post your program here

[ciphros]

Originally posted by reefgeek31
Do you have to have any commands to initialize the sequence?
When I first power up my unit i get U'S then when I manually turn them on then back to auto the U'S are gone. Is it a programing issue or did I just miss something all together. Thanks ahead of time.

Initilization is as easy as: If Time > 00:00 Then (your 3 digit timer name here) ON (or OFF depending what you want). HOWEVER, you DO NOT want to use this type of statement for a heater or chiller - let the temp statements take care of it. U just means the controller doesn't know if it was on or off last, but it will update once it hits a condition that tells it to turn on or off (i.e. temp gets beyond one of your set points to turn it to a given state so the controller knows that the device should be on or off).

[MplsMan]

if i have this for my return:
If Time > 00:00 Then RET ON
what do i have for the alarm
if power 000 then alarm

[ciphros]

You use the same thing, if Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF, that initilizes the alarm to off. Then if a temp pH ORP or switch input is set to tell the alarm to turn on, it'll turn on. But, once the condition is cleared, the alarm will go back off.

[MplsMan]

so what do i use for the alarm to go on if power outage.

[ciphros]

Originally posted by MplsMan
so what do i use for the alarm to go on if power outage.

You had it right with the if Power 000 Then ALM - but you need to specif ON at the end to tell it to keep the alarm on after power failure for some amount of time (I would go 002 or something instead of 000 so the alarm stays on long enough to send the e-mail if your internet connection isn't back up and going immediately but that's a personal preference).

[Hdhuntr01]

I just got a used AC Pro (Not the AC III Pro) today. Will all the programming techniques as stated in this thread be virtually the same for my AC Pro? What are the differences between AC Pro and AC III Pro. Figured once I understand this controller I can always upgrade to the latest and greatest.

[sjm817]

I just replaced my ACjr with an AC3 to get the web & email alarm features. I transferred my ACjr program over and added the ALM statements in. Did some tests and the email notifications work. The power fail does not seem to work. If I remove power from the AC3, I dont see anything in the power fail log or status. The delays I have for the return and skimmer do work though. Any idea there, and any other suggestions?

LT1$-A01 //lights 1
LT2$-A02 //lights 2
FAN&-A03 //canopy fans
VOR#-A04 //Vortech pumps
FUG$-B02 //fuge light
RET#-B03 //return pump
SKM#-B04 //skimmer
HE1%-B05 //heater 1
HE2%-B08 //heater 2
DOS#-B01 //dosing pumps
ALM&-A09 //alarm

If Time > 00:00 Then RET ON
If Time > 00:00 Then SKM ON
If Time > 00:00 Then VOR ON
If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
If Time > 12:00 Then LT1 ON
If Time > 21:30 Then LT1 OFF
If Time > 13:00 Then LT2 ON
If Time > 20:30 Then LT2 OFF
If Time > 12:00 Then FAN ON
If Time > 21:35 Then FAN OFF
If FeedA 000 Then VOR OFF
If Temp < 77.3 Then HE1 ON
If Temp > 78.0 Then HE1 OFF
If Temp < 77.5 Then HE2 ON
If Temp > 78.0 Then HE2 OFF
If Power 002 Then RET OFF
If Power 003 Then SKM OFF
If Timer LT1 = ON Then FUG OFF
If Timer LT1 = OFF Then FUG ON
If Time > 01:00 Then DOS ON
If Time > 02:10 Then DOS OFF
If Time > 07:00 Then DOS ON
If Time > 08:10 Then DOS OFF
If Temp > 81.0 Then ALM ON
If Temp < 77.3 Then ALM ON
If pH > 08.30 Then ALM ON
If Power 000 Then ALM ON

[ciphros]

program appears functional. I would suggest adding the safety statements for your heaters, so if you have a failure of the temp probe they don't run 100% of the time. Just use a temp you should never get to (60 maybe?) to shut the heaters off if the temp is less than that.

As for the power failure - do you have a battery back-up hooked up to the 2nd power port on the AC3? If not, the power statements won't work for you.

[sjm817]

Thanks. My failsafe if the temp probe failed is the internal thermostats in the heaters. The tank will go to ~ 81 and then they will turn off. The problem is those internal thermostats are typically poor which is the reason I have the AC3 controlling the temp. If the temp probe and one of the heater thermostats failed, I could have a problem. Using the low temp program would prevent this, but my tank could get pretty cool. Not sure how cool as I have never tested this. I would get the alarm email sent to me which would help. It may be a better way to go.

No, I dont have a battery backup. What is typically used? Will the AC3 charge a rechargeable 9V?

