Question about ACJR / DC8

nevolved · 04-09-2008, 08:43 AM

Hey everyone,

I plan on attaching this to a computer via the serial port, which will be connected to the internet. I will be able to remotely access my computer (via Symantec PC Anywhere). My question is, can the ACJR then be accessed and controlled? It would seem that this would make the AC3 ethernet connection pointless.

Thanks,

Nathan

(I want to be able to check temp/ph, change settings, etc)

kwdelre · 04-09-2008, 10:18 AM

Sounds cool...makes me want to set up a webcame

raskal311 · 04-09-2008, 11:13 AM

Neptune has a sponsor forum on Reefcentral.com, I'd try asking there.

crvz · 04-09-2008, 11:35 AM

I'm not sure how the serial connection on the ACjr works, but I think it's for data and programming, not necessarily controlling. Call or email Neptune, though, they've been rather helpful.

And I wouldnt say that it would make the network control useless on the AC3, only in your application! For those that dont have (or chose not to) control over their computers remotely, the simple AC3 interface is quite awesome (speaking from experience).

kwdelre · 04-09-2008, 11:43 AM

What aspects of your tank can you actually control though?

jamessp01 · 04-09-2008, 12:09 PM

not sure what you mean,

You can controll anything that can be turned on or off. Depending on which AC you have (ACjr,ACIII,ACIIIPro) you can make decisions on whats on or off based on time, temp, pH, ORP, DO, conductivity, or the condition of a switch (open/closed), and combinations of the above.

For example my topoff is controlled by my ACIII, Its on or off based on the condition of the float swich, then depending on pH I either add kalk or plain ro/di for topoff. adding the kalk is also based on when it last was stirred, if it was stirred in the last 40 minutes the topoff wont come on untill 40 minutes has elapsed.

For controlling things remotly, thats more of an emergency thing IMO, say you login remotly and see your pH is reading 2, or something that obviously indicates you pH reading is incorrect, you can manually turn off your topoff so your pH does not go sky high.

kwdelre · 04-09-2008, 12:49 PM

your setup sounds sweet. Do you have any pics of your auto top off?

jamessp01 · 04-09-2008, 01:07 PM

no, no pics atm, its pretty simple though. I have a doseing pump that pulls from a RO/DI resevior, it goes to a T, after the T, each line has a solinoid valve, one leading to the kalk stirrer and another straight to the sump.
CA2 is the solinoid that leads to the kalk stirrer
H2O is the solinoid that goes straight to the sump
STR is the stirring pump on the kalk reactor.
WTR is the doseing pump

If Time > 00:00 Then CA2 OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then H2O OFF
If Time > 09:00 Then STR ON
If Time > 09:05 Then STR OFF
If Time > 16:00 Then STR ON
If Time > 16:05 Then STR OFF
If Timer STR = ON Then DT1 ON
If Timer STR = OFF Then DT1 OFF
Max Change 045 M Then DT1 ON
If pH < 08.40 Then CA2 ON
If Timer CA2 = OFF Then H2O ON
If Switch1 CLOSED Then WTR ON
Max Change 030 M Then WTR OFF
If Timer DT1 = ON Then WTR OFF
If Switch1 OPEN Then WTR OFF
If pH > 08.39 Then CA2 OFF
If Timer DT1 = ON Then H2O OFF
If Timer DT1 = ON Then CA2 OFF
If Timer WTR = OFF Then H2O OFF
If Timer WTR = OFF Then CA2 OFF

kwdelre · 04-09-2008, 01:18 PM

Im sure it may be simple for you since you look at it everyday, but I am completely lost.

Where do you house all of this equipment?

jamessp01 · 04-09-2008, 01:24 PM

well, a portion of my basement is a tangle of wires and tubeing ATM.

If I were to show a pic of that it would look REALLY confusing.

I keep telling myself Im going to clean it all up and make it look neat, but needless to say, i have not done that yet. I just steer clear of pictures of Hops wetroom, so I dont get too depressed.