AC3 Best practices - Page 2

gogatsbj · 09/04/2008, 01:36 PM

for what it is worth here is my program
If Time > 11:00 Then HD1 ON
If Time > 11:30 Then HD2 ON
If Time > 18:00 Then HD1 OFF
If Time > 18:30 Then HD2 OFF
If Sun 040/000 Then PC1 ON
If Sun 000/040 Then PC2 ON
If Temp < 79.7 Then HEA ON
If Temp > 80.0 Then HEA OFF
If Temp < 75.0 Then HEA OFF
If Temp > 85.0 Then HD1 OFF
If Temp > 85.0 Then HD2 OFF
If Temp > 80.5 Then SFA ON
If Temp < 80.0 Then SFA OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then VT1 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then VT2 ON
If Sun 000/000 Then HFA ON
If Time > 23:30 Then RHD ON
If Time > 06:30 Then RHD OFF
If Time > 23:00 Then RPC ON
If Time > 06:30 Then RPC OFF
If Time > 01:00 Then SHD ON
If Time > 05:00 Then SHD OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PHC ON
If Time > 00:00 Then CAR ON
If Time > 00:00 Then AqL ON
If Time > 00:00 Then FLU ON
If Time > 00:00 Then RTN ON
If Time > 00:00 Then VT1 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then VT2 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then ATO ON
If Time > 00:00 Then SKM ON
If Time > 00:00 Then SLT ON
If Time > 00:00 Then RFP ON
If Time > 00:00 Then KLK ON
If Time > 00:00 Then UVS ON
If Time > 00:00 Then SVH ON
If Time > 00:00 Then CO2 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then CaP ON
If Time > 20:00 Then PHC ON
If Time > 04:00 Then PHC OFF
If Temp < 50.0 Then HEA OFF
If Temp < 50.0 Then SFA OFF
If FeedA 000 Then VT1 OFF
If FeedA 000 Then VT2 OFF
If FeedA 000 Then RTN OFF

kenargo · 10/03/2008, 05:28 PM

Did you mean to post this in the Post your Program here thread?

kenargo · 10/16/2008, 12:21 PM

I have seen cases where opposing OSC commands end up being in sync which is why I prefer to replace code like this :

OSC 015/015 ON/OFF Then PML ON
OSC 015/015 ON/OFF Then PMU OFF

with this:

OSC 015/015 ON/OFF Then PML ON
If Timer PML = On Then PMU OFF
If Timer PML = Off Then PMU On

Padrino · 11/16/2008, 06:45 PM

Ken,
Why do people use statements like this?

If Time > 01:00 Then ALM OFF

What does this do by having it at the front of your program?

rckrzy1 · 11/20/2008, 08:57 AM

Is there a list of commands somewhere ? As in what is OSC ?

clp · 11/21/2008, 12:54 PM

See chapter 5 of the owner's manual.

Curt

WWodyz · 05/27/2009, 05:34 PM

i want to set up my lights to turn on/off on my days off from work to enjoy the tank. how do i this?

Padrino · 05/27/2009, 07:12 PM

you would need to know ur Internet IP and then you could access the Controller through the internet and then you can change or control anything you want

WWodyz · 05/27/2009, 08:33 PM

you would need to know ur Internet IP and then you could access the Controller through the internet and then you can change or control anything you want

I have the lights and all equips on timer but i want is to automatically turn on my lights on sunday and monday at diifernt hours.

RussM · 06/01/2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WWodyz

I have the lights and all equips on timer but i want is to automatically turn on my lights on sunday and monday at diifernt hours.

That's not currently possible w/ the ACjr, 3, or 3pro. The APEX does handle programing based on day of week.

hionreef · 10/26/2010, 12:21 PM

I want to use an AC extension plugged into a UPS (along with the AC3) - the extension will be plugged into outlet PH1 running a low watt powerhead. I want to have it running all the time under normal conditions but if the power goes out I want to run the following OSC - this is in case the power goes out for a long time - this may extend the time the UPS will last. Do these statements get read in order/ would this work?

