2 x COR15 on one EB832

[benapilot]

Is anyone running two COR15s on one EB832?

I'm upgrading my tank and would rather have two smaller return pumps than one large one. I already have a COR15. Would I be able to add another and run it on the same EB832? I know there is the 100w limitation, but if neither is running at 100% I should be good. Ironically it's the same price to get a COR20 than an additional COR15 plus a 1Link module.

Any real world experience?

 

[SuncrestReef]

Since I already replied to your question at the Neptune Forums, I figured I'd repeat some info here so others are aware of the limitations:

Neptune's COR User Guide warns about overloading the EB832:

Do not exceed the maximum 24VDC load of the EB832 or 1LINK module, which is 100 watts. Add another 1LINK module or EB832 if necessary.

• The COR15 may draw up to 60 watts
• WAVs draw up to 30 watts
• PMUP draws approximately 17 watts
• DŌS draws up to 22 watts

Additionally, if you choose to connect multiple COR-15's to a single EB832, be sure you set the Fallback mode appropriately since the COR will revert to the Fallback setting if the EB832 ever gets disconnected or when the Apex is rebooted. If it's set to Fallback ON, that would place both COR's at 100% and overload your EB. You can instead set Fallback to a lower percentage or use a predefined Profile:

Fallback 30
- or -
Fallback COR_Profile

Also remember you won't be able to add any other devices (1Link or 24v Accessory) to your EB832, such as the WAV, DOS, Trident, PMUP, or Solenoid.

See page 26 of the COR User Guide for more details on using Fallback. https://www.neptunesystems.com/downloads/docs/COR_User_Guide_for_APEX.pdf

 

[SuncrestReef]

One other word of caution: If a snail or other debris gets stuck in the COR impeller, that can cause it to draw more watts than normal and could overload the EB if it's already near the 100w load limit.

 

[benapilot]

Thanks @SuncrestReef!!

I'm hoping someone who has done this can chime in. i.e. both running at 80% would be ok...

One other word of caution: If a snail or other debris gets stuck in the COR impeller, that can cause it to draw more watts than normal and could overload the EB if it's already near the 100w load limit.

Will this just kill the CORs or the whole Energy Bar?

 

[SuncrestReef]

Thanks @SuncrestReef!!

I'm hoping someone who has done this can chime in. i.e. both running at 80% would be ok...



Will this just kill the CORs or the whole Energy Bar?

It can damage the 24V power supply inside the EB832. The 120v outlets would likely still work, but the (3) 1Link ports and the (2) 24v Accessory ports could be dead.

Personally, I don't think it's worth the risk, and really limits you on taking advantage of those other ports if you use all the capacity on these two COR pumps.

 

[benapilot]

Ok. Thanks! I just wend down and fiddled with my current COR15 and found that anything above 60% tops 50 watts. Looks like I'll be needing the get either a 1link or a COR20....

 

[SuncrestReef]

Ok. Thanks! I just wend down and fiddled with my current COR15 and found that anything above 60% tops 50 watts. Looks like I'll be needing the get either a 1link or a COR20....

That sounds like a safer plan.

Be sure to check out my series of Apex articles and tutorials for more tips: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/authors/suncrestreef.93940/

 

[Tcook]

I run 2 Cor20 pumps for return and are oblivious plugged straight into the wall outlets. I have a Cor15 running my skimmer and it's plugged into a 1Link. I have too many other things to control to limit my EB8. Are you not interested in controlling heaters, power heads, ato, CO2 reactor etc? I think you will be much happier running that Cor on a 1Link and have your 832 free to control other items.

 

[User1]

Well, ask and you shall receive...

Yes, I'm running 2 x Cor 15's on one energy bar (eb832). I also run a Cor 20 but that is not plugged into the eb832 but rather a wall socket. Since I'm a huge fan of the pumps I have 1 x Cor 15 running the skimmer, 1 x Cor 15 on a return line. The Cor 20 is the secondary return line with longest plumbing. Anyway this gives a sense of redundancy and also hot swap capabilities with the skimmer should the need arise to swap.

I have been running this for about 2 years give or take and have used a couple different methods. First was running them 100% as the tank was cycling. This didn't do much other than cause a sand storm and move water in circles between display and sump. Nothing was in the tank and it didn't require anything so I stopped.

Once I did the upgrade and moved corals into the tank with a few fish I had I ran them about 60% or so each. This worked and was good. I let this go for a bit then decided to add a pair of 1" sea swirls. In this configuration I altered the pumps to ramp up and down over time with the low setting 15% and the high 80%. Worked great. Created a nice left right movement but my sump water level didn't like it much and ATO and skimmer complained.

Next up I created a virtual outlet, named it tide, and let it switch to manage the percentage of each pump. This worked great. Sump was happy. Skimmer was happy. I was happy. In fact that is how it is running today.

