May 23, 2017
Curt Binder
wrote
I have a ReefAngel and I bought a Maxspect Gyre xf230 along with the Icecap xf230 interface module and the power supply for it. I made my cable to connect the dimming port from the ReefAngel to the Icecap module. I have tested that the dimming voltage output goes from 0 to 10V. I have been testing controlling the pump and have watched the videos on controlling and programming the module. I know that it can only be set at the lowest of 20%. I also know that if you have the Icecap module disconnected from the controller (ReefAngel), the module puts the pump in a low power / low speed default mode. The low speed works just fine. I can set the pump at 100% from my ReefAngel and it works just fine. If I change the percentage lower, I can only go down to about 47% before the pump shuts off. When I test the actual output voltage from the ReefAngel, I get about 4.5-4.7V.
My question is what is the minimum voltage that the Icecap module will accept to keep running the pump? Like I said, I know the module can only go down to 20% (I'm assuming from the Apex Controller). I know this pump and module have been tested with the ReefAngel. What speeds/voltages did you experience when testing and running it on the ReefAngel? I just want to make sure I get the full potential with the pump and my ReefAngel and I wanted to know if I needed to update/alter my code on the ReefAngel to improve how it functions.
Thanks!
My question is what is the minimum voltage that the Icecap module will accept to keep running the pump? Like I said, I know the module can only go down to 20% (I'm assuming from the Apex Controller). I know this pump and module have been tested with the ReefAngel. What speeds/voltages did you experience when testing and running it on the ReefAngel? I just want to make sure I get the full potential with the pump and my ReefAngel and I wanted to know if I needed to update/alter my code on the ReefAngel to improve how it functions.
Thanks!
Reply
13 Answers
May 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
You may need to recalibrate the pump to be matched with the IceCap module. When it comes to the Gyres, the module is set to query the pump when connected for the very first time, The module will then run the pump at 100% for 10 seconds while it calibrates itself. You only do this once but if you connect a different pump to the module, you should have the module recalibrate itself to match the individual pump you just connected to it.
Here is how you force the module to recalibrate itself with that specific pump:
1. Disconnect old pump
2. Plug module into power (with no pump connected)
3. Run it until the light goes Red (around 30 seconds)
4. Unplug module from power
5. Plug in new pump
6. Power up module
Here is how you force the module to recalibrate itself with that specific pump:
1. Disconnect old pump
2. Plug module into power (with no pump connected)
3. Run it until the light goes Red (around 30 seconds)
4. Unplug module from power
5. Plug in new pump
6. Power up module
May 23, 2017
Curt Binder
wrote
Excellent. I knew there had to be something to do but I wasn't sure. Thanks for the reply. I will test this out and get back to you with the results.
May 23, 2017
Curt Binder
wrote
Ok. I tried to recalibrate the module and I'm not sure if it worked. I'm getting the exact same response.
I followed what you said about disconnecting the pump and then powered up the module. The status light did its thing with blinking and such. Then it went to solid red. I unplugged the module and plugged in the pump and powered up the module. You could tell it was trying to detect the pump. After a few seconds it finally started up and was running in its default, low power state. The pump never ran at 100% during the calibration period. It only came on at a low speed.
I tried this process multiple times thinking I messed up something. I tried it with and without the controller cable plugged in and the results were still the same.
The pump never turned on at 100% during the calibration period (or at least what I thought was the calibration period). I can still only run the pump in the 50% to 100% speed from my ReefAngel.
Running it at 100% in a 30 gallon tank does move water around at a fast speed but it does not seem like it's running too fast. Maybe because the tank is completely empty. It just doesn't seem like it's moving the same way some of the videos are showing.
Is there anything else that I need to be doing or checking? Do I need to record my calibration process and show what the pump is doing and share it with you guys to see?
