Hydros Control X3

[Digitalfirex]

It is my understanding that all of the newer power supplies come with the terminator built-in. It was only the very early ones that didn't have it (but check with Coralvue as I am not 100% sure on that).

The 'why' is that the terminator is needed for the Can Bus to work. If I understand it correctly, having the terminator in the power supply saves you from having to add the dongle.

HYDROS Command Bus Terminator

CoralVue HYDROS Command Bus Terminator

www.coralvue.com

(Hopefully I understood your question correctly).

Got it. I haven't purchased anything yet, so I'd probably got with the power supply with built in resistor.

Anyone have a picture of a longer than 50ft data bus cable?

 

[n2585722]

It is my understanding that all of the newer power supplies come with the terminator built-in. It was only the very early ones that didn't have it (but check with Coralvue as I am not 100% sure on that).

The 'why' is that the terminator is needed for the Can Bus to work. If I understand it correctly, having the terminator in the power supply saves you from having to add the dongle.

HYDROS Command Bus Terminator

CoralVue HYDROS Command Bus Terminator

www.coralvue.com

(Hopefully I understood your question correctly).

On their site when you order a power supply you can choose if it has the terminator or not. You only use two terminators. If you have three supplies you would want one that does not have the terminator. That would be out of the norm since most people will only have the control units in 2 places so the need for a data only cable. It is my understanding that there will be Control units with built in supplies with them you would still need a terminator. An example if a control unit like that is a WaveEngine it has a separate connector for its power supply. With that in the buss you cannot have the power supply connected unless there is a data only cable between it and the control unit with a built in supply. It is only the separate power supply that you would have to make sure is separated from a powered buss.

 

[n2585722]

Got it. I haven't purchased anything yet, so I'd probably got with the power supply with built in resistor.

Anyone have a picture of a longer than 50ft data bus cable?

There is a 50ft cable on the CoralVue site here https://www.coralvue.com/coralvue-hydros-system-command-bus-cable-data-only . If you want one longer you would need to contact CoralVue for pricing and availability. My understanding these are made in house.

Basically the reason for having it in the power supply is that there is no extra buss ports to put the terminator on if you use a data only cable since you will need a power supply on each end. If you use a control unit with a built in supply or a WaveEngine you would have the extra buss connector to use the terminator on. You can get by with a single terminator if the distance is not very far. But anything far enough you have to use a data only cable I would use 2. One on each end.

 

[FishyFishFish]

This is from the Hydros forum, so it looks like my info was incorrect:

As of writing this (5/2021), all supplies that come in Hydros Starter packs are NOT terminated. At some point in the future that will change but I currently do not have that information. So for now assume your supply is NOT terminated unless you specifically ordered it in that configuration

Any reason for not having the terminator in the power supply? Why would they not have them all with the terminators installed?

 

[n2585722]

This is from the Hydros forum, so it looks like my info was incorrect:



Any reason for not having the terminator in the power supply? Why would they not have them all with the terminators installed?

You would not want a power supply to have one if it is the third supply or more in a collective. That would require some DIY or a third party device to do though. Also it is not needed unless you are creating a collective.

Edit: Also to add if all the control units are close and no data only cable is used there is room for a single terminator on the buss. With those collectives one terminator will work.

 

[n2585722]

Also there are these if you want to use a CAT5 cable between one area and another https://www.jbaquaticsllc.com/produ...et-pair-/22?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false . It would require a buss cable on each end to connect these to the control unit. There is also a place to connect a power supply if you want to use a terminator on the end buss connector.

 

[n2585722]

Since there is a lot of interest in the command bus, power supplies and terminators. There is a good explanation of hooking up collectives here https://forum.coralvuehydros.com/threads/advanced-command-bus.335/ .

 

[mike89t]

Any word on when these will be available?

 

[n2585722]

Any word on when these will be available?

CoralVue is in Slidell La. They got hit with hurricane Ida so I am not sure how long it will take them to get things running again.

 

[FishyFishFish]

I’ve gone for GHL whilst waiting.

 

[FishyFishFish]

So what happened to this then?

There was a website taking pre-orders for shipping by 31 Aug, That website no longer lists the items and Coralvue is still showing no stock.

 

[n2585722]

So what happened to this then?

There was a website taking pre-orders for shipping by 31 Aug, That website no longer lists the items and Coralvue is still showing no stock.

Did you know that CoralVue is in Slidell La and it was hit by hurricane Ida. I am not even sure they have electricity back on. There is no delivery service to that area. So that could be the reason for the delays on this. I know the X3 works first hand. So any delays are because of parts availability or the hurricane. I thought you went the GHL route.

