Programming Question

Carlos · 08/02/2005, 10:13 AM

Can you all take a look at this sequense of events. I want to make sure this is correct. I am currently having some problems where one of the lights (the same light) turns on and off every now and then. I went ahead and opened up the module and disabled the local control but I still have the same problem.

Also, this morning, LT1 and LT2 turned on at 10 am. Not sure why they would do that since I have it set to turn on at 11 am. The lights are on and the controller shows the lights on but program wise, they should be off.

Also, I was having real problems with LT1 module not picking up the signal from the controller even though both were in the same circuit so I changed the module settings and that seemed to have fixed the problem.

LT1$-H12
LT2$-H6
PM1#-E3
PM2#-E4
VHO$-E5
SMP%-E6
OZN%-E7
CO2%-E8
ALM&-E9
COL%-I3

If Time > 00:00 Then PM1 ON
If Time > 11:00 Then LT1 ON
If Time > 22:00 Then LT1 OFF
If Time > 11:00 Then LT2 ON
If Time > 22:00 Then LT2 OFF
If Time > 10:45 Then VHO ON
If Time > 22:15 Then VHO OFF
Max Change 030 M Then LT1 OFF
Max Change 030 M Then LT2 OFF
If Feed cycle Then PM1 OFF
If Feed cycle Then PM2 OFF
If Temp > 83.0 Then SMP ON
If Temp < 81.0 Then SMP OFF
If Temp > 85.0 Then LT1 OFF
If Temp > 85.0 Then LT2 OFF
If Time > 11:00 Then PM2 ON
If Time > 22:00 Then PM2 OFF
If ORP > 450 Then OZN OFF
If ORP < 440 Then OZN ON
If pH > 8.25 Then CO2 ON
If pH < 8.00 Then CO2 OFF
If Temp > 82.00 Then COL ON
If Temp < 80.00 Then COL OFF

Thanx in advance.

Carlos

dougc · 08/02/2005, 11:06 AM

The only thing that would turn off a light at an unscheduled time is:

If Temp > 85.0 Then LT1 OFF
If Temp > 85.0 Then LT2 OFF

This would turn off both lights, though. More likely is some sort of interference on the electrical line is triggering the X10 module. Those can be tough to track down and may require installation of filters on the offending device or appliance. A lot of trail and error there. That's why I use the direct connect modules. You could try using a different house code or channel for the light that is whacking out.

As to the lights turning on an hour early, check your tank time and clock time. They may not be set the same. I have my clock time set to the actual time, but have my tank time offset by a few hours so that the lights are on when I am home.

Carlos · 08/02/2005, 11:16 AM

Yeah,

I did change the channel code for both LTs. I changed them to H instead of E as I had it before. I dont get the constant turning on and off anymore but I did get the out of schedule turning on this morning.

I checked the times and they are all the same. Also, the lights turned on so it was not the temp > 85 code that did it.

It is so frigging weird cause at 10 am both MHs (LT1-2) went on. Everything else was working as it should have.

Very strange.

I am starting to seriously consider the direct connect. Can one use both DC and X10s at the same time?

Carlos

kattner · 08/02/2005, 01:38 PM

Yes you can use X10, DC8 and DC4HD in any combination. I use all three at once. But once you go DC8 or DC4HD, you'll never go back. Life is too short to track down X10 interference issues (and this is a pearl of wisdom from my wife).

Carlos · 08/02/2005, 08:39 PM

Sweet, thanx

Carlos

North Bay 101 · 08/06/2005, 12:23 AM

In looking at your ORP commands, these need to be tuned down a bit. When it is time clean my probe, my reading is above 430mv. I would suggest that you just monitor your ORP readings. If you are going to control the ozone reactor then I would suggest looking at having a set point around 380. Have fun and take it slow with the system.

RustySnail · 08/12/2005, 04:05 AM

You might check for correlation between the ozone unit on and problems with X-10. Ozone generators can run noisy and cause prblems with X-10; the Enaly units are seemingly incompatible with X-10.

laverda · 08/14/2005, 12:33 AM

Carlos
May I ask what these two lines are for? I would assume it is for temp change but did not see anythink indicating you could do such a thing. Is the "M" for Temp increase?
Max Change 030 M Then LT1 OFF
Max Change 030 M Then LT2 OFF

sm01 · 08/14/2005, 07:30 AM

I got a DC8 the other day, and it is the way to go! Handles everything beautifully, including sometimes troublesome IceCap ballasts. Love it.

