Aquatronica VER 9 Wish List

[RobbyG]

So what new ideas do you guys have for Ver 9?

[RobbyG]

My Ideas.

1) Be able to shut off the dosing pump with a leak detector. ALL dosing pumps eventually develop cracks and breaks in their hoses, we need a method to shutoff the pump when the hoses finally give way.

2) Nemo’s idea of using the Agenda Alarm to trigger a sequence would be very cool.

3) A Signal strength meter for the SMS, preferably a digital meter with a scale from 1 -100%

4) Some diagnostic tools for the SMS like showing how the connection is going and at what point it gets stuck.

5) More Information on the Ethernet module webpage and some control over other devices.

6) What ever happen to the Auto clock setting? I see an option for it in the menu but does it really work?

7) Different sounding alarms, maybe 3 types of alarms. I assume they can change the tone or the timing pulses. I need something that my Wife and family can identify as a real emergency sound. Having one type of tone they start to ignore it and don’t realize that sometimes it's a major problem (e.g. Leak)

[nemo's janitor]

No ideas from me untill this Email answered very PO

Hi Elena,

Please advise if the internals of the controller ACQ110 and ACQ001 are the same and the ACQ110 is just a cosmetic revamp.
Questions.

1) What are the technical differences between the ACQ001 and ACQ110?

2) Considering the controller ACQ110 can program 7 languages and the ACQ001 only 2 languages, something has changed. What?

3) If the platform has change, Please explain why all users were not informed and why. Note: as soon as i receive one it will be opened and processors and chips compared.

4) What is the expected future life span of ACQ001 for future enhancement?

5) When will the old probes become unobtainable and users forced to upgrade?

6) When will the controller ACQ001 no longer be supported?

7) Is Aquatronica part of a click/consortium/cartel?

8) Why is Aquatronica selecting certain manufacturers for future enhancements. If this is the case i will start looking for another source for my requirements.

I am very disappointed with Aquatronica and hope all my concerns are addressed. This email has been posted on the Reefcentral Aquatronica website.
All on Reefcentral have supported Aquatronica and I (maybe others) want answers.


Here is the post:http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=13567534#post13567534


Regards
Nemo's Janitor

[RobbyG]

I don't think you have to worry too much about the different controllers, it took AQ years to sell the couple of thousand ACQ001 and so its safe to say that for the next 3 years it is surely going to be the number one controller they deal with.

Why are you so upset that they came out with a slightly different unit? I would only get upset if all my Modules or Doser/SMS/Ethernet would not work on the new CPU, but since it's backward compatible no problem, I might just buy the new CPU and keep it as a backup in case this one fails.

[nemo's janitor]

Robby to not tell all is deceitful and against principle. AT is hiding something and i want to know what it is.

My customers expect it of me. I am selling them a system i have not got a clue what come next. One day a dimmer module the next day it is pulled. What of customers waiting to upgrade. They must thing i am an idiot.

I have sent Adam an "e" stating my concerns and will not sell or install another system until all is resolved. If i am wrong i will apologize and continue with my support.

[Aquarium Obsessed]

Robby I agree with you. As a distributor here in North America I see no problem with improving aesthetics to suit the times. Not sure why your so upset since everything is backward compatible?

[nemo's janitor]

Here is what is pulled.
Link Which will most probably become unavailable.

http://www.aquatronica.com/products-1/modules/acq250-light

What will last for all to see.

0-10V Dimmer Module (ACQ250)

The 0-10V Dimmer module is used to control the switch-on time and brightness of the neon lamps T-5, with built-in dimmer and 0-10V input.

This product allows the user to program the lamps connected to the system, with one or more settings, via Controller and/or via PC (with dedicated USB interface), to create sunrise and sunset effects and moon phases.

The module is compatible with all the 0-10V lamps available on the market. Thanks to the possibility to mange up to 4 modules simultaneously on the same system (12 0-10V channels), the user can control a number of lamps separately and control different coloured neon lamps to create the colour effects of sunrise and sunset.

The module includes:

a connector for connection to the Aquatronica BUS
a connector for connection to the lamp
TECHNICAL DATA

Power supply voltage: 12 V Dc

0-10V channels number: 3

Moon light control channels number: 1

This is gone from the product profile.

[Aquarium Obsessed]

Who says its "pulled"?

[nemo's janitor]

Try buy one.

[RobbyG]

Nemo, this is not the first that Aquatronica has pulled a unit and delayed the release! If you look around the Net you can find pictures of the First Ethernet and SMS Modules. The orginal production designs where shown around, a release date was set and then they unfortunetly failed some of the tests. AQT then had to redesigned them which added a huge delay on the release dates, in the case of Ethernet more than a 1 year delay!

Nemo it really makes no sense getting worked up about this because Aquatronica tried doing this the other way and they ended up in a bigger mess! AQ now tests everything for 1 year before releasing it, and if during that time, even 11 months in, if they find that the module shows defects they pull the plug and redesign the unit and start another test cycle.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13569523#post13569523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nemo's janitor
Try buy one.

[nemo's janitor]

Robby,
When the dust has settled and we know where we stand with the new controller and modules, and AT told you in the new year a new real time monitor will be looked at...
Whoo... We have a winner.
Lets get suggestion on the go.

"SMILE" I take it you will be compiling the list in a profesional manner you did the controller comparison. "Puff Puff"

[RobbyG]

I hear ya :) I just go with the flow, when it comes it comes.

