How to turn solenoid off when certain Optical sensor is active/closed? Can solenoid be on a schedule? An hour a day?

[Doostur]

Hi sirs. I'm sure this is just a matter of coding. Maybe someone on here could help me out.

- I'd like to tie my solenoid to an optical sensor. When the optical sensor is active/closed state, the solenoid turns off.

and

- I'd like to be able to set my solenoid to turn on for an hour a day. This would allow enough time for water to flow through, and top off my RO container. This would also avoid the solenoid being on 24/7 as well. Just trying to prolong its life, since when its on, i noticed it get pretty warm.


Here is a post from my build thread for additional details and clarity of what I'm trying to do.

Build Thread - Doostur's Waterbox 230.6 - Mixed Reef Build

Nice build. Is that a Bella goby in there? Any issues with him making it rain sand?

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks!!!!

 

[TheHarold]

Solenoid is normally closed I think.

Wouldn’t that be adding the following to ROSOLENOID, and then turning it to auto:

“set on”
“if ROHIGH closed then off”

 

[Doostur]

Solenoid is normally closed I think.

Wouldn’t that be adding the following to ROSOLENOID, and then turning it to auto:

“set on”
“if ROHIGH closed then off”

In order for water to flow through the solenoid, I need to set it to ON.

If I set it to OFF, then my water stops.

If I set it to auto, it stops my flow and goes off because my configuration says 1. "set off"

 

[TheHarold]

In order for water to flow through the solenoid, I need to set it to ON.

If I set it to OFF, then my water stops.

If I set it to auto, it stops my flow and goes off because my configuration says 1. "set off"

you want it to normally have power, so it is open.


Change the configuration to what I said- “set on, if SOSOLENOID closed then off”

 

[Doostur]

you want it to normally have power, so it is open.


Change the configuration to what I said- “set on, if SOSOLENOID closed then off”

I added it as you suggested. I tested it by dunking my ROHIGH under water and my solenoid shut off. You the man!!

Never messed around with coding. Rather ask, than take a chance. I'll be going out of town for a week, so better to be safe than sorry.

So now the question becomes.... Can the solenoid be set on a schedule so it turns on for an hour a day?

 

[TheHarold]

I added it as you suggested. I tested it by dunking my ROHIGH under water and my solenoid shut off. You the man!!

Never messed around with coding. Rather ask, than take a chance. I'll be going out of town for a week, so better to be safe than sorry.

So now the question becomes.... Can the solenoid be set on a schedule so it turns on for an hour a day?

Yup. What hour? Lol

Set off
If time X to Y then on

^^military time

 

[Doostur]

Yup. What hour? Lol

Set off
If time X to Y then on

^^military time

I'm thinking 6pm to 7pm. So 1800 to 1900.

So just add the following to the bottom of what I already have?

Set off
If time 1800 to 1900 then on

 

[Doostur]

I tried to upload this:

Set ON
If ROHIGH CLOSED Then OFF
Set off
If time 1800 to 1900 then on

Error im getting...

 

[TheHarold]

I tried to upload this:

Set ON
If ROHIGH CLOSED Then OFF
Set off
If time 1800 to 1900 then on

Error im getting...

Two issues. Firstly, you cannot have both set on and set off for the same outlet. Secondly, you need the ":" in time statements

I believe you are trying to do:
Set off
If time 18:00 to 19:00 then on
If ROHIGH closed then off


Which translates to:
-Normally the solenoid will be off (no water pass through)
-If the time is between 18:00 and 19:00, the solenoid will be on (water pass through).
-If the ROHIGH switch is closed, then the solenoid is off (no water pass through)



You might want to add a line that prevents the solenoid "flickering" on and off during that hour, like "defer 5 then on".

 

[Doostur]

Set it to:

Set OFF
If Time 18:00 to 19:00 Then ON
If ROHIGH CLOSED Then OFF

Tested and everything works perfectly. Thanks for your help. Is there a guide by Neptune for simple programming etc? I haven't looked honestly.

 

[TheHarold]

Set it to:

Set OFF
If Time 18:00 to 19:00 Then ON
If ROHIGH CLOSED Then OFF

Tested and everything works perfectly. Thanks for your help. Is there a guide by Neptune for simple programming etc? I haven't looked honestly.

Our very own @SuncrestReef mades awesome guides! Probably better than the one from Neptune

Articles by SuncrestReef

www.reef2reef.com