chewie Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I have the AC JR and I want to be able to: 1. turn my halides on and off one at a time 2. Turn my actinics on/off seperately. 3. Turn my fans on/off when the temp gets too hot/cold. 4. Turn chiller on/off when temp gets too hot/cold 5. turn heater(200w) on/off. I run 2 250w Icecap ballasts for halides, and a WH5 for actinics. Chiller is to be determined....... I think I need the DC4 HD, and possibly the dual 120v socket expansion. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 IIRC, you'll need the high-power AC module for those Icecap ballasts. Everything else should run fine off a DC-8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 this one? http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~action~view~idProduct~NS3381~idCategory~FITEMOAC~category~Accessories-Monitors___Controllers-Testing_Equipment-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 no, this one: http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Dang! So I need the DC4 HD, and a DC8? Or can I get away with just the DC4HD and only control 4 items? 2 for MH, 1 for fans, and 1 for heater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I would use this for your MH Ballasts: http://www.aquacave.com/socket-expansion-120vbr-by-neptune-systems-1241.html Then the DC8 for everything else. What kind of chiller are you using? I have the PCI CL-280, I just modified it to bypass the built in digital thermometer so I can control it with my AC3. My AquaContoller will be set up very similar to yours, except I am also controlling my calcium Reactor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 By the way, if you order form AquaCave, you can get 5% off with an online coupon. Just search for it in goggle. I just ordered my AC3, DC8, 2 PH probes, and a new heater. I got over $30 off & free shipping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 What kind of chiller are you using? I have the PCI CL-280, I just modified it to bypass the built in digital thermometer so I can control it with my AC3. Probably the CL-280 or equivalent. Can I bypass the digi therm with the ACJR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 By the way' date=' if you order form AquaCave, you can get 5% off with an online coupon. Just search for it in goggle. I just ordered my AC3, DC8, 2 PH probes, and a new heater. I got over $30 off & free shipping![/quote'] Most EXCELLENT! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Probably the CL-280 or equivalent. Can I bypass the digi therm with the ACJR? I took my CL-280 apart, and wired the cord directly to the motor & fan (bypassing the digital thermometer & thermostat). Now my chiller turns on any time there is power to it, so I can control it with my AquaContoller. I'll aslo be using a Finnex 200w heater to control heat. I will used the following code: If Temp > 81.0 Then CHL ON If Temp < 79.0 Then CHL OFF If Temp > 90.0 Then CHL OFF (in case of temp prob malfunction) Max Change 015 m Then CHL OFF If Temp < 78.0 Then HET ON If Temp > 79.0 Then HET OFF If Temp > 82.0 Them MH1 OFF Max Change 030 m Then MH1 OFF 79 degrees is my target temp, but I am allowing a 3 degree fluctuation (between 78-81). I have always thought a slight fluctuation in temp makes for hardier livestock. My MH will turn off if things get really out of line at 82 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Thanks for the tip! To clarify, I need a DC8 and the dual 120v socket expansion. No need for the DC4 HD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Just so you know, that 2-port socket expansion doesn't use the higher power relays that are recommended for the high inrush current on Icecap start-up. It might work fine, but it's lifetime could be shortened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Thanks for the tip! To clarify, I need a DC8 and the dual 120v socket expansion. No need for the DC4 HD? It will work either way. The expansion socket will be much cheaper, but the DC4 will give you more flexibility. The expansion socket cannot switch each of the sockets independently, but the HD DC4 can. Im not sure about longevity as Andy says....Neptune says the expansion socket can handle up to 15 amps. I am not sure how many amps the Icecap 250w ballast use for startup...? In the future I plan on using the HD DC4 to run 2 Icecap 250w ballasts (only have 1 now), my actinitcs, and chiller. For now, I will just be using 1 DC8 as I only have one Icecap MH ballast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Thanks Guys, I think I'm just going to get the DC4HD only for now. If/when I need more capabilities I will get the DC8 as an addition. Is there anything else that I should get right now for the system right now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Inrush current is specced at 25A on the 400W Icecap. It wouldn't surprise me at all for the 250W to be in that ballpark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 I'll have to hook mine up to the Kill-a-watt and see. Bout' to pull the trigger at aquacave. I guess I'll know soon enough LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Dont forget to get extra calibration fluid for the PH probe! I hate buying the little 20ml sachets of it...I bought a 250ml bottle of each 7.0 & 10.0. You might also need the special serial cable needed since the ACjr doesn't have a ethernet port (that I know of). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 I'm not using the PH probe, and for now I have no intentions of hooking it up to my CPU. I think I'll just stick with controlling Lighting/Temp. See if I can figure that out first. Thanks for your help Andy/Ryan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Good luck, let us know how it goes for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 No problem! Keep us posted! Have fun waiting for your delivery! Mine gets here tomorrow!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I'm not using the PH probe, and for now I have no intentions of hooking it up to my CPU. I think I'll just stick with controlling Lighting/Temp. See if I can figure that out first. Thanks for your help Andy/Ryan! Let me know if you decide not to keep the pH probe - I wouldn't mind hooking up another to monitor tank pH as my current one is on the CA reactor. After reading through this thread I feel like running home to check the current capacity on my power strip! :eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Chiewie, your going to love your AquaController! I just got mine! Took about 15 minutes to get it up and running with the temp probe & both PH probes! Seems very user friendly so far! Now its time to figure out how get it to communicate with my home network so I can wirelessly program it from my desktop in the next room over! You'll be very happy when you get yours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Did you get an ACjr Ryan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 No, the AC3 with the dc8 & 2 ph probes. I might order the HDD4 for my ballasts and chiller. I'm getting a little worried about overloading my DC8. So far, I got all of the sensors running, and the AC3 setup on my wireless network. It's freaking AWESOME. I've got a lot of rolled eyes from my GF tonight though...LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Wait until you go out of town and take a laptop, then log into your system you will really get some eyes rolling(laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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