Reef Angel Forum

I have been looking at the RA for quite some time now and am really impressed with what seems like endless possibilities. I know zero about writing code (really less than zero), however, I really only need the most basic of functions. My dual stage Ranco controller recently died so I would like to run two heaters with on/off settings. I would also like to separate my actinics from my metal halides with on/off times. Finally, two cooling fans with on/off times and koralia pumps on/off for feedings. I was wondering if I am looking at an extended period of time to get these functions up and running or is it maybe a bit easier than I am thinking. I consider myself relatively competent with a PC but I would not know where to begin to learn about code. Thanks, Kevin

What you need is the RAGen.
Simple click of the mouse and you will be up and running.
http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=60
http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=377

I did download RAGen but I am guessing that without the Controller connected the Internal Memory tab does not appear? I just zoomed in on the video and can now see that most of what I need is there, would it be simple enough to relabel the dosing pumps to fans?

I just found the internal memory in the controller menu.

kl3377 wrote:I did download RAGen but I am guessing that without the Controller connected the Internal Memory tab does not appear?

RAGen does not need a controller to determine what tabs are shown. In the latest version of RAGen, I moved the Internal Memory tab to be under the Controller menu. This was to prevent confusion. People would go through all the tabs and then on the Internal Memory page, they would generate the PDE file and then upload it. They would have problems with the controller not doing anything except display the values in internal memory. They wouldn't load up the pde file generated on the PDE tab. So that's why the Internal Memory tab is not visible by default....it's just hidden.

I just zoomed in on the video and can now see that most of what I need is there, would it be simple enough to relabel the dosing pumps to fans?

Relabel the dosing pumps? On the controller or in the program? Are you wanting to run multiple ports as Fans? If so, you just need to uncheck Dosing Pump from the port and check "Fan / Chiller". Then you can have multiple ports running fans.

If that's not what you meant, could you please try to elaborate more.

curt

It appears to me that the Fan/Chiller tab is activated by temperature, could this easily be changed time?

kl3377 wrote:It appears to me that the Fan/Chiller tab is activated by temperature, could this easily be changed time?

You want to turn the fan/chiller on at a specific time? So you would want to turn the fan/chiller on at 10a and shut it off at 2p or something along those lines?

If so, then yes, that is definitely possible. You would have to code that in manually using the StandardLights function (which just turns a port on and off at a specific time). This is actually really simple to do.

Here is a sample piece of code for you: Then you would plug your Fan/chiller in port1 on the relay box and it would run from 10p to 6a.


curt

kl3377 wrote:It appears to me that the Fan/Chiller tab is activated by temperature, could this easily be changed time?

Yes, you can set the temperature that you would like using the joystick.
You can also change it using the Client Suite application and also very soon you will be able to do it on the android and iphone app too.

Exactly what I am talking about.
If I need to run two heaters, say one on port7 and one on port8 would I be able to set separate operating temps under Heater in the Internal Memory section or would i need to change the code?

All this aside, what I have learned is that the help available with this controller is second to none. I will hopefully be on board very soon.

You can set 2 different temperatures very easily by hard coding the temperatures in the code.
If you plan on using internal memory, you can allocate one heater to use the internal memory and the other can be hard coded or you could simply use a difference between the 2 heaters.
I would think the difference method could work out just fine in your case.
Example:
Heater1 uses internal memory, which is set to for example 77.0 degrees.
Heater2 uses internal memory -2 degress. So in this case would be 75 degrees.
I imagine you are setting 2 different heaters at different temperatures to have the second kick in when the first heater can't keep up anymore.
So, with this way, you can change the temperature of heater1 through the internal memory and heater 2 would always follow and allow this 2 degree differencial.
What do you think of this method? Would it work for you?

kl3377 wrote:Exactly what I am talking about.
If I need to run two heaters, say one on port7 and one on port8 would I be able to set separate operating temps under Heater in the Internal Memory section or would i need to change the code?

You can use the default temperature under the Heater section in Internal Memory for one of the heaters. Then for the other one, you would have to use another memory location and code it in yourself. A little more complicated but really easy to do. There are other examples that I have posted on the forum where I use custom memory locations for other things....a third dosing pump, additional light timers, etc.

curt

I am assuming you can basically copy the code for the Internal Memory heater, then change the port # and settings?
Does the Controller kit include temp sensor and ph probe?

Here is how the code looks like when hard coding: And here is how it looks when using internal memory: Yes, the controller comes with one temperature probe and one pH probe.

I am beginning to understand much better, thank you both for the information. I am sure you will be hearing from me more in the future, I will be ordering soon.