OSC 005/015 ON/OFF Then PH1 ON
If Power 005 Then PH1 ON

thanks rich

kenargo · 10/26/2010, 04:58 PM

This should work; if power will take priority; did you test it; you should be able to quicky verify the functionality bu simulating a power fail?

hionreef · 10/28/2010, 07:25 PM

just tried it and it is in the off mode while power is on so it looks like the OSC prevails. i dont think it would work anyway as i dont want to have my dc8 on UPS so how will the relay for PH1 get triggered with no power?

hionreef · 10/30/2010, 12:57 PM

based on the above is there any information about precedence? ie what commands are just read in order vs TIMER trumps time or OSC trumps POWER when programming. Seems neptune would publish this somewhere which would make programming a little easier.

Emerald525 · 01/26/2011, 04:57 PM

I need a program to turn on my auto top off 4 times a day for 30 min at a time.

Can some one post a program that I can just cut and paste into the Apex advanced set up box?

Thanks!

kenargo · 02/27/2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerald525

I need a program to turn on my auto top off 4 times a day for 30 min at a time.

Can some one post a program that I can just cut and paste into the Apex advanced set up box?

Thanks!

You should start a new thread rather than using a thread about the AC3 which is a different controller but the program you can use is:

Fallback Off
OSC 000:00/030:00/330:00 Then ON

The above will turn on top off at midnight, 6 am, 12 noon and 6 pm

ToLearn · 09/05/2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenargo

You should start a new thread rather than using a thread about the AC3 which is a different controller

Can we got a mod to un-sticky the info on a discontinued product and create a new sticky on best practices for the Apex?

This forum is a good place to go for info, but when new users of the Apex turn here for help and the second thing they see is info about the Ac3...

Steveb · 10/17/2011, 07:58 PM

Why? Lots of ACJr and AC3's floating around... Maybe the title of the thread AC3 Best practices might provide a clue that this is not for an Apex....

ToLearn · 10/19/2011, 06:45 AM

Ok, leave the sticky for the 1% of people that visit this forum who still have an AC3 and need help using it. But for the other 99%...

Steveb · 10/19/2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToLearn

Ok, leave the sticky for the 1% of people that visit this forum who still have an AC3 and need help using it. But for the other 99%...

Sheesh....

What are pretty much all of the active threads in this forum about? Answer: The APEX, APEX Lite, APEX Jr.

I'm sure that with the new user guide sticky and the other 99.9% of the threads, a new APEX/APEX Lite/APEX Jr. user can most likely find the answer they seek. If not they can post and get an answer since 99% of the people out there are using the APEX (I'm using your % for argument sake, I don't agree with it).

Surely this one sticky on the older products is not such a great inconvenience to you or the other 99% that you/they can't just glide on past it while seeking the answer to an APEX family related issue. I happen to own the APEX and 2 ACJr's, so I can appreciate both sides.

Silkyslim · 02/17/2012, 01:59 AM

Thanks for leaving this up I got ac3 used from someone leaving the hobby.

Btw I like being in the 1#

janakaybravo · 04/06/2012, 01:08 PM

Can someone refer me to how to turn a light on 2 hours in the morning, off for 6 hours, and then on for two more hours? In other words, stagger the time on the same light. Would this work?

If time > 10:00 then LT 3 on
If time > 12:00 then LT 3 off
If time > 18:00 then LT 3 on
If time > 22:00 then LT 3 off.

Maybe not the exact wording on my AC3, but this is from memory. Would it work to turn the light on at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and back on at 6:00 p.m. and off at 10:00 p.m.?

