Reef Central Online Community

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community > General Interest Forums > Do It Yourself
Blogs FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices

User Tag List

Reply
Thread Tools
Unread 03/05/2021, 10:25 AM   #1
CheyDogFlies
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 23
Electric Current Control for Kalk Reactor Motor IceCap150

I have an IceCap 150 Kalk Reactor that is giving me problems. The magnetic stirrer slings off the motor even at the lowest setting. At first I thought it was that the reactor was not level, but this is not the case.

What kind of device can reduce the current even further for me to run the motor at an even lower setting than the minimum?


CheyDogFlies is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03/06/2021, 10:36 PM   #2
oreo57
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,793
Quote:
Originally Posted by CheyDogFlies View Post
I have an IceCap 150 Kalk Reactor that is giving me problems. The magnetic stirrer slings off the motor even at the lowest setting. At first I thought it was that the reactor was not level, but this is not the case.

What kind of device can reduce the current even further for me to run the motor at an even lower setting than the minimum?
Controller goes from 2v to 12. not sure how much lower you can go w/out possible damage.

There is either something else wrong with it i.e busted/loose magnet in the base ect.
or possibly a procedure issue?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/km-15...or-icecap.html

Think outside the box..
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads...-flask.596333/

There are ways to drop the voltage but....

Cheap safe fix?
https://www.amazon.com/Noorlee-10pcs...44073421&psc=1


oreo57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03/08/2021, 12:56 PM   #3
CheyDogFlies
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by oreo57 View Post
Controller goes from 2v to 12. not sure how much lower you can go w/out possible damage.

There is either something else wrong with it i.e busted/loose magnet in the base ect.
or possibly a procedure issue?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/km-15...or-icecap.html

Think outside the box..
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads...-flask.596333/

There are ways to drop the voltage but....

Cheap safe fix?
https://www.amazon.com/Noorlee-10pcs...44073421&psc=1
Nothing is loose in the base, not sure what you mean by a “procedure issue.” I have it on a timer to come on for 3 minutes every 90 minutes. After 5-30 seconds in the on mode the magnet will sling off the side.

I will try different magnets. What are the voltage reduction options?


CheyDogFlies is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03/08/2021, 11:28 PM   #4
oreo57
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,793
Quote:
Originally Posted by CheyDogFlies View Post
Nothing is loose in the base, not sure what you mean by a “procedure issue.” I have it on a timer to come on for 3 minutes every 90 minutes. After 5-30 seconds in the on mode the magnet will sling off the side.

I will try different magnets. What are the voltage reduction options?
Resistors or power diodes.
Quote:
At higher currents, the forward voltage drop of the diode increases. A drop of 1 V to 1.5 V is typical at full rated current for power diodes.
https://electronics.stackexchange.co...red-dc-voltage
https://electronics.stackexchange.co...ges-for-motors


Best way is just to add one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/LM2596s-Conve...%2C208&sr=8-18

Use your 12V out and dial the pot down (tiny screwdriver). Goes down to 1.5v
NOTE: 2A limit

Common stirrer base lists 8.5W

ONE CATCH.. I tinker and am not an electronics geek but I'd try the DC, DC step down board. They are cheaper on E bay btw.. or were.
I've used them for various LED relate purposes.

The surge current with most motors make any of the above an unknown to me.

Of course you either need to find matching plugs if the power supply detaches from the base, or cut wires.

Big reason I suggested different stir bars first.

There are (or were ) plenty of people here that can add to this.. hopefully.


oreo57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03/09/2021, 07:58 AM   #5
CheyDogFlies
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by oreo57 View Post
Resistors or power diodes.

https://electronics.stackexchange.co...red-dc-voltage
https://electronics.stackexchange.co...ges-for-motors


Best way is just to add one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/LM2596s-Conve...%2C208&sr=8-18

Use your 12V out and dial the pot down (tiny screwdriver). Goes down to 1.5v
NOTE: 2A limit

Common stirrer base lists 8.5W

ONE CATCH.. I tinker and am not an electronics geek but I'd try the DC, DC step down board. They are cheaper on E bay btw.. or were.
I've used them for various LED relate purposes.

The surge current with most motors make any of the above an unknown to me.

Of course you either need to find matching plugs if the power supply detaches from the base, or cut wires.

Big reason I suggested different stir bars first.

There are (or were ) plenty of people here that can add to this.. hopefully.
Ugh, I'm not good at soldering, so I'll most hope another magnet does the trick. Thanks for the help.


CheyDogFlies is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03/15/2021, 09:55 PM   #6
oreo57
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,793
Quote:
Originally Posted by CheyDogFlies View Post
Ugh, I'm not good at soldering, so I'll most hope another magnet does the trick. Thanks for the help.
Any fix yet?


oreo57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03/16/2021, 09:14 AM   #7
CheyDogFlies
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by oreo57 View Post
Any fix yet?
Yes. Before the OP, I ordered this:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It did not work at all, like many of the reviewers said. It was essentially an on/off switch, and even when off, it "flickered" on. Useless. The variable knob did nothing.

Then I ordered the magnets:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just used one size smaller than the magnet provided in the original IceCap setup, and it solved the problem. No noise, no magnet separation from the base.

I had also ordered this after the first controller did not work:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It arrived after the magnets. It works as advertised and also solves the problem. But I am continuing to use just the smaller magnet, and keeping this functional product as a backup and for any future applications.


CheyDogFlies is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 03/16/2021, 10:46 AM   #8
oreo57
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,793
Quote:
Originally Posted by CheyDogFlies View Post
Yes. Before the OP, I ordered this:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It did not work at all, like many of the reviewers said. It was essentially an on/off switch, and even when off, it "flickered" on. Useless. The variable knob did nothing.

Then I ordered the magnets:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just used one size smaller than the magnet provided in the original IceCap setup, and it solved the problem. No noise, no magnet separation from the base.

I had also ordered this after the first controller did not work:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It arrived after the magnets. It works as advertised and also solves the problem. But I am continuing to use just the smaller magnet, and keeping this functional product as a backup and for any future applications.
Glad you got it sorted out.


oreo57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
kalk, magnetic, reactor

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef CentralTM Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2022
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.