WMAS Discussion Forum : a break-through!

WMAS Discussion Forum : a break-through! http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:30:22 +0000 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:21:19 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=30818 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[a break-through! : The reason for both transistors...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281603&title=a-breakthrough#281603 Author: Humuhumu
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 27 2009 at 12:21pm

The reason for both transistors also, is they have over current protection in must of them...

]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:21:19 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281603&title=a-breakthrough#281603 <![CDATA[a break-through! : I think you could actually do...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281315&title=a-breakthrough#281315 Author: jfinch
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 25 2009 at 11:36pm

I think you could actually do away with one of the transistors since the relay has NO and NC contacts. I'm sure I'll have questions, but I need to look up some 555 timer circuits and see if I understand 'em. Thanks.]]> Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:36:37 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281315&title=a-breakthrough#281315 <![CDATA[a break-through! : jfinch wrote:Teach me about...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281303&title=a-breakthrough#281303 Author: Humuhumu
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 25 2009 at 10:38pm

jfinch wrote:

Teach me about the timer (I'm a chem e not ee, know little about circuit design, but really like this stuff). I built a circuit in the past to control a servo using it, but I just following someone else's schematic. I'm partial to relays mainly 'cause that's what I know. I don't know about ocean cycles, but I think if you could just make it cycle you'd be doing better then most.

Ok, I'll give a brief rundown. Honestly, I haven't worked with them in a while so I may be a little off - try googling "555 timer schematic". So the 555 (and 556 which is dual) runs off of two resistors and one capacitor. And somewhere out there is a formular to find out which combination of cap/risistor will determine your pulse frequency. The second resistor determins your pulse width - you don't have to have a 50/50 cycle. Thats pretty much it. So you'll need really big values for all resistors and caps to have a six hour cycle. I think equal resistor values is a 50/50 cycle.

Now to controll two relays running on opposite cycles I would take the output pin of the 555 and connect it to one NPN transistor and one PNP transistor. Each would connect to a relay. NPN requires positive voltage to activate and PNP requires ground voltage to activate. So by using the two transistors on one line one transistor is always off and one is always on. There is a little bit work work invovled but not much more. You would need to attach a resistor from the "gate leg" of the transistor the ground to force a low when the 555 is not high.

I hope that makes since - I'm not a good explainer in writing. Let me know if something is unclear. Cheers!

-bryan

]]> Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:38:25 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281303&title=a-breakthrough#281303 <![CDATA[a break-through! : Mark Peterson wrote:The ocean...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281294&title=a-breakthrough#281294 Author: Humuhumu
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 25 2009 at 10:22pm

Mark Peterson wrote:

The ocean cycle is the lunar cycle or to make it simpler, the tides. There are programs for that somewhere. But we have found that the tank doesn't need it that special. Just set it to alternate 4x/day, approximately every six hours is how often the tide changes direction.

I come from WA and the San Juan Islands. I know all about tides and being lunar.

But at the tropical regions I'm sure they aren't as drastic.

]]> Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:22:47 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281294&title=a-breakthrough#281294 <![CDATA[a break-through! : The ocean cycle is the lunar cycle...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281148&title=a-breakthrough#281148 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 25 2009 at 9:59am

The ocean cycle is the lunar cycle or to make it simpler, the tides. There are programs for that somewhere. But we have found that the tank doesn't need it that special. Just set it to alternate 4x/day, approximately every six hours is how often the tide changes direction.
]]> Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:59:25 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281148&title=a-breakthrough#281148 <![CDATA[a break-through! : Teach me about the timer (I'm...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281127&title=a-breakthrough#281127 Author: jfinch
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 25 2009 at 1:03am

Teach me about the timer (I'm a chem e not ee, know little about circuit design, but really like this stuff). I built a circuit in the past to control a servo using it, but I just following someone else's schematic. I'm partial to relays mainly 'cause that's what I know. I don't know about ocean cycles, but I think if you could just make it cycle you'd be doing better then most.]]> Sun, 25 Jan 2009 01:03:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281127&title=a-breakthrough#281127 <![CDATA[a break-through! : I'm very familiar with a...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281073&title=a-breakthrough#281073 Author: Humuhumu
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 24 2009 at 7:01pm

I'm very familiar with a 555. Luckily I'm a electronics tech/engineer. But the 555 or 666 will only do one time cycle period. A micro process would allot complete programming of lighting and water controll for a complete seasonal cycles. I've been thinking about messing with one on my bored time.

My only concern is proper control over 120AC with DC and not burning down the house! Relays are the obvious but if they fail........ I'm thinking opto-isolators. or SCRs. Anywho, my biggest holdup is I don't know the seasons of the ocean. If you, jfinch, know I would love to work with you a little and figure out a cycle then run it on a micro computer. I think the programming would be relatively easy.

thoughts?

Bryan

]]> Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:01:19 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=281073&title=a-breakthrough#281073 <![CDATA[a break-through! : I'm more interested in your...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=278938&title=a-breakthrough#278938 Author: jfinch
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 16 2009 at 9:38am

I'm more interested in your circuit layout for the 555 timer IC. Do you do electrical design?

BTW Mark, I might have introduced the switching powerhead idea to this board, but I'm pretty sure I came across it from somewhere else but don't remember where. I still like using these modified powerheads!

]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:38:35 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=278938&title=a-breakthrough#278938 <![CDATA[a break-through! : You shortened your nameThe...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=278933&title=a-breakthrough#278933 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 16 2009 at 9:24am

You shortened your name Smile

The reason nobody suggested that device to you was because it will not work for your application. It requires a pretty high flow to make it work. Much more flow than you would want for a 12 gal. And to tell you the truth, I've never seen flow that I liked come out of a SCWD. It takes so much energy to do the switching one side to the other, that the flow coming out of it is dismal. Also, it often switches sides too fast. It just starts to create a good flow when it switches and has to start all over to create a decent current within the tank.

As JFinch pointed out in the other thread, good flow in one direction is not all that bad. Yet it was he that showed us the "Poormans Wavemaker". It is awesome. Perhaps I should call it the "Tidal Flow Maxijet". There are four advantages:
- The flow that comes out of that larger hole where the nozzle is cut off is actually stronger.
- The directional flow changes by 90 degrees each switch.
- The frequency of switching is set by you. (I like it to mimick the tides, switching every 6 hours.
- The Maxijet is the only pump I know of that can handle the on-off cycle without wearing out or failing prematurely.

This strong flow from opposing directions is a benefit because coral need water flow from one direction for long enough to wash away their waste and bring them food and then need the same from the other direction. Dana Riddle extolled the benefits of this in his first book, The Captive Reef.

Your interest in coming up with something revolutionary is admirable. Keep at it. Smile

Edited by Mark Peterson - January 16 2009 at 9:29am]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:24:43 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=278933&title=a-breakthrough#278933 <![CDATA[a break-through! : Try a local shop, Steve Regans....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=278927&title=a-breakthrough#278927 Author: Jeff Morrill
Subject: 30818
Posted: January 16 2009 at 9:03am

Try a local shop, Steve Regans. They have some cool stuff there. Also Granger supply.]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:03:54 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30818&PID=278927&title=a-breakthrough#278927