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Thread: Programming VarioS-4 Return Pump with VDM

  1. #1
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    Programming VarioS-4 Return Pump with VDM

    Hi All,

    I'm having a hard time finding something in the forums to help me program my return pump. Hope you guys can help me!


    • Controller: Apex Jr.
    • Return Pump: Reef Octopus VarioS-4
    • Return on EB4 outlet and VDM port


    What I want:
    1. Return pump to run at 60% all the time except feeding
    2. At feeding, slow pump down to standstill (no siphon)
    3. After feeding, ramp it back up to 60%


    Currently:

    EB4 Outlet set to: "RETURN"
    Code:
    Fallback ON
    Set ON
    Variable Speed Port: "RETURN_SPEED"
    Code:
    Fallback VarioS_Ret
    Set VarioS_Ret
    If FeedA 000 Then VarioS_Slow
    Profile: VarioS_Ret
    Code:
    Ramp Time: 1
    Start Intensity: 60
    End Intensity: 60
    Profile: VarioS_Slow
    Code:
    Ramp Time: 1
    Start Intensity: 10
    End Intensity: 10
    Problem: I watched a video on coralvue's site, but they don't use Apex Fusion. I don't know how to get to that page. So I'm trying with Apex Fusion. My return pump speed is only 42%, even though I set the profile to 60%. I have my VarioS-4 controller set to Max Speed.

    Any tips? Any help on the 42% problem? Any other good examples for me to follow?

  2. #2
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    Here is my dashboard. Still says 42%.

    Screen Shot 2017-10-30 at 5.05.56 PM.png

  3. #3
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    If I manually set the VarioS_Ret profile to 70%, then back down to 60%, it seems work. It seems like RETURN_SPEED is the opposite of the actual intensity? I'm not really sure what's going on.

  4. #4
    Frequent Visitor rkpetersen's Avatar
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    Here's the code that I use for what you want to accomplish, using a VarioS-6 and Apex 2016. I do run at 100% though. Note that Fallback for the VDM out should be either ON or OFF; it doesn't do profiles. 'Ramp030100' is a short ramp that makes the transition at the end of a feed mode to 100% a bit slower and smoother. 'Varlevel020' results in a very low level of circulation through the sump, and 'Varlevel010' is a perfect standstill.

    No idea where that 42% is coming from.

    [ReturnPump]
    Fallback ON
    Set ON
    If Output LeakDetected = ON Then OFF

    [RPVS6Speed]
    Fallback ON
    Set Ramp030100
    If FeedA 000 Then VarLevel020
    If FeedB 000 Then VarLevel020
    If FeedC 000 Then VarLevel010
    If FeedD 000 Then OFF

    Clipboard01.jpg

    Clipboard02.jpg

    Clipboard03.jpg

  5. #5
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    Thanks! I just adjusted my regular flow to ramp as well and created two variable flows, one slow flow and one standstill like you.

    I'm not sure why my percentage is opposite of the actual intensity on my dashboard, nor why it is not going up to what I told it to. I think if I actually ramp from 70 down to 60 over the course of 5 minutes, it works great. Maybe instead of ramping up, I should just goto 70% first and ramp slowly down.

    I have the latest firmware too. So weird!

  6. #6
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    Here's my latest. I set it to 64% intensity to get a nice quiet flow through my return. But if I turn off the flow with FeedA, and back on, the percentage is NOT correct. Right now it's showing 38%. Not 64%.

  7. #7
    Frequent Visitor rkpetersen's Avatar
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    That's weird, and would seem to be a bug. Maybe re-update the VDM firmware? Also would be interested in the results of your proposed 70% to 60% ramp down workaround.

    Also, and I know this is not a good solution at all, but have you tried setting the maximum for a higher number? As in, set it for 90%, maybe it'll give you 60% back. Of course even if this kludge works, you run the risk of everything suddenly starting to work properly again, and then you're sandblasting for a few hours before you notice it.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by rkpetersen View Post
    That's weird, and would seem to be a bug. Maybe re-update the VDM firmware? Also would be interested in the results of your proposed 70% to 60% ramp down workaround.

    Also, and I know this is not a good solution at all, but have you tried setting the maximum for a higher number? As in, set it for 90%, maybe it'll give you 60% back. Of course even if this kludge works, you run the risk of everything suddenly starting to work properly again, and then you're sandblasting for a few hours before you notice it.
    Crazy, so I already updated the VDM once, but I guess I needed another! I just tried doing another re-update, and the percentage is now correct on the dashboard!

    At least that mystery is solved. Thanks for the suggestion @rkpetersen. I won't need to ramp down anymore.

  9. #9
    Frequent Visitor rkpetersen's Avatar
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