I followed what you said about disconnecting the pump and then powered up the module. The status light did its thing with blinking and such. Then it went to solid red. I unplugged the module and plugged in the pump and powered up the module. You could tell it was trying to detect the pump. After a few seconds it finally started up and was running in its default, low power state. The pump never ran at 100% during the calibration period. It only came on at a low speed.
I tried this process multiple times thinking I messed up something. I tried it with and without the controller cable plugged in and the results were still the same.
The pump never turned on at 100% during the calibration period (or at least what I thought was the calibration period). I can still only run the pump in the 50% to 100% speed from my ReefAngel.
Running it at 100% in a 30 gallon tank does move water around at a fast speed but it does not seem like it's running too fast. Maybe because the tank is completely empty. It just doesn't seem like it's moving the same way some of the videos are showing.
Is there anything else that I need to be doing or checking? Do I need to record my calibration process and show what the pump is doing and share it with you guys to see?
May 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
Can you take the pump out of the water and take a picture of it from the front? Make sure I can read the Maxspect logo and zoom out enough for me to see both sides of the pump as well? Use the flash so I can see each blade on the propeller inside the cage.
May 23, 2017
Curt Binder
wrote
here it is.
May 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
The pump is not assembled correctly. You have propeller A and cage A on the right and propeller B and cage B on the left. It should be the other way around. Please swap both propellers and cages so you have both propeller and cage A on the LEFT and propeller and cage B on the RIGHT.
May 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
If you look at the Maxspect logo, M side is left and T side is the right.
May 23, 2017
Curt Binder
wrote
Ok. Good to know. I did not realize I had things on there backwards. I will swap things around and report back.
May 23, 2017
Curt Binder
wrote
Swapped the propeller's and cages. That definitely makes a difference with the water movement.
I still am only able to lower the speed to just under 50% before the pump shuts off. When the value is lowered below 50%, the red status light kicks on the icecap module and then you hear the pump kick on and spin the propellers then it stops and the icecap module acts like it tries to restart the pump again. It just keeps doing this until I raise the percentage to at least 50%.
I did try to recalibrate the icecap module and it still never seemed like it ran the pump at 100% during the calibration. It would flash the red status light a few times and you would hear the pump kick on and off like it is trying to start up, then several seconds later (not exactly sure how long), the pump will turn on and stay running in its low power/low speed mode because it is not getting any signal from the controller (because I have the cable disconnected from the controller during the calibration cycle). I also have the pump fully submerged in water when I calibrate it.
Could the voltage going to the icecap module be too low (at 4.5-4.7V) for the icecap module?
How have you run/used it when connected to a ReefAngel?
Is there anything else that I need to try?
I still am only able to lower the speed to just under 50% before the pump shuts off. When the value is lowered below 50%, the red status light kicks on the icecap module and then you hear the pump kick on and spin the propellers then it stops and the icecap module acts like it tries to restart the pump again. It just keeps doing this until I raise the percentage to at least 50%.
I did try to recalibrate the icecap module and it still never seemed like it ran the pump at 100% during the calibration. It would flash the red status light a few times and you would hear the pump kick on and off like it is trying to start up, then several seconds later (not exactly sure how long), the pump will turn on and stay running in its low power/low speed mode because it is not getting any signal from the controller (because I have the cable disconnected from the controller during the calibration cycle). I also have the pump fully submerged in water when I calibrate it.
Could the voltage going to the icecap module be too low (at 4.5-4.7V) for the icecap module?
How have you run/used it when connected to a ReefAngel?
Is there anything else that I need to try?
May 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
Are you having the same issue with the native controller? Does the pump run ok with the native controller? That way at least we can rule out the issue being the pump itself.
May 23, 2017
Curt Binder
wrote
I did not purchase the native controller. I only purchased the pump, icecap module and icecap power supply since I always intended on running it with my ReefAngel. I did not want to purchase any items that I was not going to use, so no native controller.
May 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
Got it. You will need to submit a private ticket so we can get some personal information including proof of purchase and shipping address.