ACSerial2Web for ACJr's

[JPags]

I just setup ACSerial2Web on an old Viao Picture book that I had laying around. Now I can control my ACjr remotely and have it send out e-mails on alerts. The picturebook also has a built in web cam so I may try and get that going to I can also view my tank remotely

I can also run the AC3 html UI from it.

This ia a great little program, and its free if you do not want to spend the money on the better controller yet.

http://sites.google.com/site/acserial2web/

John

 

[emabie]

I used the software that they sell with the AC2 to publish to the web. Does the Jr not have this option unless u get this program? Looks liek it works with the AC2 as well, I may have to try it out.

It's great to get email alerts when your system goes out of spec on a monitored parameter. I saved myself from more than 1 disaster with the alerts.

 

[JPags]

You need to buy the full version of their software ($75.00) to get this functionallity and it does not give you as much.

This is free and gives you a bunch more functionallity.

John

 

[RayD]

It also works with the ACII. I use it to control my Jr. Works pretty well.
I have found that if I made changes to the programing of the controller it wouldn't save to the controller.

That was the only caveat about the software. More of a bug.
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[sciknen]

So how does this work exactly?

Do you need a separate computer just for the controller to get it online?

 

[JPags]

Yes, you hook the controler up to a computer using the serial connection and then you can access the controller remotely through a web uI, provided you have setup your router correrctly.

You can check you readings, and even turn things on and off remotely. The software also sets up e-mail alarms for you (Since the Jr does not do this internally).

You can do the same thing with the AquaNotes software, except that they charge you for the version that does it.

John

 

[emabie]

So is the concensus here that it is better than Aquanotes? It seemes Aquanotes did everything I needed it to.

Steve, The AC2 and ACJR do not have a built in web or email server so to get the ability to monitor and control your tank as well as run reports on historical parameter data you need to hook it up to a computer vis a serial cable. You can use pretty much any pc as the system requirements are low. U need a serial port on it and an internet connection. I used an old laptop with a wireless card. You also need to either buy or make the serial cable, it's standard 9 pin serial on one end then a 9 (?) pind din I think on the other.

There is allot of comfort in looking at your tank from work and knowing things are ok.....

It's even better getting the email on your blackberry at 4am that your tank temp has dropped due to a dead heater. Then replacing the heater and avoiding disaster.

 

[RayD]

Hey John are your email alarms working on the AC Jr? Can't seem to get mine to work right. Works fine on the ACIII. I get a java null error. I'll keep trying.
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[JPags]

I set it up but have not played with the alerts yet (Need more time in the day for this stuff).

Are you using the latest version that runs as a service? I have not upgraded to that one yet.

I will try it out and let you know.

John

 

[emabie]

Seems it also does custom marcos, something aquanotes does not do.

I think I will give it a try.

I want a macro that turns off the Mh lights till the next morning so that If I am watching a move and want to "dim" the lights in the room I don't have to remember to turn on the Mh ballasts the next morning.

 

[RayD]

Got the email function working. I couldn't leave it alone until it worked, drove me nuts!

Seems I had to configure the email thing through Aquanotes.Once that was configured properly the program recognized the email info from the device.
Like the program editor the AC2SerialWeb doesn't save changes to the controller. I'm gonna look into that next!
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[RayD]

You can also use the AC2SerialWeb signature function.

 

[emabie]

You can also use the AC2SerialWeb signature function.

So I just set this up and got it working but seems BRS has blocked the ability to use it as your sig..

<img src="http://mabie.gotdns.com:8080/signature.jpg" />

 

[JPags]

Yea, you can't do that.

RayD adds the img tag to the end of his posts.

John