then the first white nub is on, the second off , third on, and fourth off..this controls B09-B16. if you have third DC8, then first off, second on, third off, fourht on contrl C16-C24..ect..am i right? does it make any sense?
OK... let's back up... the AC uses a protocol called X10 to communicate with a peripheral like the DC8.
X10 addresses are in the format of a letter (A-P) and then two digits (1-16). This permits an X10-based system to have a total of 256 addresses. The AC3 can handle 8 DC8s (64 outlets)!!!
Devices like the DC8 need to be assigned a unique control address or addresses. For example, the LunarSim module needs just one address. Since the DC8 has 8 outlets, it needs to be assigned a range of 8 addresses.
On the DC8, the first 2 switches set the letter part (A, B, C, or D). The third switch assigns the 8 outlets to 1-8 or 9-16. The 4th switch is unused and has no function.
Typically, the first DC8 is set to 'A' & '1-8'. It really doesn't really matter though, as long as no other connected X10 peripheral has the same X10 address(es). In the AquaController, you would then create timer names that correspond to the device plugged in to a given outlet and the outlet's control address.
So, let's assume you have 2 DC8s. One is mounted up in the canopy, the other in the stand. You assign the first to be A1-8 and the other to be B1-8. You plug stuff into the DC8s:
DC8#1: (Canopy)
Outlet 1 Metal Halide (left)
Outlet 2 Metal Halide (right)
Outlet 3 VHO actinics
Outlet 4 LED Moonlight
Outlet 5 unused
Outlet 6 Vortech (Left)
Outlet 7 Vortech (Right)
Outlet 8 Fans
DC8#2 (Stand)
Outlet 1 Return pump
Outlet 2 Closed loop pump
Outlet 3 unused
Outlet 4 Kalk Stirrer
Outlet 5 'Fuge light
Outlet 6 Heater
Outlet 7 Chiller
Outlet 8 ATO
You'd then create the timer names like this, including the proper special character to indicate the type of device plugged in:
MHL$-A01
MHR$-A02
VHO$-A03
MON$-A04
(no timer name needed for A05, since it's currently unused, but you can define it anyway, i.e. A05&-A05, then modify the name as applicable when you actually use the outlet)
VTL%-A06
VTR%-A07
FAN&-A08
RET#-B01
CLP#-B02
(no timer name needed for B03, since it's unused)
KLK#-B04
FUG$-B05
HET%-B06
CHL%-B07
ATO#-B08
You also need to create a "dummy" timer (one that has no actual device) if you want to use the alarm email capability.
ALM&-P01
The first three characters in timer names are free-form... make up whatevermnemonic/abbreviation you like for each connected light, pump. etc. I chose ones that to me are easy to understand & remember.
Each outlet must have a timer name defined so it can then be used in the programming. But that's a whole 'nuther topic
X10 addresses are in the format of a letter (A-P) and then two digits (1-16). This permits an X10-based system to have a total of 256 addresses. The AC3 can handle 8 DC8s (64 outlets)!!!
Devices like the DC8 need to be assigned a unique control address or addresses. For example, the LunarSim module needs just one address. Since the DC8 has 8 outlets, it needs to be assigned a range of 8 addresses.
On the DC8, the first 2 switches set the letter part (A, B, C, or D). The third switch assigns the 8 outlets to 1-8 or 9-16. The 4th switch is unused and has no function.
Typically, the first DC8 is set to 'A' & '1-8'. It really doesn't really matter though, as long as no other connected X10 peripheral has the same X10 address(es). In the AquaController, you would then create timer names that correspond to the device plugged in to a given outlet and the outlet's control address.
So, let's assume you have 2 DC8s. One is mounted up in the canopy, the other in the stand. You assign the first to be A1-8 and the other to be B1-8. You plug stuff into the DC8s:
DC8#1: (Canopy)
Outlet 1 Metal Halide (left)
Outlet 2 Metal Halide (right)
Outlet 3 VHO actinics
Outlet 4 LED Moonlight
Outlet 5 unused
Outlet 6 Vortech (Left)
Outlet 7 Vortech (Right)
Outlet 8 Fans
DC8#2 (Stand)
Outlet 1 Return pump
Outlet 2 Closed loop pump
Outlet 3 unused
Outlet 4 Kalk Stirrer
Outlet 5 'Fuge light
Outlet 6 Heater
Outlet 7 Chiller
Outlet 8 ATO
You'd then create the timer names like this, including the proper special character to indicate the type of device plugged in:
MHL$-A01
MHR$-A02
VHO$-A03
MON$-A04
(no timer name needed for A05, since it's currently unused, but you can define it anyway, i.e. A05&-A05, then modify the name as applicable when you actually use the outlet)
VTL%-A06
VTR%-A07
FAN&-A08
RET#-B01
CLP#-B02
(no timer name needed for B03, since it's unused)
KLK#-B04
FUG$-B05
HET%-B06
CHL%-B07
ATO#-B08
You also need to create a "dummy" timer (one that has no actual device) if you want to use the alarm email capability.
ALM&-P01
The first three characters in timer names are free-form... make up whatevermnemonic/abbreviation you like for each connected light, pump. etc. I chose ones that to me are easy to understand & remember.
Each outlet must have a timer name defined so it can then be used in the programming. But that's a whole 'nuther topic
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Darn.. I don't remember for sure, but IIRC, down is on... Ken or someone else will have to confirm or deny.
Grandpa Russ' memory is not totally gone then
..You just connect the Control jack on the AC3 to the Control In jack of an AC3 peripheral using the proper cable. Additional peripherals (DC4, DC8, LunarSim, etc.) are then daisy-chained in sequnential manner... Control Out to Control In.
It's recommended that the AquaSurf be the first in the chain (closest to the AC3).
You MUST use a 4-wire phone cord... many phone cords are 2-wire and will not work.
AquaSurf manual
It's recommended that the AquaSurf be the first in the chain (closest to the AC3).
You MUST use a 4-wire phone cord... many phone cords are 2-wire and will not work.
AquaSurf manual
