Pro3 external inputs

[kb27973]

Hi,
Well, I think its finally time to upgrade my old aquacontroller (at least 5 years old) to a new one. I was looking at the Pro 3 and the Aquatronica. Since I'm one of the lucky few it looks like that doesn't have any problems with X10 I'm thinking I'll stay with Neptune. Two questions:

I'm planning to get one of the neptune cables and hook up float switches for high and low sump level and a waterbug for water on the floor. If the alarm is tripped by any of these does it show what set off the alarm in the email or does it send the normal temp, ph, orp, status message? Is there any way to put text in the email showing what actually tripped the alarm?

Like I said, I haven't had any problems with X10, but I have had problems with the DC4 box. Blew like 20 fuses and it now sits in the closet. Does anyone have any experience with the HD model? Can it handle a Maristar (3) 250W DE MH fixture without constantly blowing fuses?

Thanks in advance,
Ken

 

[clp]

The email alarm is the current status of probes and all controlled devices. You can get the status of the switch inputs by putting in a couple of extra timer names, and adding some statements. For example to get switch1 status do:

If Switch1 = ON Then SW1 ON
If Switch1 = OFF Then SW1 OFF

When you recieve the status email the SW1 timer will reflect the state of the switch input.

A DC4HD should be able to handle that load easily. With 3 250W MH you are at about 3 * 3.5 Amps = 10.5 Amps, and that is why the 10 Amp fuse was blowing.

Curt

 

[kb27973]

Perfect, thanks Curt! You've been at Neptune a LONG time. You helped me with some connection issues years ago.

Like I said, I'm planning on getting the Pro3, probes, minidin cable and a DC4HD. I have an older unit not listed on your discount page, can I qualify for the return customer discount?

Ken

 

[cali_reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7282501#post7282501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clp
For example to get switch1 status do:

If Switch1 = ON Then SW1 ON
If Switch1 = OFF Then SW1 OFF

When you recieve the status email the SW1 timer will reflect the state of the switch input.

Curt, That didn't work, this did:

If Switch1 CLOSED Then SW1 ON
If Switch1 OPEN Then SW1 OFF

 

[clp]

Oops, your right. I forgot the syntax.

Curt

 

[kb27973]

So what are the timer names you need to use for the switches? Stuff like the following doesn't work:
SW1#-Switch1

 

[cali_reef]

Here is what I did:

SW1&-A5 (dummy X10 labels, no actual X10 with these settings in the system)
SW2&-A6
SW3&-A7

And here is how you get them to display as ON\OFF:
If Switch1 CLOSED Then SW1 ON
If Switch1 OPEN Then SW1 OFF
If Switch2 CLOSED Then SW2 OFF
If Switch2 OPEN Then SW2 ON
If Switch3 CLOSED Then SW3 OFF
If Switch3 OPEN Then SW3 ON

 

[kb27973]

Thanks - got it figured out. Your tank looks nice!