Digital Aquatics Archon Owners Thread

[crs751]

Should say Sol.

[elmexotics]

coming soon....

[cardinalfish78]

I tried logging in to my Archon this afternoon, and I keep getting a "connection reset" message. I can see it on my network map, and I can ping it, but I cant get to the web page. Does anyone know of anything I can do before I do a reset on the Archon that might help diagnose why its not responding? Does it log the problem when you shut it down and restart it? I am running the latest 1.09.31 and 1.08.9 firmware, so I thought that was supposed to fix the problem.

[janes_mw]

Originally Posted by cardinalfish78

I tried logging in to my Archon this afternoon, and I keep getting a "connection reset" message. I can see it on my network map, and I can ping it, but I cant get to the web page. Does anyone know of anything I can do before I do a reset on the Archon that might help diagnose why its not responding? Does it log the problem when you shut it down and restart it? I am running the latest 1.09.31 and 1.08.9 firmware, so I thought that was supposed to fix the problem.

Funny (not really), mine lost communication this afternoon as well around 3:30PM EST. hummmmm

[n2585722]

Mine messed up the other day but i was rearranging things and when I moved a couple of PC4's around it went nuts. It ended up being a connector on a buss cable. I changed out the connector and it has been OK since then. It is not any fun trying to find something like that when it just happens. Luckily it it did this when i was there moving things. It kinda narrows down what to focus on.

[Arnok666]

wired or wireless? port scans reporting anything? does advance ip scanner report as "protected ( Dynon instruments) when you scan the archon ip?

sounds like an apache issue.. have you tried multiple browswers?
try restarting the http service .. or the archon ..

[cardinalfish78]

To be honest with you Arnok, I just don't believe I should have to perform any of the functions that you mention. I didn't buy this thing to debug it, I bought it to use it as advertised, and so far it don't come close to that.
I still cant access it from outside my own network without signing up with Dyndns. I cant assign my own personal name and password to it. to use the switch inputs I have to either buy another device, or monkey around with some Ethernet cable. The web interface still locks up with no explanation. And where in the world is all this open source modifications that was supposed to happen? The only thing I see is changing the background picture (woopty doo)
My latest complaint, all though it has been happening for quite a while, is the fact that whenever we have a "power glitch" (defined as a 1 to 2 second power outage) my skimmer shuts down. I have the foam pump plugged in to PC4 #1, and the Circ pump in #2. When the glitch occurs, the circ keeps running, but the foam stops and becomes an input. See The attached pictures.

If DA (not the beta testers) doesn't come out with some kind of statement outlining a time frame for the promised updates, I'm going to throw this crap in the garbage and move on!

[Arnok666]

mine did what yours did .. no response to pings etc.. could telnet and ssh to it but no reboot command worked,, it just shut it down ..


No worries.. i kinda have similar feelings, it is a very new piece of tech and the one thing about open source, is you need devs to code for it .. not to mention you can follow any standard you want with open source.. or none at all. when the device reboots i have ot log in with IE first then i can use Chrome.. but i HAVE to udr IE first before it even prompts for creds...

I expected more .. a manual in the box, a power adapter, working celcius temperatures.. i even paid USD for this thing when the CDN is low... not to mention shipping and duties..

everything else ended up being more $$ and didn't have wireless out of the box.
you can always see if your ISP can assign a static IP ( mine did )
If my internet had been down i would have looked at this thing and went W.T.F... and i have had to do ALOT of reading on it, and asking questions in the DA support forums.
i believe the skimmer has an Auto start delay, or at least i set mine to a delay.. i am still shocked that my heater doesn't even turn on when the device is set to celcius.. i will be getting a UPS for this thing simply for peace of mind. so far i have been up for 98 hours now..

[n2585722]

Arnok666 did it work when you switched it from celcius? If so I need to let Eric know. Also Firefox and Safari work best with the Archon. FYI, Asus does offer a ddns service with at lest some of their routers. I have one that does and it works great.

