P3 and AWC with solenoid valves

[dragonms]

Hi all.

I have recently purchased a GHL Profilux 3EX and am waiting for it to arrive. I will be using this on my fresh water cichlid tank (don't hate me) so it will probably be under used but still valuable.

My question for the gurus is: Can the P3 control solenoid valves?

Being a fresh water tank and having good quality town water, I can fill the tank directly from town water supply. I want to have a solenoid valve on the water in and another drain line that works under siphon and is controlled by a solenoid also. My logic is that at programmed intervals (2 weekly) firstly the drain solenoid would open for a set (calculated) time period, draining a portion of the tank under siphon. Then the drain solenoid would shut off and the water in solenoid would open, feeding in town water until the tank was full (dictated by the level sensor). I would also install a 2nd solenoid on the fill line that is normally open and the P3 can use it as an emergency shut off if the tank level gets too high.

Does my logic sound ok and can the P3 control these solenoid valves? If so, how?

I have only purchased the control unit, ph probe, and optical level sensors (i believe it is coming with two).

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,

Terry

 

[Ryan Chakal]

Yes, i have ordered the HTC Proaqua container. And it's very good. All the best

 

[luisagos]

Hi Terry,

I have my AWC and ATO using solenoids.

Biggest problem you will find, is trying to get solenoids that can hold up to the saltwater.
My are failing around the 6 month mark.

This week, i will be converting my solenoids to pumps.
Will be using pumps to drain and to add fresh saltwater to my tank, without using solenoids.
Must be very careful about hydraulics, got to keep the hoses high.
You can use ebay solenoids (check out my build thread) for the RODI water, but they do not hold up well to the saltwater long term.

They make ball valve actuator, but they cost like $300 each for the 1/2 size.

 

[dragonms]

luisagos > my tank is fresh water, not salt. So the solenoids should last for a very long time. how do you wire up the solenoids to the profilux?

 

[luisagos]

I use these 1/4" NPT Electric Solenoid Valve 12-Volt DC, Ebay has them.
They also have the 120v version, but I prefer the low voltages Solenoid.

I use this to power them up, also from Ebay.
These are nice, because they have a LED on them, to show when they are power up.

CCTV CCD CAMERA AC POWER SUPPLY DC ADAPTER 12V 1A

 

[dragonms]

Luisagos

Oh okay. And then you connect them up to the GHL Powerbar and you tell the ghl which sockets to switch? I'm following you now...

Cheers