AquaController Logic Question

[Matt L.]

While we're in the midts of this heatwave, I have a question about the AquaController II, and I was wondering if anyone here knew what the answer might be before I try and go to RC or the manufacturer.

The question is: how does the ACII resolve conflicting sets of commands?

For example, I have the following program lines to control a MH light called LT1:

If Time > 09:00 Then LT1 On
If Time > 18:00 Then LT1 Off
If Temp > 83.0 Then LT1 Off

My intention is to turn the lights on at 9AM, turn them off at 6PM, and if for some reason, the tank should start to overheat when the lights are on during the day, turn the lights off as well. Will this work? The ACII doesn't permit AND/OR phrases...

Matt

 

[Armando]

I believe Curt said all statements are evaluated, in the sequence they appear.

In this case, your logic will work.

 

[Matt L.]

Thanks, A.

 

[Armando]

but I think if the temp fluctuates around the 83 mark your light will be switching on and off quickly.

 

[ScottM]

but I think if the temp fluctuates around the 83 mark your light will be switching on and off quickly.

the controller will not turn it back on unless you tell it to. so don't expect your lights to come back on if it drops below 83.

if your tank reachs 83deg. or 18:00. it turns off. it is what ever happens first

 

[Reef55]

Scott is correct. You need to something like:

If Time > 09:00 Then LT1 On
If Time > 18:00 Then LT1 Off
If Temp > 83.0 Then LT1 Off
Max Change 030 M Then LT1 OFF

Your AQ2 evaluates the commands in order, every 5 minutes (all commands are processed determining the state of each device prior to commands being sent to the control modules). So if it is 13:00, the first statement will be true, LT1 is set to ON. The second will be false, so nothing happens. For the third, if the temp is 83.0 or less, nothing happens. If the temp is 83.1 or higher, then LT1 is set to OFF.

The last statement is your anti-flicker line What this does is make it so whenever LT1 is set to OFF, it remains OFF for 30 minutes before it is able to be turned on again.

 

[Armando]

Right but the Max only works for turning it on.

So if the lights turn on 30 minutes later and in one minute the temperature reaches 83 then the lights will go off immediatelly.

 

[Matt L.]

Nice.

I had never seen such a command. I only thought you could use a series of If...Then phrases. Perhaps I should read the manual more? Or is this some trick not covered in the manual? I wonder what other cool tricks there are out there.

Speaking of tricks, while making programming adjustments, I noticed what I believe to be a "fourth" channel. I had heard about this fourth channel from someone else a while ago, but never stumbled across it. According to this guy, the ACII allows four variables, not just the three that we measure: pH, ORP, and Temp. The fourth is called Switch1 or something. Does anyone know how you input the state of Switch1 into the ACII?

Thanks for the help everyone,

Matt

 

[Matt L.]

Right but the Max only works for turning it on.

So if the lights turn on 30 minutes later and in one minute the temperature reaches 83 then the lights will go off immediatelly.

Armando,

What I would do to solve this is make it longer than 30min, perhaps even 540min; the length of time the lights could ever be on for. That way, if it shuts off due to the heat, it would be guarenteed to be off for the day, but still capable of being turned on the next day when presumably the problem has been rectified.

Matt

 

[Armando]

Yes, you can plug a switch into the AQII and use to control top-off, etc.

It requires you to open the serial connector and pluggin the switch wires into it. The manual has the pin configuration diagram.

I am planning to use it someday, if I ever get to do this plug mod.

 

[Armando]

About the flickering - Unfortunately there's is no way of doing it (that I know of).

I wanted to use the Max command to avoid my fan to switch on and off quickly. But I was only able to avoid it to switch back on quickly. It was not possible to avoid it to switch back off quickly.

 

[ScottM]

Armando,

What I would do to solve this is make it longer than 30min, perhaps even 540min; the length of time the lights could ever be on for. That way, if it shuts off due to the heat, it would be guarenteed to be off for the day, but still capable of being turned on the next day when presumably the problem has been rectified.

Matt

no need.
your "If Time > 09:00 Then LT1 On" will turn the lights back on the following day.

 

[Reef55]

couple of things here... first, you can also do a MAX change command for keeping something on. Just add in:

Max Change 030 M Then LT1 ON

Second, I am currently using Switch1. I have a float switch in my overflow, that is constantly submerged, keeping the float in the up position (so the switch is CLOSED normally). The drain in my overflow has a few small holes at the bottom, for water to circulate in the overflow a little better. It also means that if my return pump fails for some reason (clogged, whatever), the overflow will drain. This causes the switch1 to become OPEN.

If you check my aquanotes page off of:

http://www.mspreef.com

you'll see my statements, but for the switch1 they are:

If Switch1 OPEN Then ALM ON
If Switch1 OPEN Then MH1 OFF
If Switch1 OPEN Then MH2 OFF

This makes sure if my return pump fails, I don't cook my tank

 

[Armando]

From Curt at Neptune Systems:

The Max change statement only effects either the on state or the off state - not both. So the Max Change statement above keeps the fan off for at least 10 minutes before it is allow to turn back on. There is no time constraint for the ON state.

 

[Reef55]

Armando, I agree, I was only trying to point out that you could do a Max Change ON statement in place of an OFF.