Automated Aquarium Systems™


RS-485 Control System FAQs

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Windows PC Aquarium Monitoring and Control System

  1. What do I need to buy just to get started?

    2. Answer: Every RS-485 Aquarium Monitoring and Control System requires these basic items;

    1. A Dedicated Windows PC (User supplied) - click here to review the minimum PC system requirements
      - starting price ~$350.00 (does not include sensors)
    2. SW-TOOLPAK: Windows Software and Hardware AMACS ToolPak CD
    3. FA-24PS: 24VDC, 2A Power Supply Module
    4. 7520: RS232 to RS485 Converter Module

  2. Will the system and AMACS software allow me to turn on/off 120VAC components such as pumps, fans, chillers, etc.. in response to HI or LOW sensor readings that I set?

    3. Answer: YES, the Aquarium Monitoring and Control Software(AMACS) has the ability to allow the user to set Hi and Low trigger points so that power can be either supplied to or removed from a system component.


  3. Will the system and AMACS software allow me to send a numeric page when an alarm condition, exist that I determine?

    4. Answer: YES, AMACS has the ability to allow the user to send a user defined coded numeric message to a pager in the event of an alarm condition also set by the user. For instance, suppose you decided that the number 1 was your code for Temperature and the number 2 was your code for pH. Also that the number 1 was your code for a HI Alarm and the number 0 was your code for a Low Alarm. If you then received a page of "1-0" then you had a "Low Temperature Alarm" and a page of "2-1" would correspond to a "Hi pH Alarm".


  4. Will the system and AMACS software allow me to send an eMail when an alarm condition, exist or eMail my data log files when I decide?

    5. Answer: YES, AMACS sample source code has the email routines already there. Just enter the email address you wish to use when alarming or desiring to send datalogs and your done!. Note: The sample source code has only been tested with Microsoft Outlook.


  5. Will the system and AMACS software allow me to log data to my hard disk at time intervals that I determine?

    6. Answer: YES, AMACS allows the user to select a user defined log interval in 30 second steps from once every 30 seconds to up to once every hour, or not to log data at all - just display it to your screen as it always does.


  6. What will happen if my PC Crashes?

    7. Answer: Each of the 7xxx Modules has a "Watch Dog Timer" that is continuosly refreshed by the PC. If the PC fails to refresh the Watch Dog Timer then the 7xxx Modules will default to their OFF state so that no accidental over heating, over dosing, or over running of any system components controlled by the AMACS will occur.


  7. What would happen if my AC Power goes out?

    8. Answer: When power is removed from any of the 7xxx Modules they will default to their OFF state so that no accidental over heating, over dosing, or over running of any system components controlled by the AMACS will occur. When power is restored, No 7xxx module will trun ON until the AMACS Software and PC command it to. The user would have to restart the AMACS Software before any ouputs would be enabled. To protect against temporary power outages and brown-outs AAS recommends using an Uninterruptable Power Supply(UPS) on your AMACS.


  8. What else would I need to purchase if I want to monitor Temperature?

    9. Answer: To monitor Temperature here's what you'll need;

    1. 7018: 1 available channel from your 8-Channel Thermocouple, Voltage and mA Input Module
      2. ... see NOTE 1
    2. HT-E93826-45: Industrial Type-T Thermocouple Probe
    3. HT-E94770-20: 4-20mA Thermocouple Transmitter

  9. What else do I need if I want to monitor PH?

    10. Answer: To monitor pH here's what you'll need;

    1. 7018: 1 available channel from your 8-Channel Thermocouple, Voltage and mA Input Module
      2. ... see NOTE 1
    2. HI2911B/5: Amplified pH Electrode with 5m Cable
    3. OPTIONAL - P8MC8: In-Line Electrode Holder, 1/2" or 3/4" NPT

  10. What else do I need if I want to monitor Conductivity?

    11. Answer: To monitor Conductivity here's what you'll need;

    1. 7018: 1 available channel from your 8-Channel Thermocouple, Voltage and mA Input Module
      2. ... see NOTE 1
    2. HI3001: In-Line Conductivity Probe
    3. HI8636: Conductivity 4-20mA Transmitter
    4. OPTIONAL - P8MC8: In-Line Electrode Holder, 1/2" or 3/4" NPT


  11. What else do I need if I want to monitor Both pH and Conductivity?

    12. Answer: To monitor both pH AND Conductivity here's what you'll need;

    1. 7018: 1 available channel from your 8-Channel Thermocouple, Voltage and mA Input Module
      2. ... see NOTE 1
    2. HI2911B/5: Amplified pH Electrode with 5m Cable
    3. HI3001: In-Line Conductivity Probe
    4. HI8636: Conductivity 4-20mA Transmitter
    5. OPTIONAL - P8MC8: In-Line Electrode Holder, 1/2" or 3/4" NPT

  12. What else do I need if I want to monitor ORP?

    13. Answer: To monitor ORP here's what you'll need;

    1. 7018: 1 available channel from your 8-Channel Thermocouple, Voltage and mA Input Module
      2. ... see NOTE 1
    2. HI2931B/5: Amplified ORP Electrode with 5m Cable
    3. OPTIONAL - P8MC8: In-Line Electrode Holder, 1/2" or 3/4" NPT