Thanks so much. Kay

sps4fun · 06/08/2012, 02:27 PM

Can someone please PM me thier contact info to help me program my AC3? This is the first controller I have ever had the the user manual is like reading German. SOMEONE please help a fellow reefer out!

rlpardue · 05/01/2013, 07:44 PM

So I acquired an AC3 and am pretty happy so far. However, I'm lost on how to set up the iPhone app and aquanotes and everything.

My main question is how to update the AC3's firmware. I downloaded the "Aquacontroller 3 Firmware Revision 3.4" from the Neptune Systems site. I extracted everything. In the readme file it says to run "ac3loader.exe" but when I do that the computer starts thinking a bit, but then nothing happens. I don't see anything running in Task Manager. Any ideas what my problem is? I think I've diligently pursued self-help lol; time to ask people who know what they're doing

acer · 05/01/2015, 06:26 AM

Well. I sure am glad this thread is still up. I am getting back into the hobby and before I got out ( 3-4 years ago) I purchased a used AC3. I never had it set up - so now will try to use it. I have a AC3 controller, a breakout box, 2 DC8's, 2 small float switches and one very large float switch, and a bunch of cords that look like telephone cords some have smaller plug ends and one has a larger end plugs ends (Ethernet?). I have no idea how to use this. I know it is older tech- but if someone is still using this system and can help - it would be appreciated. Hate to just throw it away.

Thanks

10/03/2008, 05:28 PM	#27
kenargo Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 8,151	Did you mean to post this in the Post your Program here thread? __________________ Click on my name to visit my homepage and access a collection of AquaController and Apex software, tips, trick and other Q&A including a link to the 'unofficial Apex new users guide' with loads of helpful information and don't forget to put a pin in my location map. Current Tank Info: 225G, BK 300 Deluxe, Deltec PF601, Precision Marine Kalkreactor, 2-LMIII+6 pumps, SpectraPure UHE, Apex, LunarSim, Tunze 6305s. Mixed reef, clam, fish, etc.

10/16/2008, 12:21 PM	#28
kenargo Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 8,151	I have seen cases where opposing OSC commands end up being in sync which is why I prefer to replace code like this : OSC 015/015 ON/OFF Then PML ON OSC 015/015 ON/OFF Then PMU OFF with this: OSC 015/015 ON/OFF Then PML ON If Timer PML = On Then PMU OFF If Timer PML = Off Then PMU On __________________ Click on my name to visit my homepage and access a collection of AquaController and Apex software, tips, trick and other Q&A including a link to the 'unofficial Apex new users guide' with loads of helpful information and don't forget to put a pin in my location map. Current Tank Info: 225G, BK 300 Deluxe, Deltec PF601, Precision Marine Kalkreactor, 2-LMIII+6 pumps, SpectraPure UHE, Apex, LunarSim, Tunze 6305s. Mixed reef, clam, fish, etc.

05/27/2009, 05:34 PM	#32
WWodyz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rosemead Posts: 1,862	another question i want to set up my lights to turn on/off on my days off from work to enjoy the tank. how do i this?

10/26/2010, 12:21 PM	#36
hionreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 510	Power Out with OSC question I want to use an AC extension plugged into a UPS (along with the AC3) - the extension will be plugged into outlet PH1 running a low watt powerhead. I want to have it running all the time under normal conditions but if the power goes out I want to run the following OSC - this is in case the power goes out for a long time - this may extend the time the UPS will last. Do these statements get read in order/ would this work? OSC 005/015 ON/OFF Then PH1 ON If Power 005 Then PH1 ON thanks rich __________________ FYI - I hate acronyms Current Tank Info: 180g BB Starfire inwall divider 84x3wt Luxeon, 30g Fuge w/6" SB/rubble/chaeto, AquaLogicCyclone 1/4 chiller, Sequence, Drews dosers, BRS GFO/C filter, sea swirls, 2xRW15/JBWave, ACIII, DI

10/26/2010, 04:58 PM	#37
kenargo Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 8,151	This should work; if power will take priority; did you test it; you should be able to quicky verify the functionality bu simulating a power fail? __________________ Click on my name to visit my homepage and access a collection of AquaController and Apex software, tips, trick and other Q&A including a link to the 'unofficial Apex new users guide' with loads of helpful information and don't forget to put a pin in my location map. Current Tank Info: 225G, BK 300 Deluxe, Deltec PF601, Precision Marine Kalkreactor, 2-LMIII+6 pumps, SpectraPure UHE, Apex, LunarSim, Tunze 6305s. Mixed reef, clam, fish, etc.