[ciphros]

Originally posted by sjm817
Thanks. My failsafe if the temp probe failed is the internal thermostats in the heaters. The tank will go to ~ 81 and then they will turn off. The problem is those internal thermostats are typically poor which is the reason I have the AC3 controlling the temp. If the temp probe and one of the heater thermostats failed, I could have a problem. Using the low temp program would prevent this, but my tank could get pretty cool. Not sure how cool as I have never tested this. I would get the alarm email sent to me which would help. It may be a better way to go.

No, I dont have a battery backup. What is typically used? Will the AC3 charge a rechargeable 9V?

It's only 1 line of code, and with the alarm, better than having it overheat.

Most use a UPS to plug in the back-up, internet connection and maybe a pump or something to keep the tank on life support.

[sjm817]

I meant the 9V backup connection on the AC3. What does that do? I was assuming it would log the power fail and send out the ALM when power was restored. I couldn't find documentation that describes how it works. My router is on a UPS, so that is there.

Yeah, I think the low temp line would be a good way to go.

[Chymos45]

May be a silly question, as it is not addressed in the manual, but can we use a logical test function in the AC3 program?

IF(logical_test, value_if_true, [value_if_false])

[ciphros]

Originally posted by sjm817
I meant the 9V backup connection on the AC3. What does that do? I was assuming it would log the power fail and send out the ALM when power was restored. I couldn't find documentation that describes how it works. My router is on a UPS, so that is there.

Yeah, I think the low temp line would be a good way to go.

You just need another power supply identical to the main to plug in to the battery input. That plugs into the UPS and then when the unit loses power to the main, but the battery stays running, you get the log item of power loss - and for how long.

[ciphros]

Originally posted by Chymos45
May be a silly question, as it is not addressed in the manual, but can we use a logical test function in the AC3 program?

IF(logical_test, value_if_true, [value_if_false])

Not as such, but you can do this basically with the command:

If timer xxx = ON Then xxx ON - or whatever you want to do.

For example, I have a dummy timer called MNT for tank maintainance. I use that one dummy timer to turn things on/off as needed - alarm off, ATO solenoid closed (off), heater off, chiller off, exhaust fan on, skimmer air pump off...you get the idea. So, by just going into manual control and activating the MNT timer to ON, I switch everything else to the state I want without having to go in and change everything one-by-one.

[Chymos45]

I can certainly see how that works in your situation and is a great idea. I will definitely add a similar feature to my program.

My problem is this. I currently have my AC3 talking to an X-10 controller that switches multiple outlets. Occasionally (well, frequently), an X-10 outlet will miss a command. I knew this was a possibility when I set it up, but did not think it would be a problem since the AC3 is set to repeat the commands at regular intervals (5 minutes in my case). I figured the worst that could happen would be that my lights would come on 5 minutes later than usual…

The problem is that the X-10 controller seems to send a CHANGE command, rather than a ON or OFF command. Meaning that even if an outlet is currently ON and the AC3 tells the controller to turn it ON again (repeat interval), the X-10 controller will send a command to CHANGE and the outlet will now turn OFF. Clear as mud???

Any ideas on how to evaluate the status of an outlet and give different values when true vs. false?

[ciphros]

Originally posted by Chymos45
I can certainly see how that works in your situation and is a great idea. I will definitely add a similar feature to my program.

My problem is this. I currently have my AC3 talking to an X-10 controller that switches multiple outlets. Occasionally (well, frequently), an X-10 outlet will miss a command. I knew this was a possibility when I set it up, but did not think it would be a problem since the AC3 is set to repeat the commands at regular intervals (5 minutes in my case). I figured the worst that could happen would be that my lights would come on 5 minutes later than usual…

The problem is that the X-10 controller seems to send a CHANGE command, rather than a ON or OFF command. Meaning that even if an outlet is currently ON and the AC3 tells the controller to turn it ON again (repeat interval), the X-10 controller will send a command to CHANGE and the outlet will now turn OFF. Clear as mud???

Any ideas on how to evaluate the status of an outlet and give different values when true vs. false?

Yikes! I do understand, but don't have an answer for you on that one. I did away with the X10 stuff when I got the AC3 since the hard wire connection for control was way more reliable. You might want to give Curt a call at Neptune and see if he has an answer for you....if anyone would, it's him.

[jmaneyapanda]

Originally posted by ciphros
You just need another power supply identical to the main to plug in to the battery input. That plugs into the UPS and then when the unit loses power to the main, but the battery stays running, you get the log item of power loss - and for how long.

