Next ? PX-1000

[Mickey]

I'm considering upgrading to the AQIII and adding a PX-1000 unit to monitor and control the PH in my freshwater tank which is about 15 feet away from my AQII. The description says it is connected by a 5' cable - can that be extended?

I'd rather not have to buy a separate PH controller for the freshwater tank if I can help it.

thanks.
Mickey

 

[clp]

We sell at 10' extension for the PX-1000 (part #MINIDIN8CABLE).

Curt

 

[Mickey]

Terrific. Now I just need to figure out how to do what I want to do and whether my husband will freak out at the new costs.

Of course, I need the new AQIII before I can sell the old AQII too.

Mickey

 

[Gremraf]

I have an AC3 with the px1000 expansion. I love it tracks my main tank and my secondary tank in the next room.

 

[NeveSSL]

This is why I think I'm going to go ahead and get an ACIII... its more expensive, but for me only $200 more. And the extra features it has (the ethernet port with alarms and webserver are big to me) plus the ability to do technically up to 7 tanks... oh yes, my friend... oh yes.

Back on track:

Curt, whats the length limit on the expansions? And is there an overall limit? Say, if you had 4 tanks, can there only be 30' of cable between all of them and the ACIII or can there be 30' between each, for a total of 120' between them and the controller, or what?

Thanks!

Brandon

 

[Mickey]

Great question, Brandon. I want the answer too.

I checked Neptune's site and the order section says it has a 5' minidin8cable. Curt, is this a misprint and it is really 10ft?

I really need closer to 20 if I am going to put the PX-1000 near my freshwater tank and then connect it to my new ACIII (not purchased yet but planning) across the room with my reef tank. Can I just buy several cables and hook them together?

I found on CablesToGo that I can get 10 ft M/M serial cables or 10 ft M/F extension cables. I assume I need the M/F extension cables. Can someone confirm this? Or I guess I could get M/M serial cables and then a gender changer?

I'm really trying to get this all figured out so I can order everything at once.

Mickey

 

[Mickey]

Oops. I forgot I have another question. When you add this expansion box, does this increase the number of device names the ACIII can handle? In other words, if you are already at the max of 24 then add this expansion box do you get another three for the pH, ORP and Temp probes?

Do the digital inputs take up addresses too?

Mickey

 

[Gremraf]

You would want the M/F extension cable. No need to add a gender changer to it.

 

[NeveSSL]

You want the M/F extension cable IF you already have a M/M. If I'm not mistaken, just like an S/Video cable, both ends should be male because both plugs will be female. These aren't XLR, Gremraf! :lol:

Brandon

 

[Mickey]

Now I'm confused.

I assume when I buy the PX-1000 what kind of cord does it come with? If it comes with M/M then I probably need the M/F extension as you mentioned. Can I use two extensions to make even longer? I need about 20 ft.

Mickey

 

[NeveSSL]

Yes, you could use two extension cables as long as you have one M/M in the mix somewhere.

Brandon

 

[Los]

Mickey, did you get it to work? How far did you end up going and how? I am trying to hook up a PX1000 30 feet away. I had the same distance to cover with the phone line for the DC8 and I solved that problem by using CAT5 cable with RJ-11 jacks I put on the end. If anyone has tips on how to go that far, I'm all ears.
Thanks in advance

 

[Los]

Well, I think I found a simple solution which is much easier than building your own extension cable. I found a place which will custom make a mini-din 8 serial extension cable of any length you want. Here's the best part. They will do it using shielded CAT-5 cable, so that runs should be able to be longer. Here's the link for the specific SKU I ordered:
http://www.pacificcable.com/Picture_Page.asp?DataName=EX19C
You will then need to type in how many feet of length you want AND you will need to specify in the comments towards the end of the payment process that you want the cable to be made out of shielded CAT-5. Good luck!
Los

 

[Los]

I've got to hand it to the folks at Pacificcable.com (and no, I'm not affiliated with them; I hadn't heard of them before today). These guys are FAST. I ordered it at 5:05pm EST and paid for second day delivery, which was just a couple bucks more expensive. Anyway, they managed to make the custom cable the same day and they upgraded my shipping to next day for free. It's arriving tomorrow! That's less than 24hours from when I ordered it.

If for some reason it doesn't work, I'll let folks know. Considering all the headaches and expense I went through to put telephone plugs (RJ-11) on ethernet CAT5 cable to extend my DC8, I really should have used these guys for that project as well.

Cheers

Los

 

[brentj]

So how long did you order it? And does it work?

Thanks, same problem here...

 

[dtf]

Curious on the PX 1000 with the 6 digital inputs. Can you hook float switches directly to it or do you need the Break out box.

 

[rcgates]

To use the inputs, you have to work on interfacing into a mini-DIN,
not one of the easiest things to solder.

A breakout box is the easiest method, but not the most inexpensive.

This is a skills/time vs. cost item.

Float switches can be connected without a breakout box, there isn't any thing in the breakout box except trace lines to make it easier to make connections.

 

[Los]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13182501#post13182501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brentj
So how long did you order it? And does it work?

Thanks, same problem here...

BrentJ-

I am so sorry for the late reply. I just had a baby (girl) and I hadn't checked back in a while. Anyway, in answer to your question I have:

1) a 100' cable for the DC8 to ACIII Pro controller, which is CAT5 with RJ-11 connectors.
2) a 40' extension cable for the PX-1000 to ACIII Pro, which uses shielded CAT5 and mini-din 8 connectors.

Both work perfectly. If you would like more details, I've explained in much greater detail the whole process on my build thread. If you click the little red house, it will take you to it. I'm guessing the discussion of this is on page 7 or 8 of that thread.

One more point. I can't recommend Pacificcable.com high enough. They did a great job and were super-fast. This is THE way to extend both the DC8s and the PX-1000s, imho.

Good luck.

Los

 

[Mickey]

Well, as you probably guessed I've been off line for a few weeks and just catching up. Pacificcable.com sounds like a great place and I'll make a note of it.

I ended up making the PX-1000 work with just one extension by stringing a long pH probe cable to the PX-1000, then stretching that cable across the top of the tank to meet the extension. I had intended to have the cable hugging the baseboards, etc. to hide it instead of stringing it across the top of the tank. Now that I know I can get a longer cable made for me for reasonable, I may just do that. Time to clean up a bunch of wiring anyway.

Mickey

 

[drimo]

I've got to hand it to the folks at Pacificcable.com (and no, I'm not affiliated with them; I hadn't heard of them before today). These guys are FAST. I ordered it at 5:05pm EST and paid for second day delivery, which was just a couple bucks more expensive. Anyway, they managed to make the custom cable the same day and they upgraded my shipping to next day for free. It's arriving tomorrow! That's less than 24hours from when I ordered it.

If for some reason it doesn't work, I'll let folks know. Considering all the headaches and expense I went through to put telephone plugs (RJ-11) on ethernet CAT5 cable to extend my DC8, I really should have used these guys for that project as well.

Cheers

Los

I ordered a 20 foot mindin8 cable for my PX-1000 from Pacific Cable. I ran the cable through my wall, floorboards, and into the basement... to discover the cable doesn't work! :mad2:

The PX-1000 works great when I take it upstairs without the cable from Pacific Cable. I think I'm going to have to take the connectors apart to see if there is something messed up. I did notice when I placed the order that they have a no refund policy. I am wondering if they will make another and send it to me? It cost me about $50.