Question for all ACII users.

[rscdragon]

Hi All, I have a question about the seasonal temp setting on the ACII. First is it nessacary to use it ? Second, How many of you use it? If not, why? If you do, Why? last, Are there any benifits to using it?

Thanks,

Rob

[JPerkins]

I'm still struggling to accept the reliability of this unit. I have the data points at every 30 minutes and occasionally I get a really ridiculous figure like 28 degrees or 3.5ph.

I don't use it for the above reason. There probably is some benefit..but the risks of a whacky reading making my heater or chiller go nuts isn't worth it until things settle out.

[rscdragon]

Are you talking about the reliablity of the ACII or the seasonal temp program?

[Geoff]

the ACII has some interesting issues. i would not give it up for the world. i changed the resend rates to the units to 1 min. just in case. because of these strange anomolies i have the main circulation pump directly plugged in.

anyway back to the question: yes i use the seasonal temp function. will i keep using it, it all depends on how i think the tank looks after a full year of using it. so far i think i will. i think it also helps save electricity on the tank. the temps for the most part follow the temp in the house. so in the summer the temp is near 80 so neither the chiller nor the heater have to work to hard and in the winner the temp is near 75 so the same holds true. i keep the house about 4-5 degrees below this, which the MH's can easily take care of that. do i think it is necessary, no way, but it is a neat bell and whistle. as you could guess i also use the seasonal light variations and moon feature.

G~

[rscdragon]

THanks Geoff, I wasn't aware of some of the issues, I guess you don't hear some much about them when there are somay good things said about the ACII.I think I will change my resend rate as well.

That answer pretty much gave me what I was looking for, thanks for the help, and if any one else has a say on this I would like to hear them too.

Rob

[Geoff]

most of the problems out there are due to X10 technology and not the problem with the ACII. there are much more expensive modules you could get that talk 2 way to make sure they are getting the correct commands. there are also boosters that can help if the commands are send from seperate circuits. there are all kinds of toys to get to help if you want to spend the money.

most do not bother me. i figure what is 1 min with a CLS off gonna due. not a whole lot. maybe a short rest for someone. or if a MH goes out, i just think of it as a big thunder cloud going over head. these are not a big deal to me, considering i have it watching the temp for me. if my chiller goes out and the temp starts rising it will turn off the MH's before real danger happens. i do not have an alarm for it, but i do have a thermometer that does if things go really , really bad.

G~

[Schwaggs]

I use both the seasonal temp and lighting features, they may not be necesary but help keep things close to real life.

To add a level of safety to my heaters, I used 2 smaller heaters (150W in my case) and lamp modules instead of appliance modules. I also set the heater's thermostat to around 81 degrees. This way they are silent and if one of the X-10 fails in the ON position, the heater's thermostat will kick off before it cooks anything. It also limits the temp just in case the ACII dies with the heater modules turned on. None of which has been required in 18mo, knock on wood...

I don't have problems with X-10 or with fluctuating readings on my ACII. fluctuating pH can be caused by not keeping the temp probe close to the pH probe and not having a grounded tank or by keeping you PC plugged in to the ACII.

[JPerkins]

Does anyone get the feeling that Aquanotes was programmed by the Marquis deSade?

[Schwaggs]

Originally posted by JPerkins
Does anyone get the feeling that Aquanotes was programmed by the Marquis deSade?

I don't know, I have not used it. If you are done with it, you can sent it to me.