Reefkeeper lite problem

Sumguyy · Jul 24, 2018

This weekend I purchased a used Reefkeeper lite for my frag tank and invert quarantine tank.

Have channel 1 running the frag heater, channel 2 running the frag skimmer, channel 3 running the quarantine return pump, and channel 4 running the frag return pump.

I’m having problems with channel 3. I have channels 2, 3, and 4 set off in standby mode. Channel 3 won’t turn off. All the others channels work fine. Weird part is if I unplug the power cord for the pump and plug it back in while still in standby it stays off until standby is done.

I have reset the unit to factory settings and tried the other pump on the same channel with the same results. Anyone else ever run into this?

Thank you.

n2585722 · Jul 24, 2018

If this is a low power pump then try adding a surge protector between the outlet and pump. Make sure and get one with a low clamping voltage 330 volts if you can get that. Low power pumps put out a voltage spike when they loose power this spike can turn the triac back on. Also illuminated power strip liberators have been known to work. Is the power bar a PC4 or PB4?

Sumguyy · Jul 24, 2018

Awesome I’ll try a surge protector and see if that works.

It’s the PC4

n2585722 · Jul 25, 2018

The PC4 will do that on CH2 and CH3 with low power pumps. The PB4 is suppose to have circuits that prevent this.

DesertReefT4r · Jul 27, 2018

I think I was having this type of issue as well when my ATO pump turns on my mh lights flicker on I'd they are turned off. Seems like a slight surge of power.

Sumguyy · Jul 27, 2018

n2585722 said:
If this is a low power pump then try adding a surge protector between the outlet and pump. Make sure and get one with a low clamping voltage 330 volts if you can get that. Low power pumps put out a voltage spike when they loose power this spike can turn the triac back on. Also illuminated power strip liberators have been known to work. Is the power bar a PC4 or PB4?

I switched the pumps places on the power strip and it worked. Thank you!

n2585722 · Jul 27, 2018

Glad you have it working. I added a 47k 1 watt flameproof resistors accross all the outputs on my PC4's I then tried a Aqualifter on CH 2 and 3. This seemed to fix the issue. The Aqualifter would not turn off on those output before adding the resistors.