Back to @SuncrestReef point. No, this isn't ideal. I'm not running 100% on either pump but the proper thing to do is to add a 2nd eb832 and plug one of the 15's into there. In fact, this is exactly what I'm doing as I have a spare 832 anyway and have been meaning to set this up. It isn't used but I can connect the Cor 15 to it and it will add in another layer. I'm not using the plugs nor need them but they are there and it won't hurt. It also allows me to swap a bar if there is a issue.

tl; dr - I am guilty of running this way but you do need to pay attention to total load on the device. I do not have a lot other than the Cor 15's and a heater. Larger systems probably shouldn't and safer bet is as noted - spares are nice.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I run 2 Cor20 pumps for return and are oblivious plugged straight into the wall outlets. I have a Cor15 running my skimmer and it's plugged into a 1Link. I have too many other things to control to limit my EB8. Are you not interested in controlling heaters, power heads, ato, CO2 reactor etc? I think you will be much happier running that Cor on a 1Link and have your 832 free to control other items.

Keep in mind the EB832 is actually 2 different power sources in one unit. There are 8 controllable 120v outputs, and then there’s a 24v power adapter that supplies 24v DC power on (3) 1Link ports and (2) Accessory ports. The discussion above was about the 100 watt limit on the 24v ports. That is completely independent of the 120v outputs where you’d connect heaters, skimmers, etc.

 

[Tcook]

Keep in mind the EB832 is actually 2 different power sources in one unit. There are 8 controllable 120v outputs, and then there’s a 24v power adapter that supplies 24v DC power on (3) 1Link ports and (2) Accessory ports. The discussion above was about the 100 watt limit on the 24v ports. That is completely independent of the 120v outputs where you’d connect heaters, skimmers, etc.

Gotcha. I'm still an Apex classic reefer.

 

[tbaity1401]

@SuncrestReef do you know how many watts a Trident draws?

 

[SuncrestReef]

@SuncrestReef do you know how many watts a Trident draws?

I have not seen any published specs on the Trident power consumption. I would assume it's less than the DOS at 22w since the DOS motors seem to be heavier-duty than the Trident's components, but that's just my speculation.

This would be a good question for Neptune. @Terence ?

 

[SuncrestReef]

@SuncrestReef do you know how many watts a Trident draws?

I posted this question at the Neptune Community Forums, and RussM replied that the Trident takes less than 10w.

See https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?30273-Trident-1Link-power-draw

 

[tbaity1401]

I posted this question at the Neptune Community Forums, and RussM replied that the Trident takes less than 10w.

See https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?30273-Trident-1Link-power-draw

Interesting. So the COR15 really hampers you from utilizing both other 1link ports it appears. Even a COR15, DOS, and Trident could be considered risky.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Interesting. So the COR15 really hampers you from utilizing both other 1link ports it appears. Even a COR15, DOS, and Trident could be considered risky.

No, you'd be fine with a COR15, DOS, and Trident on a single EB832 or 1Link module. The limit is 100 watts:

COR15 ~ 60 watts
DOS ~ 22 watts
Trident ~ 10 watts
--------------------------
Total ~ 92 watts

Not to mention only the COR15 would be running continuously. The Trident only runs a few minutes every few hours depending on the testing schedule, and the DOS typically runs infrequently unless running continuous water changes, and even then it stops frequently to cool down. 92 watts would be an infrequent peak every few hours.

 

[tbaity1401]

@SuncrestReef got it. Appreciate the timely feedback. And great apex write ups!

 

[((FORDTECH))]

No, you'd be fine with a COR15, DOS, and Trident on a single EB832 or 1Link module. The limit is 100 watts:

COR15 ~ 60 watts
DOS ~ 22 watts
Trident ~ 10 watts
--------------------------
Total ~ 92 watts

Not to mention only the COR15 would be running continuously. The Trident only runs a few minutes every few hours depending on the testing schedule, and the DOS typically runs infrequently unless running continuous water changes, and even then it stops frequently to cool down. 92 watts would be an infrequent peak every few hours.

Does cor-15 have to be run thru 1 link. I have cor-20 and it uses usb and 110v outlet

 

[SuncrestReef]

Does cor-15 have to be run thru 1 link. I have cor-20 and it uses usb and 110v outlet

Yes, the COR-15 only connects via 1Link (which combines AquaBus communications with 24v power), but the COR-20 connects via AquaBus for communications and has its own external 24v power adapter.

See the COR User Guide for details: https://www.neptunesystems.com/downloads/docs/COR_User_Guide_for_APEX.pdf

 

[User1]

Does cor-15 have to be run thru 1 link. I have cor-20 and it uses usb and 110v outlet

Yeah - as noted above the Cor 15 uses the 1 link and only the 1 link. Cor 20 has the power supply. Both are solid pumps. Easy to maintain. Built very well. Thick bodies. Everything needed to plumb. I've had them since launch and everything has been solid so far.

Lots of pumps to choose from no doubt but if you have an Apex it is worth looking at. I bought the Cor 20 during a sale oddly enough so it was a no brainer to buy.