Reef Angel Controller

[JMan5000]

I bought a reef angel about 3 weeks ago, its pretty cool! I am wondering how I am going to mount the float valve myself. I was thinking of using 1/4 or so pvc, then mount the float valve to a pvc end cap. Not sure on the higher end float valve if it needs to be mounted upside down or if I can reverse the wires or just program the reefangel to monitor it differently. Either way I can then use pvc 90's to make a u shaped bracket so it hangs on the edge of my sump.

Alot of new code comes out all the time. Keep an eye on google groups to try and keep up. I almost want to buy another one so I can test different codes while the main one is controlling everything!!!! Not to mention we should have a web/wifi device for it in a month or so!! :beer:

 

[jgrog76]

Thats pretty funny I was thinking the same thing about another controller just to try coding! I am already using an ato from auttopoff. I plan to just remove the wires from the relay box from the floats and solder on the reefangel plugs. I think you can purchase the moldable plastic from them to make your own holder. The float switches I have look more robust than the ones with the controller that is why I am using them first, and then leaving the new ones for backup. You could always go get a peice of acrylic and warm it enough to bend over the side of your sump and at a 90 at the bottom. Make sure the high switch is about 1/2-1 inch above the low switch. I can barely keep up with all the new coding coming out. I am not even close to starting from scratch with a unique program so I am stuck with the demo until I figure out how to modify the parts I want to change. That is the cool part of the controller though. It is basically a blank band of 8 relay controlled plugs, ph input, ato input, temp input, and a bunch of internal timers. You the end user either write the code or cut and paste someone elses code into the controller to get the desired functions. What I am waiting for is the ability to reprogram while it is on the tank without having to physically connect it to the computer. I see that there is wifi, bluetooth, and another cable version that people are working on. What will be uber cool is when it is programmable while sitting at work through the internet with attatched webcam so you can watch your tank and make changes to the program or remote control the relays.

 

[JMan5000]

I like the acrylic idea, and I have always wanted to learn about making things with acrylic anyways. I was also thinking of using only one for auto topoff (you can set it too only fill for so many seconds) and using the other one as an emergency shut off.

I dont see how Im going to be able to live with only one reefangel There are too many things I want to try with it but would be too scared to test with the one controlling my tank. Maybe Roberto has some barebone systems without the plastic covers, etc? Or maybe I can try and build one myself...

 

[jgrog76]

I use both switches for the ato. My return pump section only holds about a gallon of water so that is all that can make it up into the display if it gets clogged. Of course I didn't have the time out feature prior to this either so that may change.

 

[Frank AZ]

Looks like only one input cord - I'd be concerned with the total current capabilities on that board. Also am not a huge fan of how they provided +5 / +12 v to the control board.

 

[DjScibbity]

This thing seems like a smoking deal for what you get. I cant believe how cheap the replacement parts (aside from the screen) are. A PH probe for $20 and temp probes for $6. Nice...

-JP

 

[jgrog76]

There is only 1 cord input so the max you could run is 15-20 amps depending on the breaker installed on the outlet you are using. Two cords wouldn't up the amperage you can pull from the wall anyway. The converter is a little crude in my opinion but it works, it is cheap, and it meets the intended purpose and pricepoint. It was probably an off the shelf solution which could always be changed by the end user. There are some software bugs that are being discovered and fixed daily as would be expected since there was no end user testing before release. I had one problem with the library system and it was fixed and the code emailed back to me within a few hours of sending in an email. There are almost hourly updates of new programs being added since it is opensource.

 

[jgrog76]

I am a complete newbie when it comes to writing computer code. The last I remember doing was in school drawing pics on an Apple IIc and saving it to a 5.25 floppy! So far I have been able to change the feed mode to not turn off the sump pump, keep the powerheads on all the time with the option for turning them into wavemakers using the joystick, (I borrowed somebody elses coding for this) and change the length of feed time to 10 minutes instead of 15. I am plugging into the tank this afternoon to see how things go! Finally (hopefully anyway) I will get rid of wire spaghetti with timers.