What happens if (when) the Profilux fails?

[shaggss]

There is some talk on another thread about having all our tanks life support equipment plugged into a single source ie a controller.

If the profilux should fail, what happens? Do all the sockets freeze as they were when the profilux failed?

Is there a fail safe built into the profilux that we could assign sockets certain functions should they lose contact with the Profilux? Is this even possible?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[camaroguy]

Well I would imagine there are many ways the Profilux "could" fail even though I hear its very uncommon. I believe there is a way to set a "default" state for a socket if the bar loses communication with the Profilux.

I believe it would have had to have had some communication within that power cycle of the power bar, but I am not entirely sure how this works. Someone else can correct me if I am wrong.

Generally speaking though, it is best to plan the system so that EVERYTHING doesn't depend 100% on the controller. Just in case.

For example. My return pump, my lighting (it has its own controller anyway) and one of my 3 heaters are not connected to the controller as this gives me some degree of failsafe.

 

[shaggss]

Thanks for the response camaroguy. Yes I hope either Matthias or Michael could explain what happens in the unlikely event the Profilux does fail. Specifically what happens to the sockets? ie if a heater(s) was on at the time of failure, would that heater(s) remain on or would the break in communication switch the socket off?

 

[d2mini]

It's a real good question, Shaggss. I'd like to know, too.

I always have my return pump plugged in to a powerbar so it can turn off for feed mode.
My lights down have their own controller so I use the profilux for that. And they are MH so it's nice to know I can shut them down if the water gets too hot. Skimmer is controlled, for feed mode shut-off as well. Pumps for ATO, and AWC, and CaRx.
Pretty much everything!
Right now, just my frag tank light and mangrove tank light are on their own timers.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Thanks for the response camaroguy. Yes I hope either Matthias or Michael could explain what happens in the unlikely event the Profilux does fail. Specifically what happens to the sockets? ie if a heater(s) was on at the time of failure, would that heater(s) remain on or would the break in communication switch the socket off?

The power bar will cut out otherwise imagine the massive failures of heaters staying on etc etc if the powerbar was allowed to stay active.

Once the ProfiLux comes back online the unit returns to its original state and carries on controlling.

To have a controllable power bar stay live in the event of master unit failure would be catastrophic.

 

[d2mini]

The power bar will cut out otherwise imagine the massive failures of heaters staying on etc etc if the powerbar was allowed to stay active.

Once the ProfiLux comes back online the unit returns to its original state and carries on controlling.

To have a controllable power bar stay live in the event of master unit failure would be catastrophic.

I realize the powerbar will shut down if the main unit loses power, but what you describe above, is that also including a software freeze, where the main unit is still powered up, just frozen in whatever state it was in?
I've never seen or heard of it happening with Profilux like it has with Apex, but ya never know.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

The software is only to program the unit, once you press load then the software has no further part to play.

 

[d2mini]

So you are saying that unlike Apex, it's impossible for the Profilux to freeze up?

That's pretty awesome if it's true.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I dont know how the Apex works so cant comment.

However the Profilux can not be frozen by its software no.. The data is uploaded one time when you press load. Then the profilux runs the loaded program from its internal memory.

 

[Raul-7]

That's great, do you guys have your Profilux plugged into a UPS - if so which model?

 

[camaroguy]

I dont know how the Apex works so cant comment.

However the Profilux can not be frozen by its software no.. The data is uploaded one time when you press load. Then the profilux runs the loaded program from its internal memory.

This isn't quite accurate. It may not be possible for the PC interface software to freeze the Profilux, but there is software on the Profilux itself. This is called firmware, but its just software at a lower level. Theoretically this could have a bug and freeze in the same way an Apex could...though I have NEVER heard of this happening with a Profilux.

In answer to the question..."IF" this happened, and there were a firmware freeze, I would assume the powerbar effectively loses communication with the Profilux since its frozen and cannot respond to communication pings.

There is no default mode for the outlets on the powerbars though? I could have sworn I saw this in there somewhere, and that it mentioned something about loss of communication. Its possible I am mistaken.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

This isn't quite accurate. It may not be possible for the PC interface software to freeze the Profilux, but there is software on the Profilux itself. This is called firmware, but its just software at a lower level. Theoretically this could have a bug and freeze in the same way an Apex could...though I have NEVER heard of this happening with a Profilux.

