Vortech Modules

[hlsooner]

Any news on the Vortech modules. Are they shipping now, post-MACNA? Thanks. Can't wait to hook the module up and be able to fully control the Vortechs.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

arrived today, now we need to assemble the Ecotech RF module, test them and then ship them.

Gareth has kindly offered to do the testing so we are expressing the units to him tomorrow.

 

[bbart12]

Any word on how the testing is going.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Fedex still have them so not much happening as yet

They should arrive tomorrow.

 

[bbart12]

How long is planed on for testing? Assuming that there is not any problems.

 

[GDominy]

Ok guys here is the skinny.

I have the Vortech modules in stock now and I have a TON to test and ship out. Many people ordered these and I am working hard to get them tested and shipped out, but I have many, many orders to fill.

I hope to have all of them shipped out by friday, but the testing is a somewhat time consuming process (about 10 minutes per unit), on top of packing and paperwork for shipping.

Please be patient, I want to make sure that these units are 100% working as I ship them. Shipping will begin Tuesday for the first wave.

While you guys wait for the modules it should be noted that you NEED to upgrade to firmware version 5.03 to run these modules.

I'll get them out ASAP, just bear with me!

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Thanks Gareth for taking the weight off of our shoulders with this one, I have been informed that the next batch come plug and play ship ready, this first wave was to get them out quicker to everyone, spread the load across the whole supply chain.

I am informed you do also need to run the Vortech latest firmware also.

 

[GDominy]

From my initial testing of our first store unit I am very, very impressed. I like how you can set multiple time settings.. So for instance I have ours to operate as "Profilux Controlled" during store hours doing some pretty aggressive wave making, while at night I have it set to throttle down to about 30%. Without impacting other wave making pumps defined on the same pump channel.

For instance on my rig at home I have 8 speed controllable pumps. 6 x Korallias (2 in pump group one, and 4 in pump group 2). The Vortechs are assigned to Pump group 1 also as Pumps 1 and 2. However, because the Vortech Pump settings can co-exist with the Profilux wavemaking settings, I can have the Vortechs settings override the Profilux Pump1 + 2 settings at certain times (such as running quieter at night when we are sleeping). This means the Korallias in the main tank can be operating at a more aggressive speed while the Vortechs can run slower, without having to create extra pump definitions! This is handy when running wave making pumps in several tanks where you want the same pump behaviors (Permanent opposite for instance) but different flow rates, or different night time behaviors. I'll be posting screen shots tonight.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

And here lies the true power of profiLux

Way to go gareth! Looking forward to the screen shots.

Vid would be good too

 

[bbart12]

I cannot wait this is one of the biggest reasons that I decided of profilux.

 

[hlsooner]

So I have two Ecosmart controllers, early models purchase as soon as the upgraded controllers were released. I notice you state the GHL Vortech module requires the latest firmware on the Vortech controllers to interface with the Ecosmarts. Will the Ecosmart controllers all have a compatible firmware, or is there an older firmware on some Ecosmarts that will require us to send them in for a flash?

Ecotech advertises one of the features of the GHL Vortech module is that the firmware on the Ecotech controllers can be upgraded through the GHL module. However, this obviously won't work until the Ecosmarts have a firmware that communicates.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Fyi - CORRECTED

The very first firmware release for the EcoSmart Drivers (rev: 1.4) did not support the GHL or Neptune Interface modules. There have been two releases since then that both support the interface modules (revs: 1.5 and 1.6) The first manufacture date of rev 1.5 devices was May 2010. Therefore EcoSmart drivers with a manufacture date on the unit of March or April will require a firmware update on the device in order for it to work properly with the interface modules.

ALL of our pumps that we have ever shipped, including MP40w's from 3 years ago support the firmware upgrade process through the GHL interface, they just don't work functionally through the GHL interface (i.e. they will not respond to the GHL interface when it is telling a pump to go to a mode). But they ALL will be able to have their firmware updated through the GHL interface.

 

[hlsooner]

Thanks, exactly what I was wanting to find out. Guess I will have to check the dates on my Ecosmarts.

 

[bbart12]

will the upgrade process be in the documentation of included with the module. If not where do you get the firmware from for vortech controler. A quick scan of ecotechmarine.com for the downloads of the firmware turned up nothing.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

If you require latest firmware for your Vortech you would have to contact Ecotech directly.

The GHL manual for the vortech module can be found here

http://www.aquariumcomputer.com/System/Support/dnd_normal/VorTech-Controller_Manual_20092010.pdf

 

[EcoTech Marine]

If you require latest firmware for your Vortech you would have to contact Ecotech directly.

Michael,

This is not correct. Per your post from earlier, all of our wireless pumps are capable of being upgraded to the latest firmware by the GHL controller, even ones which feature the oldest firmware. The only caveat being that if you have an earlier firmware revision, you will not be able to CONTROL the pump until performing this firmware update.

There is no reason that we know of to contact EcoTech to obtain new firmware in order to use the GHL interface, as the protocol to upgrade the firmware of all our wireless pumps was specified in our developers package provided to GHL.

GHL customers will simply need to buy the interface, upgrade their pump's firmware using this interface, then enjoy! We look forward to our customers receiving their GHL interfaces so that we begin to hear about the creative flow patterns created.

 

[Rotknee]

GHL customers will simply need to buy the interface, upgrade their pump's firmware using this interface, then enjoy! We look forward to our customers receiving their GHL interfaces so that we begin to hear about the creative flow patterns created.

Thanks for the clarification.

So, will the firmware be available from the EcoTech website? I'm unclear as to where to obtain the latest firmware for my EcoSmart pumps?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi Tim,

From what has been said it sounds like any Ecotech firmware that requires updating will be available via GHL and updated through the ProfiLux to the module

At present we have not received any of this info so I think this is where the confusion is coming from in regards to the upgrade path.

I will communicate with GHL tomorrow to clarify this so everything is clear

Again, thanks for your kind input.

 

[Matthias Gross]

Hi

alot of confusion here!

I couldn't react earlier - we slept here in Germany when this discussion came up

Summary:
- the firmware of the WWD based MP40w have to be at least 3.1 and in case of EcoSmart based pumps (MP40wES, MP10wES) 1.5 or later
- the firmware upgrade can be done with ProfiLuxControl 5.0.4.0 or higher and VorTechController firmware 1.01 (available until this weekend)

-> for further support please visit our support-forum
http://www.aquariumcomputer.com/Forum/forum.php

 

[hlsooner]

Many thanks to the Ecotech rep for clearing this up. I have the first gen Ecosmart controllers, and was just about to contact Ecotech about how I was going to get a firmware flash. So glad to hear it can be done through the GHL module instead of having to ship it out.