PC4 Power off pump still running

Ziggy953 · 04/14/2012, 06:02 PM

I have 2 outlets on one of my PC4s setup as wavemakers. CH2 and CH3, CH2 works fine comes on goes off LED indicator shows on and shows off as it should. CH3 turns on and off according to the LED indicator however it is still powering the pump that is plugged into it. I have reprogrammed reset and done pretty much all I know to do. Just curious if anyone else has had this issue and if so how do I fix it??

Any help would be great! Thanks

James77 · 04/15/2012, 03:30 PM

Channel 2 and 3 are Triac outlets, 1 and 4 are relays. Triacs commonly have problems with lower wattage( I think it is actually poor power factor) equipment. I think there is a way around it by using some form of power adapter? I would search their forum for more info on that or email them.

Ziggy953 · 04/15/2012, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the tip! I don't understand all of that but I have more info to ask better questions of their tech support. Thanks

andywe · 04/15/2012, 08:13 PM

Small wavemakers are notorious for causing this. There is lots of info n the DA support forums on their site. As james mentioned, adding a small surge supressor usually helps, or the short 6" lighted pigtails (3 for 4 bucks at harbor freight) has been reported to work by some folks as well.

The small motors can bleed energy back into the circuit and keep the socket relay active on ch 2 and 3.

Ziggy953 · 04/16/2012, 05:49 PM

Thanks for the info! I like the idea of the lighted sockets from Harbor Freight! Makes sense now that I have done a little reading.

I appreciate it!!

Ziggy953 · 04/25/2012, 07:21 PM

thanks for the tips!! The lighted sockets from Harbor Freight did the trick.

n2585722 · 05/03/2012, 08:33 PM

I can't find anything like what you guys are describing at Harbor Freight. Do you have a number?

thanks,
Danny

andywe · 05/04/2012, 09:57 AM

They are an end cap item so may not be on the website.

n2585722 · 05/04/2012, 11:57 PM

That may be the reason that they are not at the local store also.

thanks,
Danny

andywe · 05/05/2012, 09:37 AM

They hqve em...your store may be out...amazon probably. Has em too...just a lighted pigtail dan.

A little over 5 bucks at amazon too.

Coleman cable 6991 power strip liberator, 8" extension. http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-...6232480&sr=1-1

04/14/2012, 06:02 PM	#1
Ziggy953 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Owings Mills, Maryland Posts: 692	PC4 Power off pump still running I have 2 outlets on one of my PC4s setup as wavemakers. CH2 and CH3, CH2 works fine comes on goes off LED indicator shows on and shows off as it should. CH3 turns on and off according to the LED indicator however it is still powering the pump that is plugged into it. I have reprogrammed reset and done pretty much all I know to do. Just curious if anyone else has had this issue and if so how do I fix it?? Any help would be great! Thanks __________________ If you want to see my tank click on the little red house. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder - RKE - LEDs the works...

04/15/2012, 03:30 PM	#2
James77 Calmer than you are.... Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 7,175	Channel 2 and 3 are Triac outlets, 1 and 4 are relays. Triacs commonly have problems with lower wattage( I think it is actually poor power factor) equipment. I think there is a way around it by using some form of power adapter? I would search their forum for more info on that or email them. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120 SPS, 75g Anemone, 46g FW Tetra

04/15/2012, 06:51 PM	#3
Ziggy953 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Owings Mills, Maryland Posts: 692	Thanks for the tip! I don't understand all of that but I have more info to ask better questions of their tech support. Thanks __________________ If you want to see my tank click on the little red house. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder - RKE - LEDs the works...

04/16/2012, 05:49 PM	#5
Ziggy953 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Owings Mills, Maryland Posts: 692	Thanks for the info! I like the idea of the lighted sockets from Harbor Freight! Makes sense now that I have done a little reading. I appreciate it!! __________________ If you want to see my tank click on the little red house. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder - RKE - LEDs the works...

04/25/2012, 07:21 PM	#6
Ziggy953 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Owings Mills, Maryland Posts: 692	thanks for the tips!! The lighted sockets from Harbor Freight did the trick. __________________ If you want to see my tank click on the little red house. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder - RKE - LEDs the works...

04/15/2012, 08:13 PM	#4
andywe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mt Juliet, TN Posts: 2,561	Small wavemakers are notorious for causing this. There is lots of info n the DA support forums on their site. As james mentioned, adding a small surge supressor usually helps, or the short 6" lighted pigtails (3 for 4 bucks at harbor freight) has been reported to work by some folks as well. The small motors can bleed energy back into the circuit and keep the socket relay active on ch 2 and 3.

05/03/2012, 08:33 PM	#7
n2585722 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Tx Posts: 564	I can't find anything like what you guys are describing at Harbor Freight. Do you have a number? thanks, Danny

05/04/2012, 09:57 AM	#8
andywe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mt Juliet, TN Posts: 2,561	They are an end cap item so may not be on the website.

05/04/2012, 11:57 PM	#9
n2585722 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Tx Posts: 564	That may be the reason that they are not at the local store also. thanks, Danny

05/05/2012, 09:37 AM	#10
andywe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mt Juliet, TN Posts: 2,561	They hqve em...your store may be out...amazon probably. Has em too...just a lighted pigtail dan. A little over 5 bucks at amazon too. Coleman cable 6991 power strip liberator, 8" extension. http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-...6232480&sr=1-1 Last edited by andywe; 05/05/2012 at 09:49 AM.