is my system possessed?

[reefkeeps]

nteresting issue going on with one of my lights, I woke up this morning to find one of my MH lights (LMH) on, I walked up to the tank and the light turned off. Judging by the corals the light was on most of the night.

I just turned them off (via the url), 15 mins passes and they turned back on, then back off. Is my system possessed? How do I troubleshoot this issue? The device logs in aqaunotes doesn't seem to log anything....My config is below


VHO$-A01
LMB$-A03
LMH$-E01
PCL#-A04
PM2#-A05
PM3#-A06
OZN&-A07
ALM&-A09
2TL&-B02
CO2&-A08



If Time > 08:00 Then PM2 OFF
If Time > 08:30 Then PM2 ON
If Time > 08:00 Then PM3 OFF
If Time > 08:30 Then PM3 ON
If Time > 12:30 Then 2TL ON
If Time > 20:30 Then 2TL OFF
If Time > 10:45 Then VHO ON
If Time > 20:45 Then VHO OFF
If Time > 11:15 Then LMB ON
If Time > 21:00 Then LMB OFF
If Time > 12:00 Then LMH ON
If Time > 20:00 Then LMH OFF
If Feed cycle Then PCL OFF
If Feed cycle Then PM2 OFF
If Feed cycle Then PM3 OFF
If ORP < 370 Then OZN ON
If ORP > 375 Then OZN OFF
If pH > 08.45 Then CO2 ON
If pH < 08.35 Then CO2 OFF
If pH > 08.30 Then ALM ON
If pH < 07.90 Then ALM ON
If ORP > 300 Then ALM ON
If ORP < 380 Then ALM ON
If Temp < 76.0 Then ALM ON
If Temp > 82.0 Then ALM ON
If Temp > 83.0 Then LMH OFF
If Temp > 82.0 Then PCL OFF
If Temp > 84.0 Then LMB OFF
If Temp > 84.0 Then VHO OFF

 

[reefkeeps]

VHO$-A01 just popped on, even though I have it as "manual off". This is scarry.

 

[clp]

Assuming you are using X10 to turn on/off your VHO light, then it could be local control causing the problem. See the Hardware FAQ on the support section of our website for instructions on how to disable local control.

Curt

 

[reefkeeps]

Yes X10 wall Receptacle and Lamp Modules, I'll try that, I'm not sure how to do it on the receptacles however.

 

[clp]

I haven't personally disabled local control in a wall receptacle before, so I can't give you all the details. What I do know is that you'll need to cut the trace or lead connected to pin 7 of the IC.

Curt

 

[reefkeeps]

What would happen if I put and Off command every 30 minutes durring the Off time frame.

If Time > 11:15 Then LMB ON
If Time > 21:00 Then LMB OFF
If Time > 21:30 Then LMB OFF
If Time > 22:00 Then LMB OFF
And so on.. Would that be an issue, I'm looking for a safety catch.

 

[clp]

Having the extra off statements would not change how many off commands are sent out. All the statements are evaluated, and the at completion of the evalutation phase if the state of the device has changed a command is sent out. The AquaController also refreshes the state at the 'x10 repeat interval' which by default is every 5 minutes.

Curt

 

[reefkeeps]

The local control feature, would that turn on devices off and then back on? I'm having that issue as well. Turns off for about 5 minutes then comes back on. Is that the x10 repeat interval turning it back on?

 

[clp]

Local control is only when a device is suppose to be off and it turns on. Sounds like you either have a configuration issue, or X10 noise interference. Double check all X10 timer names and their addresses to make sure that they are unique.
If that is OK, then the problem is likely X10 interference which results in command corruption. Here is a list of things to try:

- Make sure that the control interface is plugged into the AquaController with a 4 conductor telephone cord. The light should blink off when commands are sent out, but otherwise will be on.
- Make sure that the control modules x10 addresses match the configuration of the AquaController. The default AquaController program is listed in the back of the manual.
- The control interface and control modules should plug into the same circuit. If not, you may need to install a signal bridge.
- Do no use power strips with active surge suppression as they can attenuate the x10 signal. Use inexpensive powerstrips.
- With the AquaController try to turn on and off the control modules. Go to Control & Status -> Manual Control. Select the device you are having trouble with and repeatedly turn it on and off. Note that commands are only sent out when you press the select button.
- If you have added any new equipment to your tank, turn it off, and then repeat the Manual control test.
- Try switching to an unused X10 address on the control module and in the AquaControllerââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s configuration.
- Try swapping the control module with a known good one and see if the problem persists.
- Try power cycling the AquaController. Remove the 9V battery and unplug the AC adapter at the same time.
- If nothing is working try shutting off all appliances around your tank, and then try the manual on/off test. If something is causing X10 interference around your tank, it is likely an electronic ballast.
). Reapply power. off devices turn on.

Curt