programming quick on-off-on for return pump

[rad1]

i have an apex lite controlling a 9gal display with mame overflow. unfortunately the display occasionally floods especially after water changes b/c the overflow sometimes loses siphon. (there is a venturi recovery, but my return pump is too weak for it to work properly). after the feeding/maintenance time is over, i can manually regain siphon if i quickly restop the return pump and then restart it up again - the big bubble get passed thru the overflow pipes by doing this.

in other words: feeding/maintenance time ends--->return pump on for 10 seconds--->return pump off for 10 seconds--->return pump back on for good.

how would i program this for every time feed mode/maintenance mode ends? Thx!

 

[swearint]

I think this will do what you want, but I have not tested it:

[Stage1]
Set OFF
If FeedA 000 Then ON
Defer 00:10 Then OFF

[Stage2]
Set OFF
If FeedA 000 Then ON
Defer 00:20 Then OFF

[Main_Pump]
Set ON
If Outlet Stage2 = ON Then OFF
If Outlet Stage1 = ON Then ON
If FeedA 000 Then OFF

Stage1/2 are virtual outlets and contain the timing logic. Here is a matrix of the outlet states to see the operation:

PUMP FEED STAGE1 STAGE2
-----------------------------
ON OFF OFF OFF (Nominal operation)
OFF ON ON ON (Feed activated)
ON OFF ON ON (Feed expired, up to 10 seconds later)
OFF OFF OFF ON (Feed expired, up to 20 seconds later)
ON OFF OFF OFF (Return to nominal after 20 seconds)


Todd

 

[rad1]

thx, i'll let you know if it works!

 

[rad1]

thx todd, it works like a dream!

 

[swearint]

Great! That one was a tricky one.

Todd

 

[rad1]

ok, so now how would i get this to work for two timed feedings - from 09:00 to 09:30 and from 18:00 to 18:30? i tried setting up a virtual outlet called Auto_Feed as described on p.90 of the apex users guide...

[Auto_Feed]
Set ON
If Time 09:00 to 09:29 then OFF
If Time 18:00 to 18:29 then OFF

and then i added to the main pump...

[Main_Pump]
Set ON
If Outlet Stage2 = ON Then OFF
If Outlet Stage1 = ON Then ON
If FeedA 000 Then OFF
If Outlet Auto_Feed = OFF Then OFF

but when the feed time ran out, the pump came back on and stayed on, rather than pump on, off and on.

also, how would i get the skimmer to shut off during the timed auto feeds? i know you're supposed to add If Outlet Auto_Feed = OFF Then OFF to the skimmer outlet program, but it won't let me as it's on a pump outlet program - should i change it to an advanced outlet program? and if i do, should i have a "fallback on" line?

thx, and sorry so complicated!

 

[swearint]

The reason the OFF>ON>OFF sequence did not occur is because it is triggered by FeedA. Your Auto_Feed is not based on FeedA.

Again, without any testing, here is what I think will work:

[Trigger]
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 09:29 then ON
If Time 18:00 to 18:29 then ON
If FeedA 000 Then ON


[Stage1]
Set OFF
If Outlet Trigger = ON Then ON
Defer 00:10 Then OFF

[Stage2]
Set OFF
If Outlet Trigger = ON Then ON
Defer 00:20 Then OFF

[Main_Pump]
Fallback ON
Set ON
If Outlet Stage2 = ON Then OFF
If Outlet Stage1 = ON Then ON
If Outlet Trigger = ON Then OFF

Yes, switch the Skimmer to Advanced mode:

[Skimmer]
Fallback ON
Set ON
If Outlet Trigger = ON Then OFF

Todd

 

[rad1]

it works perfectly! once again, many thanks todd! :celeb3: