JR programming ?s

[leeweber85]

I was previously told that the JR can be programmed to let the lights cool before turning back on if there were a power glitch/outage. What is the command to do this?

Also, how much difference should there be in commands between heating/cooling? Please help me figure out the best commands for running my heater and fans so I have the least temperature fluctuation and yet not turning on and off the fan every mintute.

right now i have this:

If temp>79.4 then fan on
If temp<79.4 then fan off -should this be a wider range?

If temp>79.2 then Het(heater) Off
If temp<79.2 then Het on

THANK YOU!

 

[pickle311]

the difference in your temp settings should be atleast .3
for the lights cooling off before refiring. go to add state and add a new line that says MAX CHANGE 010 M THEN LT1 OFF.
I personally changed mine from 10 minutes to 5 minutes and you can obviously configure whatever light you need.

 

[leeweber85]

ok, I already have that programmed for when the lights go off if the temp is over 82F. So that will double for when the power goes out?

 

[kbecker]

You would want the following program for when your power goes out:

If Power Fail Then LT1 OFF
MAX CHANGE 010 M THEN LT1 OFF

 

[leeweber85]

I was just going to say that I tested it and 'MAX CHANGE 010 M THEN LT1 OFF' didn't work. I didn't see the "If power fail then" command. I will have to go check it.

I'm very pleased with the controller. My temperature stays between 79.1 and 79.5 (almost always at 79.3/4. I am experimenting with the temperature settings and think I will have it within .3 fluctuation soon.

 

[leeweber85]

I just checked and I didn't see any "If Power Fail Then" Are you sure that command is on the ACJR?

 

[kbecker]

The ACJR should have it as I am basing this on my AC3 (which understand has same / similar software). I can go home and download the ACJR manual and take a look.

 

[pickle311]

The ACJR does not have that command

 

[leeweber85]

ok, but I was told that it can be done some way or another.

 

[Sparkss]

^^^^^
Bump!!

Maybe Curt can chime in with an answer... I am getting my AC Jr tomorrow and would like to know myself...

 

[clp]

The Jr does not have a powerfail command. Not quite sure why anyone wants this feature as I don't know of a single ballast that does not restart on its own after a power failure. If there is enough interest in such a command it could be added, but at the moment I don't see any reason for it.

Curt

 

[Drewpy]

just to let the bulbs cool before re-firing... supposedly better for bulb life...

 

[mc-cro]

I have noticed that my M58 magnetics dont want to fire after a short power failure. I read in the ReefKeeper that the ballast needs to cool before it will refire. That is why they have the
"sure on" for the MH channels.

I think it would be a very nice feature.

 

[clp]

The M58 will restrike the bulb; it just has to cool down and then it will restart. As an experiment shut it off for a few seconds and then turn it back on, and in 10 to 15 minutes it will restrike.

Curt

 

[Sparkss]

The Jr does not have a powerfail command. Not quite sure why anyone wants this feature as I don't know of a single ballast that does not restart on its own after a power failure. If there is enough interest in such a command it could be added, but at the moment I don't see any reason for it.

Curt

I have an older Hamilton ballast that would benefit from the addition of such a command.

 

[clp]

What brand ballast is inside? I thought all old Hamilton hoods used non-electronic style ballasts, and those all restart fine. The only ballast that I know had restart problems was an old Icecap ballast; they have long since corrected the problem.
I'll add the feature to the wish list of enhancements. I'd like to see more folks in favor of such a feature before it is implemented though. I'm a bit reluctant to add features willy-nilly, as it seems that support increases dramatically everytime some new feature is added.

Curt

 

[mattseattle]

Personally I don't see a need for it, at least in my instance. My PFO HQI ballast restarts fine after a power trip or outage.

 

[leeweber85]

I'm just going by what I read.... I don't know if it really is important to let it cool or not. But I think this is what the majority of people hear and believe. I think it would be wise to add it as your competition already has it (reefkeeper).

 

[Sparkss]

well, I can let my Hamilton sit for up to 30 minutes and it just sits there trying to fire (I can see the interference in the electric line on other equiptment). If I turn it off for 5 -10 mins or so then back on again (after it has had time to sit) it fires right back up.

 

[clp]

leeweber85,
I definitely see your point. Unfortunately, there are way too many myths floating around in this hobby that have little to do with reality.
Any body else with a ballast that doesn't restart after a power failure?

Curt