Howto: 0-10v Control Return Pump

[Vinny@GHLUSA Verified Sponsor]

This information is in the GHL Knowledge Base:
https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/knowledge-base/create-custom-wave-patterns-with-profilux/
It is also in the official reference thread that is pinned at the top of our R2R forum:
http://reef2reef.com/threads/howto-0-10v-control-return-pump.274565/

 

[mlandscape]

Thanks, @Vinny@GHLUSA. I have found it all in the new Resource Guide which seems clearer to me fingers crossed

 

[mlandscape]

Great news guys @Brew12 @Lasse @Vinny@GHLUSA all working Thanks for all your help.

 

[Macca_75]

Thanks, @Vinny@GHLUSA I had seen that before but forgotten about it. Hopefully not confused me by connecting his blue wire to terminal 2. Any better explanation videos on setting up the 1-10v Stream. Bit short and sweet in this video

Could you just connect the 2 x wires to pins 2 & 3 of a RJ12 connector (and do away with the breakout box) if you only wanted to control one of the L ports?

 

[Brew12]

Could you just connect the 2 x wires to pins 2 & 3 of a RJ12 connector (and do away with the breakout box) if you only wanted to control one of the L ports?

I'd have to double check the pin numbers, but the breakout box is little more than a convenient way to wire it. Not necessary at all. Most people don't have the tools to pin in their own RJ12 connectors. I believe you could wire a 2nd cable into pin's 5&6 and run 2 pumps off a single RJ12 connector.

 

[sylvius]

Sorry to reply to an older thread but still trying to understand this. Assuming I have the tools is there any reason one could not take a standard headphone cable and wire one end to an rj-12? Seems an easy and cheaper solution which is why I’m worried I’m missing the reason it’s impossible.

 

[Lasse]

Sorry to reply to an older thread but still trying to understand this. Assuming I have the tools is there any reason one could not take a standard headphone cable and wire one end to an rj-12? Seems an easy and cheaper solution which is why I’m worried I’m missing the reason it’s impossible.

Its not impossible if you know which of the six wires in the RJ-12 cable you should use. I did that before the era of break out boxes. But break out boxes are much easier to use for most people and you do not risk to do a mistake that can damage your main unit. You need to know the colouration of the RJ12 and I have seen at least two different types.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[sylvius]

Thanks for the reply Lasse. I still think it should be quite trivial to crimp on an RJ12 and avoid a $30 box expense (and actually another box in the middle of my setup is what I am really trying to avoid).

On a related note, is it possible to send a 0V signal to the pump via the 1-10V control to turn it off (temporarily) thus allowing the return pump to be powered from an uncontrolled outlet but still fully controlled by profilux?

Last question that is peripherally related: it seems that the right flow meter for the pump I need is 5000L/h which would be connected to a 3/4" return line to the tank. However, the imperial fittings for that flow meter list 1/2" glue connectors which would seem very small for 5000L/hr. Is that correct???

 

[sylvius]

At risk of answering my first question (hopefully correctly), based on this instruction sheet for the Varios S pump: https://reefoctopus.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Controller-Manual.pdf and this schematic for a standard headphone cable:

and the breakout box pinout:

It should be blue wire to 2, ground to 3 (and if desired could wire a second cable blue to 5 and ground to 3). Anyone care to confirm or refute this? I have plenty of cables, RJ12 connectors and a crimping tool so would love to make it work (assuming that my question from above gives the desired answer that it is possible to send a 0 signal to turn the pump off without damaging it).

Thanks!

 

[Lasse]

To use the breakout box - yes. With just to cut of a RJ12 cable - just identify pin 1 (the two different types I have seen - it is a black or a white wire that´s pin 1. However - it could be others too)

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Member No 1]

SNIP---->

Last question that is peripherally related: it seems that the right flow meter for the pump I need is 5000L/h which would be connected to a 3/4" return line to the tank. However, the imperial fittings for that flow meter list 1/2" glue connectors which would seem very small for 5000L/hr. Is that correct???

Have a look here.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ghl-flow-meter-found-alternative-adapters.308644/page-2

 

[sylvius]

So can anyone confirm that a pump with 0-10V control can be safely turned off by sending a 0 V signal but leaving it connected to an unmonitored outlet?

 

[Member No 1]

So can anyone confirm that a pump with 0-10V control can be safely turned off by sending a 0 V signal but leaving it connected to an unmonitored outlet?

My Red Dragon does.

 

[Ditto]

Yes I do this with my royal exclusive pumps. Maintenance mode 0 Volts and not through a switch port.

 

[sylvius]

Awesome, thank you. Hopefully a much less expensive pump that I can afford will do the same

 

[Lasse]

At least my pumps manage this and I use Coral Box of the DCA type with the new controller. I have both

Coral Box DCA2,000 (500gph) Apex Ready and Coral Box DCA4,000 (1,100gph) Apex Ready​

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Brew12]

Awesome, thank you. Hopefully a much less expensive pump that I can afford will do the same

I use a 0V signal to turn off my Reef Octopus return pump.

 

[Be102]

I use a 0V signal to turn off my Reef Octopus return pump.

I didn’t even know this was a thing... I’ve been running them on switch channels.. my return is one ( always on) whilst my skimmer pump is on a timer.. interesting I can control it via the 0-10 and can potentially just turn it to 0 during “off” rather than using the switch outlet!

 

[Member No 1]

Not directly related per say, but I use P4 in conjunction with GHL's Vortech Interface to control (4) MP40's.
I use a speed of ZERO to shut them down during maintenance or feeding.

 

[sylvius]

Thanks @Lasse those pumps are so affordable I can get two and have a backup. How do you find they perform compared to spec? I have a single 1" overflow and 3/4" return with about 1.4m head. Seems the 6000 should be right but could go with 9000 if their rated performance is more aspirational...Thanks!