Strange reset?

[jnarowe]

Hi! I finally got all my DC4HDs and DC8 to work correctly. It was an issue of the connecting cables and weak connector pins. All is good until....

I had everything set to "Manual OFF" so that nothing would run and then maybe an hour or so later the ACIII Pro went back to Run Program and everything started up. I am glad I was here for that!

Now I have it unplugged from the power but is there any explanation for that happening?

PS...boy have I gone through a lot of cable ties! I had everything all set and had to redo all the communication cables. Maybe Neptune should include a bag in with the controller?

 

[kbecker]

What do you have your AC3Pro plugged into? Sometimes a power spike though the lines can cause the controller to reset.

 

[jnarowe]

That's a good point. I noticed when I got back upstairs to my office that my PC UPS had signaled a switch to battery power for a moment. But why would it reset to "Auto" but keep my program otherwise intact? Shouldn't it either drop the entire code and revert to default or come back with whatever setting it was on?

 

[kbecker]

No, your program is saved in flash memory (or something similar) and setting modes for your timers are not saved (default mode is "auto").

 

[jnarowe]

So I need to put it on a UPS if I want it to hold a manual setting for any length of time? We have a lot of power fluctuations here!

 

[kbecker]

Well I would just program the timers to do what you want when you want. I would then just use the manual setting as a temporary bypass, ie shutdown the skimmer for maintence, etc.

 

[kbecker]

Here is my program for example:

If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
If Sun 000/000 Then LT1 ON
If Sun 060/-060 Then LT2 ON
If Moon 000/000 Then MON ON
If Sun -030/060 Then EHM OFF
If Sun -030/060 Then SKM OFF
If Time > 14:00 Then WEB ON
If Time > 15:00 Then WEB OFF
If Temp < RT+0.0 Then HT1 ON
If Temp > RT+1.0 Then HT1 OFF
If Temp < RT+0.0 Then HT2 ON
If Temp > RT+1.0 Then HT2 OFF
If Temp < 60.0 Then HT1 OFF
If Temp < 60.0 Then HT2 OFF
If Temp < 74.0 Then ALM ON
If Timer ALM = ON Then WEB ON
If Feed cycle Then WEB ON

I leave everything in "auto" mode. The only time i really use manual control is if i want to override the current setting. Like if I want my main lights to remain on while I have guests over late night.

 

[jnarowe]

Yeah I understand what you are saying and that would be typical, but since my system isn't up and running yet, I need everything to remain off. I just unplugged it and no worries then. I am getting a little ahead of myself and causing more problems than I need. It's just the miserable wait to fill the tank has me tinkering with everything.

I tell ya I am a bit embarrassed I paid money for Aquanotes. I thought $80 for Quickbooks 2006 Pro was expensive but Aquanotes takes the cake!

Can you explain the following entires in your program?

If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF

If Temp < 60.0 Then HT1 OFF
If Temp < 60.0 Then HT2 OFF

If Sun -030/060 Then EHM OFF
If Sun -030/060 Then SKM OFF

 

[kbecker]

Sure, I can explain the program statements:

If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
* This statement initilizes my alarm to the off mode. Otherwise there is no initial state for it. It is mentioned somewhere in the manual under the Alarm section.

If Temp < 60.0 Then HT1 OFF
If Temp < 60.0 Then HT2 OFF
* If the temp probe happens to get disconnected from the controller, it would read the temp very low. This prevents the heaters from cooking my tank (second line of defense). I have the controller email my phone and work when the temp gets below 74 (first line of defense).

If Sun -030/060 Then EHM OFF
If Sun -030/060 Then SKM OFF
* This runs my skimmer's recirc pump and feed pump the opposite from my lighting schedule.

 

[jnarowe]

Very interesting.

Good safety measure on the heaters.

Q: Why do you have your skimmer only running part of the time? Why not while the lights are on?

 

[kbecker]

Well the way I have my system set up produces a lot of noise (I didnt design it very well. I had a lot of after thoughts as this is my first attempt at saltwater). I pump my water up to my skimmer (which is over head of my tank). The output of the skimmer then dumps into my fuge, which then overflows into my tank. The series of waterfalls is in my living room and is quite annoying when I want to watch TV.

Here is the link to it:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=614520&perpage=25&pagenumber=2


Note: the screen shot of my excel sheet is outdated. I have redone the sheet layout with color coding of device status and organized my Temp,pH,ORP min/max/average into a nice menu. I also have a macro / vb code that automatically publishes it to a friend's website every 10 mins.

Here is a test page from January:

My excel test web page

 

[jnarowe]

Truthfully that is one of the most natural looking captive reefs I have seen. The sponge and macro algae are really nice. You've got a Green Thumb for sure!

Noise is always an issue and was a primary factor in my going to an in-wall tank. That test page is sweet! I want that!

Unfortunately I have limited brain capacity so I cannot get into such refinements right now. Hopefully I remember to check back with youu later on that.

 

[Bushong87]

Would you be willing to share the VB/macro code for the spreadsheet because that is what I have been trying to get excel to do!

 

[Bumzyman]

kbecker,
Thats a good tip on the low heater cut-off setting. I'm going to add that to my program right now as a precaution.

On another note: How are you making the excel graphs on your web page, are you pulling the logs directly from the ACIII or are you pulling it from an AquaNotes database? If directly from the ACIII how much data will it store before it fills the log or loops? Would you be worried about a power failure or a device reset clearing the log? I've got data going back about 6weeks now in AquaNotes but my log was reset last night when I updated my ACIII's firmware.

 

[kbecker]

Bushong87,
The only macro and vb code I use is to have the sheet publish itself to my friend's website. The rest of the sheet uses formulas and conditionals. If you want that looping macro and vb I can send it to you.

Bumzyman,
I pull the data from the AC3 itself. THe AC3 can store 1023 records in it's database. I am not worried about losing the logs in the event of a power failure. If I was really concerned about them, I would have the excel sheet just append and the log data to the sheet upon each query (or insert the logs into a MS Access database). The logs for me are just an indicator to see if there is something wrong with my system.