ReefKeeper programming question

[snowmansnow]

ok.

lets say I want something to come on for an hour and go off for an hour... then repeat, but only want it to happen between times "x" and "y"...

how would I accomplish such a feat?

B

 

[hnguyen]

I'm not even sure if the reef keeper is capable of doing that. However, there is a multi timer function that you can set for something to come on and off multiple time throughout the day. Hope that helps.

 

[acroholic]

Get yourself a regular plug in the wall type Intermatic Brand Timer (most popular I think), the kind that has the 48 pull out/push in pins for all 24 hours (1/2 hour intervals). Set that timer to come on for an hour/off for an hour for all 24 hours. Then plug that timer into your PC4 and have it come on for the period of time you want it to. Very easy to just program the PC4 outlet as a light with an on/off time. It will feed the Intermatic timer power for the specified period you set, and it will be on or off for an hour each time.

You could also just buy a digital timer and use it the same way, plugged into a PC4, but program your on/off times through the digital timer and program the PC4 outlet as a simple on/off.

 

[hnguyen]

Will that work Dave? Since the timer will stop running as soon as the pc4 cuts power to that outlet. I mean the timer will start to run again as soon as the pc4 powers that outlet but not sure how accurate it will be.

 

[acroholic]

Hnguyen;872902 wrote: Will that work Dave? Since the timer will stop running as soon as the pc4 cuts power to that outlet. I mean the timer will start to run again as soon as the pc4 powers that outlet but not sure how accurate it will be.

If you look at it this way, if the timer is powered by the PC4 for 6 hours total, if the mechanical timer comes on for 15 minutes, then goes off/on for an hour and so on, the last time for the mechanical timer will be 45 minutes on, for a total of 3 hours on/3 hours off. The front and last periods may be split, but they should always add up to 3 on/3 off for any six hour period or any even hour total. An odd hour total may not be that accurate.

If snow needs a full hour on/off every time, then do the digital timer plugged into an always on PC4. Or even the mechanical timer plugged into an always on PC4.

Maybe we should know what he is turning on/off every hour. My guess is a protein skimmer. In that case, I don't think it really matters if it is ultra accurate or not.

 

[hnguyen]

I agree, knowing what he's trying to do will make it easier to determine rather or not it will work.

 

[reefstinger]

acroholic;872900 wrote: get yourself a regular plug in the wall type intermatic brand timer (most popular i think), the kind that has the 48 pull out/push in pins for all 24 hours (1/2 hour intervals). Set that timer to come on for an hour/off for an hour for all 24 hours. Then plug that timer into your pc4 and have it come on for the period of time you want it to. Very easy to just program the pc4 outlet as a light with an on/off time. It will feed the intermatic timer power for the specified period you set, and it will be on or off for an hour each time.

You could also just buy a digital timer and use it the same way, plugged into a pc4, but program your on/off times through the digital timer and program the pc4 outlet as a simple on/off.

+1