09/04/2008, 01:36 PM	#26
gogatsbj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 71	for what it is worth here is my program If Time > 11:00 Then HD1 ON If Time > 11:30 Then HD2 ON If Time > 18:00 Then HD1 OFF If Time > 18:30 Then HD2 OFF If Sun 040/000 Then PC1 ON If Sun 000/040 Then PC2 ON If Temp < 79.7 Then HEA ON If Temp > 80.0 Then HEA OFF If Temp < 75.0 Then HEA OFF If Temp > 85.0 Then HD1 OFF If Temp > 85.0 Then HD2 OFF If Temp > 80.5 Then SFA ON If Temp < 80.0 Then SFA OFF If Time > 00:00 Then VT1 ON If Time > 00:00 Then VT2 ON If Sun 000/000 Then HFA ON If Time > 23:30 Then RHD ON If Time > 06:30 Then RHD OFF If Time > 23:00 Then RPC ON If Time > 06:30 Then RPC OFF If Time > 01:00 Then SHD ON If Time > 05:00 Then SHD OFF If Time > 00:00 Then PHC ON If Time > 00:00 Then CAR ON If Time > 00:00 Then AqL ON If Time > 00:00 Then FLU ON If Time > 00:00 Then RTN ON If Time > 00:00 Then VT1 ON If Time > 00:00 Then VT2 ON If Time > 00:00 Then ATO ON If Time > 00:00 Then SKM ON If Time > 00:00 Then SLT ON If Time > 00:00 Then RFP ON If Time > 00:00 Then KLK ON If Time > 00:00 Then UVS ON If Time > 00:00 Then SVH ON If Time > 00:00 Then CO2 ON If Time > 00:00 Then CaP ON If Time > 20:00 Then PHC ON If Time > 04:00 Then PHC OFF If Temp < 50.0 Then HEA OFF If Temp < 50.0 Then SFA OFF If FeedA 000 Then VT1 OFF If FeedA 000 Then VT2 OFF If FeedA 000 Then RTN OFF

11/16/2008, 06:45 PM	#29
Padrino Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,934	Ken, Why do people use statements like this? If Time > 01:00 Then ALM OFF What does this do by having it at the front of your program?

11/20/2008, 08:57 AM	#30
rckrzy1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hurst, TX Posts: 219	Is there a list of commands somewhere ? As in what is OSC ?

11/21/2008, 12:54 PM	#31
clp RC Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 4,311	See chapter 5 of the owner's manual. Curt

05/27/2009, 07:12 PM	#33
Padrino Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,934	you would need to know ur Internet IP and then you could access the Controller through the internet and then you can change or control anything you want

05/27/2009, 08:33 PM	#34
WWodyz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rosemead Posts: 1,862	you would need to know ur Internet IP and then you could access the Controller through the internet and then you can change or control anything you want I have the lights and all equips on timer but i want is to automatically turn on my lights on sunday and monday at diifernt hours.

