Vortech controller DIY
- Thread starter Giovanni
- Start date
USB Programmable PWM DC Motor Controller
This is what I looked into a few months ago. This is basically what Ecotech is selling minus the wireless and tach. The advantage is this is completely programmable and hooks into your computers USB port.
When I looked into the programming language I decided to wait on Ecotech. The language can be C+ or visual basic but the instructions are very cryptic and meant for programming experts. I program robots at work but this is a lot different.
This is what I looked into a few months ago. This is basically what Ecotech is selling minus the wireless and tach. The advantage is this is completely programmable and hooks into your computers USB port.
When I looked into the programming language I decided to wait on Ecotech. The language can be C+ or visual basic but the instructions are very cryptic and meant for programming experts. I program robots at work but this is a lot different.
Giovanni
AKA Flippa
Fellas, I know visual basic, a little C++ and have a programmer. :thumbsup:
Big Boy69
I don't have either a video of it working or of me doing the mod? I can make a video of it working tomorrow very easily tomorrow. Making the mod video will take more time. I never posted on youtube before so that alone may take me most of the day.
Which do you think most people would want to see first?
Big Boy69
I don't have either a video of it working or of me doing the mod? I can make a video of it working tomorrow very easily tomorrow. Making the mod video will take more time. I never posted on youtube before so that alone may take me most of the day.
Which do you think most people would want to see first?
stugray
Premium Member
Giovanni,
You could have used a relay that is actuated by 110V directly for less than the cost of a 12V wall wart. This type of realy would be driven directly by the controller.
Also, you dont really need a reed relay, you could use any standard relay, and they will come with both normally Open & normally closed contacts.
Stu
You could have used a relay that is actuated by 110V directly for less than the cost of a 12V wall wart. This type of realy would be driven directly by the controller.
Also, you dont really need a reed relay, you could use any standard relay, and they will come with both normally Open & normally closed contacts.
Stu
Giovanni
AKA Flippa
the relay
the relay
Stu and other,
First, thanks for your input. I really to appreciate it.
Second, my apologies for the poor forethought in relay choice. I came up with this DIY over about 2 hours on Sunday. I really had not looked at all the options. I just ran out to radio shack (RS) and grabbed the first thing I saw. I chose the reed relay because I knew it would fit in the case.
I did think about the 110v relay idea, but I needed one that would fit in the case and none of the 110v versions at RS would. If you look close at the first post I said we would need an inexpensive extension cord there was no mention of a wall wart. That was before I went to RS or decided to put the relay in the case for a more finished look.
The reason I want to buy my parts a RS is so everyone can find them with ease. I live in a very small town and even we have a RS.
I also wanted this first DIY to be very simple so most anyone could do it.
Please, before anyone goes out and spends $4.49 on this part, let me redo mine using it, to make sure there are no issues.
Here is a link to the new really.
Now I am off to make the changes and record the videos.
the relay
Stu and other,
First, thanks for your input. I really to appreciate it.
Second, my apologies for the poor forethought in relay choice. I came up with this DIY over about 2 hours on Sunday. I really had not looked at all the options. I just ran out to radio shack (RS) and grabbed the first thing I saw. I chose the reed relay because I knew it would fit in the case.
I did think about the 110v relay idea, but I needed one that would fit in the case and none of the 110v versions at RS would. If you look close at the first post I said we would need an inexpensive extension cord there was no mention of a wall wart. That was before I went to RS or decided to put the relay in the case for a more finished look.
The reason I want to buy my parts a RS is so everyone can find them with ease. I live in a very small town and even we have a RS.
I also wanted this first DIY to be very simple so most anyone could do it. Please, before anyone goes out and spends $4.49 on this part, let me redo mine using it, to make sure there are no issues.
Here is a link to the new really.
Now I am off to make the changes and record the videos.
Giovanni
AKA Flippa
Here is a video of the driver in action. Sorry about the quality. When it got uploaded to youtube the video quality went down hill. Not sure why.
Video Link
Video Link
dtaylor123
New member
Giovanni, Wow! Your mod is very cool and will work with someone with an intermediate knowledge of electronics. I have to ask this question, for <$850.00 you can get two Tunze 6101 and the 7095 multi-controller, the controller will do a lot more than the EcoTech mod. We are talking about Tunze's not some cheap knock off, the controller works flawlessly and can control 4 pumps, plus more if linked with their accessory. With the option of buying a pump that can push more volume than the EcoTech, the 6101 puts out 3600 GPH and the EcoTech puts out 3000 GPH, assuming that most people buy at least two, that's 1200 GPH more! The Tunze's can be aimed and put in ceramic rock, the Tunze's use a photo cell and a cheesy moon light, OK, the night mode is great, the moon light, not so. The Tunze's have many options, during "feeding" mode the Tunze will spin every minute, they also detect, fish in the prop. The Tunze's have a wide dispersing flow, same as the Ecotechs.
dtaylor123
New member
Post continued ...
The EcoTechs battery back can be bought for the Tunzes (UPS), but at a lower price. The Tunze's come with two voltage options, depending on need, the EcoTechs, only one. I am really trying to see the upside of the EcoTechs over the Tunze's 6101's and I do not see it. The inside space the EcoTechs take up is less than the Tunze's, but the outside space of the EcoTechs take up more than the Tunze's, plus the unattractive cord. So I don't see the lure of the EcoTechs, am I missing something obvious?
Dan
The EcoTechs battery back can be bought for the Tunzes (UPS), but at a lower price. The Tunze's come with two voltage options, depending on need, the EcoTechs, only one. I am really trying to see the upside of the EcoTechs over the Tunze's 6101's and I do not see it. The inside space the EcoTechs take up is less than the Tunze's, but the outside space of the EcoTechs take up more than the Tunze's, plus the unattractive cord. So I don't see the lure of the EcoTechs, am I missing something obvious?
Dan
Giovanni
AKA Flippa
Dan/Taylor, (Sorry I could not figure out which was correct.)
Not trying to be smart or something but I did not start this thread to debate Vortech vs. Tunzes. Tunze has a great product and so does Echotech Marine. I have owned both and I like the Vortech pump for several reasons. One of which it pump size in the tank. However, I have not been satisfied with the controllability. Like many other vortech owners I wanted more compatibility with my wave controller so I created this DIY.
If tunzes are what you like, I am sure that a pair of 6101s will look great in your 30 gallon reef and provide plenty of flow.
Not trying to be smart or something but I did not start this thread to debate Vortech vs. Tunzes. Tunze has a great product and so does Echotech Marine. I have owned both and I like the Vortech pump for several reasons. One of which it pump size in the tank. However, I have not been satisfied with the controllability. Like many other vortech owners I wanted more compatibility with my wave controller so I created this DIY.
If tunzes are what you like, I am sure that a pair of 6101s will look great in your 30 gallon reef and provide plenty of flow.
Giovanni
AKA Flippa
jnarowe,
Are the directions in the thread not good enough? What specifically do you need help with?
Give me a little time tonight and I will post a video of me doing the DIY to one of my pumps. I did the DIY for the video in 15 minutes. I hope the video quality is better for this one. None of my programs conver to MPEG-4 and that is what youtube likes.
Are the directions in the thread not good enough? What specifically do you need help with?
Give me a little time tonight and I will post a video of me doing the DIY to one of my pumps. I did the DIY for the video in 15 minutes. I hope the video quality is better for this one. None of my programs conver to MPEG-4 and that is what youtube likes.
