Neptune AC Jr on the fritz

[Capt_Cully]

Its gotten a mind of it's own. Initially I thought the lights were "tripping". I have them backed up to GFCI's. I double checked the timer programs and everything is in order.

It is randomly turning lights on early, then off, outside of their normal program. It is turning them off during times they should normally be on. I was concerned about it possibly being the DC unit, but the fact that lights are coming on early then off, then on at their normal times, then off during normal "on" times, makes me believe it's the head unit.

It's 7 years old.

Next I'm going to try to return it to it's initial memory and reprogram everything, see if that does it.

Anyone have trouble with ACJr's?

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Are you running an electronic ballast anywhere near the controller unit or the wiring that connects the controller or any of the DC outlets?

These are the exact symptoms I suffered when I had an Icecap ballast within 4 feet of the controller/wiring.

 

[Capt_Cully]

There's tons of wiring but I run a magnetic ballast and it's the ONLY piece of equipment in my basement.

The wire to the Reeflo snapper runs right over or by it. That make a difference you think? I'll try relocating the head unit, but everything is so jammed under my tank, I'm not sure it'll help.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

The most important piece of cabling is the data cable from the head to the DC unit. If that is near anything I would try to isolate it. Use the shortest cable you can.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Not sure how thats possible with everything under the stand. Nate, if you swing through this weekend, perhaps you can trouble shoot.

I'll try to reroute it, but my boundaries ate pretty rigid.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

female units often display the symptoms described

 

[redmanx9]

Whats the program code of the outlet that is on the fritz?

 

[Capt_Cully]

It's two different outlets that have had the exact same program for almost 7 years.

 

[jfl14609]

Hey mark even though they are early are they consistent like when its early is it at the same time

 

[Capt_Cully]

Not sure Jeff I'll pay attention tomorrow am see if the do. But the going off seems random.

 

[jfl14609]

I have heard things about the clocks going weird on them people fix it somehow through aquanotes

 

[Capt_Cully]

Clock seems ok, other programs Seem spot on. But unless I sit in front of the tanks for 24 hrs I wouldn't know. Lighting is most apparent.

 

[Capt_Cully]

FWIW moving locales and separating wires SEEMS to have remedied the head unit's schizophrenia.

 

[Henry Colf]

sounds like you were getting "noise" mixing in the data cable. This can cause electronic devices to act weird.

 

[NirvanaFan]

sounds like you were getting "noise" mixing in the data cable. This can cause electronic devices to act weird.

Sounds like it. This is really common with analog devices.

 

[pascal32]

I'm just starting to read up on the apex. I did have interference issues on my RKE. Long of the short metal halide is high frequency and can cause interference with data signals, TVs, all kinds of stuff.

I wrote up a detailed post on how to deal with interference from the halide ballasts here:

http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8119