Reefkeeper Elite Question

jeffp1 · Jul 6, 2015

I have a new Elite V2 and there is a triangle with an exclamation point inside of it flashing on the Head Unit. Does anyone know what this means? Have looked on DA Forum and manuals and no luck.

saltyphish · Jul 7, 2015

n2585722 · Jul 7, 2015

Is it working OK? Have you got in touch with DA?

jeffp1 · Jul 8, 2015

No I haven't contacted them yet. I registered on their forum, but am waiting on approval. Figured I would try that first. Yes it seems to be working OK other than ATO won't shut off after it starts the aqualifter pump. Even though the PC4 channel shows the power off on the channel. I like the Controller, but have a couple of little things to work out.

n2585722 · Jul 8, 2015

That is a common issue with low power pumps. Add a surge protector between the PC4 and the pump. Those pumps have a back EMF pulse of several hundred volts when powered off. This causes the triac to turn back on. This can also cause other issues with the controller if the surge protector is not added. Illuminated power strip liberators can also work as you just need a small non inductive load to kill the pulse from the pump.

jeffp1 · Jul 8, 2015

n2585722 said:
That is a common issue with low power pumps. Add a surge protector between the PC4 and the pump. Those pumps have a back EMF pulse of several hundred volts when powered off. This causes the triac to turn back on. This can also cause other issues with the controller if the surge protector is not added. Illuminated power strip liberators can also work as you just need a small non inductive load to kill the pulse from the pump.

I read that somewhere and tried it but did not help. If I understand it right, the switch turns the power of to the PC4 channel when tripped. If the power is off to the channel, how does the pump still run without power? Or am I confused on the way the PC4 works?
Thanks for your help.

davejep · Jul 8, 2015

Try your ATO on the far right outlet. It is on a relay rather than triac. Better for the low draw items.

n2585722 · Jul 8, 2015

Yes you can use either CH1 or CH4 which or relays instead of triacs but you still run the risk of it causing resets on the controller without a surge protector or causing devices on the triacs to momentairly power on. Get a suge protector with at least a 300 volt clampimg spec. The comtroller does turn off the power. That is what causes the oscillation. The back emf pulse of these pu,ps is enough to turn the triac back on without the controller input. Like stated eairlier these pumps put out a very high voltage pulse when you remove the power from them. It is a very low power pulse and a small inductive load such as a light will normally suppress it to the poit it is mot a issue. The newer PB4 and PB8 power bars have the suppression built into the modules. Not all surge portectors will work it depends on clamping voltage.

jeffp1 · Jul 8, 2015

I tried it on channel 3 with a cheap surge protector and it didn't work. Then I took my surge Protector off my computer and it worked as you stated. Then I tried it on channel 4 again without protector and it is working like it should. Thanks a lot for you'lls help. Should I get a protector for the pump just in case or do you think it will be all right?

n2585722 · Jul 8, 2015

If it was me and I was using an aqualifter I would use a surge protector on any output. I use the DP1 for topoff instead. If fact I got two more for automatic water change. I have not installed them yet. It will be a few months out until I do.