Looks like a channel is down.

[Bob 1000]

AC3 pro one of the channels only stays on.. WTF, really getting tired of these controllers had the same thing happen to the Rk2 I had but that was 2.5 years old.. This unit is only 9 months old..

What it was running:
500 watt heater
400 watt metal halide
4x39 watt t5 fixture sump light
19in fan
Co2 soleniod for calcium reactor

Anyone else experienceing these type of failures??

 

[beerfish]

Seems like a lot of power running through there. Are you running through the DC8 or the DC4HD?

The DC 8 is rated for max 6 Amps, total current must be less than 15 Amps.

 

[Bob 1000]

DC8... So what your telling me is that I can't run my lights and heater on the same one I have to purchase another Aqua controller to run my heater and my 2nd halide???

 

[masterswimmer]

Tobin, your AC3 has nothing to do with the DC8. The DC8 is your outlet module. Each outlet can run a maximum of 6 amp load. Your total DC8 can't be more than 15 amps.

Your load as you listed above is under 10 amps. You should be fine with that.

Russ

 

[Bob 1000]

How come the outlet is only running on and can't be controlled... When it comes to the ac3 I'd rather play dumb and ask a question than try to figure it out I'm just to busy no a days..
Thanks for the help in advance guy's..

 

[masterswimmer]

The AC3 seems to be failing. The DC8 is just a bunch of outlets. There's no 'electronics' in the DC8 (that I can think of). If the channel is staying on, the AC3 controller seems to be malfunctioning. I'd call Neptune customer service if I were you. They should be able to help.

 

[beerfish]

Your load as you listed above is under 10 amps. You should be fine with that.

You sure about that? Icecap 400w ballasts run about 5.4A each and the Heater is close to 5A as well. 2 400W Ballasts and the heater by themselves push over the 15A limit. Too much current could have easily blown out the control mechanism to the outlet.

Even if you are under, you're probably cutting it close and may want to consider the heavy duty DC4 for the MH at least.

 

[beerfish]

The AC3 seems to be failing. The DC8 is just a bunch of outlets. There's no 'electronics' in the DC8 (that I can think of). If the channel is staying on, the AC3 controller seems to be malfunctioning. I'd call Neptune customer service if I were you. They should be able to help.

There is a bus in the DC8 that tells the AC3 which outlet each channel is (my guess is that they're controlled by relay switches but I'm not sure). If this is the case, and the relay is fried, it will cause the circuit to remain in a single state (i.e. Open or Closed), and not respond to a command to trigger the relay and shut the outlet down.

 

[masterswimmer]

You sure about that? Icecap 400w ballasts run about 5.4A each and the Heater is close to 5A as well. 2 400W Ballasts and the heater by themselves push over the 15A limit. Too much current could have easily blown out the control mechanism to the outlet.

Even if you are under, you're probably cutting it close and may want to consider the heavy duty DC4 for the MH at least.

500 watt heater
400 watt metal halide
4x39 watt t5 fixture sump light = 156w
-------------------------------------
1056w

19in fan
Co2 soleniod for calcium reactor
----------------------------------
Lets figure 50w for the fan and solenoid, you can use 100w if you want.

total = 1156/120v= 9.6333333333 amps

I don't see anywhere anything about IC ballasts.

 

[beerfish]

Was just using IC ballast as an example, and even though they are only 400W, they put out 5.4 as per specs.

Bob, are you running 1 or 2 MHs on this? You can find amperage on the ballast or manufacturer's site to confirm one way or another what your total load is. Even if it didn't cause the failure, it's good information to know.

 

[Bob 1000]

Thanks Russ and beerfish coralvue 400watt ballast i'll get the specs later on I'm putting the skin on my stand right now though..

 

[beerfish]

Coralvue claims to run at 3.6A

Under normal conditions then, your Amps should be ok. My next thought would be a power surge. If the AC is doing OK with all the other outlets, my money would be on a failed DC8.

 

[Bob 1000]

How many dc8 can I safely run from a ac3..

 

[beerfish]

I think it's up to 5.

 

[Bob 1000]

Thanks

 

[juiceguy]

tobin i used to have the AC3 and i didn't use the DC8 for my halides or chiller, i purchased the heavy duty outlet for that equipment. a 400w ballast may run at 400w but upon startup any electronic ballast can use 2-3 times the rated current to fire the bulb up.

 

[Bob 1000]

Thanks Frank

 

[GreshamH]

500 watt heater
400 watt metal halide
4x39 watt t5 fixture sump light = 156w
-------------------------------------
1056w

19in fan
Co2 soleniod for calcium reactor
----------------------------------
Lets figure 50w for the fan and solenoid, you can use 100w if you want.

total = 1156/120v= 9.6333333333 amps

I don't see anywhere anything about IC ballasts.

Those are running numbers and not start up Not to mention no ballast has zero waste so even if it's a 500w ballast it has to draw more then that You know this, but just forgot :lol:

 

[regal]

AC3 pro one of the channels only stays on..

You mean it could not be manually turned off with the controller? Or, the controller says it is off but the DC8 outlet is stuck to the "on" position. Which outlet is it on (possible 4 or 8) and what is plugged into it? I am running 2 400W MH with it among other things without any issues.

 

[masterswimmer]

Those are running numbers and not start up Not to mention no ballast has zero waste so even if it's a 500w ballast it has to draw more then that You know this, but just forgot :lol:

Correct G. However, the rules are that you don't run higher than 80% of the max load to account for start up. This scenario was so far below the 80% it didn't bear mentioning. :splitspin

But thanks for the kick in the rear