Reef Angel Forum

Hi Everyone,

We are very excited to introduce the new controller we have been working on for so long.
Many things changed along the way of developing this product and thus that is why it took so long.
I think the biggest feature of this new controller is the capability to connect to our cloud server for remote monitoring and control without any need of port forwarding or special settings on your home network.
By connecting to the cloud server, you will now have the ability to receive streaming data and you don't need to refresh anymore to grab the latest parameters.
Besides that, the controller also has a 2.8" capacitive touch screen, ethernet port, SD card and 4 dimming output ports that you can configure individually to be 0-5V PWM, 0-5V Analog, 0-10V PWM and 0-10V Analog.
All existing expansion module will work on this new controller, so if you already have existing modules and is upgrading to this new controller, you can still use them the same way.
It is already on the webstore, so take advantage of the limited time offer price.

Nice!

The limited time offer price is a great price! This should be an awesome upgrade for everyone.
I just got mine and am excited to test it out and get it working with my Android app.

Does it have wifi capabilities or we can use just the Ethernet port to connect to router.

It does not have wifi.
We found that many users prefer to have hardwire and there is no such thing as wifi to ethernet, but there are many ethernet to wifi adapters. We have used with great results TP Link TL-WR710N, which serves dual purpose. The single device can provide power and wifi to your RA Star.
http://www.tp-link.com/us/products/deta ... R710N.html

What are the power requirements for the star? Is it your typical usb charger like the 5V, 1A?


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Yeap

Sweet.

What would be the price after the promo ends?

What does it come with?

Nevermind, I see it's on the products page now.

Package Contents

Head Unit
Universal Relay Box Expansion
SD Card
3x Temperature probes
pH probe
pH 7.0 and pH 10.0 calibration fluids
2x float switches
Probe bracket
Ethernet cable
Power adapter
USB cable

What is this screen?

It offers the ability to use more of the same expansion module within the same system.
Unfortunately, the module that can enable that functionality is the Cloud Wifi Hub, which is not available yet.
lnevo has one for testing but I'm going to change the hardware and that's why I decided to hold off on launching that module.
Basically, the cloud wifi hub lets you connect expansion modules remotely and communicate with the cloud server, which RA* would receive notifications and update it's own parameters database.
So, if you had a salinity module locally connected to the RA*, you could assign Custom expansion module 0 to be another salinity module connected to a cloud wifi hub remotely and you would see the parameter changing in the RA* screen where your screenshot says Exp0.
The cool thing is that the cloud wifi hub can be anywhere in the world.
So, you could technically be seeing salinity in your own RA Star if you had a cloud wifi hub and a salinity module measuring salinity in Australia

Ah, good stuff!

tngo wrote:Sweet.

What would be the price after the promo ends?

+1

I was considering purchasing a relay expansion box as I'm out of outlets. If I went with the new controller, would I be able to pair up my existing expansion with what comes with the Reef Angel Star to give me 16 outlets?

Are you talking about the main relay box of the RA+?
If so, it does not.
RA* only accepts expansion modules.
In order to use your main relay box as expansion, you need one of the old relay expansion modules, which we are in the process of getting them built to sell in the web store.
They cost $50.
We only have one of them in stock before we get the next batch.

rimai wrote:Are you talking about the main relay box of the RA+?
If so, it does not.
RA* only accepts expansion modules.
In order to use your main relay box as expansion, you need one of the old relay expansion modules, which we are in the process of getting them built to sell in the web store.
They cost $50.
We only have one of them in stock before we get the next batch.

Yes, I was referring to the original relay box with RA+. Good to know I have an option for reusing it.

rimai wrote:We are very excited to introduce the new controller we have been working on for so long.

The new Reefangel unit looks really nice!

From what I understand the RF module has been discontinued . I have one that I am tinkering with on my RA. Could I use it on the new Star controller?
Also if I connect the Star via ethernet will I have all the features that I would have from the cloud wifi attachment?
I love the new look and I am excited to get one and try it out.

Yes for both

Damn, what was the issue with the RF? I was hoping we could get some Vectra support soon

There was no support or any documentation from them.

Can you purchase only the main board?

I do not have spare parts yet.

I'm not opposed to buying the whole thing, If I can sell my old plus. I have the water level expansion and hub, will those just plug and play?

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Yes. All expansion modules will work on both controllers.

rimai wrote:Yes. All expansion modules will work on both controllers.

Hmm now you have me thinking... The only thing is that my ra is running so well.... I probably don't even need to upgrade...
What is the delivery time for the whole new setup?


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Have it in stock. So, it ships in 1 business day. Sometimes same day.

Hmm looks like I need to find a buyer for my ra plus...

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rimai wrote:It does not have wifi.
We found that many users prefer to have hardwire and there is no such thing as wifi to ethernet, but there are many ethernet to wifi adapters. We have used with great results TP Link TL-WR710N, which serves dual purpose. The single device can provide power and wifi to your RA Star.
http://www.tp-link.com/us/products/deta ... R710N.html

So with this product, I can plug it in to the Ethernet port on the RA Star and it will connect to my existing wireless router? Due to the location of my router and tank, running a hard wire between them will not be possible. Im preparing to order the RA Star but I want to have all my ducks in a row before I pull the trigger.

cgonser wrote:

rimai wrote:It does not have wifi.
We found that many users prefer to have hardwire and there is no such thing as wifi to ethernet, but there are many ethernet to wifi adapters. We have used with great results TP Link TL-WR710N, which serves dual purpose. The single device can provide power and wifi to your RA Star.
http://www.tp-link.com/us/products/deta ... R710N.html

So with this product, I can plug it in to the Ethernet port on the RA Star and it will connect to my existing wireless router? Due to the location of my router and tank, running a hard wire between them will not be possible. Im preparing to order the RA Star but I want to have all my ducks in a row before I pull the trigger.

You got it dude. Power line over ethernet is also an option and I may have a set of those you can have. Either route, if you need help, just give me a buzz.

Roberto,

Nice work on the star. Looks good. I want to pull the trigger but keep hesitating because the upgrade is cool, but doesn't seem to offer me personally more features over my plus. Do you have some more pics of the new screen? How is the layout? With the SD card, what all can be saved here? Also, is there a chance the RA+ will become obsolete in way similar to the regular RA; in reference to the library size or new features?

Thanks for all the hard work over the years.