 

[FishyFishFish]

I did; I was just curious (and I have more than one tank that needs a controller).

That makes sense - it was just odd that it disappeared from one of their associates websites, rather than the site just being updated.

 

[n2585722]

I did; I was just curious (and I have more than one tank that needs a controller).

That makes sense - it was just odd that it disappeared from one of their associates websites, rather than the site just being updated.

They probably removed it until they can get more info from CoralVue on the time fame for getting them since the hurricane hit. CoralVue was also in the process of moving to a larger location. I am not sure how far along that was when the hurricane hit.

 

[FishyFishFish]

Thanks.

And for the record, whilst no excuse, I hadn't read the previous post before mine (about the hurricane) when I stated that I had gone with GHL.

It's pretty clear from my posts that I'm not Coralvue's greatest fan, but I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

 

[n2585722]

From what I know everyone is safe that works there. I also have relatives that live near New Orleans also. They are all safe also. We will have to give them time to get things back up and running. Have you used a Hydros yet?

 

[efly77]

So after looking into the controllers, I placed an order last week for the X3 starter pack and Waveengine LE. That said, I did not order the Terminator connector and there was no option on either product to select the PowerSupply with or without it. Both boxes will be installed side by side so I guess I will not be able to create a collective until I get the terminator? Since I am in Canada, no one seems to have it available locally and the shipping from CoralVue is 30$ to Canada... So 30$ in shipping for a 5$ items doesn't make sense... I guess I will have to run the units separately until I can get my hands on a terminator? Any know of an alternative by any chance?

 

[CuseReefer]

So after looking into the controllers, I placed an order last week for the X3 starter pack and Waveengine LE. That said, I did not order the Terminator connector and there was no option on either product to select the PowerSupply with or without it. Both boxes will be installed side by side so I guess I will not be able to create a collective until I get the terminator? Since I am in Canada, no one seems to have it available locally and the shipping from CoralVue is 30$ to Canada... So 30$ in shipping for a 5$ items doesn't make sense... I guess I will have to run the units separately until I can get my hands on a terminator? Any know of an alternative by any chance?

If you, or anyone you know, is handy with a soldering iron... its pretty easy to make one yourself. That being said you will need to make a stand alone terminator and not a terminated power supply... since you will be using the WELE to power the X3. The power supply for the WELE isnt actually on the command bus hence why a terminator there doesnt work.

You will need a GX12-5 connector (all over amazon) and a 120 ohm leaded resistor. Just solder it between pins 2 and 3 as shown in this thread:

Full DIY Hydros Pinout Cheat Sheet

Here is the full summary of all current Hydros ports for DIY purposed. Use at your own discretion. This is provided for reference purposes only. DO NOT make any cables unless you fully understand electrical loading requirements and wire gauge impacts. Again, I nor Coralvue DO NOT take any risk...

forum.coralvuehydros.com

If possible make 2 of them, one for each end, but for only 2 devices 1 is enough.

For now you can connect them together and have the WELE power your X3, they will just be independent in the app for now.

 

[efly77]

If you, or anyone you know, is handy with a soldering iron... its pretty easy to make one yourself. That being said you will need to make a stand alone terminator and not a terminated power supply... since you will be using the WELE to power the X3. The power supply for the WELE isnt actually on the command bus hence why a terminator there doesnt work.

You will need a GX12-5 connector (all over amazon) and a 120 ohm leaded resistor. Just solder it between pins 2 and 3 as shown in this thread:

Full DIY Hydros Pinout Cheat Sheet

Here is the full summary of all current Hydros ports for DIY purposed. Use at your own discretion. This is provided for reference purposes only. DO NOT make any cables unless you fully understand electrical loading requirements and wire gauge impacts. Again, I nor Coralvue DO NOT take any risk...

forum.coralvuehydros.com

If possible make 2 of them, one for each end, but for only 2 devices 1 is enough.

For now you can connect them together and have the WELE power your X3, they will just be independent in the app for now.

Thank you so much ! There seems to be many 120 OHM resistors with different W rating. Does it matter which one I get? I am handy enough to solder it between the 2 pins but not an electronics specialist... Thanks again !

 

[CuseReefer]

Thank you so much ! There seems to be many 120 OHM resistors with different W rating. Does it matter which one I get? I am handy enough to solder it between the 2 pins but not an electronics specialist... Thanks again !

Any 120 OHM 5% 1/4W AXIAL will work fine.