Help needed for my DC pump automation project

[Amos Poh]

Dear all need your help on the project that i have on hand. i am using DC10000 on my return and iam also running DC6000 on my RLSS skimmer, i am also using 2 x WP 40 as wave maker. Since i am using all DC pumps i was thinking y not connect it to my RA and automate it!

I am lost now as to what i have to do. Need all the advise i can get to make this work.

I have already connected the PWM dimming module to the RA and have also loaded the test code following the below instruction from the Manual:
Uploading the test code
1. Start your Arduino software
2. Open the PWM Expansion test code by going to menu File->Sketchbook->Example Codes and selecting
CustomMainScreen_PWMExpansion
3. Upload the code to your Reef Angel Controller.

Now Question is :
1)can i just cut the jebao cable connector (which is suppose to go to the Daylight or actinic dimming port)
and connect either end to channel 1 and the other to Gnd?

2)how to code if i want to run my return pump on
constant 100% in the day (12pm-10pm)
constant 80% (10pm-12am)
constant 60% (12am-12pm)

3) code it to run at 20% on feeding mode

4) do i need to change anything in the library?

Thank you all in advance

[Piper]

1)can i just cut the jebao cable connector (which is suppose to go to the Daylight or actinic dimming port)
and connect either end to channel 1 and the other to Gnd?

While you can certainly do this, it's not quite that simple. The pumps need a 0-5v analog signal. Your best bet is to buy the cables from RA. If you want to make them yourself check out the Eagle file for the cable in the downloads section. I made one just because I wanted to tinker and learn (and I had all the parts/pieces) and it works just fine for me.

3) code it to run at 20% on feeding mode

I could be wrong here but I think the DC pumps shut down at roughly 30% if I'm not mistaken. I suspect that varies between pumps and manufacturers though.

4) do i need to change anything in the library?

Not as long as you're running one of the latest version of the libraries.


I did not have time to answer the rest of the questions right now but check the Jebao thread for more details on programming. I can post later tonight if nobody has answered you already.

~Charile

[rimai]

1) If you have the RA cable, yes you need to cut the connector and connect the wires to GND and whatever channel you are trying to control.

2) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (now()<12)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(60);
}
else if (hour()>=22)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(80);
}
else
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(100);
}

3) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu==FEEDING_MODE) 
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(20);
}

But read piper's comments above

4) What piper said.

[Sacohen]

3) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu!=FEEDING_MODE) 
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(20);
}

But read piper's comments above

I have my WP-40 set to run at 20% during feeding and all night long and it is fine.

[lnevo]

How now brown cow

how() should be now()

And for #3 take out the ! If you want 20% during feeding mode...

1) If you have the RA cable, yes you need to cut the connector and connect the wires to GND and whatever channel you are trying to control.

2) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (how()<12)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(60);
}
else if (hour()>=22)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(80);
}
else
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(100);
}

3) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu!=FEEDING_MODE) 
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(20);
}

But read piper's comments above

4) What piper said.

[rimai]

HAHAHAH
I'll update the post
Thanks!!

[Piper]

I misunderstood what you were asking in Q1. You already have the RA Jebao cable and you're referring to the 2-pin connector, yes? I was envisioning you cutting the connector off of the end of your DC pump and trying to hard-wide to your dimming module

Good to know about the 20% on the pumps. I'll try that tonight when I get home and see if that works for me too. 30% on a WP-40 is still a bit too much during feeding mode.

~Charlie

[Sacohen]

I think the percentage you can take it down to my vary depending on what mode you have it running in.
I think I remember reading or speaking to someone thru a PM that they had theirs down to 15%.

[Amos Poh]

1) If you have the RA cable, yes you need to cut the connector and connect the wires to GND and whatever channel you are trying to control.

2) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (now()<12)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(60);
}
else if (hour()>=22)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(80);
}
else
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(100);
}

3) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu==FEEDING_MODE) 
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(20);
}

But read piper's comments above

4) What piper said.

Roberto the code you provided is for which channel in my pwm dimming module? I am confused as the code did not indicate the channel.

Thanks

[Amos Poh]

How now brown cow

how() should be now()

And for #3 take out the ! If you want 20% during feeding mode...

1) If you have the RA cable, yes you need to cut the connector and connect the wires to GND and whatever channel you are trying to control.

2) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (how()<12)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(60);
}
else if (hour()>=22)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(80);
}
else
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(100);
}

3) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu!=FEEDING_MODE) 
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(20);
}

But read piper's comments above

4) What piper said.

Thanks Lee

[Amos Poh]

I misunderstood what you were asking in Q1. You already have the RA Jebao cable and you're referring to the 2-pin connector, yes? I was envisioning you cutting the connector off of the end of your DC pump and trying to hard-wide to your dimming module

Good to know about the 20% on the pumps. I'll try that tonight when I get home and see if that works for me too. 30% on a WP-40 is still a bit too much during feeding mode.

~Charlie

Thanks Charlie for contributing. I should be clearer with my post.