Carlos · 08/14/2005, 09:20 AM

I am seriously thinking of switching to a DC8. The reason is that the more I research into this, I see that IC ballasts and the X10 modules are not compatible. I run all my lights on IC ballasts and the only problem I have is with the lights. While all my equipment is running on X10 modules, only the MH lights are the ones that are giving me problems. They constantly turn on or off. They constantly are off when they should be on and the opposite.

Since I see that one can run both DC8 and X10 modules, I am going to go ahead and order the DC8. I will most likely run VHOs, Chiller and one of the Tunze with X10 modules on a different circuit and then run everything else off the DC8 on a separate breaker. That should solve the problem.

I still want to be able to run X10 stuff because there are a few things that now I have set to run in case of emergency. Cannot plug everything to the DC8.

Laverda,

I guess it is a redundant statement of minutes. A friend of mine has the controller set up that way and it works. I was not about to start messing with it and checking if things work or not.

Since the controller works on minute statements, one can assume that 030 stands for 30 minutes and 060 stands for 1 hour therefore making the "M" statement redundant.

laverda · 08/14/2005, 04:14 PM

Carlos Thank you. I just saw another thread that also helped clearify it for me.

08/02/2005, 10:13 AM	#1
Carlos Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Melrose Park, IL Posts: 7,223	Programming Question Can you all take a look at this sequense of events. I want to make sure this is correct. I am currently having some problems where one of the lights (the same light) turns on and off every now and then. I went ahead and opened up the module and disabled the local control but I still have the same problem. Also, this morning, LT1 and LT2 turned on at 10 am. Not sure why they would do that since I have it set to turn on at 11 am. The lights are on and the controller shows the lights on but program wise, they should be off. Also, I was having real problems with LT1 module not picking up the signal from the controller even though both were in the same circuit so I changed the module settings and that seemed to have fixed the problem. LT1$-H12 LT2$-H6 PM1#-E3 PM2#-E4 VHO$-E5 SMP%-E6 OZN%-E7 CO2%-E8 ALM&-E9 COL%-I3 If Time > 00:00 Then PM1 ON If Time > 11:00 Then LT1 ON If Time > 22:00 Then LT1 OFF If Time > 11:00 Then LT2 ON If Time > 22:00 Then LT2 OFF If Time > 10:45 Then VHO ON If Time > 22:15 Then VHO OFF Max Change 030 M Then LT1 OFF Max Change 030 M Then LT2 OFF If Feed cycle Then PM1 OFF If Feed cycle Then PM2 OFF If Temp > 83.0 Then SMP ON If Temp < 81.0 Then SMP OFF If Temp > 85.0 Then LT1 OFF If Temp > 85.0 Then LT2 OFF If Time > 11:00 Then PM2 ON If Time > 22:00 Then PM2 OFF If ORP > 450 Then OZN OFF If ORP < 440 Then OZN ON If pH > 8.25 Then CO2 ON If pH < 8.00 Then CO2 OFF If Temp > 82.00 Then COL ON If Temp < 80.00 Then COL OFF Thanx in advance. Carlos __________________ Carlos "Only a fool wants to hear the echo of his own voice." "What do you want for nothing? rrrrrrubber biscuit?" Current Tank Info: 300 gal system - 180 gal, 50 gal sump, 60 gal prop tank, Geo Skimmer, Geo Calcium Reactor, Aquacontroller III, 3 250 Watt HQI 14.5K Megachrome Lights

08/02/2005, 11:06 AM	#2
dougc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Cherry HIll, NJ Posts: 743	The only thing that would turn off a light at an unscheduled time is: If Temp > 85.0 Then LT1 OFF If Temp > 85.0 Then LT2 OFF This would turn off both lights, though. More likely is some sort of interference on the electrical line is triggering the X10 module. Those can be tough to track down and may require installation of filters on the offending device or appliance. A lot of trail and error there. That's why I use the direct connect modules. You could try using a different house code or channel for the light that is whacking out. As to the lights turning on an hour early, check your tank time and clock time. They may not be set the same. I have my clock time set to the actual time, but have my tank time offset by a few hours so that the lights are on when I am home. __________________ Those are my principles and if you don't like 'em I have others. Current Tank Info: 180g AGA RR, Ecosystem,AI SOL LEDs, Apex controller, MRC CR, Tunze 6100s, Osmolator

08/02/2005, 11:16 AM	#3
Carlos Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Melrose Park, IL Posts: 7,223	Yeah, I did change the channel code for both LTs. I changed them to H instead of E as I had it before. I dont get the constant turning on and off anymore but I did get the out of schedule turning on this morning. I checked the times and they are all the same. Also, the lights turned on so it was not the temp > 85 code that did it. It is so frigging weird cause at 10 am both MHs (LT1-2) went on. Everything else was working as it should have. Very strange. I am starting to seriously consider the direct connect. Can one use both DC and X10s at the same time? Carlos __________________ Carlos "Only a fool wants to hear the echo of his own voice." "What do you want for nothing? rrrrrrubber biscuit?" Current Tank Info: 300 gal system - 180 gal, 50 gal sump, 60 gal prop tank, Geo Skimmer, Geo Calcium Reactor, Aquacontroller III, 3 250 Watt HQI 14.5K Megachrome Lights

