Program Check for AC Jr - PLEASE :-)
 

I bought an AC Jr setup almost a full year ago but never got a chance to set it up because my new setup at the time didn't get completed and I needed to scrap it. I put the AC Jr and the equipment I bought in storage and it been there ever since.

I am now setting up a new tank and I am finally ready to set this baby up :D I have not checked the firmware on the unit but I will as soon as I get it fired up. My guess is that in a year the firware has been updated so I need to get a serial cable and update the thing!

Anyway, here is my first stab at programming the AC Jr. If you can please review and let me know if I messed anything up or I need to change anything.

I have a DC8 and a DC4 so I will be using each on its own 15amp circuit :)

Now for the code (thanks 20 20 for the starting point!!)

DC8
A1 - PC Lights LT1
A2 - MH Lights LT2
A3 - open OP1
A4 - Seio 620 (Always On)
A5 - Fans FAN
A6 - Skimmer SKM
A7 - open OP2
A8 - open OP3


DC4
B1 - Return Pump RTN
B2 - Maxi-Jet JET
B3 - Heater HT1
B4 - open OP4



Continously On (turned to ON state in Manual Control)
A4 - Seion 620

Continously OFF (turned to OFF state in Manual Control)
OP1
OP2
OP3
OP4

Heaters, keep off for a minimum of 2 minutes.
If Temp < 79.0 Then HT1 On
If Temp > 79.3 Then HT1 Off
Max Change 002 M Then HT1 Off

Dawn lights, on at 10AM, off at 11PM, turn off if temp over 82.
If Time > 10:00 Then LT1 On
If Time > 23:00 Then LT1 Off
If Temp > 82.0 Then LT1 Off
Max Change 060 M Then LT1 Off

Day lights, on at 3PM, off at 9PM, turn off if temp over 81.
If Time > 15:00 Then LT2 On
If Time > 21:00 Then LT2 Off
If Temp > 81.0 Then LT2 Off
Max Change 120 M Then LT2 Off

Fans, on same time as dawn lights, on at 10AM, off at 11PM.
If Time > 10:00 Then FAN On
If Time > 23:00 Then FAN Off

Fans, turn on when temp reaches 79.8
If Temp > 79.8 Then FAN On
If Temp < 79.6 Then FAN Off
Max Change 002 M Then FAN On

Return pump, on all times except for feed cycle and if temp reaches 84
If Time > 00:00 Then RTN On
If Temp > 84.0 Then RTN Off
Max Change 060 M Then RTN Off

Skimmer, on all times except for feed cycle and if temp reaches 83
If Time > 00:00 Then SKM On
If Temp > 83.0 Then SKM Off
Max Change 060 M Then SKM Off

Maxi-Jet, Random on/off. Shut down if temp reaches 83
RND 5/5 ON/OFF Then JET On
If Temp > 83.0 Then JET Off
Max Change 060 M Then JET Off

Feed Cycle, turn off for 20 minutes
If FeedCycle Then RTN Off
If FeedCycle Then JET Off


Thanks for any help!!!

Re: Program Check for AC Jr - PLEASE :-)
 

What does "Max Change 002 M Then FAN On" mean?

Re: Re: Program Check for AC Jr - PLEASE :-)
 

That means if the temp goes over 79.8 the fans go ON for at least 2 minutes before they shut off if the temp fluctuates up and down.

I just turned on the unit and found that the firmware its running is 3.00J - 4A05.

From the Neptune site it looks like the most recent is 3.00J - 1B06. Do I need to update the firmware or can I get by on what I have? Any idea what changes were made?

Thanks!

The changes mainly involved control port diagnostics, and an annoying lockup which sometimes occurs when leaving the 'run display'.

Curt

Thanks Curt. I will order the cable tomorrow so I can load those updates :)

Also, any input on the code above? The main thing I am worried about is the redundency of the fans.

The program looks ok.

Curt

Another beginner's question about the above code. My AC Jr is on order and I'm trying to figure out the logic flow before I receive it.


Day lights, on at 3PM, off at 9PM, turn off if temp over 81.
If Time > 15:00 Then LT2 On
If Time > 21:00 Then LT2 Off
If Temp > 81.0 Then LT2 Off
Max Change 120 M Then LT2 Off


Does the above mean LT2 goes off when Temp reaches 81.1 and doesn't turn back on again until 3PM the next day? Or, does this mean that first Time statement will turn LT2 back on once the Temp drops below the conditional value of 81.0 and the 120 minutes pass?

I guess I expected to see a command that turns the light back on after the temp had dropped below a lower set value. And yes, I understand the hysteresis issue and the Max Change command that will keep LT2 off for 120 minutes. I just don't see how the light is instructed to come back on. Perhaps my problem is that I don't understand the order of evaluation/execution of the program steps.

Thanks for any help. It may get clearer to me when I receive my unit and any manuals,
John

My understanding is that all the If Time = statements are evaluated first, and everything else is arbitrary. So I would guess that would mean that your lights would still come on at three, but turn off again if the temp is over 81 and stay off till at least 5.

1. Statements for each timer name are placed into a separate evaluation list.
2. The time statements of each evaluation list are placed at the beginning and sorted. Other statements remain in their original order.
3. The evaluation lists are evaluated from first statement to the last. The evaluated timer state is stored. The last true program statement has the highest priority, and sets the timer state.
4. If the evaluated timer state is different than the actual timer state then a control command is sent out. The actual timer state is updated.
5. Steps 3 & 4 are continually executed as fast as possible. Depending on the program complexity the lists are usually evaluated 1 to 2 times/sec.

Curt

Thank you for the clarification. This all makes sense to me now. Somehow, for me, it wasn't as clear in the manual and I didn't quite understand how it worked.

John

I would move the lights and pump to the DC4, and run the Rio to the DC8. The DC4 can handle bigger loads.