Reefkeeper, low voltage equipment/voltages?

enveetie · 02/20/2017, 07:37 PM

So I'm aware the PC4 power bar on the Reefkeeper controller has different relays on the outer outlets, banks 1 & 4, which low voltage equipment should be using.

I found my Aqua Lifter pump wasn't shutting off because it was plugged into banks 2/3 instead of 1/4.

My question is, what qualifies as equipment that should be used on outlets 1 & 4 to ensure they turn on and off properly? Power heads? Heaters? TIA

n2585722 · 02/20/2017, 09:06 PM

It has nothing to do with voltage. It is the back EMF pulse from the pump due to loss of power that causes the triac to turn back on. I would use a surge protector with a 330 volt clamping voltage between the output and the offending pump regardless of the output used. This can happen with any of the low power pumps or inductive loads. Another alternative is using a PB4 with these pumps. They have built in protection. Also adding a non inductive load to the same output will also prevent this. Illuminated power strip liberators also work in most cases as a non inductive loads. These are cords about a foot long that were originally for allowing you to attach power bricks to a power strip by extending the output away from the strip about a foot. Hope this helps.

02/20/2017, 07:37 PM	#1
enveetie Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 84	Reefkeeper, low voltage equipment/voltages? So I'm aware the PC4 power bar on the Reefkeeper controller has different relays on the outer outlets, banks 1 & 4, which low voltage equipment should be using. I found my Aqua Lifter pump wasn't shutting off because it was plugged into banks 2/3 instead of 1/4. My question is, what qualifies as equipment that should be used on outlets 1 & 4 to ensure they turn on and off properly? Power heads? Heaters? TIA

02/20/2017, 09:06 PM	#2
n2585722 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Tx Posts: 1,072	It has nothing to do with voltage. It is the back EMF pulse from the pump due to loss of power that causes the triac to turn back on. I would use a surge protector with a 330 volt clamping voltage between the output and the offending pump regardless of the output used. This can happen with any of the low power pumps or inductive loads. Another alternative is using a PB4 with these pumps. They have built in protection. Also adding a non inductive load to the same output will also prevent this. Illuminated power strip liberators also work in most cases as a non inductive loads. These are cords about a foot long that were originally for allowing you to attach power bricks to a power strip by extending the output away from the strip about a foot. Hope this helps.