What controller are you using?

[sgarrett1108]

plus during christmas you can use it to turn on/off X-mas lights!!!

 

[Coralfreak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10627652#post10627652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sgarrett1108
plus during christmas you can use it to turn on/off X-mas lights!!!

:lol:

 

[matt the fiddler]

I have the AC3

I am selling my AC2 anyone interested?

 

[ToTaLCHaoS13]

hey Matt - PM...

 

[jtesdall]

Matt and others ... what is the downside of buying an ACII instead of a JR. There seems to be some good deals from people who are upgrading.

 

[glaspie69]

there really isn't one other than the ac2 will most likely be an older unit, so if your planning to have this unit for several years (5-10 possibly) you might want to just buy either a jr or an ac3, not saying the ac2 wouldnt make it 10 more years but you never know how the product was treated before you purchase it.

 

[matt the fiddler]

I think the II is better than the Jr., but not as good as the III


I think Neptune stopped production on it, to make way for two more niches in the market, those that like upgrades, and those that like basic control. The main drawback for me from 2 to 3 was the lack of 2 ph probes [on the 2] and i could not run a long serial from my computer....... I needed the ethernet.... the 2 is nice I just wanted more....

 

[Coralfreak]

Less expandability, no Lunarsim, Aquasurf etc. It does allow for an ORP probe, which the Jr does not. But it is a good controller, should be able to get a good price on it used and its a good way to get started.

 

[bgreenlee]

I dont think there is much of a downside to the ACII. I think you may even pick up a few more controllable outlets with the II.

 

[matt the fiddler]

Coralfreak, when I had my 2- I (think) I did have a moon cyclye going at one time with my dimable lamp module. I can't find the manuel on line, but It is listed in my AQ2 owners paperwork....

 

[Coralfreak]

Yeah, you can use the dimming X-10 module, think it only works with incandescent bulbs though. I did use it that way for quite a while and it does work great, the Lunarsim with the LEDs is a little nicer. All in all, the AC2 is a good controller.

 

[matt the fiddler]

I got what you are talking about...

 

[jtesdall]

Allen or others,

What kind of control wire do the DCx outlet strips use? Is it just cat5 ethernet cable or something similar using standard connectors. I guess what I am getting at is if you have to buy the control wiring from Neptune? At $130 for a DC4, I can imagine what a 50' cable will run.

 

[Coralfreak]

They use standard phone line connectors, with 4 wires. But to go long distances you should use twisted pair cabling. I had help making mine, but it works great, its a little over 20' long.

 

[jtesdall]

Great! Thanks - that makes it easy. I've got a bunch of twisted pair - CAT5 ethernet is twisted pair! Although I think it is 4 pair, but oh well, I'll have some unused wires.


Hmmm, now to find an inexpensive way to get a DC4 or DC8, the search begins.

 

[Coralfreak]

Good luck, I see them now and then on the selling forum.

 

[slovan]

Re: What controller are you using?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10623986#post10623986 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ToTaLCHaoS13
I am looking to get a controller for my system and need advice on what one I should get. Let me know what you have, how you like it, and how much you paid. Thanks.

Sorry, I kind of got off topic about the streams. I have used the PA Lighthouse controller and really liked it. Joe at MCU Research is really great for technical support and will be able to help you with any issues. Neptune is the same way so service would be a wash from my experience.

The Lighthouse is great for controlling a single tank. However, it is limited since it has no option to expand like the Neptune controllers. You can monitor/control ORP with the LH and that is something that you can't do with the AC Jr. To most people, that's not even an option they care about.

However, the price is good for what it does. It has a built-in web server and you can access and controll it from the web. There's also graphs for pH, ORP and temp shown on your page. I believe you can do most or all of that with the AC Jr. but you have to have the serial port option, buy some extra hardware and have to figure out how to do it. Others will have to chime in there.

I've also had the ACIII but never went "live" with it since I was in the middle of a tank transition period. It can do everything the other two controllers mentioned above can do and would've worked perfectly since I wanted to control and monitor two tanks.

If you don't have a lot to spend and have the know-how to figure out how to get the Jr. to work online like the ACIII and LH, go for it. If not, the LH is a good option and it is literally plug and play. Or you can spend a little more and get the ACIII that can do just about anything to meet the needs of a regular hobbyist.