ac jr vs. reefkeeper 2

[gamepoint]

I was doing a little reading to buy a controller and I am leaning toward one of these two and they seem to be basically the same. Is there any functional or quality differences that anyone knows about that would make one better than the other. Also is there other ones that may be better in this same price range.

[David Grigor]

Reefkeeper has been behind the curve for quite some time but starting to come around. While the interface may be easier to use, when trying to do things that aren't necessarily the ordinary you will have more trouble because of the more rigid rules the interface dictates. If the RK2 currently doesn't have the ability to do what you would like your at the mercy of DA finding it a value and adding it to the next firmware which may or may not ever happen. Reefkeeper datalogging/monitoring software is in it's infancy while the Jr. uses the established Aquanotes ( if you buy the serial option Jr. ) and has datalogging abilities built right into the Jr so no software required.

Ultimately, the main difference between the two is the Jr. can control up to 12 devices while the RK2 only 8. For most that isn't an issue in my case I control 2 pumps for 2part dosing and 1 for Kalkwasser so that eats up 8 ports quite quickly it was nice to add a DC4 to my configuation when I needed to. RK2 doesn't have that option.

The Jr. command language can certainly be a little tricky but along with that also provides more control. Curt gives execellent support and many of us use the Jr as well so any command program questions likely be able to bounce of us locally as well.

Lastly, while it isn't a huge benefit, the Jr. is about $40 cheaper and IMO has a little more capabilities although the RK2 is starting to catch up with the recent software upgrades announced at IMAC.

I personally have standardized on the Jr. and own 3 of them. However, in the end as long as you plan to do the more typical things. Either one will be fine choice and really splitting hairs beyond the number of devices issue ( 12 vs. 8 ).

[sea monkey]

AC ever figure out the issue with low voltage pumps ?

[David Grigor]

So far the known devices that have can have an issue where the AC DC8 will turn on but never turn off are: aqualifter, rio50 small powerhead, and a number of different brand dosing pumps ( including the Aquamedic sp3000 and the twopartsolution pumps along with several others).

The reason is the DC8 don't use true relays but triac to switch on/off. On devices with very small inductive loads and a poor power factor ( the current lags the voltage by a large factor ) the triac switch in the DC8 doesn't turn off. Curt says that some triac can work but no way to predict because of the tolerances the triacs are made. So you just have to test each of your ports to find one that will ( if any ). From reading the RK2 documents ports 4&8 use true relays so for sure isn't an issue on those 2 ports but potentially could be on the other ports ( using triacs ).

Providing you know this there are work arounds. However this is the one area with where Neptune for sure has dropped the ball so to speak. They know of this issue but have not added it to any documentation and pretty much leave it up to you to find the issue and if you haven't tested your dosing pump program and just expect it to work then you may find out the hard way ( which you would be partially to blame as well for not testing before dosing concentrated chemicals).

The workarounds are:
- Plug in an additional load in parallel with the pump (like a small light bulb/night light).
- Use a socket expansion box to control the device.
- Use a DC4 or DC4HD to control the device.

On my show tank where I have 12 devices, I have the dosing pump on a DC4 that uses true relays so it's a non issue. The little tank I was able to find another port on the DC8 that will turn it off. The frag tank I had to incorporate the work around because none of the ports will turn the dosing pump off. In that case I hooked up a mechanical timer ( without the on/off pins in it so that it stays always on ). That creates just enough load on the DC8 port to turn it off.

[sea monkey]

someone told me they were working on something to fix that , guess it never came out : (

night lite work around is not a big deal though.

[David Grigor]

My understanding, the only way to fix would be to not use triac switches in the DC8s. I think the main reason for using triac vs. the true relays is so you don't hear the clicking noise all the time. Thus the workarounds.

FYI: I did do some researching and it is also an issue on the RK2. But since the ports 4&8 on the RK2 powerstrip have true relays you can use them. The AC DC8 on the other hand all 8 ports are triac so the alternatives or work around is required.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9673117#post9673117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by digitalaquatics.com
The pump you're using is a highly inductive load and will not allow the solid state switch to release. You'll need to use channel 4 or 8 to control the pump. They are relay outlets that we've included for this vary reason.

Scott

[sea monkey]

ya the people at RK told me only the two outlets would work for sure.

I'm sure whenever they do a new version of the AC they will add a couple true relays to stay competitive .

They also told me small computer type fans have a problem with the triacs.

[storrisch]

just saw this on RC. I have just started to look at it but seems interesting. http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/

[wolmutt]

I have not had an issue with the AC Jr. control of the two part dosing pumps or the kalk dosing pumps. My pumps always do as programmed. I have been told that there is a bit of quality control problems related to the DC8s in particular, and that sometimes a person may get a DC8 with malfunctioning recepticles.

[David Grigor]

It has to do with the tolerances that the triac switches are built within and sounds to be not an issue just with DC8 but any contoller using Triacs could potentially have the issue. If you find a port that will turn it off then you won't have shouldn't have any issues. It's one of those all or nothing deals. Even it works from the beginning or won't.