Need some more help with Aquatronica level control

[craigg]

Right let me explain.

I have 2 level controls in my sump

1 = Emergency way to low for pump to operate
2 = Desired level after above ok

I have 2 pumps on a plug bar.

1 = Emergency top up (chuck that RO water in)
2 = Peri pump to add kalkwasser

Ok.

1. I think I have sussed the emergency level control and have set the pump to come on for a max of 15 mins if leel to low.

2. KAlk addition is where my head hurts.

I have set the peri plug to operate between the hours of 00.00 and 10.00 only, I have set this on the plug bar itself

I now want the kalk peri pump to come on in that operating period only for 10 mins at a time, then maybe off for 30 mins, but throughout the night until the desired level is acheived.

Is this possible and if so.......how the hell do you do it.

[wavey]

Think I got it,

In the timer function set to run from 00.00 to 10am. Then set it to run ON for 10 minutes, then of for 30 minutes, so far so good.

Set your second level sensor to run of at level 1- low, then set it to switch your kalk OFF when level switch reaches 2. This way level has no control over timer function when in low state, in high state it overrides the timer and switches kalk of.

Done this from memory, not my controller, so check it all first.

[craigg]

sounds ok, I'll have a play and see.....thanks mate.

[craigg]

right done all that, however what is now puzzling me is that even though I've set it to run between 00.00 and 10.00, its currently ON.

[craigg]

quite please in the fact that I've just tested if it stops when the correct level is acheived.....and it does.

Just need the timer sorting as I only want to dose kalk at night.

[Will]

if it becomes a problem you could just plug a digi timer ontop of the plug bar for now till you sort out the correct way to dose it :D

[~Tony~]

This is the timer setting for my Kalk dosing. On for 3 minutes every 15 minutes all through the (fish) night.
This is the PC program display. Not sure if you have the PC interface? If not it must be similar on the controller :rolleyes:

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/kalkDose.gif

[~Tony~]

Just thought: You have got the level sensor override program forcing the pump OFF when the level is HIGH, rather than forcing the pump ON when the level is LOW - I hope ?

I haven't got a level sensor, but this is my temperature program forcing the MH light OFF when the temperature is excessively HIGH. The level sensor program must be similar.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/overTemp_override.gif

[craigg]

not sure, I'll have another check tonight, its definately filling to the mark that I want and then stopping but...

its not taking account of the times or the 15 mins on 30 mins off rule.

[wavey]

You need to set the level control so it is activly switching the pump OFF. When the sensor is in the low setting, then the level control should not be active. Level takes precedent over the timer functions.

Set the level to level 2, then mark the plug you are using with the L sign, do not highlite it.

Your timer should read the times you want it to work, then an on period and an of period.

Just tried it on a empty plug, when level sensor is in L1 mode, timer highlights on chosen plug, when sensor hits L2, L sign comes on above un-highlighted plug, switching it of.

[craigg]

yep got it, working sweet now thanks ian.

Not sure I'll ever get that in my head but at least I now have a working function to crib from in future.

Craig

[craigg]

no,dont get it, thought it was working but was wrong.

[wavey]

Whats it doing?

[craigg]

I dont think it can be done:-

Let me break down what I have at the moment:-

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/control1.jpg

Now that set the time so the control should only operate between 2300pm and 1000am for 10 mins on and 30 mins off

more to follow:-

[craigg]

right an here is the 2 programs (bare in mind they are now both off to ensure it isnt pumping kalk as I've just replaced all my kalk and its still a bit milky but am happy to test)

Prog 1

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/prog1.jpg

Prog 2

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/prog1.jpg


Please note I have changed settings to off / on levels 1 and 2, think I've tried every combo now.

[wavey]

You only need one programme on the level, to switch socket D off when you reach level two.

My screen shot looks exactly the same? My timer is different, I have it set for on right now at 1 minute intervals so it makes it easier to test. When the float switch is 1, ie level low, the timer merrily switches the pri on and of every minute.

When I push the float switch down into the water, the timer sign disappears and L with an unhighlighted plug takes its place.

Ok, just set the timer exactly as yours, the float switch is out of the water. My plug has nothing on it, no logo, not highlighted, nothing. When I push the float switch into the water, the L logo comes on above the plug, but its still not highlighted as it has turned that plug of.

[wavey]

Think of it as two totally separate things.

ONE, level control, your peri pump is on all the time (its not, there is no second programme to switch it on), but when float switch is in the high position, it switches of. Carry out that programme(level to switch of at 2), check and forget!

TWO, kalk dosing, only at night, so you set a timer for the hours you want the pump to run (23.00 to 10.00) but only 10 min in every 40, so set it on 10min and of 30min.

That should sort it.

[craigg]

Ok this is how it looks right now cause I must me missing something:-

Plug control - set to 1800 etc so that I can test it NOW

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/control.jpg

And this is the level control now with only one program!

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/control2.jpg


Even with all this, and the water level being low (I emptied some), the pump is not on, which I recon it should be.

Craig

[wavey]

What happens when you push the float switch down into the water?

[wavey]

Also, what state is above the plug, the timer logo or the level?

[craigg]

something weird happening, as I just looked behind me and its working, with the settings above.

I'll just play with the float a mo and see if it goes off and on

[craigg]

right I pushed the float into the water.....which switched the pump off...GREAT

BUT

now its out the water, it aint come back on!!

Could there be some sort of delay?

[craigg]

the state is currently the CLOCK

[wavey]

But are you in the 10 minute on period or the 30 minute of period?

[craigg]

ahh maybe thats it, maybe I wrongly assumed that it resets

[wavey]

Good this, finally getting my post count up! 4years as a member and only 140 posts, shame on me!

[wavey]

Yes, the timer function will continue to run in the back ground.

[craigg]

lol, I think it may be sussed then, as I now have it as you suggest, I will see if it starts again in the next 30 mins and then goes off after 10.

At which point I'll set the timer back to 2300.

Thanks Ian, its a great device with great support, whats worse is I'm a techie, but then video recoders always did my head in, even the video plus I managed to break.

[wavey]

So can I get my peri pump back to doing what its supposed to now! LOL!

[craigg]

hehe, I guess so....thanks.

I hope

[Will]

round of applause for high levels of customer service !!!