10/28/2010, 07:25 PM	#38
hionreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 510	just tried it and it is in the off mode while power is on so it looks like the OSC prevails. i dont think it would work anyway as i dont want to have my dc8 on UPS so how will the relay for PH1 get triggered with no power? __________________ FYI - I hate acronyms Current Tank Info: 180g BB Starfire inwall divider 84x3wt Luxeon, 30g Fuge w/6" SB/rubble/chaeto, AquaLogicCyclone 1/4 chiller, Sequence, Drews dosers, BRS GFO/C filter, sea swirls, 2xRW15/JBWave, ACIII, DI

10/30/2010, 12:57 PM	#39
hionreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 510	based on the above is there any information about precedence? ie what commands are just read in order vs TIMER trumps time or OSC trumps POWER when programming. Seems neptune would publish this somewhere which would make programming a little easier. __________________ FYI - I hate acronyms Current Tank Info: 180g BB Starfire inwall divider 84x3wt Luxeon, 30g Fuge w/6" SB/rubble/chaeto, AquaLogicCyclone 1/4 chiller, Sequence, Drews dosers, BRS GFO/C filter, sea swirls, 2xRW15/JBWave, ACIII, DI

01/26/2011, 04:57 PM	#40
Emerald525 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 101	I need a program to turn on my auto top off 4 times a day for 30 min at a time. Can some one post a program that I can just cut and paste into the Apex advanced set up box? Thanks!

10/17/2011, 07:58 PM	#43
Steveb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: TX Posts: 1,090	Why? Lots of ACJr and AC3's floating around... Maybe the title of the thread AC3 Best practices might provide a clue that this is *not* for an Apex.... __________________ Steve My Tanks 50x30 ABS Tub & a 48x24 frag tank at the moment Steve's Reef 265 Build In Progress

10/19/2011, 06:45 AM	#44
ToLearn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 452	Ok, leave the sticky for the 1% of people that visit this forum who still have an AC3 and need help using it. But for the other 99%...

02/17/2012, 01:59 AM	#46
Silkyslim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NY Posts: 149	Thanks for leaving this up I got ac3 used from someone leaving the hobby. Btw I like being in the 1#

04/06/2012, 01:08 PM	#47
janakaybravo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 555	Can someone refer me to how to turn a light on 2 hours in the morning, off for 6 hours, and then on for two more hours? In other words, stagger the time on the same light. Would this work? If time > 10:00 then LT 3 on If time > 12:00 then LT 3 off If time > 18:00 then LT 3 on If time > 22:00 then LT 3 off. Maybe not the exact wording on my AC3, but this is from memory. Would it work to turn the light on at 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and back on at 6:00 p.m. and off at 10:00 p.m.? Thanks so much. Kay __________________ Kay Current Tank Info: 290 gallon AGE reef tank, QT

06/08/2012, 02:27 PM	#48
sps4fun Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1	Can someone please PM me thier contact info to help me program my AC3? This is the first controller I have ever had the the user manual is like reading German. SOMEONE please help a fellow reefer out!

05/01/2013, 07:44 PM	#49
rlpardue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 560	So I acquired an AC3 and am pretty happy so far. However, I'm lost on how to set up the iPhone app and aquanotes and everything. My main question is how to update the AC3's firmware. I downloaded the "Aquacontroller 3 Firmware Revision 3.4" from the Neptune Systems site. I extracted everything. In the readme file it says to run "ac3loader.exe" but when I do that the computer starts thinking a bit, but then nothing happens. I don't see anything running in Task Manager. Any ideas what my problem is? I think I've diligently pursued self-help lol; time to ask people who know what they're doing __________________ Lee 5x2x2 Build In Progress (near completion!) Current Tank Info: 5-foot 150g

05/01/2015, 06:26 AM	#50
acer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: pittsburgh,pa Posts: 2,612	Well. I sure am glad this thread is still up. I am getting back into the hobby and before I got out ( 3-4 years ago) I purchased a used AC3. I never had it set up - so now will try to use it. I have a AC3 controller, a breakout box, 2 DC8's, 2 small float switches and one very large float switch, and a bunch of cords that look like telephone cords some have smaller plug ends and one has a larger end plugs ends (Ethernet?). I have no idea how to use this. I know it is older tech- but if someone is still using this system and can help - it would be appreciated. Hate to just throw it away. Thanks