Rke..

[JoeJ]

Dave, thanks for the help on the phone the other day.

I was expecting the manual to at least show something like the old days when you got your first PC and wasn't sure where to connect the keyboard, mouse, VGA monitor and 15-pin serial printer. I guess we're expected to have this innate ability with electronics built in now-a-days.

But, seriously, to anyone reading this: Connecting the lines was TOO EASY (that's why I wasn't sure!).

I have the temp probe installed and the heaters are under control. Since the 3 x 200W heaters have their own thermostat, I cranked them up to 85 degrees. I won't know the results until the weather gets cooler, though.

I haven't moved my chiller over to the RKE control, yet. I wanted to get some temp graph observations and see what the RKE temp reads (78.9) as opposed to what the old Aqua Logic controller reads (80).

I keep seeing these "DETACHED" messages which appear randomly. I'm not sure what that's about. I double-checked connections. So far, an unexplained dip in the temp reading might be coinciding with "DETACHED" message. So, the temp probe might be losing signal?

I haven't calibrated the pH meter. I wanted to wait until I could aliquot the "disposable" calibration fluid to save for future use. It's reading at 5.88 uncalibrated. (...saw a guy post on RC that didn't know he was supposed to remove protection cap from the probe ).

Okay, I just noticed some very strange read-outs. I'll post them soon.

What are the issues? The buss cables plug in to the phone jack style acks on the head unit, SL1, and PC4's forming a daisy chain. The order doesn't matter. The ph probe and temp probe plug into the SL1 where it is labeled. The ph probe needs to be submerged only enough for the tip to be under water. The top of the probe should not be submerged. You have to calibrate the ph probe and the RKE walks you through that. Feel free to call me if you need some help with it. 619-315-5497

[dj9264]

Joe, I believe you'll want to calbrate the temp probe as well.

[JoeJ]

I thought it came calibrated from the factory? Do you mean run through a program to calibrate it?

Joe, I believe you'll want to calbrate the temp probe as well.

[JoeJ]

Here are a few snap shots of what I was talking about.




I hope my problems magically go away with the rumored firmware update.

I've seen similar complaints on RC.

[DaveMorris]

Thanks for the optimism, Dave.

So, you can't completely submerge your pH probe. I have never read that.

All of the American Marine probes should not be submerged. They won't die if the top gets wet, but AM recommends against it.

There is no need to calibrate your temp probe.

One of the reported problems that some people have had is the power shutting off for a couple of seconds here and there, and this sometimes shows on the front as a "detached" message. DA is aware of it and working on it, supposedly all weekend. I expect to see an update out this week.

[DaveMorris]

DA will be releasing a firmware update on their website on Wednesday. They have identified and fixed most of what people have been running into so far.

[impreza619]

Good luck with those RKE's, looks like its still in beta testing to me. Glad I decided to wait before biting the bullet. But these things look awesome I must say.

[DaveMorris]

Actually, there were only three or four issues with the system software. Granted they are significant issues, but they have written fixes for them all and added a few enhancements with the update for this week. Then they will move on to the little special requests that people have. I am happy to help with the field testing and I am confident that it will be the controller to beat by the end of the year.

[jrlafrance]

I ordered mine pretty late, so I don't even have mine yet! Hopefully most of the bugs will be fixed when they ship it out (Wednesday)!

[JoeJ]

I agree. This is still the best advice with new versions of saltwater electronics.

But, this being a fun hobby (aside from the water and filter changes), I can't help but get suckered in to all the promises!

Good luck with those RKE's, looks like its still in beta testing to me. Glad I decided to wait before biting the bullet. But these things look awesome I must say.

[AToji89]

I ordered mine pretty late, so I don't even have mine yet! Hopefully most of the bugs will be fixed when they ship it out (Wednesday)!

Holy carp! It's shipping Wednesday? I haven't heard anything? I ordered mine a week and a half ago or so and can't wait!

[DaveMorris]

They are holding the last of the pre-orders until this Wednesday to make sure that they ship with the updated firmware. It took mine about 4 days to get to me via UPS ground.

[JoeJ]

I just gave up calibrating the pH probe. It just stays fixed on either 7 or 10 no matter what calibration combination I use (just 7 or just 10 or 7 AND 10). I can see the "raw data" changing with the solutions, but the "current data" doesn't update.

I'll try again after the firmware update.

I'm glad I've aliquoted the cal. sol'n out.

[DaveMorris]

I have a bunch of it if you run out. I know that issues with the ph probe returning accurate numbers was one of the issues that were addressed with the upcoming firmware update.

[jrlafrance]

Holy carp! It's shipping Wednesday? I haven't heard anything? I ordered mine a week and a half ago or so and can't wait!

I haven't heard anything from DA either, but I did happen to read a thread over at RC that said they were holding out the last of the pre-orders to ship until Wednesday to have the updated firmware as Dave mentioned.