[nemo's janitor]

:D Ok now lets realy get this baby cooking!

Here is an enhancement that will most probably not mean much to most; however in my case, and those who have a couple of systems, it will be very useful.
In PC software have the ability to open a saved configuration file and see the configuration and if possible change and edit without having to connect to a controller. In other words, instead of connecting to the controller, you select the relevant configuration, open it and alter programs at will.
Reasons:
1) I have some 50 odd configurations of all my customers systems saved and backed up. I would like to review them from time to time.
2) Sometimes hardware changes are made and you can’t restore a configuration if the saved config and the system are different. Example, a PH probe is added to a Ca reactor. A new config was not saved or misnamed deleted in error. The Controller becomes faulty and needs to be replaced. You can find a saved config file for the system but it won’t allow you to use. There are now two options. A) Remember what is different and disconnect the device. B) Trace all plugs to the PU’s etc and reconfigure the system.
3) An enhancement (sequencing) becomes available. I write a program to perform simple tasks and want to implement to all my customers. I now have to do the programming at the customer.
4) New installations (BTW I have 3 to do next week now that stock has arrived) can be planed and configured before installation.

There are many more advantages.
Thoughts?
:)

[nemo's janitor]

Robby I am going to start numbering my suggestions for easy reference.

This one is NJ001.
Nemo’s idea of using the Agenda Alarm to trigger a sequence would be very cool.

This one is NJ002.
In PC software have the ability to open a saved configuration file and see the configuration and if possible change and edit without having to connect to a controller.

All my future posts will have a reference

You might want to do the same so that comments can be referenced to the Suggestion.
Untamed might want to have his suggestions of real time monitor also added
Others might want to follow suite to allow for easy future reference.

I have quite a lot more, but lets deal with a few at a time so that comments are focused and ideas enhanced. Robby you can then take each idea/suggestion and present to AT from us, in the new year.
.:D

[RobbyG]

No problem, I will certainly pass them on.

BTW the saved program in the PC software is so unreliable that I don't even use it anymore. Everytime they do a firmware update the saved config from the previous update do not usualy work. About a year ago a guy named RedBull did a really nice spreadsheet that allows people to plug in all there settings so that they have a permanent reference.

[RobbyG]

IDEA FOR THE SMS MODULE

The SMS module needs to have the ability to send its report to any cell phone. If for some reason I can't use my cell phone I would like to be able to use someone else's phone and see how my aquarium is doing. What would make this work is a text message command like
Info: 3051239999
The SMS would receive the text message and know to send the status information back to (305)-123-9999

[nemo's janitor]

NJ003

Simulator, This one gos along with NJ002. Once you can open a configuration file and amend programs, the following could be added to the real time monitor.
1) A date and time clock that can be adjusted could be added. A facility to start the clock is also required. When you adjust the clock the status of the plug sockets change. This would allow for one to simulate light/timing programs etc.
2) An up/down arrow could be added next to the tank parameter indicators to allow the value to be changed. So by changing,say, a temp value, the temp program along with the delta max/min could be checked.
3) A window for all function and Sequence programs. By clicking the start/on/off button the program is started.

For me NJ003 would also be a demo/selling tool.

NJ004

The ability to see the status of the sequence program on the controller/PC software. At the moment if a sequence is started one has no idea as to it's state if it hangs.

[nemo's janitor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13598884#post13598884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyG
About a year ago a guy named RedBull did a really nice spreadsheet that allows people to plug in all there settings so that they have a permanent reference.

Thanks Robby. i found this one. Very nice. Pitty he got a profilux for Xmas. :)

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=992908

[nemo's janitor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13598884#post13598884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyG

BTW the saved program in the PC software is so unreliable that I don't even use it anymore.

Robby i have not had that problem for two years now. AT have sorted that one. I use the configuration files with confidence. When i say i use them it is almost weekly, not only on updates. The spread is nice for guys who want to keep a record. For me when setting up and tweaking a tank i want to save the configs in case i want to revert to one that had better results.

For customers tanks that have Mr31415's AquaStats i just record the config file name in the Maintenance log. :)

TIP at the end of the config file name add the update details. Example: Robby G 10-10-08 ver8 6.1
if i now change something it becomes: Robby G 25-10-08 ver8 6.1 a

After a while i now have half a dozen Robby G, Mike M, Tony F, etc files. Other than driving :) "getting wings" :) to the tank in question and loading each config all the saves become pointless.

Hope AT get my point. :D

[nemo's janitor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13600212#post13600212 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyG
IDEA FOR THE SMS MODULE

The SMS module needs to have the ability to send its report to any cell phone. If for some reason I can't use my cell phone I would like to be able to use someone else's phone and see how my aquarium is doing. What would make this work is a text message command like
Info: 3051239999
The SMS would receive the text message and know to send the status information back to (305)-123-9999

:D A little snooze on your part Robby. :o It's done already. Tested two customers from my wife's cell: got stats back.
Just SMS info from any phone.:dance:

[RobbyG]

Wow :o I thought it only responded to phones in its list.
Well I got caught but I am glad to find out that it already has that feature.

[nemo's janitor]

New to 1.7. I think. Also tried before and it did not work.

[carlosml]

For the SMS module

Send a message when several power consumed by an electrical outlet, so that we can know that a bomb had been stopped or has been jammed or something molten a bulb

Send a message when a program has been blocked

[nemo's janitor]

Hi carlosml, Thank You for your ideas.