Question about the AC Jr.

[pecan2phat]

Hi guys,

Please bear with me, I was just too lazy to retype my questions so I copied and pasted my question from Digital Aquatics sponsor forum.

In a nutshell, it sounds like the Reef Keeper will not work for me but will the AC Jr?

Here's the post:

RK question for existing users

I'm trying to see if the Reef Keeper will work for my application.

Has anyone used the RK with a chiller pulling 6 amps and IC ballast with no issues for power draw?

My concern was the specs of 6 amps per channel and a total max of 15 amps.

Since most chiller manufacturers recommend that the chiller be placed on a dedicated circuit, I was worried that since the RK can only be put on one circuit with all other equipment such as MH lighting, have users blown the fuses on the RK or even the fuses on their chillers?

With my 1/4 hp chiller @ 5.9 amps (haven't even considered the startup amp pull)
dual IC 250 w ballast @ 2.26 amps x 2
IC 660 @ 1.9 amps (only using 2 x 110 w bulb configuration)

Just the chiller and lights puts me at 12.32 amps without return or closed loop pumps.

I like the AC Jr with the DC-4 that you can plug into different circuits but just to get a backlit base not including the PH probe and with two heavy duty DC-4s is double the price of a Reef Keeper.

Any comments and thoughts?

 

[clp]

It just be no problem if you use the ACJR with 2 DC4HDs. The IC660 ballast actually pulls almost twice as much current as expected due to its poor power factor (about .6). Also, only use the DC4HD with the icecap 440 and 660 ballasts as they have huge inrush currents.

Curt

 

[alrha]

see my thread here where i did a cost comparison between the AC Jr and the RK.
You will find that it is not really more expensive for what you are getting:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=571488&highlight=ReefKeeper

 

[Aquaduck]

That's why I plan on getting the AC JR and one DC4. Premium Aquatics gives you combo discounts on anything you order with a controller. The price works out to $310 with a backlight upgrade. Without the backlight it's only $280. The Reefkeeper is $249

The reasons I decided on the JR over the Reefkeeper:

1. Expandability. You can have 3 DC4's for a total of 12 oulets with the JR. You can control only 8 devices with a RK.

2. Multiple power sources. You can plug each DC4 into a separate 15A circuit for 5400W of power or to prevent total shutdown if a breaker trips. With the RK you can only have one power source and you are limited to 15A max or 1800W.

3. Upgradeable. Firmware is easy to upgrade on JR. The RK has to be sent back for an upgrade.

4. pH monitor and control just by adding a probe to the JR.

5. Datalogging. No datalogging available on the RK.

6. Moonlights. The JR can simulate a moon cycle with a lamp dimmer.

7. High temperature shut-down. The JR can be programmed to turn off lights should the tank exceed a predefined temperature. The RK can't do this.

8. Multiple ON/OFF times for devices on the JR. The RK only has one ON/OFF cycle per 24 hrs.

I'm not nocking the Reefkeeper. I think it's a really great controller with everything all in one package at a reasonable price. I was planning on getting one for a while then the JR came out. It wasn't until I priced it out on Premium Aquatics that I was sold on the JR. Priced separately the JR and a DC4 is $320 but buy them together as a combo and the price is only $280 a savings of $40.
So for $249 you get a Reefkeeper with free shipping but for a little more money, $280 + $20 shipping you can get a JR and a DC4.

 

[pecan2phat]

My pricing came out to $200 for the backlit Jr, $280 for 2xDC4HD (to compare with an 8 outlet unit) and you might as well throw in the probe for $40 to utilize the PH option. So that's $520 + shipping.

 

[Aquaduck]

To be fair to the Reefkeeper I would need to buy a second DC4 for 8 outlets. So that would be $460 + shipping. Compared to $250 for the Reefkeeper.

 

[bigdee65]

I am on the fence right now as well. I was thinking of getting the ReefKeeper cause it does everything I am looking for but I would also have to buy the PH Monitor which costs around $100. So I am looking at around $350 for both. But if I get the AC Jr with 8 plugs it would cost $460 or so. For the extra hundred I get the Ph CONTROLLER which I am not going to use right away but it does display the Ph Correct?? So it can be used as a monitor and I will have the option to expand later on at no cost. Plus I will also get the function of multiple on/off cycles for each timer.

So I am really leaning toward the AC Jr right now, a little more money but you get more features.

 

[alrha]

yes, it does display the pH. i think it would be a better choice for you.

 

[Dyceskynes]

To be fair to the Reefkeeper I would need to buy a second DC4 for 8 outlets. So that would be $460 + shipping. Compared to $250 for the Reefkeeper.

I just got the ACjr for $264 shipped with the DC8

 

[Aquaduck]

That's a good price. Is that with or without the backlighting?

 

[Dyceskynes]

That is without, with it would be a hair over $28 to the price and I did not think it was worth it for me as I have a red light for viewing next to my tank at all times

 

[pecan2phat]

It is a good price, but that particuliar bundle would not work for me. It would defeat the purpose of separating equipment on different circuits.
My original layout of pricing was for two DC4HDs, thus the pricing but the ACJR with a DC8 will now put a hurting on the ReefKeeper.

 

[Dyceskynes]

Ah yes I can see that, I am running a smaller system so I do not have that issue. If i upgrade I may get a DC4HD to add on to the DC8. One thing I noticed is that the DC4 can handle more amps than the DC8