post your program here

[sjm817]

I meant the 9V backup connection on the AC3. What does that do? I was assuming it would log the power fail and send out the ALM when power was restored. I couldn't find documentation that describes how it works. My router is on a UPS, so that is there.

Yeah, I think the low temp line would be a good way to go.

 

[Chymos45]

May be a silly question, as it is not addressed in the manual, but can we use a logical test function in the AC3 program?

IF(logical_test, value_if_true, [value_if_false])

 

[ciphros]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15461473#post15461473 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
I meant the 9V backup connection on the AC3. What does that do? I was assuming it would log the power fail and send out the ALM when power was restored. I couldn't find documentation that describes how it works. My router is on a UPS, so that is there.

Yeah, I think the low temp line would be a good way to go.

You just need another power supply identical to the main to plug in to the battery input. That plugs into the UPS and then when the unit loses power to the main, but the battery stays running, you get the log item of power loss - and for how long.

 

[ciphros]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15471412#post15471412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chymos45
May be a silly question, as it is not addressed in the manual, but can we use a logical test function in the AC3 program?

IF(logical_test, value_if_true, [value_if_false])

Not as such, but you can do this basically with the command:

If timer xxx = ON Then xxx ON - or whatever you want to do.

For example, I have a dummy timer called MNT for tank maintainance. I use that one dummy timer to turn things on/off as needed - alarm off, ATO solenoid closed (off), heater off, chiller off, exhaust fan on, skimmer air pump off...you get the idea. So, by just going into manual control and activating the MNT timer to ON, I switch everything else to the state I want without having to go in and change everything one-by-one.

 

[Chymos45]

I can certainly see how that works in your situation and is a great idea. I will definitely add a similar feature to my program.

My problem is this. I currently have my AC3 talking to an X-10 controller that switches multiple outlets. Occasionally (well, frequently), an X-10 outlet will miss a command. I knew this was a possibility when I set it up, but did not think it would be a problem since the AC3 is set to repeat the commands at regular intervals (5 minutes in my case). I figured the worst that could happen would be that my lights would come on 5 minutes later than usual"¦

The problem is that the X-10 controller seems to send a CHANGE command, rather than a ON or OFF command. Meaning that even if an outlet is currently ON and the AC3 tells the controller to turn it ON again (repeat interval), the X-10 controller will send a command to CHANGE and the outlet will now turn OFF. Clear as mud???

Any ideas on how to evaluate the status of an outlet and give different values when true vs. false?

 

[ciphros]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15472305#post15472305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chymos45
I can certainly see how that works in your situation and is a great idea. I will definitely add a similar feature to my program.

My problem is this. I currently have my AC3 talking to an X-10 controller that switches multiple outlets. Occasionally (well, frequently), an X-10 outlet will miss a command. I knew this was a possibility when I set it up, but did not think it would be a problem since the AC3 is set to repeat the commands at regular intervals (5 minutes in my case). I figured the worst that could happen would be that my lights would come on 5 minutes later than usual"¦

The problem is that the X-10 controller seems to send a CHANGE command, rather than a ON or OFF command. Meaning that even if an outlet is currently ON and the AC3 tells the controller to turn it ON again (repeat interval), the X-10 controller will send a command to CHANGE and the outlet will now turn OFF. Clear as mud???

Any ideas on how to evaluate the status of an outlet and give different values when true vs. false?

Yikes! I do understand, but don't have an answer for you on that one. I did away with the X10 stuff when I got the AC3 since the hard wire connection for control was way more reliable. You might want to give Curt a call at Neptune and see if he has an answer for you....if anyone would, it's him.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15471909#post15471909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ciphros
You just need another power supply identical to the main to plug in to the battery input. That plugs into the UPS and then when the unit loses power to the main, but the battery stays running, you get the log item of power loss - and for how long.

Is there any insructions for this for a computer invalid ( = me)?

 

[ciphros]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15472357#post15472357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmaneyapanda
Is there any insructions for this for a computer invalid ( = me)?

Go to Neptunesys.com, buy an additional power supply, plug it into the hole next to the power (says battery), connect it to a UPS (battery back-up power supply) along with your internet connection (router, modem) and then program in your If Power statements in the controller program. It really doesn't have much to do with your computer, so you should be fine.

 

[Chymos45]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15472343#post15472343 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ciphros
Yikes! I do understand, but don't have an answer for you on that one. I did away with the X10 stuff when I got the AC3 since the hard wire connection for control was way more reliable. You might want to give Curt a call at Neptune and see if he has an answer for you....if anyone would, it's him.

I know Curt is probably a busy guy, but sounds like I need to give him a call. Thanks for the assistance.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15472393#post15472393 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ciphros
Go to Neptunesys.com, buy an additional power supply, plug it into the hole next to the power (says battery), connect it to a UPS (battery back-up power supply) along with your internet connection (router, modem) and then program in your If Power statements in the controller program. It really doesn't have much to do with your computer, so you should be fine.

