Seio Multiconrtoller

bjkramer · 08/16/2007, 04:58 PM

I suspect either heat or slight power drop is causing the problem.

I have Hydor 3's hooked up to a Seio Multicontroller (yeah I know not recommended).

Most magnetic impeller heads have that klacking at startup.

Most of the day the hydors work fine on the Seio.

But in the afternoon they start to klatter when on low.

Is this due to a power drop or maybe the tank warming up?

DarG · 08/16/2007, 05:36 PM

I believe it is either a voltage drop or slightly "dirty" waveform. I'm thinking that either can do it.
You are the first to post having this issue besides myself.

My solution ... I plugged the Seio into a Tripp Lite power conditioner / voltage regulator.

They only clatter once in a long while now. And when they do it usually only lasts for one or two fast/slow cycles. I think it happens now when the supply is right on the edge of kicking the Tripp into one of it's regulation or conditioning modes. The supply is just not quite enough to trigger the Tripp but just enough to PO the controller. Like I said, it's rare now when it happens and very short lived. They'll go for days and weeks without making a sound now.

If you dont have one lying around, Tiger Direct sells a power conditioner and voltage reg. in the neighborhood of 20 something bucks. It's a different brand and I dont know if it works as well as the Tripp but maybe worth a try. The Tripp Lite is 70 bucks I think? Or maybe 90 bucks? Can find them cheaper open box or used sometimes. Maybe ebay. That is, if you feel it's worth spending more money on the project.

bjkramer · 08/21/2007, 05:40 PM

Hmmm....got the APC line conditioner, and it's still going. Wierd that it didn't happen the last two days before I got it. Happening tonight. I've got 2 hydor 4's coming, let me see what they do.

Scissorhand · 08/21/2007, 06:33 PM

Be aware that since the magnet on the koralia is a bit weak, it won't hold too well when it's running on low power (especially true on the K4), and might rattle a bit.

DarG · 08/21/2007, 06:35 PM

Wow, I'm surprised. I racked my brain trying to figure why I was the only person reporting the problem on the forum. I git the controller when it first came out or a little after.

I finally figured it had to be the problem. I'm running 2 Tunze Nanos and two Koralia 3's and they all clattered, not just the Koralias.

I am 100% positive that the Tripp Lite Conditioner was the fix for mine. It happens very, very rarely now.

I got the model 604WM. Its a heavy sucker in a metal case.
APC is pretty reputable stuff, probably atleast as much so as Tripp Lite. But I have to wonder if maybe the Tripp Lite is just better in this particular application. Maybe its a little more sensitive than the APC. Or the circuitry is just different, the way it approaches the regulation and/or conditioning. If thats possible. This is transformer based and I know there are some units that are listed as Electronic and IC chip based design. If the APC is that type, it may explain it. But I'm no electrical engineer.

Is the APC you got a heavy unit? This Tripp is about 6" x 6" and it probably weights as much as a brick of the same size would. It's listed at 12 lbs.

bjkramer · 08/21/2007, 06:40 PM

Yeah LR600. It weighs a ton.

08/16/2007, 04:58 PM	#1
bjkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 84	Seio Multiconrtoller I suspect either heat or slight power drop is causing the problem. I have Hydor 3's hooked up to a Seio Multicontroller (yeah I know not recommended). Most magnetic impeller heads have that klacking at startup. Most of the day the hydors work fine on the Seio. But in the afternoon they start to klatter when on low. Is this due to a power drop or maybe the tank warming up?

08/16/2007, 05:36 PM	#2
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I believe it is either a voltage drop or slightly "dirty" waveform. I'm thinking that either can do it. You are the first to post having this issue besides myself. My solution ... I plugged the Seio into a Tripp Lite power conditioner / voltage regulator. They only clatter once in a long while now. And when they do it usually only lasts for one or two fast/slow cycles. I think it happens now when the supply is right on the edge of kicking the Tripp into one of it's regulation or conditioning modes. The supply is just not quite enough to trigger the Tripp but just enough to PO the controller. Like I said, it's rare now when it happens and very short lived. They'll go for days and weeks without making a sound now. If you dont have one lying around, Tiger Direct sells a power conditioner and voltage reg. in the neighborhood of 20 something bucks. It's a different brand and I dont know if it works as well as the Tripp but maybe worth a try. The Tripp Lite is 70 bucks I think? Or maybe 90 bucks? Can find them cheaper open box or used sometimes. Maybe ebay. That is, if you feel it's worth spending more money on the project.

08/21/2007, 05:40 PM	#3
bjkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 84	Hmmm....got the APC line conditioner, and it's still going. Wierd that it didn't happen the last two days before I got it. Happening tonight. I've got 2 hydor 4's coming, let me see what they do.

08/21/2007, 06:33 PM	#4
Scissorhand Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pho 54, SoCal Posts: 3,066	Be aware that since the magnet on the koralia is a bit weak, it won't hold too well when it's running on low power (especially true on the K4), and might rattle a bit.

08/21/2007, 06:35 PM	#5
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Wow, I'm surprised. I racked my brain trying to figure why I was the only person reporting the problem on the forum. I git the controller when it first came out or a little after. I finally figured it had to be the problem. I'm running 2 Tunze Nanos and two Koralia 3's and they all clattered, not just the Koralias. I am 100% positive that the Tripp Lite Conditioner was the fix for mine. It happens very, very rarely now. I got the model 604WM. Its a heavy sucker in a metal case. APC is pretty reputable stuff, probably atleast as much so as Tripp Lite. But I have to wonder if maybe the Tripp Lite is just better in this particular application. Maybe its a little more sensitive than the APC. Or the circuitry is just different, the way it approaches the regulation and/or conditioning. If thats possible. This is transformer based and I know there are some units that are listed as Electronic and IC chip based design. If the APC is that type, it may explain it. But I'm no electrical engineer. Is the APC you got a heavy unit? This Tripp is about 6" x 6" and it probably weights as much as a brick of the same size would. It's listed at 12 lbs.

08/21/2007, 06:40 PM	#6
bjkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 84	Yeah LR600. It weighs a ton.