Is there any insructions for this for a computer invalid ( = me)?

[ciphros]

Originally posted by jmaneyapanda
Is there any insructions for this for a computer invalid ( = me)?

Go to Neptunesys.com, buy an additional power supply, plug it into the hole next to the power (says battery), connect it to a UPS (battery back-up power supply) along with your internet connection (router, modem) and then program in your If Power statements in the controller program. It really doesn't have much to do with your computer, so you should be fine.

[Chymos45]

Originally posted by ciphros
Yikes! I do understand, but don't have an answer for you on that one. I did away with the X10 stuff when I got the AC3 since the hard wire connection for control was way more reliable. You might want to give Curt a call at Neptune and see if he has an answer for you....if anyone would, it's him.

I know Curt is probably a busy guy, but sounds like I need to give him a call. Thanks for the assistance.

[jmaneyapanda]

Originally posted by ciphros
Go to Neptunesys.com, buy an additional power supply, plug it into the hole next to the power (says battery), connect it to a UPS (battery back-up power supply) along with your internet connection (router, modem) and then program in your If Power statements in the controller program. It really doesn't have much to do with your computer, so you should be fine.

So, your saying Im an all around invalid?! I can buy that....

So, the power supply, and the modem/router need to be on a UPS? My computer and ac3 are rooms apart (i just snaked a long etehrnet cable to connect them).

[ciphros]

Originally posted by Chymos45
I know Curt is probably a busy guy, but sounds like I need to give him a call. Thanks for the assistance.

He is that, but he's always been willing to help too...one of the best things about the AC3 is the customer support.

[ciphros]

Originally posted by jmaneyapanda
So, your saying Im an all around invalid?! I can buy that....

So, the power supply, and the modem/router need to be on a UPS? My computer and ac3 are rooms apart (i just snaked a long etehrnet cable to connect them).

Never said any such thing.

If your AC3 and the modem/router are in different locations and you've done the long cable, I can see 2 ideas:

1 You will need 2 UPS's, one for the modem/router and one for the AC3 and any pumps/life support you want to run when power's out.

2 Move your router and modem into the room with the tank and use the long cable to connect your computer to the router instead of the AC3, then just get a single UPS.

[jmaneyapanda]

Ok, one last question, and then I'll let you go from answering my retarded questions:

If I choose only 1 ups for the controller, it will still "remember" when a power outage occured, and notify me once power is restored, correct?

[sivert55]

My return pump "PM1" turns off for 1 second every 5 minutes. I can't figure out why.
I have it on port A03 of my DC8 which is controlled by my AC3 running FW 3.40.
The only language I have to control the return pump is
If Time > 00:00 Then PM1 ON

No matter whether I set PM1 to manual or auto, it keeps doing it.
It started doing it after i upgraded to to FW 3.3. I've re-initialized the controller and re-uploaded the program twice. I unplugged the DC8 and the controller and plugged them back in in different orders too. Still the same behaviour.

Any ideas? It's a ReefFlo Barracuda.

[EmDy]

I will have my AC3 today but here is my program so far, please check it over and let me know any mistakes. Thanks.

LT1-A01
LT2-A02
LT3-A03
PM1-A04
KLK-A05
CO2-A08
ALM-A09

//Alarms
If Time > 00:00 then ALM^ OFF
If Power 000 then ALM^ ON
If Temp > 81:9 then ALM^ ON
If Temp < 77:00 then ALM^ ON
If pH < 8.00 then ALM^ ON
If pH > 8.50 then ALM^ ON
If pH2 < 6.20 then ALM^ ON
If pH2 > 6.90 then ALM^ ON

//VHO Lighting
If Time > 12:59 then LT1* ON
If Time > 14:00 then LT1* OFF
If Time > 21:58 then LT1* ON
If Time > 22:59 then LT1* OFF
If FeedA 000 then LT1* ON

//T5 & Canopy Fan
If Time > 13:59 then LT2* ON
If Time > 21:59 then LT2* OFF
If Temp > 80:9 then LT2* OFF

//Refugium Light
If Time > 23:00 then LT3* ON
If Time > 12.59 then LT3* OFF

//Skimmer Pumps
If Time > 19:59 then PM1% ON
If Time > 07:59 then PM1% OFF

//Kalk Pump
OSC 010/060 ON/OFF then KLK% ON
If PH > 8.45 then KLK% OFF

//Tank pH
If pH > 8.30 then CO2$ ON
If pH < 8.10 then CO2$ OFF

//CArx pH
If pH2 > 6.60 then CO2$ ON
If pH2 < 6.40 then CO2$ OFF