ATO False Triggers and Temp Dropouts

[clw143]

I have had a long standing issue of my ATO low triggering using StandardATO and pretty much keeping my water level at max with the ATO high always on. I have reversed the floats and went as far as replacing them, unplugged everything from the tank except the floats, and even replaced the RA+ main board. After none of that changed the issue I pretty much left it alone for years now. I could refresh the old android app and watch the low trigger to on pretty much all the time. In addition to that, the 3 temp probes also zero out and return to temp, this happens much more frequently, once again I replaced all 3 of those and the issue persisted through everything being unplugged and again, even the RA+ main board being replaced.

Fast forward to today, I have upgraded my libraries and downloaded using Uapp where I can now graph some things, and now the ATO issue has changed (for the better). It only seems to trigger falsely maybe 2 times per day (it was maybe 2 times per minute previously), possibly some improvement to that library. If I turn off the ato pump, this obviously causes the ATO timeout, the interesting part is two fold:

1) Adding the following code occasionally catches a true without hitting the ATO timeout, which is false as the water level is above the low float, which does not make any sense.

Code: Select all

    if (ReefAngel.LowATO.IsActive() == 1 ) {
      ReefAngel.CustomVar[2]=1;

2) Inversely, occasionally the ATO time out triggers with the code above not triggering.

I have stripped out all my code and ran with a wizard generated basic load and everything still occurs.

Could it be the relay box somehow?

Code: Select all

[attachment=0]Screenshot 2025-12-23 161656.png[/attachment]

[brennyn21]

Are you using the original SVGA cable that runs from the head unit to the relay box?

[clw143]

Are you using the original SVGA cable that runs from the head unit to the relay box?

It is the original. I was looking at the ends and it does look like a bit of corrosion on the outer metal, the pins all look good.

[brennyn21]

Could you also post your full code, and which attachments / expansions you have connected, so I can see if I can replicate?

[clw143]

Is the pinout standard on the svga cable? I probably have a few laying around if you think that's worth a shot.

I use RA+, original wifi module, and the dimming expansion. New currently revised code is below.

Code: Select all

#include <ReefAngel_Features.h>
#include <Globals.h>
#include <RA_Wifi.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include <OneWire.h>
#include <Time.h>
#include <DS1307RTC.h>
#include <InternalEEPROM.h>
#include <RA_NokiaLCD.h>
#include <RA_ATO.h>
#include <RA_Joystick.h>
#include <LED.h>
#include <RA_TempSensor.h>
#include <Relay.h>
#include <RA_PWM.h>
#include <Timer.h>
#include <Memory.h>
#include <InternalEEPROM.h>
#include <RA_Colors.h>
#include <RA_CustomColors.h>
#include <Salinity.h>
#include <RF.h>
#include <IO.h>
#include <ORP.h>
#include <AI.h>
#include <PH.h>
#include <WaterLevel.h>
#include <Humidity.h>
#include <DCPump.h>
#include <PAR.h>
#include <ReefAngel.h>
#include <Moon.h>

////// Place global variable code below here

boolean RST;
byte DCPSpeed = 90;

////// Place global variable code above here

void setup()
{
    // This must be the first line
    ReefAngel.Init();  //Initialize controller
    ReefAngel.AddStandardMenu();  // Add Standard Menu
    ReefAngel.Use2014Screen();  // Let's use 2014 Screen
    // Ports toggled in Feeding Mode
    ReefAngel.FeedingModePorts = 0;
    // Ports toggled in Water Change Mode
    ReefAngel.WaterChangePorts = Port1Bit | Port2Bit | Port4Bit | Port7Bit | Port8Bit;
    // Ports turned off when Overheat temperature exceeded
    ReefAngel.OverheatShutoffPorts = Port7Bit;
    // Ports toggled when Lights On / Off menu entry selected
    ReefAngel.LightsOnPorts = 0;
    // Use T1 probe as temperature and overheat functions
    ReefAngel.TempProbe = T1_PROBE;
    ReefAngel.OverheatProbe = T1_PROBE;

    ////// Place additional initialization code below here

    // initialize default values for Custom Variables
    RST = true;   // initialize reset flag to true for calculations

    ////// Place additional initialization code above here
}

void loop()
{
    // Initialize moon calculations with longitude and latitude
    moon_init(-92.2387228, 30.3655939);

    ReefAngel.DosingPumpRepeat3( Port1 );  //Calcium Drip if PH is less than 8.4  // Currently set to 7 sec every 240 minutes
    if (ReefAngel.Params.PH < 840) {
        ReefAngel.DosingPumpRepeat1( Port2 );  //Alkalinity Drip  // Currently set to 7 sec every 240 minutes
    }
    ReefAngel.Relay.DelayedOn( Port4 ); //Reef Octopus Skimmer
    ReefAngel.StandardLights( Port5 ); //LED Fans
    ReefAngel.Relay.Set( Port6, !ReefAngel.Relay.Status( Port5 ) ); //Fuge Light
    ReefAngel.StandardHeater( Port7 );
    ReefAngel.StandardATO( Port8 );