[Arnok666]

Still waiting N25 .... i posted on the support forums..
Apple doesn't do Safari for Win anymore.. and my Firefox has noscript installed so i only use that for surfing .. as it blacklists everything and it is up to the user to whitelist specific sites..
So i didn't want to through another wrench into the Archon config.. as noscript can cause some headaches for good sites..

Do you think the browser could be f'n up my temps? my temp alarms kept firing off readings to my email in F not C even though it was set to C

You guys need to join the rest of the world in Harmony with a temperature scale that makes sense lol
Freeze at 0 boil at 100 ..
the whole brine thing is sooooo 1800s...

[n2585722]

Originally Posted by Arnok666

You guys need to join the rest of the world in Harmony with a temperature scale that makes sense lol
Freeze at 0 boil at 100 ..
the whole brine thing is sooooo 1800s...

Well after using F instead of C for 62 years it would be hard for me to change. In fact where I work we have some tools that were made in England. Those things or so backwards to me it crazy. I have to figure out what I think the right answer should be when it ask a question and give the oppisite answer. When you want to open the door you have to tell it to close the door and the oppisite to close the door. We have american designed tools also and I have no issues with them.

[SoloGarth]

They still have not fixed the name and password issue? I kind of feel like they made a new interface for the same old myReef control. I am not trying to be overly negative but I feel the product is being misrepresented which is resulting in many dissatisfied customers.

[Arnok666]

Originally Posted by n2585722

Well after using F instead of C for 62 years it would be hard for me to change. In fact where I work we have some tools that were made in England. Those things or so backwards to me it crazy. I have to figure out what I think the right answer should be when it ask a question and give the oppisite answer. When you want to open the door you have to tell it to close the door and the oppisite to close the door. We have american designed tools also and I have no issues with them.

Well, Canada is part of North America also ...
It is kinda funny, the place where i work sells US made boats and so they are all used to it, but i had to special order a Metric tape for shipping .. it is kind of a blessing, as no one steals it.
one of these days the world will standardize on something.. other than arabic numerals..

[Arnok666]

Originally Posted by SoloGarth

They still have not fixed the name and password issue? I kind of feel like they made a new interface for the same old myReef control. I am not trying to be overly negative but I feel the product is being misrepresented which is resulting in many dissatisfied customers.

Funny that you say that ..
I definitely did not realize this thing was so new.. i saw it, got excited and saw everything i needed for my tank ( cept PAR meter) and plunged in head first.. ordered up a bunch of stuff(modules, bus cables, probes, switches, LED controller cables) and i am Still trying to get it setup the way i want it.(87.45% there) thanks to the DAteam for the help, kudos are definitely due.

When talking to the local marine shops, they havn't even heard of it before..(and all of them let their DA stocks empty due to some Canadian distributor switching to strictly horticulture products) in their eyes i am the only guy north of the states(i better not be) with this thing, so they can't help..

I am definately enjoying the challenge, after the initial disappointment and realization of the exchange rate(cost more), i realized i made an investment and will stick with it until i win the lotto. For me it is sometimes exciting to go through the growing pains of a new system. i guess it feels like more of an accomplishment.. if it was easy.. what would we learn?
After being an owner for 2 weeks, i have only thought about returning it once.. well twice now, but that's because i am writing about it, so it shouldn't count.
As long as support stays up i'll keep it.

[j0359m]

I am a RKE owner with several modules, probes & accessories that would like to upgrade to the Archon controller. My question is: are the RKE modules & probes compatible with the Archon as stated in the last line below?

What can Archon do for you?
Archon gives you the ability to fully automate your home aquarium, greatly reducing the time needed for daily maintenance tasks and providing better peace of mind when you’re on the road.

