Neptune aquacontroller jr.

dmbnpj · 11/11/2007, 08:23 PM

What are the differences between standard and lab grade pH probes?

To do the deal with connecting the serial port to the computer, does that mean the computer has to be close enough to the tank in order to connect?

Mr James · 11/11/2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

by dmbnpj
What are the differences between standard and lab grade pH probes?

Nothing as far as I have heard. I got the standard probe I think.

Quote:

by dmbnpj
To do the deal with connecting the serial port to the computer, does that mean the computer has to be close enough to the tank in order to connect?

That one, you may want to ask in the Neptune Forum

atvdave · 11/11/2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dmbnpj

To do the deal with connecting the serial port to the computer, does that mean the computer has to be close enough to the tank in order to connect?

I got a 50' cable on-line to connect my ACjr. Works fine. I don't remember where I got it but a search should get you a few on-line stores.

Scuba_Steve · 11/12/2007, 12:19 AM

Can you use a serial to rj45 cable, and connect it to a hub? Or does it have to be connected directly to the computer? Also would a serial to usb cable work? I dont have my ac jr yet, just asking in advance.

dmbnpj · 11/12/2007, 05:37 AM

Yah my problem is my computer and tank are across the house from each other. Tank is downstairs and computer is upstairs.

m2434 · 11/12/2007, 09:03 AM

You could try a wireless print server (sometimes marketed as "device servers") . They don't do great with continuous communication, but work well if there intermittent or intervals of transmission. I'm guessing the refresh rate isn't really fast, so it might work fine.

dmbnpj · 11/12/2007, 05:19 PM

I'm thinking this feature isnt for me

Thanks for all the input on this

atvdave · 11/12/2007, 05:57 PM

Got this from Neptune's web sight
---------------------------------------------

2. How long can the AquaController's serial cable be?

The maximum length serial cable is about 100 foot. You can buy a shielded serial extension cable at your local computer store. It should be a straight-thru cable with a male DB9 connector on one end and a female DB9 connector on the other, so that it can be directly connected to your PC and the AquaController serial cable we sell (part #SERPC9). NULL-modem cables will not work as an extension cable as their internal connections are incorrect.

If you wish to build you own extension cable pins 2, 3, 4, and 5 should be connected straight-thru on each of the DB9 connectors. Be sure to use shielded cable especially for longer cable runs.

This is what I did but my cable was only 50' long.

dmbnpj · 11/12/2007, 07:35 PM

Thanks, I wish it was remote. I just cant afford to remodel my home in order to run a wire from my computer to the tank.

dzeadow · 11/12/2007, 08:18 PM

it is able to be serial to usb, that's the way I connect it to my laptop.

dmbnpj · 11/12/2007, 08:59 PM

hmm, dzeadow. interesting. what do i need to do that?

dzeadow · 11/12/2007, 09:09 PM

First you have to have the AC's serial cableb ($15). Then I went to radio shack and got a converter.. (problem is it's like $30 or so).. but I don't have any other options here in my town for such conversions.. I'm sure something like a Fry's electronics or something would have something cheaper. Anyway, the converter comes w/ a driver disc that needs to be installed. When you go to your control panel and device manager, you should see an additional "port" (mine was COM5), once that's there, Aquanotes will recognize that port, you have to choose it as the one you want to use. So all in all, for it to work it costs about an additional $45.

dmbnpj · 11/12/2007, 09:14 PM

Is it a continuous connection so anytime I get on my computer I can access it and control the neptune controller from my computer?

dzeadow · 11/12/2007, 09:16 PM

Yeah I guess.. I use my laptop all over the place so I unplug it all the time, but I just plug it in, go to aquanotes, and bam, right there.. no additional steps. So if it was always plugged in, anytime you pulled up aquanotes you'd have what you wanted.

dmbnpj · 11/12/2007, 09:18 PM

You are a genius! Can I send you a pm so I will have you in my message list? I think I'm gonna purchase the AC Jr. this week and go ahead and get that cable with it. I'm sure I will have trouble installing it so I could use your help if you dont mind?

dzeadow · 11/12/2007, 09:29 PM

Sure, no problem. It's a great little device. I don't use the link on the CPU too often, but feel free to PM any questions, hopefully I can answer!

