How To Program Powerheads For Completly Random Flow?

[cm11599ps]

I keep a low flow in my sump si I rely on my powerheads for flow in my tank. I've currently got 4 425gph powerheads in my 55 along with my return so if everything is one at once I'm looking at over 2,000 gph turnover which hovers around 40. Much more flow then I need.

I'm wanting to set my powerheads to come on completely at random. Something like

PH1 comes on for 2.34 minutes and is off for 1.21
PH2 comes on for 5.15 minutes and is off for 3.54
PH3 comes on for 1.47 minutes and is off for 1.2
PH4 comes on for 4.21 minutes and is off for 30 seconds

I understand the programming of turning onw pump on for a few minutes and then have it shut down when another pump starts. I can see that example in the book but I can't seem to wrap my head around getting this really random flow I posted above. With my example above then there could be anywhere from 0 to 4 pumps on at any given time. Of course, it probably wouldn't happen often that NO powerheads are on but that would only happen for a maximum of 30 seconds if all 4 powerheads ended at exactly the same time.

 

[cm11599ps]

On a side note, I would need powerhead 3 to shut off completely if EB_8 ever lost power because I have the powerheads on EB_4. I would also need powerhead 3 to come on 3 minutes afer EB_3 regains it's power.

 

[swearint]

The Apex does not have a Random function. Previous controllers, such as the AC3, did. I have never heard any explanation as to why the function was dropped in the Apex.

As for shutting down when EB8_3 loses power, just add the following to the code for pump_3:

If Power EB8_3 OFF 003 Then OFF

This will turn the pump off when EB8_3 loses power and keep it off for 3 minutes after power is restored.

Todd

 

[schwaggs]

To program your psudo-random example, just use the following commands on the outlets where you have you power heads plugged in:

PH1
OSC 00:00/02:34/1:21 Then ON

PH2
OSC 00:00/05:15/3:54 Then ON

PH3
OSC 00:00/1:47/01:20 Then ON

PH4
OSC 00:00/04:21/00:30 Then ON

Or use the Pump Wizard and use the number in order from the commands above.

 

[cm11599ps]

The Apex does not have a Random function. Previous controllers, such as the AC3, did. I have never heard any explanation as to why the function was dropped in the Apex.

As for shutting down when EB8_3 loses power, just add the following to the code for pump_3:

If Power EB8_3 OFF 003 Then OFF

This will turn the pump off when EB8_3 loses power and keep it off for 3 minutes after power is restored.

Todd

So that line of code would keep pump# 3 on EB4 off for the entire time the EB3 is not powered, and then only restart pump# 3 after power has been restored to EB3 for 3 minutes?

 

[swearint]

So that line of code would keep pump# 3 on EB4 off for the entire time the EB3 is not powered, and then only restart pump# 3 after power has been restored to EB3 for 3 minutes?

Correct, as long as the Apex is receiving power from another EBx or the 12 VDC adapter.

Todd

 

[cm11599ps]

Thanks everyone!

A little bit of bad news. I just found out that my powerheads are only controllable on the mechanical outlets. The only way to get a powerhead to work on a triac outlet is to plug two powerheads into an extension cord so that one triac outlet is controlling 2 powerheads at the same time.

Being that I have 2 energy bars, I could put a powerhead on each mechanical relay but I"m afraid of having it break under constant switching. That leaves me with the following options as far as I can see.

1) Put a powerhead on each mechanical relay but make the on/off times longer to maximize relay life.

2) Plug 2 powerheads into an extension cord so that they are both on the same cycle being they are on the same outlet. Plug another powerhead into a triac and leave it constantly on and then plug the last powerhead into a mechanical and have it switch every so often.

3) Plug 2 powerheads into one triac using an extension cord and plug the other 2 into an extension cord into a triac so that way you have at least 2 powerheads on at all times.

4) Plug 2 powerheads into one triac and the other 2 into 2 separate mechanicla relays.

 

[slief]

The problem with having power heads off for any length of time is that calcium tends to build up on the impellers requiring more frequent cleaning and also reduced life of the power head. Just keep that in mind if you have them turning on and off. Especially if the off cycle is for any length of time. That said, while it is costly, a truely controllable power head like a Tunze is probably your best bet. I couldnt fathom the idea of spending that kind of money on power heads, but after getting my pair of 6205's, I am sold and sorry I didnt do it sooner.

 

[swearint]

That leaves me with the following options as far as I can see.

1) Put a powerhead on each mechanical relay but make the on/off times longer to maximize relay life.

2) Plug 2 powerheads into an extension cord so that they are both on the same cycle being they are on the same outlet. Plug another powerhead into a triac and leave it constantly on and then plug the last powerhead into a mechanical and have it switch every so often.

3) Plug 2 powerheads into one triac using an extension cord and plug the other 2 into an extension cord into a triac so that way you have at least 2 powerheads on at all times.

4) Plug 2 powerheads into one triac and the other 2 into 2 separate mechanicla relays.

Option 5 is to add some other device, such as a small night light, to each triac outlet that is controlling a powerhead. This increases the power draw enough so that they don't get stuck in the ON state. I have not tried it, but elsewhere in this forum someone indicated that the individual outlet GFCI adapters increased the draw enough to do the trick.

Todd

 

[cm11599ps]

I saw other people doing that, especially with dosing pumps, but I don't need any more wiring then I already have. lol I have it so 2 PH's are on one triac so they are controllable. A third PH is on a triac so it's always on and the 4th is on a mechanical with a longer activation time so as to not wear out the relay.