Belly up Controller - aaarggh!!

[Andy_T]

Hi,

General Rant more than anything else :mad:
I bought an aquatronica 18 months ago to control a korallin calcium reactor and after some time eventually got it set up and running.
The peri pump in use was a variable speed williamson model and to say it was unreliable was an understatement. If I mounted it one way it wouldn't work at all. Anyway, fast forward 12 months and the peri pump is dying - it was taken apart, cleaned but got to the stage where even on full tilt it wouldn't rotate and pump anything. So I decided to replace it with a different model that could be controlled by the aquatronica. The LFS I use is not that local and quite new but very impressive, so I asked their opinion, explaining what I wanted and ended up with a choice of two, including the aquatronica triple set. However at £230 it was expensive and the alternative was a twin unit £100 cheaper so went for that, having been told it was suitable for use with the aquatronica. A week later I was told that the unit I wanted wasn't suitable for use with the aquatronica after all which left me with the choice of Aquatronica or nothing. After a week thinking the LFS and I came to a deal, so I paid a bit more and got the aquatronica pumps. Got them home and plugged them in and lo and behold - nothing. Pumps not recognised. Rang up the LFS who didn't know what the problem was. Another week passes and I find that the issue is probably the software on the Controller - needs updating and requires the PC interface kit. OK says I, can you get me a software kit (more Money). Another week before it gets to the LFS who then post it to me. When I first started persuing this project I also asked for a level sensor and interface so I can set up an auto top up system also using the aquatronica. When I next went down to the LFS to get the sensor plus some other items I'd ordered (some time ago) I find that its been sold to someone else by mistake.
So I get home tonight (I work away during the week) to find all the bits finally here - even an RS232 - USB adapter :thumbsup: .
Install the software, flash it up and plug in the usb cable and connect -YES!
The software then asks if I want to update to version 3 so I think I'll install 3 before version 4 to make sure all ok.
System is busy uploading the new firmware when something in the software glitches and my PC reboots - Disaster :eek:
Now I have no controller - it is completely dead and guess what - Its Friday evening. And I still haven't got the Calcium Reactor up and running!
I am SOOO frustrated :mad: :mad: :mad:

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions please feel free to comment! :thanks:

Sorry for the epic but it helps!

Regards

Andy

[jobr]

Do a system restore on the controller. Then update the software via the aquatronica site as opposed to the link in the program.

[Swimmingwiththefishes]

I've got no words of wisdom but i feel your pain!
Alan

[Will]

leave it unplugged for 24 hours {they need to build a reset button imo you cant have no controller for 24 hours what a pita}

[Andy_T]

Thanks for the posts.:thanks:

After some period in limbo the system has been resurrested from what I thought was going to be a new controller at least.
I spent some hours last night (until well after midnight - not good for your marriage when your other half has had to put up with you going on all evening about this) and eventually tracked down a solution on the aquatronica site under the FAQs heading. Says that an interrupted firmware update can be recovered by forcing the system to update from the file menu - update link.
Anyway I tried it a number of times but nothing. The system was always telling me the connection (between PC and controller) could not be established. So I reread the ACQ 221 (usb - RS232 adaptor) blurb and it stated that the software should establish on COM 3. Mine was by now on COM 6. I also found that the COM port could be set using the aquatronica windows software - it is by default on "automatic". So by resetting the PC COM port to 3 and setting the aquatronica to COM 3 I finally got the two to communicate. I had by now also installed the latest software, but even so it took 3 attempts and system reboots during the process before the firmware finally updsted itself. Other than losing my settings the aquatronica is now working fine. I am now in the process of setting the calcium reactor to work! :dance:
What caused the glitch? I have no idea, but if it happens to any one else then just to say all is not lost (just the settings ;) )

Regards

Andy

[Andy_T]

One final question - would someone mind explaining how you do a system restore on the controller? A number of threads have mentioned it but I have not seen how anywhere.

Many Thanks

Andy

[jobr]

The instructions are worth printing a hard copy off, you will find far more info / detail in these than in the ones supplied with the unit. Then once a month its worth a quick check to see if anything has changed / been updated.

You will find info on things that most people don't know about / use and thus aren't using the unit to its full potential.

http://www.aquatronica.com/pdf_download/eng/ISACQ001UK-3.pdf

[wookie7062]

Same thing happened to my controller when upgrading. The forced firmware update solved the issues.