Issue with operation of new unit

[RonSF]

I think I may either have a defective unit or an interference problem. I just plugged my Reefkeeper in tonight to try it out with my chiller. I don't plan on having my new tank up for a few weeks, but thought I'd see what it was like to run. It seems like the temperature reads 73.7F regardless of whether the probe is plugged in or not. I get flashing lights for the channel display that blink and chase worthy of Star Trek. When I try to access the memory, I have to press the lower membrane switch a number of times to get the display to change. When it does, it doesn't show one of the two lines (program channels, program wavemaker) blinking and pressing any and all of the buttons generally fails to change anything. It ultimately reverts back to the main display or occasionally shows feed mode after pressing the top button a number of times. I have an Aquaspacelight with magnetic ballasts and no other electronics around, so I doubt that could be the problem, but with so many wireless devices these days, who knows what unknown frequencies are bombarding my living room. Could there be an easy explanation or fix for my problem?
Thanks,
Ron

[digitalaquatics.com]

Ron,

Sorry to hear you are having a problem. I don't think the problem is related to interference, the ReefKeeper shouldn't have any problems with that. It sounds like you have a faulty unit. I have questions to better understand your problem. Do you see this behavior when nothing is plugged into the ReefKeeper or when the chiller is plugged in only?

We have a "make the customer happy" policy in cases where units need to be repaired at the factory. If yours needs to come in, we will just send you a replacement. Then when you get it, you put the old unit in the box that the new one came in and we include a UPS shipping label so you don't have to pay for shipping. This way, you know that we are serious about getting you a quality product.

But if you could answer my question too, that would be great. Email me offline ([email protected]) and we will make arrangements to get your unit replaced.


Nick - Digital Aquatics LLC

[RonSF]

Thanks for the speedy reply. As for your question, the behavior is the same either way, load or no load. Should the lights be flashing like this? I'll email you with my info on Monday from work.
-Ron

[digitalaquatics.com]

Ron,

Thanks for answering. ...Well, technically no problem should be happening so NO, they shouldn't be blinking. However, what is happening is that the remote display is trying to get a connection with the power controller and is failing. So what it does is start over, and since the communication is broken it just keeps trying over and over. So in that way YES, the LEDs blinking like that indicates that it is trying to regain a connection and we expect that. It is probably just a bad solder joint because we tested the unit before it went out and it passed. Bad solder joints are like that, they can be intermittent, work for awhile, then don't.

In fact, we are going to send out production runs to an assembly house to do the soldering where machines do it. It is very reliable. With the first batch, we did it by hand which is more prone for problems. We will make adjustments in the mean time to make sure this doesn't happen again.

I will look for your email on Monday.

Nick - Digital Aquatics LLC

[RonSF]

Nick and others-
I just wanted to make sure that I followed up in letting everybody know that I got a free replacement unit yesterday and have been running it since last night. I've had absolutely no problems with this ReefKeeper, so it was most likely a soldering issue with the first unit as Nick postulated. The unit is very easy to set up and use. I'll post a more thorough review on the other thread in a few days, but I want to make sure that everybody knows that Digital Aquatics stands behind their product and offers excellent customer service. They shipped a replacement the same day that I emailed them with my information. Thanks, guys.
-Ron