    // Dimming Channel Functions
    ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic( DCPSpeed );
    ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel( 0, PWMParabola( Moon.riseH, Moon.riseM, Moon.setH, Moon.setM, 0, MoonPhase(), 0 ) );
    ReefAngel.PWM.Channel1PWMSlope(); //Right & Left Philips Rebel ES Royal Blue and Cool White & UV & Cree XT-E Green
    ReefAngel.PWM.Channel2PWMSlope();  //Right Daylight Cree XP-G2 R5 Cool White
    ReefAngel.PWM.Channel3PWMSlope(InternalMemory.ActinicOffset_read());  //Right Actinic Cree XT-E Royal Blue
    ReefAngel.PWM.Channel4PWMSlope();  //Left Daylight Cree XP-G2 R5 Cool White
    ReefAngel.PWM.Channel5PWMSlope(InternalMemory.ActinicOffset_read());  //Left Actinic Cree XT-E Royal Blue

    ////// Place your custom code below here

    //PWM Expansion Channels = 0 if Overheat of if 1 hour after sunset or 1 hour before sunrise
    if ((hour(now())>=(InternalMemory.StdLightsOffHour_read()+1) || hour(now())<InternalMemory.StdLightsOnHour_read()) || (ReefAngel.isOverheat())) {
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (1,0);
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (2,0);
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (3,0);
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (4,0);
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (5,0);
    }

    if (ReefAngel.isLightsOnMode()) {
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(2,15);
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(3,15);
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(4,15);
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel(5,15);
    }

    if (ReefAngel.isWaterChangeMode()) {
      ReefAngel.Relay.On( Port6 );
      ReefAngel.PWM.SetActinic( 0 );
    }

    // moonlight on between sunset hour and sunrise hour
    //if (hour(now())>=(InternalMemory.StdLightsOffHour_read()-1) || hour(now())<=InternalMemory.StdLightsOnHour_read()+1) ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (0, (map(MoonPhase(), 0,100,10,25)));
    //else ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (0,0);

    //Custom Variables and Calculations for Dosing and Lighting Durations
    //if (RST == true) {
    if ( (now()%86400==3600) || RST == true ) {
      int DailyCalc = ((InternalMemory.DP2Timer_read()) * (1440 / InternalMemory.DP2RepeatInterval_read()));   //Calc ml/day
      int DailyAlk = ((InternalMemory.DP1Timer_read()) * (1440 / InternalMemory.DP1RepeatInterval_read()));    //Alk ml/day
      if (DailyCalc!=ReefAngel.CustomVar[0]) ReefAngel.CustomVar[0]=DailyCalc;
      if (DailyAlk!=ReefAngel.CustomVar[1]) ReefAngel.CustomVar[1]=DailyAlk;
      RST = false;
    }

    if (ReefAngel.LowATO.IsActive() == 1 ) {
      ReefAngel.CustomVar[2]=1;
    }

    if (ReefAngel.CustomVar[3] == 1 ) {
      ReefAngel.CustomVar[2] = 0;
      ReefAngel.CustomVar[3] = 0;
    }

    ////// Place your custom code above here
    ReefAngel.Portal( "clw143" );
    // This should always be the last line
    ReefAngel.ShowInterface();
}

////// Place your custom functions below here

////// Place your custom functions above here



// RA_STRING1=gKt/ikl5qt+yGq8DMDq1tQ==::NTdkYmJkMzM0ODdmMmE0NA==
// RA_STRING2=
// RA_STRING3=
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PORT1=Calc
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PORT2=Alk
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PORT4=Skimmer
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PORT5=LED Fans
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PORT6=Fuge Light
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PORT7=Heater
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PORT8=ATO Pump
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PWME0=Moon Light
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PWME1=Combined
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PWME2=Daylight R
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PWME3=Blue Right
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PWME4=Daylight L
// RA_LABEL LABEL_PWME5=Blue Left

// WIZARD_CONFIG_JSON={"board":"plus","memory":"memory","tempUnit":"fahrenheit","overHeatTemp":"82","overHeatTempProbe":"T1","dimmingExpansion":true,"wifiAttachment":true,"dimmingData":{"standardDimming":[{"number":1,"name":"Daylight","waveform":"none","settings":{"startTime":"","startPercent":"","duration":"","endTime":"","endPercent":""}},{"number":2,"name":"Actinic","waveform":"static","settings":{"startTime":"","startPercent":"","duration":"","endTime":"","endPercent":"","staticValue":90}}],"moonSettings":{"longitude":-92.2387228,"latitude":30.3655939},"dimmingExpansion":[{"number":0,"waveform":"moonphase","advancedMoon":true,"settings":{"startTime":"","startPercent":"","duration":0,"endTime":"","endPercent":""}},{"number":1,"waveform":"slope","advancedMoon":false,"settings":{"startTime":"","startPercent":"","duration":0,"endTime":"","endPercent":""}},{"number":2,"waveform":"slope","advancedMoon":false,"settings":{"startTime":"","startPercent":"","duration":0,"endTime":"","endPercent":""}},{"number":3,"waveform":"slope","advancedMoon":false,"settings":{"startTime":"","startPercent":"","duration":0,"endTime":"","endPercent":""}},{"number":4,"waveform":"slope","advancedMoon":false,"settings":{"startTime":"","startPercent":"","duration":0,"endTime":"","endPercent":""}},{"number":5,"waveform":"slope","advancedMoon":false,"settings":{"startTime":"","startPercent":"","duration":0,"endTime":"","endPercent":""}}]},"mainRelayPorts":[{"function":"dosing","settings":{"dosingOffset":"10","dependsOn":false,"conditionalParameter":"ph","conditionalOperator":"<","conditionalValue":"840","waterChangeOverride":true}},{"function":"dosing","settings":{"dosingOffset":"0","dependsOn":true,"conditionalParameter":"ph","conditionalOperator":"<","conditionalValue":"840","waterChangeOverride":true}},{"function":"notused","settings":{"dosingOffset":"0"}},{"function":"delayed","settings":{"dosingOffset":"0","waterChangeOverride":true}},{"function":"timeschedule","settings":{"dosingOffset":"0"}},{"function":"opposite","settings":{"dosingOffset":"0","useMemory":false,"oppositePort":"main-5","dependsOn":false}},{"function":"heater","settings":{"dosingOffset":"0","heaterProbe":"T1","waterChangeOverride":true,"overHeatOverride":true}},{"function":"topoff","settings":{"dosingOffset":"0","waterChangeOverride":true}}],"labels":{"LABEL_PORT1":"Calc","LABEL_PORT2":"Alk","LABEL_PORT4":"Skimmer","LABEL_PORT5":"LED Fans","LABEL_PORT6":"Fuge Light","LABEL_PORT7":"Heater","LABEL_PORT8":"ATO Pump","LABEL_PWME0":"Moon Light","LABEL_PWME1":"Combined","LABEL_PWME2":"Daylight R","LABEL_PWME3":"Blue Right","LABEL_PWME4":"Daylight L","LABEL_PWME5":"Blue Left"},"customCode":{"globalVariables":"byte DCPSpeed = 90;","initializationCode":"","customCode":"//PWM Expansion Channels = 0 if Overheat or Lights off\nif ((hour(now())>=(InternalMemory.StdLightsOffHour_read()+1) || hour(now())<InternalMemory.StdLightsOnHour_read()) || (ReefAngel.Params.Temp[T1_PROBE]>InternalMemory.OverheatTemp_read())) {\n  ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (1,0);\n  ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (2,0);\n  ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (3,0);\n  ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (4,0);\n  ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (5,0);\n}\n\n  // moonlight are on between sunset hour and sunrise hour\nif (hour(now())>=(InternalMemory.StdLightsOffHour_read()-1) || hour(now())<=InternalMemory.StdLightsOnHour_read()+1) ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (0, (map(MoonPhase(), 0,100,10,25)));\nelse ReefAngel.PWM.SetChannel (0,0);","customFunctions":""}}

[clw143]

Also worth mentioning...

If I remove the following single line of code.

Code: Select all

    ReefAngel.StandardATO( Port8 );

The following code seems to never falsely trigger

Code: Select all

    if (ReefAngel.LowATO.IsActive() == 1 ) {
      ReefAngel.CustomVar[2]=1;
    }

[brennyn21]

Can you move the float switch to manual trigger it? Have you tried replacing your float switches?

[clw143]

I can trigger manually. I have replaced them both.

I just replaced the cable from the RA+ to the relay box. Just an observation, the one I replaced with has the noise filter magnets on both ends, and the RA original did not, but the cable looks perfect.

This might have been my issue all along!

My temps seem to be behaving and not dropping out, also my pH went up by about .15. I will monitor my ATO to see what happens.

[clw143]

So I changed to a different VGA cable, ports 2, 4, 6, and 7, as well as the the AP dimmable port out of the relay box all do not work, but the temps are solid (fingers crossed for ATO low). I tried another cable and ports 7 and 8 don't work, but that is the older cable that is missing pin 9 on both ends. I guess I am gonna have to drum up a new VGA cable. At least I feel like I have put my fingers on the issue.

Thanks for the help.

[brennyn21]

Make sure you use a SVGA and not a VGA. SVGA should have all pins populated and better shielding