The official WP40 running on controller thread.
- Thread starter octopus737
- Start date
slief
RC Sponsor
Not yet. After reading this thread, it did get me thinking of getting the VDM module though if that what it takes to be able to ramp. I can see having some fun with ramping profiles. I'm not really familiar with the Vortech controllers programming well enough to begin to try to replicate it with profiles or the Tunzes.
Overall though, I am really happy with what I've got programmed thus far. I get great waves and my flush cycle really kicks up the stuff on the bottom. Of course much of that can be attributed to the pumps flow itself as it can to the programming.
I'd actually be tempted to play with one of these WP40's but I'd hate to hard wire it into my tank. My Tunzes are not mounted using the magnets. I've mounted them to bulk heads and line lock fittings with the Tunze cables run though bulkheads and PVC out the back of the tank. No visible wires running through the tank is a nice thing. Also given that my Tunze's we replacing a couple recirculation pumps, it just made sense doing it that way. Given my install, reliability to me is more important than cost. Still, I'm tempted as I like projects, especially if it involves soldering.
This might just give you guys some mounting ideas of your own. Here is how I have my Tunze's mounted.
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slief
RC Sponsor
Good to know. I'm running the latest firmware. I'll have to play around with that. After reading your reply, I read up on the Vortech profiles and from what I read, it should be pretty simple. I'll have to test a ramp profile tomorrow.
Edit.. I just checked out the profile options. Never noticed Ramp in there until you pointed it out. Thank you very much. I set up a 'ramp up' and 'ramp down' profile which I will test tomorrow when the lights are on to see what kind of effects I can create. It would be nice to be able to set the ramp speed to increments less than a minute for faster ramps.. I assume I can't use a decimal in there.
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That's what we want is ramping thats happening a lot faster/and more flexible than the ramps we use for LEDs. Where you chose the "ramp" profile type, "vortech" "weather" and "pump" should be your other choices. What do your pumps do if you choose "vortech" ? I see two possibilities: either 'vortech' is a fancy set of ramping profiles, and we'll be able to use it on any pump running off that 1-10v analog signal from the variable speed port. OR 'vortech' profile is just a communication between Apex and Vortech pumps that triggers various modes, but the vortech is still controlling itself. In which case we can't use it.
slief
RC Sponsor
As I understand it with the Vortech Pumps, Vortech has various modes programmed into the Vortech controller which the Apex triggers as opposed to complex profiles within the Apex that are sent to the Vortech pumps.
That said, it might be good to have a divide by 10 option in the ramp profiles. I can see that as being useful. Maybe I will post that subject in the Neptune forum at neptunesystems.com
I might try to find somebody locally who has Vortech's so I can study some of their programs. I'd love to see what they do and try to come up with some profiles or profile sequences to mimic them with my Tunze's.
It will be very interesting to see how these WP40's function on the Apex using profiles similar to those I use on my Tunze's. Now that you guys figured out how to modify and control them using the variable speed ports, it would see that you have a real good option for Apex controllable pumps. I just can't help but wonder if they will handle the abuse that the Tunze's do with the kind of longevity and quiet operation you get from Tunze's. Time will tell on that.
I'd love to see some video similar to what I posted above but using WP40's to make waves using Apex control.
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I had a quick question. I just ordered 2x WP40's for my new 180 build and want to control them with my Apex. What power resistor would you recommend. I thought I saw to use a 1W resistor but I am unsure. Can someone please help me with getting the right resistor. I was going to use the 1kohm mentioned previously.
octopus737
New member
Update. Got a starter kit for my arduino. And things are starting to make sense. At this point i want to make a low pass filter to convert PWM to 0-10 analog and a PWM to 0-5 analog. I understand its a resistor and a capacitor. For each filter i want to create a true analog sine wave. Or at least as close as possible. I am just asking for advice for the ohm value and uf value needed for each filter.
Thank you in advanced.
Thank you in advanced.
1K (1000) Ohm - 1 watt resistor
The resistor is actually more than you need, but I wanted to make sure the signal voltage doesn't drop too low than the intended. It turns out the pump draws way less than 1 watt on it's signal line.
You will need 2 resistors per pump, so 4 resistors for 2 wp40's.
Dactylopterus
New member
Any news on the divide by 10 option by the people from Neptune systems?
It's a shame that we can't use all the potential of ramping up and down the pumps with the Apex Controller, you can do it but the minimun is 1 minute interval.
slief
RC Sponsor
I don't see why you cant use divide by 10 with the Jaebo's. I use it with the Tunzes. Ramp is also usable on the Tunze's so I don't see why you couldn't use it with the WP-40's too. It's just a matter of defining the profile as a ramp.
