Questions about Digital & Analog Power Bars

[builderguy]

I wondered about the digital and analog bars and the type of outlets.

My concern is related to pumps, etc, with poor power factors requiring relay switching over the typical solid state switch in most of the controllers power bars.

Do the the digital or analog power bars have any outlets that are on relay switches?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Yes they all are 200amp in rush protected

 

[AuS MaDDoG]

Sorry to hyjack the thread,
but S1 on my Powerboard 6D-AUS has decided it does not want to turn off today.
Is there a set procedure I should follow to rectify, or do I have a larger issue??
Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks
Tony.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Crude but works, hit the back of the power bar hard

also read this thread PLEASE

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1455686

 

[AuS MaDDoG]

Might be crude!! but it did work :rollface:
Cheers
Tony.

 

[builderguy]

So ALL of the outlets will work with equipment with a "poor power factor"?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Can you define your meaning of poor power factor?

 

[builderguy]

Sump pumps, like aqualifter and koralia, for example, won't shut off even though the power is supposed to be cut to the outlet. On various controller's power bars they have two, or so, of the outlets as "relay" switches for this situation. Relay switches are analog and OFF completely...were electronic switches leave a "small" amount of power running to the outlet so these pumps sometime stay on even when they should be off.

 

[builderguy]

Sump pumps, like aqualifter and koralia, for example, won't shut off even though the power is supposed to be cut to the outlet. On various controller's power bars they have two, or so, of the outlets as "relay" switches for this situation. Relay switches are analog and OFF completely...were electronic switches leave a "small" amount of power running to the outlet so these pumps sometime stay on even when they should be off.

 

[builderguy]

ooops....meant "some pumps"...not sump pumps.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

In all honesty I have not heard of a power bar that does not cut the power 100% to the socket.

So i can only speak for the GHL and that is the Relays in the USA/Canada 110V power bars are 200amp high in rush relays that are simply on or off. These high powered relays are highly robust and designed to withstand the huge switching forces put through them by modern ballasts and some current pumps.

 

[builderguy]

That's the key....yours must all be relay instead of solid-state. For example on the Digital Aquatics PK4 or the Neptune Systems DC8 two of the outlets on the power bar are relay, the remainder are solid state. My Koralias won't shut off if they're on a solid-state switch.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Yep ALL sockets are relay, and very powerful relays also at 200amp rating

 

[builderguy]

Do you mean 20 amp? 200amp is what a whole house breaker would be.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Nope 200amp!!!

I will explain.

The relays are rated at 200amps the power bar is rated at 15amp

The relays are high in rush protected meaning when a ballast fires and draws its first millisecond power surge that can exceed 40amps in some cases, the relays are powerful enough not only to withstand this load but also continue to withstand it.

This does not detract from the fact that the total load should not exceed 15amps in sum, this is standard, as it is ONLY the relays that have the high in rush protection and is the only component that needs this.

 

[builderguy]

Got it...thanks.

One more plus in the Profilux column.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

We like to think so. People often ask me, "ok what am I getting for the higher price?", well first i dont believe the GHL is really that much more when you break it down to nuts and bolts, but putting that aside, everything with GHL is built to withstand what the modern reefer requires, even to the point of over engineering for example 200amp relays

 

[builderguy]

I just sent you an email with a spreadsheet showing the component breakdown costs. Profilux is basically double the cost of RKE for the same components. But I believe you "get what you pay for" so I'll definitely pay more for a quality product...and appears that the Profilux controller is top-notch.

Tom

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I think you will like my reply but some is confidential

Each brand offers something for everyone and all have their own merits for the purchasing consumer.

And as i said in my email to you, it is hard to give you a price without knowing exactly what type of system or demand you require, you also have to consider some of what you require may not be yet available in another controller you might be looking at so you cant really judge it on equal terms that easily.

And "I" do believe the profilux to be very much up there in terms of quality and what is demanded by the modern reef or marine keeper.