08/02/2005, 08:39 PM	#5
Carlos Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Melrose Park, IL Posts: 7,223	Sweet, thanx Carlos __________________ Carlos "Only a fool wants to hear the echo of his own voice." "What do you want for nothing? rrrrrrubber biscuit?" Current Tank Info: 300 gal system - 180 gal, 50 gal sump, 60 gal prop tank, Geo Skimmer, Geo Calcium Reactor, Aquacontroller III, 3 250 Watt HQI 14.5K Megachrome Lights

08/06/2005, 12:23 AM	#6
North Bay 101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 2,964	In looking at your ORP commands, these need to be tuned down a bit. When it is time clean my probe, my reading is above 430mv. I would suggest that you just monitor your ORP readings. If you are going to control the ozone reactor then I would suggest looking at having a set point around 380. Have fun and take it slow with the system. __________________ North Bay Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon reef set up 11-21-2003. Ushio AquaLite 20K DE 250 watt bulbs run on Icecap ballasts - VERY Happy.

08/02/2005, 01:38 PM	#4
kattner Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston Posts: 215	Yes you can use X10, DC8 and DC4HD in any combination. I use all three at once. But once you go DC8 or DC4HD, you'll never go back. Life is too short to track down X10 interference issues (and this is a pearl of wisdom from my wife).

08/12/2005, 04:05 AM	#7
RustySnail Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kaliförñia Posts: 1,786	You might check for correlation between the ozone unit on and problems with X-10. Ozone generators can run noisy and cause prblems with X-10; the Enaly units are seemingly incompatible with X-10. __________________ Have you checked your Alk lately? Adequate Alk level is more important than Ca level... Current Tank Info: 150g Mixed Reef- garage sump, closed loop, 300# LR, DSB, 20g Fuge, 2x 250W MH

08/14/2005, 12:33 AM	#8
laverda Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Irvine, So CA Posts: 4,950	Carlos May I ask what these two lines are for? I would assume it is for temp change but did not see anythink indicating you could do such a thing. Is the "M" for Temp increase? Max Change 030 M Then LT1 OFF Max Change 030 M Then LT2 OFF __________________ 240G reef, 24G nano reef Current Tank Info: 240g reef with light mover, 29g Cardiff, 150g propagation system.

08/14/2005, 07:30 AM	#9
sm01 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Manhattan Posts: 85	I got a DC8 the other day, and it is the way to go! Handles everything beautifully, including sometimes troublesome IceCap ballasts. Love it.

08/14/2005, 09:20 AM	#10
Carlos Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Melrose Park, IL Posts: 7,223	I am seriously thinking of switching to a DC8. The reason is that the more I research into this, I see that IC ballasts and the X10 modules are not compatible. I run all my lights on IC ballasts and the only problem I have is with the lights. While all my equipment is running on X10 modules, only the MH lights are the ones that are giving me problems. They constantly turn on or off. They constantly are off when they should be on and the opposite. Since I see that one can run both DC8 and X10 modules, I am going to go ahead and order the DC8. I will most likely run VHOs, Chiller and one of the Tunze with X10 modules on a different circuit and then run everything else off the DC8 on a separate breaker. That should solve the problem. I still want to be able to run X10 stuff because there are a few things that now I have set to run in case of emergency. Cannot plug everything to the DC8. Laverda, I guess it is a redundant statement of minutes. A friend of mine has the controller set up that way and it works. I was not about to start messing with it and checking if things work or not. Since the controller works on minute statements, one can assume that 030 stands for 30 minutes and 060 stands for 1 hour therefore making the "M" statement redundant. __________________ Carlos "Only a fool wants to hear the echo of his own voice." "What do you want for nothing? rrrrrrubber biscuit?" Current Tank Info: 300 gal system - 180 gal, 50 gal sump, 60 gal prop tank, Geo Skimmer, Geo Calcium Reactor, Aquacontroller III, 3 250 Watt HQI 14.5K Megachrome Lights

08/14/2005, 04:14 PM	#11
laverda Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Irvine, So CA Posts: 4,950	Carlos Thank you. I just saw another thread that also helped clearify it for me. __________________ 240G reef, 24G nano reef Current Tank Info: 240g reef with light mover, 29g Cardiff, 150g propagation system.