[Amos Poh]

I think the percentage you can take it down to my vary depending on what mode you have it running in.
I think I remember reading or speaking to someone thru a PM that they had theirs down to 15%.

Thanks Steve i will give it a shot.

[Amos Poh]

1) If you have the RA cable, yes you need to cut the connector and connect the wires to GND and whatever channel you are trying to control.

2) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (now()<12)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(60);
}
else if (hour()>=22)
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(80);
}
else
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(100);
}

3) Use this:

Code: Select all

if (ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu==FEEDING_MODE) 
{
  ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic(20);
}

But read piper's comments above

4) What piper said.

Roberto the code you provided is for which channel in my pwm dimming module? I am confused as the code did not indicate the channel.

Thanks

Now i only need to know how to allocate channel 1 on my PWM Dimming Module to run with the above code and i am good to go

[rimai]

This is how to set the individual channel:

Code: Select all

ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(1,50); // Sets channel 1 to 50%

[Amos Poh]

This is how to set the individual channel:

Code: Select all

ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(1,50); // Sets channel 1 to 50%

Thank you so much Roberto

[Amos Poh]

This is how to set the individual channel:

Code: Select all

ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(1,50); // Sets channel 1 to 50%

Thank you so much Roberto

i place the code here but it didnt work not sure what went wrong.
Void loop()
{
ReefAngel.DosingPumpRepeat( Port2,0,60,35 );
ReefAngel.StandardLights( Box1_Port1,14,0,23,0 );
ReefAngel.RF.UseMemory = false;
ReefAngel.RF.SetMode( Constant,50,10 );
ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(0,50); // Sets channel 0 to 50%
ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight( NutrientTransportMode(77,90,3000,true) ); // Nutrient Transport on sync mode
ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic( NutrientTransportMode(77,90,3000,false) ); // Nutrient Transport on anti-sync mode

[rimai]

You said you wanted channel 1, but you coded channel 0.
Was it intended?

[Amos Poh]

You said you wanted channel 1, but you coded channel 0.
Was it intended?

Yes Roberto it is intended. As i hook it up to the Dimming port the first channel is 0 hence i change the code to 0 as well.

[lnevo]

Void loop shoudl be void loop? Not sure if that was a copy/paste error or something else...

What's not working?

[Amos Poh]

So it should be Void loop? Instead of Void loop()?
I did a direct cut and patse.

If the code is correct then perhaps i cannot control Waveline DC10000?

[lnevo]

No just the V shoukd be lowercase...other than that i dont know. Try reversing the wires to the pwm port.

[Amos Poh]

Thanks for the advise i switch the wire on the dimming module and it WORK!

[Amos Poh]

Now when i tried fixing the New Generation Waveline DC6000 on Channel 1 i realise that the connector on the pump is male! unlike the other DC pumps which is Female. so What i did was change the RA Jebao Cable to Female so i can connect to the waveline DC6000, however it didnt work on me. cant seems to control it like what i have done with the Waveline DC10000.

this is the code i use any thing wrong?
void loop()
{
ReefAngel.DosingPumpRepeat( Port2,0,60,35 );
ReefAngel.StandardLights( Box1_Port1,14,0,23,0 );
ReefAngel.RF.UseMemory = false;
ReefAngel.RF.SetMode( Constant,50,10 );
ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(0,100); // Sets channel 0 to 100%, DC10000
ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(1,100); // Sets channel 1 to 100% DC6000

[Amos Poh]

Also i want to change the WP40s from daylight and actinic port to the Dimming module channel 2 and 3 how do i change the code?

ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(0,100); // Sets channel 0 to 100%
ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(1,100); // Sets channel 1 to 100%

ReefAngel.PWM.SetDaylight( NutrientTransportMode(77,90,3000,true) ); // Nutrient Transport on sync mode
ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic( NutrientTransportMode(77,90,3000,false) ); // Nutrient Transport on anti-sync mode


Thank you so much!

[rimai]

Oh... That's good to know the waveline has a different connector.
Yes, just change your code from actinic/daylight to channel just like you did for the other pumps

[Amos Poh]

Oh... That's good to know the waveline has a different connector.
Yes, just change your code from actinic/daylight to channel just like you did for the other pumps

But Roberto, i cant seems to control the DC6000 as i did with the DC10000, any idea what went wrong?

As for the Code i was thinking :
ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel( NutrientTransportMode(77,90,3000,true) );

but how to assign channel 2?

[rimai]

ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel( 2, NutrientTransportMode(77,90,3000,true) );

[Amos Poh]

ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel( 2, NutrientTransportMode(77,90,3000,true) );

Thanks

[Amos Poh]

Ok confirm it works on my WP 40s, i have successfully hook up my DC10000(return Pump) my WP40s(wave makers) to the dimming module, however the Waveline DC6000 didnt work. anyone knows what could be the reason?

[rimai]

I'll let you know in a few days.
I'm getting a package of goodies from China tomorrow
There should be WP-25, DC-3000, DC-5000, DC-10000, DC-6000 and DC-9000 in this package