Potential WXM issue

[Steve-H]

All,
My current setup consists of an Apex Lite, commanding the WXM module; which I have sync'd to two Vortech 10wES pumps.
For the last two weeks, I just had the pumps set on a basic program:


Master Pump:
If time 07:00 to 19:00 then .25Pulse
If time 19:01 to 06:59 then ReefCst

Slave:
AntiSync

Everything worked normally - as expected.


Wanting to get a little more fancy, I have since moved to:

Master Pump:
Fallback ReefCrst
If Time 05:00 to 06:59 Then Tide
If Time 07:00 to 19:00 Then 0.50Puls
If Time 19:01 to 21:00 Then Tide
If Time 21:01 to 04:59 Then ReefCrst

Slave Pump:
Fallback ReefCrst
Set AntiSync
If Time 05:00 to 06:59 Then Sync
If Time 19:01 to 21:00 Then Sync

I wanted the pumps to Sync for the tides, so the one wouldn't go to 80% while the other is at 20%.

Interestingly - now that I have gone to a .5s pulse, every other minute or so the pumps will sync for a cycle; then go back to AntiSync. Is this an issue with my WXM - or a design feature to cancel out the standing wave in the tank ? I don't recall ever seeing this when I was using a .25s pulse.

Thanks !

[aquamanic]

Well, for one thing you have a gap between 06:59 and 19:01 then again from 21:00 to 05:00 where the slave pump is going to go to 'antisync'. Not sure how that factors into what you observed.

Are you saying that if you look at your outlet log, you see the slave pump toggling between sync and antisync over the course of minutes? That would be really strange if true.

[Steve-H]

Alan,
Thanks for the help. Correct me if Im wrong - but wouldn't the system default back to the 'Set Antisync' for the times between 06:59 and 19:01 ?
As far as what I am observing - (in sitting here watching the pump displays), the pumps right now are on the .5s pulse, AntiSync (meaning the one pump is on; while the other is off). After about a period of 5 minuts or so, the pumps will sync (when they are both on at the same time) for about a minute - then go back to AntiSync and the process starts over again.
Maybe I need to clearly define the 24h period and get rid of the 'Set AntiSync' statement ? I just didn't have this issue with the first program...

Thanks again,

[Steve-H]

No, that doesn't help.

I programmed the slave as:

If Time 05:00 to 06:59 Then Sync
If Time 07:00 to 19:00 Then AntiSync
If Time 19:01 to 21:00 Then Sync
If Time 21:01 to 04:59 Then AntiSync


And the pumps are still syncing for the brief period of time....
Another interesting item is that its on a specific schedule..The pumps will Antisync for 90 cycles, then Sync for 30, then Antisync for 90 cycles, etc....Sounds like something sure isn't right...

[aquamanic]

Can you copy/paste your profiles here? Also, do you have an oscillate (OSC) statement anywhere?

[Steve-H]

Sure...

Profiles
Profile Name: 0.50 Puls
Control Type: Vortech
Vortech Type: Pulse
On Time (Seconds): 0.50
Maximum Intensity: 65
Master Pump: VortechLower

Profile Name: ReefCrst
Control Type: Vortech
Vortech Type: ReefCrest
On Time (Seconds):
Maximum Intensity: 55
Master Pump: VortechLower

Profile Name: Tide
Control Type: Vortech
Vortech Type: Tidal Swell
On Time (Seconds):
Maximum Intensity: 55
Master Pump: VortechLower

Profile Name: Sync
Control Type: Vortech
Vortech Type: Sync
On Time (Seconds):
Maximum Intensity: 100
Master Pump: VortechLower

Profile Name: AntiSync
Control Type: Vortech
Vortech Type: Anti-Sync
On Time (Seconds):
Maximum Intensity: 100
Master Pump: VortechLower

Outlet Configuration

VortechLower
Fallback 0.50Puls
If Time 05:00 to 06:59 Then Tide
If Time 07:00 to 19:00 Then 0.50Puls
If Time 19:01 to 21:00 Then Tide
If Time 21:01 to 04:59 Then ReefCrst

VortechUpper
If Time 05:00 to 06:59 Then Sync
If Time 07:00 to 19:00 Then AntiSync
If Time 19:01 to 21:00 Then Sync
If Time 21:01 to 04:59 Then AntiSync

[Steve-H]

Any thoughts ?

[aquamanic]

Still feels like there's a program issue someplace. Your profiles look fine to me but the regular pattern of sync - anti-sync - sync is strange.

If you go back to that original program where you said it was working correctly, does the problem go away (you can backup your program/profiles first and just name the file something unique and put it on your desktop, then restore it when you want).

[Steve-H]

Alan,
I went back to the old program...and now it is doing the same cycle (antisync; then syncing for a little). I totally deleted the pumps and the WXM and started over...Its still doing it.
I've since emailed Neptune to see what they say.

Thanks,
Steve

[aquamanic]

Been at the beach for the weekend. Did you get a response from Neptune?

[Steve-H]

Alan,
I did - but have not had the chance to implement their suggestion. Here is the email from Curt:

"I haven't seen the issue you are describing before, but this firmware does fix a bug in the eocsmart pumps. From my understanding of the bug it is not what you are seeing, but they may be related. We have not integrated the new ecosmart firmware into our firmware release but you can install it on your pump. Enclosed is the pumps firmware. First download and extract the 4.03 Apex firmware from the support -> downloads web page. In the www folder put the ecosmart.etm file which is enclosed in this zip file. Then update the web pages in the AquaController using the Apex flash utility. Then you will need to follow the steps to update the ecosmart driver to revision 1.06 (see the WXM manual)."

I was given firmware update 1.06 for the pumps. Hopefully tomorrow I can manage to get out of work and update the pumps...I'll report back...