– Multiple selectable inputs for pH and/or ORP
– 4 bus ports for connection to Archon modules
– 4 individual 0-10V outputs for lighting, dimmable ballasts, and pump control
– 4 ports for switch inputs or triggers
– 2 ports for PWM dimming control for LED lighting
– Easy firmware updating via wireless connection
– Compatibility with existing Digital Aquatics modules

[n2585722]

List the modules you have and we will let you know which ones are currently supported and which are not at this time. Most of them are. The NET module for example is not currently supported but is not needed since net services is built into the controller.

[j0359m]

ok thanks for the response guys, I have 3 PC4's, SL2v2, SL1, APC, MLC, 2 Temp Probes, 2 pH probes, Salinity probe & the NET module

[n2585722]

Originally Posted by j0359m

ok thanks for the response guys, I have 3 PC4's, SL2v2, SL1, APC, MLC, 2 Temp Probes, 2 pH probes, Salinity probe & the NET module

The NET is the only module on that list that won't work with the Archon at this time. The SL2 and APC may not be needed but they do work with the system. FYI, the head unit does not work with the Archon at this time. They do plan to use the head unit as a remote display in the future with a firmware update. The SID will not work with the system either. You can still use it on a individual module to do a firmware update, but this will not be needed when the Archon firmware for the modules is released. In the mean time the modules do work with the current RKE firmware on the Archon.

[shellsea]

Originally Posted by j0359m

ok thanks for the response guys, I have 3 PC4's, SL2v2, SL1, APC, MLC, 2 Temp Probes, 2 pH probes, Salinity probe & the NET module

j0359m, be sure to check out the hints and tips on the DA Support forum. You will want to read "using old PC4's w/ Archon.

[j0359m]

Originally Posted by n2585722

The NET is the only module on that list that won't work with the Archon at this time. The SL2 and APC may not be needed but they do work with the system. FYI, the head unit does not work with the Archon at this time. They do plan to use the head unit as a remote display in the future with a firmware update. The SID will not work with the system either. You can still use it on a individual module to do a firmware update, but this will not be needed when the Archon firmware for the modules is released. In the mean time the modules do work with the current RKE firmware on the Archon.

so are you saying the Archon controller has all the inputs & outputs required to run a system? SL2 & APC may not be needed? what manages controllable Tunze pumps then? & my probes are molex not RJ11 so new ones would be required then? sounds like I should stick with what I have unless I want to invest $$$$ all over again

[shellsea]

The SL2 & APC do work with the Archon. I use my APC still but I could run Tunze through Archon if desired. I use molex probe with SL1 and new one w/ Archon for redundancy. I can tell you that the Archon is awesome, a learning curve for me but not that bad and once you use it and work with it you will never want to go back to the RKE except as a remote display which is in the works.

[n2585722]

The Archon has two probe inputs that can be either pH or ORP. It also has 4 switch inputs and an iTemp input. If you use that input you will need an iTemp probe. There are 2 0-10 v outputs that have RJ plugs that are the same as the output on the APC if I am not mistaken. You can still use thr APC if you prefer. The SL1 has a pH and ORP port and 2 switch inputs it is not isolated. The ones on the Archon are isolated. You will want the SL2v2 for the salinity port. It will also need a temp probe for the salinity port. I would suggest getting the IOE module. This is the breakout box for the two RJ45 connectors which have the 4 switch inputs, 2 0-10v outputs and 2 PWM outputs. If you plan to use these the IOE makes it simple to connect up to the individule ports. It has a push terminal wire interface so your wires do not need connectors to connect. Only the RJ45 inputs do. It comes with two cables for these. You can still use your SL1 if you choose too.

[j0359m]

Originally Posted by shellsea

j0359m, be sure to check out the hints and tips on the DA Support forum. You will want to read "using old PC4's w/ Archon.

I'll check the hints & tips out....thanks

[Pickupman66]

Fwiw, I use my apc to control mh jebao pumps thru the archon. Works perfectly and then I use the 4 0-10v ports to control my reef radiance led. You will need pc4 modules to control any outlet devices like skimmers and heaters.

[FlyingFishSKYw]

I'm looking into getting a couple Reef Radiance units. How do you have them hooked to your Archon?