Controllers

nycreef · 08-06-2006, 08:56 AM

I was wondering if anyone here has a controller which can be accessed from the internet or a phone. I am away at times for a few days and would like to not only safeguard my system but know whats going on there while im gone. ive heard of these types of controllers and wanted to know if anyone had any experience with them.
also, I am intersested in safeguarding it in another way where as I would not overcook my tank or freeze my tank because of chiller failure. If my main pump failed I would like to somehow protect against that also. I have 8x 400watt MHs so it wouldnt be difficult for any of this to happen. I would rather have one system do it instead of purchasing two. One fpr protection and one for access from a phone or the internet. ive heard some of these systems will also call you if anything goes terribly wrong like temp drop or rise, pump failure ect. Shine in and let me know what you all think and what products are best. price does not matter.

nycreef · 08-06-2006, 06:05 PM

guess im all alone on this one.

whatevva · 08-06-2006, 06:09 PM

The AC III can host a web page, and be hooked up via Ethernet to a PC. I have not physically DONE the web page because when it comes to this stuff, I'm network stupid. I had to call in an IT guy just to get the controller to talk! (But it's my fault, not the controller's)

skeety · 08-08-2006, 07:35 AM

Your best bet is to look into X10 systems (anyone...is that right?)

I believe these work through your normal everyday electrical wiring in your house. But they send really small surges through that get recognized by X10 devices and allow you to turn almost anything on/off. Most X10 systems can be set up to monitor/control everything via the computer.

Geoff · 08-08-2006, 08:40 AM

i run an Aquacontroller II. it is a bit old so it does not have all of the web bells and wistles that the newer controllers do. i really like the thing. makes things so much easier to keep track of.

i did loose 90% of my critters a while back when i was on vacation. i had an X10 RF converter go haywire and flood the house with noise. it blocked all commands from the controller. it happened with the lights on, which in and of itself could not be a problem, but it was the blocking of the temp controllers that did it. i was not able to tell if he chiller or the heater was stock on or off. either way the temp went funky and nearly lost everything.

no system is error proof. i honestly have no idea how to safeguard against something like that in the future. not sure if web controll would do anything for this. it would let you know something was amiss, but it took me several days to actually nail the problem down.

G~

nycreef · 08-08-2006, 01:16 PM

I think the more automation you have the more of a risk you run similar to your situation and many others ive heard of. What I would say is ideal is a system that would notify you in case of temp loss or gain, pump failure or water leakage with no fix for any of them but to just notify you via phone, sms message or email. I do know some systems will shut lights down if the heat build up is too high in the tank but for me with 8x400 wat MHs and 4 rows of actinics, I dont think there is anything that can handle that kind of power load on their system. originally they were made for normal sized systems with much less lighting loads. I think there was a german company called IKS Systems which may have an alert to your phone if something goes wrong. Ill try to look in to that tonite.

Geoff · 08-08-2006, 07:58 PM

i have mine to start shutting down lights when the temp gets to high. i have several temp safe programs in the Aquacontroller, plus i have my heater set to 81 degrees. which happens to be one degree higher than the max temp of the seasonal temp program.

unfortunately the problem i had would be extremely difficult to figure out even if you had web controll. just one of those Murphy's law things that you hope to minimize.

G~

Schwaggs · 08-10-2006, 08:59 AM

Geoff, that is what I love about the Aquacontroller, you can setup many different safeguards. I have the chiller maintain the temp within .3 degrees of the setpoint. If temps get above .5, my sump fan and tank fans come on. If the temp raises above 1 degree of the setpoint, I start sequentially sutting down halides.

I too have my heaters set to 80, I also have the controller on my chiller set to 78 in the summer. This way if either of them "runaway" they won't over heat or overchill my system.

whatevva · 08-10-2006, 09:26 AM

I didn't use any X10 devices with the AC III. Too scary...I've had some past experiences with X10 . All my devices are direct connect.