So, your saying Im an all around invalid?! I can buy that....

So, the power supply, and the modem/router need to be on a UPS? My computer and ac3 are rooms apart (i just snaked a long etehrnet cable to connect them).

 

[ciphros]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15472452#post15472452 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chymos45
I know Curt is probably a busy guy, but sounds like I need to give him a call. Thanks for the assistance.

He is that, but he's always been willing to help too...one of the best things about the AC3 is the customer support.

 

[ciphros]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15472482#post15472482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmaneyapanda
So, your saying Im an all around invalid?! I can buy that....

So, the power supply, and the modem/router need to be on a UPS? My computer and ac3 are rooms apart (i just snaked a long etehrnet cable to connect them).

Never said any such thing.

If your AC3 and the modem/router are in different locations and you've done the long cable, I can see 2 ideas:

1 You will need 2 UPS's, one for the modem/router and one for the AC3 and any pumps/life support you want to run when power's out.

2 Move your router and modem into the room with the tank and use the long cable to connect your computer to the router instead of the AC3, then just get a single UPS.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Ok, one last question, and then I'll let you go from answering my retarded questions:

If I choose only 1 ups for the controller, it will still "remember" when a power outage occured, and notify me once power is restored, correct?

 

[sivert55]

My return pump "PM1" turns off for 1 second every 5 minutes. I can't figure out why.
I have it on port A03 of my DC8 which is controlled by my AC3 running FW 3.40.
The only language I have to control the return pump is
If Time > 00:00 Then PM1 ON

No matter whether I set PM1 to manual or auto, it keeps doing it.
It started doing it after i upgraded to to FW 3.3. I've re-initialized the controller and re-uploaded the program twice. I unplugged the DC8 and the controller and plugged them back in in different orders too. Still the same behaviour.

Any ideas? It's a ReefFlo Barracuda.

 

[EmDy]

I will have my AC3 today but here is my program so far, please check it over and let me know any mistakes. Thanks.

LT1-A01
LT2-A02
LT3-A03
PM1-A04
KLK-A05
CO2-A08
ALM-A09

//Alarms
If Time > 00:00 then ALM^ OFF
If Power 000 then ALM^ ON
If Temp > 81:9 then ALM^ ON
If Temp < 77:00 then ALM^ ON
If pH < 8.00 then ALM^ ON
If pH > 8.50 then ALM^ ON
If pH2 < 6.20 then ALM^ ON
If pH2 > 6.90 then ALM^ ON

//VHO Lighting
If Time > 12:59 then LT1* ON
If Time > 14:00 then LT1* OFF
If Time > 21:58 then LT1* ON
If Time > 22:59 then LT1* OFF
If FeedA 000 then LT1* ON

//T5 & Canopy Fan
If Time > 13:59 then LT2* ON
If Time > 21:59 then LT2* OFF
If Temp > 80:9 then LT2* OFF

//Refugium Light
If Time > 23:00 then LT3* ON
If Time > 12.59 then LT3* OFF

//Skimmer Pumps
If Time > 19:59 then PM1% ON
If Time > 07:59 then PM1% OFF

//Kalk Pump
OSC 010/060 ON/OFF then KLK% ON
If PH > 8.45 then KLK% OFF

//Tank pH
If pH > 8.30 then CO2$ ON
If pH < 8.10 then CO2$ OFF

//CArx pH
If pH2 > 6.60 then CO2$ ON
If pH2 < 6.40 then CO2$ OFF

 

[Deleted member 143833]

I am curious about these:

//Tank pH
If pH > 8.30 then CO2$ ON
If pH < 8.10 then CO2$ OFF

These will be ignored as the CA program will override the evaluations (last tru statement wins).

 

[EmDy]

You are right. so is that mean I dont need to control tank PH accept for if pH > 8.45 then KLK% OFF?

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Technically speaking; it is not possible to control tank PH using an additive method (or Co2 for that fact).

Tank PH stability is a function of many things, some of which are ALK, inhabitance, ambient (room) C02, aeration, CA levels (just to name a few).

I have seen some people turn off the C02 for their CA reactors when the tank PH runs low but I don't feel that works for many reasons; mainly of which is that the CA reactor can go for many hours before the PH comes back up and 2 that the Co2 is off gassed fairly quickly if you have good aeration and skimmer. That and kalk consumes extra Co2 so if you dose kalk it also helps remove excess.

 

[EmDy]

Thanks again, other than that, everything looks fine on the code? one question, is there a table to manipulate the day and time, let say, M-F turn on light on this time, Sat-Sun turn on light on different time?

 

[ciphros]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15557298#post15557298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EmDy
Thanks again, other than that, everything looks fine on the code? one question, is there a table to manipulate the day and time, let say, M-F turn on light on this time, Sat-Sun turn on light on different time?

Not on the AC3.