11/11/2007, 08:23 PM	#1
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	Neptune aquacontroller jr. What are the differences between standard and lab grade pH probes? To do the deal with connecting the serial port to the computer, does that mean the computer has to be close enough to the tank in order to connect?

11/12/2007, 12:19 AM	#4
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	Can you use a serial to rj45 cable, and connect it to a hub? Or does it have to be connected directly to the computer? Also would a serial to usb cable work? I dont have my ac jr yet, just asking in advance. __________________ 40g DIY AIO. DT Size is 27"x18"x17" SCA-301 skimmer, DIY ATS 4"x4" 1 cube setup, Ocean Revive 120w LED, Quiet One 3000, Jager 150w TBS Rock

11/12/2007, 09:03 AM	#6
m2434 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,171	You could try a wireless print server (sometimes marketed as "device servers") . They don't do great with continuous communication, but work well if there intermittent or intervals of transmission. I'm guessing the refresh rate isn't really fast, so it might work fine. __________________ Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there. ~Richard Feynman

11/12/2007, 08:18 PM	#10
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	it is able to be serial to usb, that's the way I connect it to my laptop. __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro

11/12/2007, 09:09 PM	#12
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	First you have to have the AC's serial cableb ($15). Then I went to radio shack and got a converter.. (problem is it's like $30 or so).. but I don't have any other options here in my town for such conversions.. I'm sure something like a Fry's electronics or something would have something cheaper. Anyway, the converter comes w/ a driver disc that needs to be installed. When you go to your control panel and device manager, you should see an additional "port" (mine was COM5), once that's there, Aquanotes will recognize that port, you have to choose it as the one you want to use. So all in all, for it to work it costs about an additional $45. __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro

11/12/2007, 05:37 AM	#5
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	Yah my problem is my computer and tank are across the house from each other. Tank is downstairs and computer is upstairs.

11/12/2007, 05:19 PM	#7
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	I'm thinking this feature isnt for me Thanks for all the input on this

11/12/2007, 05:57 PM	#8
atvdave Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,763	Got this from Neptune's web sight --------------------------------------------- 2. How long can the AquaController's serial cable be? The maximum length serial cable is about 100 foot. You can buy a shielded serial extension cable at your local computer store. It should be a straight-thru cable with a male DB9 connector on one end and a female DB9 connector on the other, so that it can be directly connected to your PC and the AquaController serial cable we sell (part #SERPC9). NULL-modem cables will not work as an extension cable as their internal connections are incorrect. If you wish to build you own extension cable pins 2, 3, 4, and 5 should be connected straight-thru on each of the DB9 connectors. Be sure to use shielded cable especially for longer cable runs. This is what I did but my cable was only 50' long.

11/12/2007, 07:35 PM	#9
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	Thanks, I wish it was remote. I just cant afford to remodel my home in order to run a wire from my computer to the tank.

11/12/2007, 08:59 PM	#11
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	hmm, dzeadow. interesting. what do i need to do that?

11/12/2007, 09:14 PM	#13
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	Is it a continuous connection so anytime I get on my computer I can access it and control the neptune controller from my computer?

11/12/2007, 09:16 PM	#14
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	Yeah I guess.. I use my laptop all over the place so I unplug it all the time, but I just plug it in, go to aquanotes, and bam, right there.. no additional steps. So if it was always plugged in, anytime you pulled up aquanotes you'd have what you wanted. __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro

11/12/2007, 09:18 PM	#15
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	You are a genius! Can I send you a pm so I will have you in my message list? I think I'm gonna purchase the AC Jr. this week and go ahead and get that cable with it. I'm sure I will have trouble installing it so I could use your help if you dont mind?

11/12/2007, 09:29 PM	#16
dzeadow Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2,589	Sure, no problem. It's a great little device. I don't use the link on the CPU too often, but feel free to PM any questions, hopefully I can answer! __________________ - Danny Current Tank Info: Dual 50 Breeder system, 30g custom sump/fuge, MSX200, Tank1-6x24T5 retro, Tank2-4x39T5 retro