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Controller question
- Thread starter MU8ST7ANG
- Start date
Well the controllers are usually just the controller and sometimes they come with the temp probe.
So there are lots of add ons PH probe, outlets like the DC 4 and DC 8 for the ACjr., computer cables, break out boxes so you hook them to alarms ect. I am not an expert honestly I have a couple days till I get mine so sort of trying to help. Check out www.premiumaquatics.com under controllers. I guess I figure a controller without anything else is sort of useless. IMHO you need a mininum of the Temp probe, 4 outlets. I want to be able to control my lights, a fan and heaters. Hope that helps.
So there are lots of add ons PH probe, outlets like the DC 4 and DC 8 for the ACjr., computer cables, break out boxes so you hook them to alarms ect. I am not an expert honestly I have a couple days till I get mine so sort of trying to help. Check out www.premiumaquatics.com under controllers. I guess I figure a controller without anything else is sort of useless. IMHO you need a mininum of the Temp probe, 4 outlets. I want to be able to control my lights, a fan and heaters. Hope that helps.
I am not familiar with the Reefkeepers, but I have an ACJr and an AC3.
An ACJr bundle from Premium Aquatics comes with the controller, temp probe and a DC8 for under $220. Add a ph probe for $40. That would allow you to control up to 8 electrical outlets for lighting, heaters etc.
Make sure you don't run IceCap ballasts on outlets 4 and 8. They are special relays for low current items and the surge current used by an IceCap will fry them.
An ACJr bundle from Premium Aquatics comes with the controller, temp probe and a DC8 for under $220. Add a ph probe for $40. That would allow you to control up to 8 electrical outlets for lighting, heaters etc.
Make sure you don't run IceCap ballasts on outlets 4 and 8. They are special relays for low current items and the surge current used by an IceCap will fry them.
The DC8 is listed as suitable for IceCap Ballasts as well.
They changed them a couple of years back by using relays on outlets 4 and 8 so you could control low load items like Aqualifter pumps. There is enough trickle current on the triacs that once you start a pump like that, it will keep running in the off state. The relays used for the low current items cannot handle the surge of an IceCap.
After having fried a couple of outlets in a non-warranty situation the one knock I have against Neptune is the repair cost for one outlet is between $50 and $100. Considering you can get a discounted DC8 around $150, it doesn't pay to repair them.
They changed them a couple of years back by using relays on outlets 4 and 8 so you could control low load items like Aqualifter pumps. There is enough trickle current on the triacs that once you start a pump like that, it will keep running in the off state. The relays used for the low current items cannot handle the surge of an IceCap.
After having fried a couple of outlets in a non-warranty situation the one knock I have against Neptune is the repair cost for one outlet is between $50 and $100. Considering you can get a discounted DC8 around $150, it doesn't pay to repair them.