Reef angel reviews?

jdezek · 05/12/2013, 08:46 PM

Just wondering who has the reef angel and how well do you like it, ever have any issues, how has customer support been, and how long have you had it?

SeedlessOne · 05/12/2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdezek

Just wondering who has the reef angel and how well do you like it, ever have any issues, how has customer support been, and how long have you had it?

2 years. Love it. Ditched the RKE for me and it's the best move ive made. You will not find better customer service. It's right up there with liveaquaria.

James77 · 05/12/2013, 08:58 PM

I do not own one, but have seen nothing but great reviews for its abilities and support. I'm running out of excuses not to give it a shot myself

.

jdezek · 05/12/2013, 09:15 PM

Ime too I'm trying to see if anyone has had any issues with them

neuro · 05/12/2013, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdezek

Ime too I'm trying to see if anyone has had any issues with them

I don't have the links handy, but we recently had a discussion on a few good/bad xperiences.

I have one, and although there are faults, I still very much enjoy my reefangel.

jdezek · 05/13/2013, 07:02 AM

What is the difference between analog and PWM dimming?

Jewlover · 05/13/2013, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdezek

What is the difference between analog and PWM dimming?

The analog is 0-10v dimming for LEDs and the PWM is digital for dimming LEDs as well as Jebao pumps

jdezek · 05/13/2013, 08:32 AM

That's what I thought so I would need both dimmers since I'm running meanwell ELN 60-48D drivers for my LEDs and have wp40

Colin · 05/13/2013, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdezek

What is the difference between analog and PWM dimming?

Analog uses a 0-10V signal to dim, PWM uses a PWM signal to dim. Get the one that matches your ballasts.

I recently got a Reef Angel. I love it. You can use the wizard to set up basic operation, but if you're a programmer (or even just a little adventurous and can copy and paste from the forums), the possibilities are limitless. It's open source, so the software is modifiable for pretty much anything you want to do. Control your Jebao pump? Check. Don't like the main screen? Change the entire layout. Topoff with kalk or freshwater depending on pH? Can do that too.

The base price gets you a temp probe (with room for 3 total), 2 float switches (does auto top-off right out of the box), 8 controllable outlets, 2 channel dimming, and a pH probe. I do recommend the RA+ though. Once you get into it you'll need the extra memory.

Customer service is unmatched. Roberto, the owner, is on top of everything. I've never sent an e-mail that wasn't replied to very quickly. The forums are super helpful as well. Lots of really smart people on there.

--Colin

Jewlover · 05/13/2013, 08:42 AM

I switched from an Apex to the RA and would do it again without question. There's nothing you can't do with it. The support is unmatched.

Colin · 05/13/2013, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdezek

That's what I thought so I would need both dimmers since I'm running meanwell ELN 60-48D drivers for my LEDs and have wp40

I believe you can use either analog or PWM for the WP40.

--Colin

Jewlover · 05/13/2013, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdezek

That's what I thought so I would need both dimmers since I'm running meanwell ELN 60-48D drivers for my LEDs and have wp40

No you could get the 0-10v version and the jebao cable and it will work. The RA jebao cable will convert it from 0-10v to PWM.

Colin · 05/13/2013, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewlover

No you could get the 0-10v version and the jebao cable and it will work. The RA jebao cable will convert it from 0-10v to PWM.

I think it's opposite. The Jebao cable converts PWM to analog.

--Colin

Sacohen · 05/13/2013, 08:50 AM

I have one, but have not set it up yet.
The support I have gotten from the Reef Angel website with general questions before buying it was excellent and Roberto is great to deal with.

If you know nothing about programming the wizard will get you started and the forum will help you add or modify things.

Roberto doesn't just give you the answer he makes you think about it and there by teaches you a little about programming the controller while answering your questions.

Your LED drivers need the analog dimming, I believe the WP40 can work with analog or PWM dimming, but you may want to double check that on the forum.

You can always get the PWM and add an analog expansion module, which is what I;m going to do when I get my LED lights.

Jewlover · 05/13/2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

I think it's opposite. The Jebao cable converts PWM to analog.

--Colin

Really? I thought it was the other way around

sorry for the bad info.

Sacohen · 05/13/2013, 09:19 AM

I just found this from Roberto on in a thread I had on the reef angel forum.

Quote:

The controller changes duty cycle on the PWM signal, which is then converted to analog with a low pass filter and applied to the control signal of the pump.

jdezek · 05/13/2013, 09:46 AM

I've heard you need PWM cause reefkeeper doesn't have PWM that's why they can't run the wp40's

Colin · 05/13/2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdezek

I've heard you need PWM cause reefkeeper doesn't have PWM that's why they can't run the wp40's

The WP-40 uses a 5V analog control signal to the pump.

--Colin

OsiViper · 05/13/2013, 10:04 AM

I've been debating on a controller for a while now, couldn't decide between RA or Apex.

I was gonna go with RA for the deal that you can control the WP40 with it. But then I found out you can control the WP40's power with the Apex and then figured I'd go with Apex. Did a little more research last night and found out that while Apex can control the WP40 with the RA's Jebao Cable you really cant program custom modes down to the millisecond with Apex and can only do it with the RA+. There are people out there that wrote the code for the RA and WP40 pumps that are almost exact replications of the Vortech modes and you can still tweak it any way you want.