  13. What else do I need if I want to control pH with CO2 Injection?

    14. Answer: To control a 120VAC (5 Ampere max load) solenoid valve here's what you'll need;

    1. 7042: 1 available channel from your 13-Channel High Current Digital Output Module
      2. ... see NOTE 2
    2. DR-OAC: Digitally Controlled Solid State Relay(SSR) Module

  14. What else do I need if I want to control my Lights?

    15. Answer: To control up to 13 different 120VAC (5 Ampere max load) components such as light Ballast here's what you'll need;

    1. 7042: 13-Channel High Current Digital Output Module (uses 1 channel for each light ballast)
      2. ... see NOTE 2
    2. DR-OAC: Solid State Relay(SSR) Module

  15. What else do I need if I want to control a Pump?

    16. Answer: To control a 120VAC (5 Ampere max load) Pump here's what you'll need;

    1. 7042: 1 available channel from your 13-Channel High Current Digital Output Module
      2. ... see NOTE 2
    2. DR-OAC: Solid State Relay(SSR) Module

  16. What else would I need if I wanted to control a FAN, a PUMP, a MAGNETIC STIRRER, a HEATER, or a CHILLER?

    17. Answer: To control any 120VAC Component (5 Ampere max load standard, other load ratings are available) here's what you'll need;

    1. 7042: 1 available channel from your 13-Channel High Current Digital Output Module
      2. ... see NOTE 2
    2. DR-OAC: Solid State Relay(SSR) Module

  17. What else do I need if I want to monitor Level Switches?

    18. Answer: To monitor Level Switch(s) here's what you'll need;

    1. 7053: 1 available channel from your 16-Channel Contact Closure Input Module
      2. ... see NOTE 3
    2. Select 1 of the switches below:

  18. What else do I need if I want to monitor a Flow/No Flow condition?

    19. Answer: To monitor Flow Switch(s) here's what you'll need;

    1. 7053: 1 available channel from your 16-Channel Contact Closure Input Module
      2. ... see NOTE 3
    2. Select 1 of the switches below:

  19. What else do I need if I want to monitor Flow Rate?

    20. Answer: To monitor Flow Rate here's what you'll need;

    1. 7080: 1 available channel from your 2-Channel Counter/Timer Input Module
      2. ... $195.00
    2. FL-E33110-30 Flow Rate Sensor

  20. What else do I need if I want to monitor Air Humidity and Temperature?

    21. Answer: To monitor Humidity here's what you'll need;

    1. 7018: 2 available channels from your 8-Channel Thermocouple, Voltage and mA Input Module
      2. ... see NOTE 1
    2. RH100-001: Relative Humidity & Temperature Transmitter, 10mV/%RH, 10mV/°C

  21. What else do I need if I want to monitor Pressure (Gauge or Differential)?

    22. Answer: To monitor Pressure here's what you'll need;

    1. 7018: 1 available channel from your 8-Channel Thermocouple, Voltage and mA Input Module
      2. ... see NOTE 1
    2. PX-26: Series Pressure Sensor, PSIG or PSID, 0.25" tube fitting, 100 mVDC outputs


    NOTE(1): Please keep in mind that to monitor any Analog transmitter output such as those used for pH, ORP, or CONDUCTIVITY, you will need to only purchase One 7018 8-Channel Analog Input Module. This gives you the ability to add up to 8 sensors per 7018 module. So you would only need to buy one 7018 to monitor all three parameters listed above or to monitor any combination of these sensors (up to 8 sensors total per 7018) in multiple tanks. The 7018 is...$230.00
    NOTE(2): The 7042 13-Channel High Current Digital Output Module gives you the ability to control up to 13 different outputs per 7042 module. So you would only need to buy one 7042 to control a total of 13 different 120VAC components in any combination, such as; lights, pumps, valves, solenoids, etc...The 7042 is...$134.00
    NOTE(3): The 7053 16-Channel Contact Closure Input Module gives you the ability to monitor up to 16 different inputs per 7053 module. So you would only need to buy one 7053 to monitor a total of 16 switch closure components in any combination, such as; level switches, flow switches, float switches etc...The 7053 is...$134.00



    RS-485 PRODUCTS:

    1. 7011 1-Channel Thermocouple Input Module
    2. 7012 1-Channel Voltage and 4-20mA Input Module
    3. 7013 1-Channel RTD Input Module
    4. 7017 8-Channel Voltage and 4-20mA Input Module
    5. 7018 8-Channel Thermocouple, Voltage and mA Input Module
    6. 7042 13-Channel High Current Digital Output Module
    7. 7044 4-Channel Digital In & 8-Channel Digital Out Module
    8. 7053 16-Channel Contact Closure Input Module
    9. 7067 7-Channel Relay Output Module
    10. 7080 2-Channel Counter/Timer Module
    11. 7520 RS-232 to RS-485 Converter
    12. Digitally Controlled Relay Modules


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