That said, you would want to use the resistors to dumb the voltage down from the VDM ports to 5V so you have a 10 (0-10) point range via the Apex as opposed to not using the resistors and only having a max of 5 (0-5) on the Apex.
Dapg8gt
New member
On the reef angel forum you can see what all the profiles are. I believe roberto (reef angel inventor) has done what you are looking for already.. just look in the libraries as he has it hardcoded in now so all we have to do is reference the mode we want and it does it. Check it out if you havent already its a no hidden secrets kinda place. Even if you just join and ask the question im sure someone can help point you where to look. Im a newbie on RA so im no help at all
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Dapg8gt
New member
On the reef angel forum you can see what all the ecotech profiles are. I believe roberto (reef angel inventor) has done what you are looking for already.. just look in the libraries as he has it hardcoded in now so all we have to do is reference the mode we want and it does it. Check it out if you havent already its a no hidden secrets kinda place. Even if you just join and ask the question im sure someone can help point you where to look. Im a newbie on RA so im no help at all
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Dactylopterus
New member
That said, it might be good to have a divide by 10 option in the ramp profiles. I can see that as being useful. Maybe I will post that subject in the Neptune forum at neptunesystems.com
As you said before in the ramp profile there is no divide by 10 option, so the minimum ramp interval is 1 minute, to long when you want intervals of seconds or even less time to control pumps. I know I can use the pump profile, but this profile only gives me ON(%) an OFF(%) but no ramp.
Another question I have... on the ReefAngel forum I read that the use of lower voltages (12V, 15V, 18V) to drive the pump (using variable power supply) will make the pump run hotter with possible damage long term, and that you should run it at 24V and use the voltage control on the pump with the 0-5V signal.
Is that true? or as many people are doing is safe to use lower voltages on the power supply?
What if we use the vortech profiles on the apex?
barry_keith
New member
Got my Reef angel today in the mail. I had it setup in no time. Its amazing, I have my wp40 set to run several different modes throughout the day. I should be getting my second wp40 in the mail tomorrow too
I'm using 1/4 watt 4.7K ohm resistors to cut my 1-10v from Apex to 1-5v for my LED's. I think 1/4 watt is fine and I think you can use a wide range of resistors to make the voltage divider circuit for these. (google voltage divider calculator)
MEASURE your APEX output though, just found out mine is putting out 15.84 volts at max power!! not good.
MEASURE your APEX output though, just found out mine is putting out 15.84 volts at max power!! not good.
Has anyone located a source for the water proof DIN connector used in the WP40? I know reefAngel has cables, but I just need a couple raw connectors for a custom interface I am building.
I thought I had found them online, but the ones that showed up were only 3/4 of the diameter of the WP40 ones. Hard to tell sizes from a picture.
Dennis
I thought I had found them online, but the ones that showed up were only 3/4 of the diameter of the WP40 ones. Hard to tell sizes from a picture.
Dennis
connector
connector
I'm going to be trying these, they look like a dead match: http://www.aliexpress.com/item-img/Free-shipping-5sets-lot-3x0-75-SQMM-LED-Light-Strips-3-Pin-Waterproof-Connector-Cable/630198351.html
rrasco tried some that didn't pan out
connector
I'm going to be trying these, they look like a dead match: http://www.aliexpress.com/item-img/Free-shipping-5sets-lot-3x0-75-SQMM-LED-Light-Strips-3-Pin-Waterproof-Connector-Cable/630198351.html
rrasco tried some that didn't pan out
I'm going to be trying these, they look like a dead match: http://www.aliexpress.com/item-img/Free-shipping-5sets-lot-3x0-75-SQMM-LED-Light-Strips-3-Pin-Waterproof-Connector-Cable/630198351.html
rrasco tried some that didn't pan out
I don't think those will fit. Those look like the ones I bought (except mine where white). Look at the female end of the WP40 cord. See how close the pins are to the edge of the face. The ones you linked are quite a bit away from the edge.
If you do find a matching connector, please post it.
Dennis
I don't think those will fit. Those look like the ones I bought (except mine where white). Look at the female end of the WP40 cord. See how close the pins are to the edge of the face. The ones you linked are quite a bit away from the edge.
If you do find a matching connector, please post it.
Just post on the RA website, somebody will chime in with the parts you are looking for, I just use thier cable on my RA with the mp40 so not sure about the diy parts, but i know when i broke one of my connectors, i posted it and the next day had a part number and where to get it
Never had the apex but from what I see on the ra forms their cable works on apex, so i would think the part you need would be the same part RA uses
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