weird ac jr behavior

[poknsnok]

I got an ac jr a month ago. I use it primarily to control my lights. The last 2 days the 400 watt icecap halide has been coming on at 11:44 am edt. It turns off a minute or so later. it is set to come on at 2 pm and off at 8 pm. I see no settings or programs in the controller to cause this. to make matters worse 2 of my lights came on at midnight!! (my wife wasnt thrilled) I think I got that straightened out.one of the states was tied to the light and time 00:00 which would explain the lights on at midnite. I cannot figure why the 400 is turning on. I see nothing in the programs listed that could cause this. any ideas?

[clp]

It sounds like a configuration issue. Double check the timer names (setup->timer setup->timer names->modify names) to make sure that there are no duplicate names or control addresses. Also review the program (setup->timer setup->timer program->modify state) to make sure that there are no extra/bogus statements associated with the lights you are having trouble with.

Curt

[poknsnok]

will do. doesnt explain all being great for 3 weeks then poof. I will check

Thanks

[poknsnok]

the JR is at it again...Last night at 9:15 after the light went off at its programmed time of 8pm, my center 400 watt halide came on. stayed on for about 3 minutes then went off. The display never showed "lt3" as being on. it happened again 15 minutes later. shortly after that my "lt4" (actinics) went off and then came back on. There is something not right with this controller or DC8. Can it be some sort of signal it is recieving? There are no other commands in the controller other than the lights. what up with this thing?? Works fine for 2 weeks then goes crazy.

[swannking]

I have the same thing happened to me with the 400W MH running blueline ballasts. I caught it a couple times turned on by itself and the AC display showing it to be off. Sometimes it turned off by itself and then back on again few minutes later.

[clp]

Please check the timer names section (setup->timer setup->timer names). Scroll through the entire list of timer names. A very common configuration problem is inadventantly adding a timer name, and not realizing that it conflicts with a control address of another timer name.

Curt

[swannking]

I will check but I don't think that's the reason b/c it doesn't happen that often.

[poknsnok]

hey.. get outta my thread!! Just kidding

I have no other settings or names in the JR other than the lights, they use a-1 thru a-4. a-5 thru a-8 on my dc 8 are just regular outlets. I named them and set them on thru the manual setting. I deleted all commands involving them. i had them set "aa on if time 0000" all works fine most of the time but OCCASIONALLY out of nowhere, things come on.

there are no other commands in the controller








Like I said before. it was fine for nearly 2 weeks and it decided to just turn on last night. if there were a timer name set up and coming on it would happen every day

[clp]

Duplicate timers do not necessarily result in deterministic behavior; it can appear quite random - frequent or occassional.
I don't recommend using manual control long term make the outlets always on or off. After a power failure the auto/manual will reset to auto. Use statements like this if you want something always on:
If Time > 00:00 Then XXX ON

I reccomend that you do the following:
Make the changes to the program.
Then Power cycle the controller (unplug the AC adapter).

Curt

[poknsnok]

will do!! I will add the statements to all the outlets then unplug tha ac adapter

thanks!!

[poknsnok]

ok... did what you suggested. now, the 400 watt which is supposed to turn off at 8 pm doesnt until 8:05 or so.. dont know what it will do tonight. and the 2x250 watts which are to turn off at 8:30.. well 1 went off at 8:30.. the other at 8:40.. I really dont understand what is going on

[clp]

Please call 408-578-3022. I'd like to go over your setup with you.

Curt

[poknsnok]

I will when i get home...

Thanks!!!

[poknsnok]

I need to call you about this, I know I havent but I work late and will make a point tonight. will someone be there at 8:30 edt? s/be 5:30 pdt?? or do you need me to call before then?? This thing is still very very wacky and ther are absolutely no commands in the unit other than the lights and the "aaa on at 00:00. could it be the interface with the dc8 and the 400 watt icecap? ive heard the 400 watt sometime has problems with the dc8

[clp]

No one is in the office until Tuesday; we are at Macna. I'm not aware of any interference issues with the direct connect boxes.

Curt

[poknsnok]

lucky dog

ok... Ill log all the "weird behavior" this weekend and call you tuesday!

[poknsnok]

Hi Curt.

pm me or send a reply when someone is in the office. being it was the weekend and I was home some of the time and there was all kind of random lights going on and off with the controller. I can call tomorrow about 3 or 4 your time

[poknsnok]

to follow up...2 nights in a row and no problems! if we can put together a couple weeks Ill be happy!!

thanks for the help Curt!

[swannking]

I am still having problems with the ACJr with DC8. Since I am not home all the time, I don't know how often this happens. My 400W MH sometimes will turn off by itself while on the display of ACJr stated that it is on and it will turn back on a few minutes later. And vice versa, one MH which is supposed to be off during the day will turn on even the display stated that it is off. It will get turn off in a few minutes after this happened. I checked the program and device name. doesn't seem to have any conflict. ANy ideas?

[poknsnok]

mine has started doing the same thing... again

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[clp]

poknsnok,
Please send an email to [email protected] with your address, and I'll send you a different telephone cord.
swannking,
Please call 408-578-3022 when you are in front of your controller and I'll go over your program/configuration with you.

Curt

[poknsnok]

will do. I named all of my outlets, and set all of them on auto. previously I only had them set manually to the on position. sine then everything has been ok buts it been a day. Ill let you know. if it continues to be a problem Ill ask for the cord

Joe

[swannking]

OK I will.

[poknsnok]

update. I named and programmed all my plugs on my dc8. also noticed a 5 min interval. set and got rid of that. since then... NO PROBLEMS. I set all plugs to auto and even had a terrible t-storm last night and all is still good. Hopefully that has done the trick

[Bugger]

My controler does not control my heaters anymore, help. They won't turn on manually either. all my setting are the same as they where from before

[clp]

Please call 408-578-3022 when you have access to your controller, and I'll help with the problem.

Curt

[Sparkss]

I have a Jr on order, on the way. From everything I am reading I am worried more about the chiller/heater than I am about the lighting. If the unit is volatile enough to be turning plugs on and off at random intervals, then it could cook or deep freeze (exaggerations, I know) my tank inhabitants.

If anyone has any esperiences with an AC causing livestock death, I would very much like to hear about it.

[clp]

The folks that have reported problems in this thread were due to operator error, or failed equipment other than the AquaController/DCXs. I don't know of any properly configured ACJrs that operate erratically.

Curt

[Sparkss]

Curt,

That is extremely reassuring. Thank you for letting us/me know.