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I have been running a water change system regulated by the salinity probe for a number of weeks now. http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2315863&postcount=92
I have noted a few odd fluctuations from low to high salinity which could not be explained by temp/water change dosing.
However tonight was the worst yet. Earlier today the probe was reading 36 and tonight it read read 40 which is quite worryingly high. The most that could have been dosed from the water change tank today would have been 6 litres of saltwater. This couldn't explain these readings. I took a manual reading and it was 1.028!
Do I have a faulty probe? If so how can I get a replacement. Failing that are these probes reliable enough to regulate the salinity of my system because at the moment I'm feeling doubtful. Would you suggest running two and setting an alarm if they differ by too much (is this possible?).
i suspect although never used one, that these probes are similar to redox probes, they probably need cleaning and recalibrating regularly, or maybe they arent designed for constant use, just dipping and measuring, then removing again?
I have been running a water change system regulated by the salinity probe for a number of weeks now. http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2315863&postcount=92
I have noted a few odd fluctuations from low to high salinity which could not be explained by temp/water change dosing.
However tonight was the worst yet. Earlier today the probe was reading 36 and tonight it read read 40 which is quite worryingly high. The most that could have been dosed from the water change tank today would have been 6 litres of saltwater. This couldn't explain these readings. I took a manual reading and it was 1.028!
Do I have a faulty probe? If so how can I get a replacement. Failing that are these probes reliable enough to regulate the salinity of my system because at the moment I'm feeling doubtful. Would you suggest running two and setting an alarm if they differ by too much (is this possible?).
Are you seeing the level jumping around a lot on the on the controller unit, it may be worth adjusting the signal filter to strong in the settings if this is what you see and see if this makes a difference, i had the same issues with the redox level jumping around but was all sorted by adjusting this.
Cheers for the replies guys.
Muzzy: cheers, I read about the soaking in vinegar thing but this is a newly purchased probe and it looks very clean. Still, I think it is good advice to regularly keep a eye on these and good soak now and then.
LB: I don't have that setting. I guess I will need to update the firmware. I don't have any calibration fluid for my probes - does the update still require recalibration of all probes?
Cheers for the replies guys.
Muzzy: cheers, I read about the soaking in vinegar thing but this is a newly purchased probe and it looks very clean. Still, I think it is good advice to regularly keep a eye on these and good soak now and then.
LB: I don't have that setting. I guess I will need to update the firmware. I don't have any calibration fluid for my probes - does the update still require recalibration of all probes?
You can save all your probe settings before doing the update, if you do the update you will need to either load the probe saved file or re-calibrate the probes, not sure how its done as i have not had to do this but it is in the manual, what version have you got?
It is very easy to up date firmware, just save your settings before any update then reload your settings.
Cheers
Pete
You can save all your probe settings before doing the update, if you do the update you will need to either load the probe saved file or re-calibrate the probes, not sure how its done as i have not had to do this but it is in the manual, what version have you got?
Oooh that was painful. I saved all my sensor data but the settings wouldn't save even though both firmware and software were in sync.
Downloaded the latest software (4.0.4) and that saved it.
Then downloaded 4.0.4 firmware and upgraded. Eeek. Error in transmit! I now have a nice grey brick.
Read the manual ;)
Downloaded flash utility and reflashed after setting the jumper (it really should come with a spare jumper in the device, deduct marks off GHL, I had to use an ingenuity jumper).
Reloaded and got lots of exclamation marks on device in German and lots of warnings.
Re-ran software and connected and reloaded settings (whinged but seemed to work). Reloaded sensor data. All present and correct with no bleeps or exclamations.
Anyhow thanks for the help LB - I have set that strength setting although it already seemed to be set to strong.
Now I need to test the logic on my water change (as in the logic is correct but maybe the upgraded nobbled something). I note that the salinity is still 39.7 currently (which about matches my manual reading) but it was still dosing saltwater which would not be correct. Might just take a while for the sensors to settle down.
Mad Panic signing off, wibble, wibble.
Oooh that was painful. I saved all my sensor data but the settings wouldn't save even though both firmware and software were in sync.
Downloaded the latest software (4.0.4) and that saved it.
Then downloaded 4.0.4 firmware and upgraded. Eeek. Error in transmit! I now have a nice grey brick.
Read the manual ;)
Downloaded flash utility and reflashed after setting the jumper (it really should come with a spare jumper in the device, deduct marks off GHL, I had to use an ingenuity jumper).
Reloaded and got lots of exclamation marks on device in German and lots of warnings.
Re-ran software and connected and reloaded settings (whinged but seemed to work). Reloaded sensor data. All present and correct with no bleeps or exclamations.
Anyhow thanks for the help LB - I have set that strength setting although it already seemed to be set to strong.
Now I need to test the logic on my water change (as in the logic is correct but maybe the upgraded nobbled something). I note that the salinity is still 39.7 currently (which about matches my manual reading) but it was still dosing saltwater which would not be correct. Might just take a while for the sensors to settle down.
Mad Panic signing off, wibble, wibble.
Wow, glad your sorted. :thumbsup:
Wow, glad your sorted. :thumbsup:
Almost ta :)
Ran a lod of RO in today and drained back to topup level. This has brought the reading down to about 38.5ish. I may now let the system sort itself out but will keep a keen eye on the probe readings over the next week or two.
I also moved the probe into some fast flow rather than where it was in the return section.
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