So made my mind up to get a RA+

Sacohen · 05/13/2013, 10:25 AM

I haven't really gotten into the heavy programming of the Reef Angel, but I've been reading a lot of the post on their forum and asking questions and found out that you can pretty much do anything you can think up.

If you can't figure out the programming someone on there can help you.

I'm going to want to get up something to control my de nitrfication chamber in the future.

It turns on a pump in my sump for 25 min to exchange the old water with the new and then when that is done at dosing pump runs for about 20 min to does the Nitragone liquid into the chamber.

This happens 4 times a day right now and is controlled by a digital sprinkler timer.

Roberto said it is something that can be set up pretty easily.

neuro · 05/13/2013, 10:57 AM

I do want to note one thing. I would go with the RA+. You can't do a lot of the intermediate stuff without more memory. And don't even think about advanced stuff if you don't have the RA+.

jdezek · 05/13/2013, 12:22 PM

That's what I want is RA+

Colin · 05/13/2013, 04:59 PM

Here's the kind of thing that happens at RA.

This morning, someone asked if a webcam feed could be added to the online web portal.

This afternoon, it exists. :mrgreen:

--Colin

Sacohen · 05/13/2013, 05:32 PM

Yeah. I love the speed at which the controller evolves.
Since it is open source it is not just one person or company that is developing for it.

neuro · 05/13/2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sacohen

Yeah. I love the speed at which the controller evolves.
Since it is open source it is not just one person or company that is developing for it.

though sometimes it does feel like there is only about 3-4 major contributors..

05/12/2013, 08:46 PM	#1
jdezek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 386	Reef angel reviews? Just wondering who has the reef angel and how well do you like it, ever have any issues, how has customer support been, and how long have you had it?

05/12/2013, 08:58 PM	#3
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	I do not own one, but have seen nothing but great reviews for its abilities and support. I'm running out of excuses not to give it a shot myself . __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

05/12/2013, 09:15 PM	#4
jdezek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 386	Ime too I'm trying to see if anyone has had any issues with them

05/13/2013, 07:02 AM	#6
jdezek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 386	What is the difference between analog and PWM dimming?

05/13/2013, 08:32 AM	#8
jdezek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 386	That's what I thought so I would need both dimmers since I'm running meanwell ELN 60-48D drivers for my LEDs and have wp40

05/13/2013, 08:42 AM	#10
Jewlover Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 91	I switched from an Apex to the RA and would do it again without question. There's nothing you can't do with it. The support is unmatched.

05/13/2013, 08:50 AM	#14
Sacohen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 1,778	I have one, but have not set it up yet. The support I have gotten from the Reef Angel website with general questions before buying it was excellent and Roberto is great to deal with. If you know nothing about programming the wizard will get you started and the forum will help you add or modify things. Roberto doesn't just give you the answer he makes you think about it and there by teaches you a little about programming the controller while answering your questions. Your LED drivers need the analog dimming, I believe the WP40 can work with analog or PWM dimming, but you may want to double check that on the forum. You can always get the PWM and add an analog expansion module, which is what I;m going to do when I get my LED lights.

05/13/2013, 09:46 AM	#17
jdezek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 386	I've heard you need PWM cause reefkeeper doesn't have PWM that's why they can't run the wp40's

05/13/2013, 10:04 AM	#19
OsiViper Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Farmington, NM Posts: 738	I've been debating on a controller for a while now, couldn't decide between RA or Apex. I was gonna go with RA for the deal that you can control the WP40 with it. But then I found out you can control the WP40's power with the Apex and then figured I'd go with Apex. Did a little more research last night and found out that while Apex can control the WP40 with the RA's Jebao Cable you really cant program custom modes down to the millisecond with Apex and can only do it with the RA+. There are people out there that wrote the code for the RA and WP40 pumps that are almost exact replications of the Vortech modes and you can still tweak it any way you want. So made my mind up to get a RA+

05/13/2013, 10:25 AM	#20
Sacohen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 1,778	I haven't really gotten into the heavy programming of the Reef Angel, but I've been reading a lot of the post on their forum and asking questions and found out that you can pretty much do anything you can think up. If you can't figure out the programming someone on there can help you. I'm going to want to get up something to control my de nitrfication chamber in the future. It turns on a pump in my sump for 25 min to exchange the old water with the new and then when that is done at dosing pump runs for about 20 min to does the Nitragone liquid into the chamber. This happens 4 times a day right now and is controlled by a digital sprinkler timer. Roberto said it is something that can be set up pretty easily.

05/13/2013, 10:57 AM	#21
neuro the cat did it Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: bay area Posts: 976	I do want to note one thing. I would go with the RA+. You can't do a lot of the intermediate stuff without more memory. And don't even think about advanced stuff if you don't have the RA+.

05/13/2013, 12:22 PM	#22
jdezek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 386	That's what I want is RA+

05/13/2013, 04:59 PM	#23
Colin Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 848	Here's the kind of thing that happens at RA. This morning, someone asked if a webcam feed could be added to the online web portal. This afternoon, it exists. :mrgreen: --Colin

05/13/2013, 05:32 PM	#24
Sacohen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 1,778	Yeah. I love the speed at which the controller evolves. Since it is open source it is not just one person or company that is developing for it.