In answer to the question..."IF" this happened, and there were a firmware freeze, I would assume the powerbar effectively loses communication with the Profilux since its frozen and cannot respond to communication pings.

There is no default mode for the outlets on the powerbars though? I could have sworn I saw this in there somewhere, and that it mentioned something about loss of communication. Its possible I am mistaken.

And they just started to raise the Titanic Just adding some fun sorry could not help it

My statement is 100% accurate, sorry

The ProfiLux is 100% fail safe period, there are NO what if's

IF the profilux failed in any way shape or form the unit goes into safe mode. As i said in the first post IF the controller loses control from the power bar the power bar shuts down, period, there are no what if's

The default for the power bar is OFF.

Hang on im on forum retirement stop finding ways to drag me back! Stop posting things I have to clarify

 

[camaroguy]

Edit: the safe guard in the case of heaters would be to set the thermostat on the heater only a degree or so higher than the setting in Profilux. I mean technically the temp sensor could fail and make the heaters stay on as well.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

How? the heater gets its power from the profilux power bar, the power bar has gone into safe mode OFF, how on earth is it getting power??

I think we are now in the realms of complete science fiction trying to find a reason, just accept its bullet proof

IF the P3 temp sensor failed and at the exact same time the heater thermostat failed then you are screwed, NOTHING on the market will protect you from this bad luck and if it did happen to you I want you to let me know when you are travelling so I can avoid that route! But thats not the P3 failing as per the original post.

But I think we need to be realistic.

Ok now going back into retirement :deadhorse1: :rollface:

 

[camaroguy]

And they just started to raise the Titanic My statement is 100% accurate, sorry

The ProfiLux is 100% fail safe period, there are NO what if's

IF the profilux failed in any way shape or form the unit goes into safe mode. As i said in the first post IF the controller loses control from the power bar the power bar shuts down, period, there are no what if's

The default for the power bar is OFF.

You may be right that the powerbar shuts down and there is a very high degree of fail safe in the device. That I will not argue. I am also not saying the device is poorly designed or prone to failure. From everything I have seen and read, I would say its exactly the opposite.

As for your "no what if". There are always what if's. For example:
Safe mode is a program stored somewhere on the device. What if that memory were somehow corrupted? It stands to reason that safe mode would not load and/or run. What then? Is the device hanging? Is the device rebooting? Is the device shutoff?

You telling me I am wrong in what I wrote is terribly ignorant. The claim that the software cannot hang is a 100% unprovable claim, and therefore inaccurate. Look up The Halting problem. Its been proven many times that it is impossible to prove your exact claim.

Lets be clear here. I feel that the Profilux is an extremely well engineered product and likely has many more/better failsafes than the competition. That is why I own one. Absolutes are ridiculously terrible things to state about anything relying on electronics and/or software.

 

[shaggss]

Great, thank you very much for your input Michael. Much appreciated. Enjoy your retirement :wavehand::wavehand::wavehand::lol2:

 

[AQD_ottawa]

As for your "no what if". There are always what if's. For example:
Safe mode is a program stored somewhere on the device. What if that memory were somehow corrupted? It stands to reason that safe mode would not load and/or run. What then? Is the device hanging? Is the device rebooting? Is the device shutoff?.

Two safe modes two different firmwares, one in the profilux and one in the power bar, so now we are in the realms of both failing at the identical time.

As I said we can find reason in anything on the planet to fail if we look hard enough but we also have to look at the odds of that.

As I also said before IF the firmware failed hung went on holiday to Mexico (can I come?) the unit goes into safe mode by default.

GHL design automotive technology they have to know what they are doing.

Now wheres my pipe and slippers

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Great, thank you very much for your input Michael. Much appreciated. Enjoy your retirement :wavehand::wavehand::wavehand::lol2:

Thanks, trying to :bounce3:

Enjoy the forum

 

[d2mini]

Ok, this may make a little more sense.

So if the firmware/software/whatever on the Profilux were to freeze, this would be seen by the powerbar firmware as "non-communication" in which case the powerbar would default to "off".

Is this correct?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

yes :wavehand: