Using return pump with UPS

[wtitb]

Hi,

I currently power my return pump with an UPS. To be able to switch the return off, e.g. in feeding or waterchange mode, I have a DIY adapter between UPS and return pump, that is connected with relay port 8 of the RA. Whenever this port is powered on it toggles a relay in the adapter, that turns off power for the return. So in standard mode the relay port is off and the pump is running.
I have configured the port to be toggled in feeding/waterchange mode, but it's not really toggled (as one could think because of the code comments) but turned off instead, so the pump is still running
How can this be solved? I currently have this:

// Ports toggled in Feeding Mode
ReefAngel.FeedingModePorts = Port6Bit;
// Ports toggled in Water Change Mode
ReefAngel.WaterChangePorts = Port6Bit;

and in the loop:

if (ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu==FEEDING_MODE)
{
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port8);
}
else
{
ReefAngel.Relay.Off(Port8);
}

if (ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu==WATERCHANGE_MODE)
{
ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port8);
}
else
{
ReefAngel.Relay.Off(Port8);
}


works, but is there also a "standard" way for this?

cheers,
Christian

[rimai]

Your code for wc will override any code you made for feeding.
Try this:

Code: Select all

if (ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu==FEEDING_MODE || ReefAngel.DisplayedMenu==WATERCHANGE_MODE)
 {
 ReefAngel.Relay.On(Port8);
 }
 else
 {
 ReefAngel.Relay.Off(Port8);
 }

[wtitb]

Hi Roberto,

I thought there could only be one menu at a time. So how does the wc code override the feeding code?

Just another idea for this: Could I configure a non existent second relay box, assign the return pump to one of its ports and use the adapters port 8 as opposite of the virtual port? Would this work?

Thanks,
Christian

[rimai]

One mode at a time, but the code runs like this in your code:
Checks for feeding and turns on/off port8.
Then it checks for wc and turns on/off port8, which would force it to be on or off depending on which mode you are, disregarding the previous check.
Yes, you can use virtual relays
I've seen a few people doing this.

[wtitb]

oh, thanks for this obvious explanation, seems to be a little late for me this evening

cheers,
Christian