Is this a good deal?

[MRDHJ1]

So I am looking to get a controller. I found this one on the MARS forum. What do you guys think?




I have an AquaController II with manual and aquanotes and serial cable with USB Adapter along with (14) X-10s Appliance Control Modules, (4) X-10 Lamp Control Modules, and (1) X-10 Powerline Interface Control Module.

Also this unit has almost new (2-month old) pH ad ORP probes

This unit will monitor and control temperature, pH, ORP, and lighting including a moonlighting cycle.


Price: $160

I also have the following Power Controls -

(1) DC8 - $80
(1) DC4HD - $60
(1) 120V 2-outlet High-Amp Expansion Module - $25

All of the above: $300

PS. I won't sell the DC8, DC4HD, or High-Amp without selling the Base Unit first.




Is this a good deal with all the extras or should I just buy a new AC3 with no extras?

 

[carne.espada]

You will need the power control modules as this is an x-10 device. Neptune has abandoned the x-10 and the AC2 because of x-10 transmission problems. The DC4 and DC8 solve this by being direct connect. The beauty of x-10 was that the modules work regardless to their proximty to the base unit. I have had an AC2 for 8 years and it was off and on until I recently purchased the DC4 which solved my problems. The x-10 will work on other things but not recommended for vital or near vital systems. Offer $250. This is not a low ball but reflects the fact that you can buy a RK or AC3 for nearly the same price and they would be new and up-to-date. How old are the probes? Lab grade or the lesser ones? Will he be shipping the probes in the cal. solution, which is the only way or they are worthless. The probes are about $75 from Neptune and the are always going to be new when you purchase a new unit. If you have to buy new probes, that will drop the value of the deal. I paid $600 for my AC2!!!!!!
No one should be without a controller!

 

[FreshReefer]

I use an ACII with X10 modules. They work good for me but there are a few issues. In order to run your lights that have ballasts you have to plug a seperate resistive device in parallel with the X10. For me it is a cooling fan. Power strip ---> X10 appliance module --->2 way grounded splitter --->fan and light. There are some other ways around this ask if you have questions. The appliance modules use relays which click when they turn on/off. The lamp modules don't but handle only light loads. I haven't used the the DC8 but I think it uses a TRIAC instead of a relay (wikipedia has info on this but I think it doesn't click and handles higher loads.

If it were me I would go for the AC3. Then you have control remotely over the Internet as well. Just FYI i bought an AC2 unit with a temp probe from Steve for about 1/3 this guys cost. It was a customer upgrade unit but worked well. If you have more questions let me know.