MP40W --> Feed Mode w/ AquaController

[Cajun Reefer]

I'm thinking of purchasing a VorTech MP40W pump for my 90 gallon. Is there a way to get the pump to kick into Feed mode without someone having to manually push the button? I have a Neptune Systems AquaController III that I would like to kick the Vortech pump into feed mode. I also have a Super Feeder that I plan on hooking up too which will be controlled by the AquaController. My plan (or possibly an unobtainable dream) is to have the AquaController kick the Vortech into feed mode and feed the fish with the super feeder.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm going to post this in Neptune System's forum too.

Thanks!
Dennis


(And for those of you who like pictures...)

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Hello Dennis,

At this time there is no way for an external controller to send a pump into feed mode. However, so long as you are not using our battery backup you can switch the pumps off using an aqua controller's feed mode function. If you are using a battery backup this function will not work because the pump will go into battery mode.

-Tim

 

[Cajun Reefer]

Thanks, Tim! If I'm not mistaken though, the VorTech reverts to 500 gph when it goes into battery backup, right? That may be feasible. I need to find someone local to see if I can try one out.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

The pump will go to about 50% of your pre-set max speed during battery backup mode and alternate between this speed and 500 gph. However, we do not recommend using the battery backup in this way to create a pseudo-feed timer because it can result in diminished performance from the battery when you need it most - during a power outage.

-Tim

 

[MrSandman]

How about this idea:

I think there is a way to do this but it will involve some rigging with a relay and when the power comes back on, i'm not sure if the Vortechs will resume their normal programming mode or if they will revert back to a default continuous mode, or something else.

But, do as you're doing now but with the battery backup wire up a relay in series with it that is normally closed. When feed mode is activated, power is sent to the relay which cuts the power from the backup battery and shuts the pump down.

Personally speaking, i wouldn't want to completely shut down the Vortechs out of fear that a fish will decide to perch inside of it and you end up with chopped fish when it decides to kick back on.

The other option would be to have a relay that switches power from a 12V wall transformer and the 12V battery backup when feed mode is activated/deactivated. this way, you're not constantly using the battery backup when you're feeding and the pumps are always running (although at 12V it's significantly slower).

 

[niko5]

Mr Sandman that idea would probly work.

It seems like it would be pretty easy for Ecotech to make a small box that basically has an input on it... so when apply power to the input, it would send the feed mode signal direct to the other pumps in the area.

Then you could use it with an Aqua controller or even just an every time wall timer so you can setup a feed mode whenever you want.

***HINT HINT Ecotech***

 

[MrSandman]

What i am wondering is, the Vortech has a 12V input for the battery backup. What if i wanted to do my 2nd option as above but the 12V power supply was spinning the pump too fast and i needed something slower. Would it be possible to hook up a 6V supply without damaging anything?

Making something like this would be extremely easy for Ecotech to do. All it would require is a simple relay that would run in series between the battery and the controller module. The relay would be powered by plugging into the power strip of your AC3 (or other controller). As the AC3 sends the signal to energize/de-energize the relay it would flip power to the controller between the 12V backup battery and the 12V (or perhaps 6V) wall transformer. The de-energized state would by default be switched to use battery power in the case of a real power outage. This could easily be done for about 20 bucks in parts but obviously i wouldn't do it without their blessing in case there is something that could be damaged.

Of course on the Gen3 Vortechs, it would be nice to maybe have an additional port on the controller that could receive a signal from a controlled outlet on an AC3 (or similar controller). So that when the AC3 turns on the outlet, the controller switches to feed mode as you mentioned.