Questions About an AC3

[glaspie69]

The wife finally decided she's going to buy me that wedding gift she didn't buy me 6 months ago. The plan was to get a ReefKeeper 2 but I'm leaning more towards the AC3, it seems to have the options I'm looking for. What I need to know is what I'm going to need to make this thing purr. The kit I'm looking at has the base unit, temp probe, PH probe, and a dc4 (with an optional dc8 upgrade). I'm assuming I will need some type of cable to hook this to my laptop, a question would be what type of connection ends are on this cable? Is it a usb? Am I going to need an adapter. Also is Aqua Notes or some type of program a standard feature thats included or should I look into getting a copy? Thanks Jason

 

[vid151]

The AC3 is connected VIA Ethernet cabling ( CAT5)

it has an IP address and you can connect to it VIA a Local Area Network....

I have mine dirrectly connected to a Wireless Bridge device that allows it to be conected to wirelessly. ( so I didnt have to run cables to the Tank side...

instructions and options et.al. can be found at

www.neptunesys.com

Dave

 

[glaspie69]

Thanks that clears up a big hurdle

 

[einsteins]

I have mine hooked to my system via a wireless bridge also.

There is also a serial cable you can purchase but I would go the cat 5 method before using the cable.

I can see my controller from the web and turn things on or off from anywhere I have internet access.

I also have it set to send me updates to my blackberry 3 times a day or if any specified parameters get out of line.

Don't know what you want to control with it but I would suggest the DC8 as its only a few bucks more now as compared to adding it later for 150.00.

I didnt think I would use all of my DC8 but now I am about to order a second one because I have discovered so many other things it can control.

You wont be dissapointed by getting a AC3>

ein

 

[vid151]

a thought on the DC8 vs DC4

I have found that the DC8 can be buggy...

my problems came when I had a transformer overheat and now one of the Triacs in the DC8 will not switch the outlet.. it is stuck on ... and i dont want to remove the whole unit for

also on the forms I have seen mention of low wattage items not drawing enough( the new nan-tunze seems to be one of these items)... or something... so that the DC8 is not functioning properly.. they will stay on all the time

I like the DC8 ( I have 2 of them) but just beware that there can be some issues with it as it is not a Relay drivin device,the DC4's are ....

also everything on a DC8 are on the same circut... so it works nice if you have a number of devices that are off while others are on so you dont draw more than the internal fuse... or the breaker ..


I recently got the DC4 for all of my lighting and ran it to its own 20 amp circut... the only downfall so far with the DC4 is I can hear it switch ( it is quiet but I can still hear it )

just some thoughts

I LIKE THE NEPTUNE products ... I just like all information when I buy so I like to share all information with others to make their desisions... I web abilities and the expandability .... I have it doing autotop off, and with an other float switch it helps with water changes, don't think I am bashing the product or the company.

DAve

 

[slovan]

Hey Jason,
If you're interested in an ACIII, one of the sponsors on RC is putting together a group buy for them and you can get it cheaper than retail. I'm thinking about ordering one myself.

 

[glaspie69]

You wouldn't want to share which vendor would you

 

[slovan]

Pm sent. I'm not sure if it's okay to say it or not. If anyone else need the 411, shoot me a pm or just ask on here and I'll send it to you.