Reefkeeper PC4 plug

[hawkinsrgk]

I'm sure somebody out here has done this.

Channel 4 on one of my Reefkeeper PC4's has gone out. The light for the plug turns on, it just doesn't get power. I highly suspect this is because the mechanical relay on that channel had too many switches. That channel was used as a heater and I should have used a wider temperature range to reduce the number of switches.

With all of that being said, has anybody out here replaced the mechanical relay in a pc4? If so any tips that you could share would be appreciated. Mainly looking for a part number that you used as a relay or where you got it and how difficult was it to take the pc4 apart to replace it.

thanks
Randy

 

[ReeferBob]

Reefkeeper power strips have 2 different types of plugs. One should not be used for heaters. I think 1 and 4 should not and 2 and 3 can be. Check the manual!

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Reefkeeper power strips have 2 different types of plugs. One should not be used for heaters. I think 1 and 4 should not and 2 and 3 can be. Check the manual!

Yea, you are correct. I mentioned that channel 4 went out since I knew the relay would be different than channel 2,3. I have a stand alone heater controller now and want to fix the channel that's broken. Don't plan to put a heater on the reefkeeper.

 

[ReeferBob]

I've had a 250 watt heater on my RKE for over 5 years. It should not be a problem as long as you use the correct channel.

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Thanks. I am really looking for tips on how to repair a PC4.

 

[ReeferBob]

Thanks. I am really looking for tips on how to repair a PC4.

Right! Don't you hate unsolicited advice? I looked at my PC4s and couldn't see a way into them. But if you can, you could replace the relay, which is probably what is bad, if you are handy at that kind of stuff. For the $80 price of a PC4, I'd probably give it a shot. Once you open it up, the relay will have some sort of number on it, cross-reference that to a compatible relay and happy soldering! You also might try calling D/A. They have a bad rap for customer service so may go out of their way to make it right. ie: sending you a new one at no charge.

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Right! Don't you hate unsolicited advice? I looked at my PC4s and couldn't see a way into them. But if you can, you could replace the relay, which is probably what is bad, if you are handy at that kind of stuff. For the $80 price of a PC4, I'd probably give it a shot. Once you open it up, the relay will have some sort of number on it, cross-reference that to a compatible relay and happy soldering! You also might try calling D/A. They have a bad rap for customer service so may go out of their way to make it right. ie: sending you a new one at no charge.

Thanks for the feedback and its a good place for me to start. This PC4 is around 5 years old so I have no problems with the way it has performed. Also, I may give them a call. I called them once about 6 years ago and they were quite rude and unpleasant. So I totally understand about them having a bad rap for customer service.

 

[ReeferBob]

Thanks for the feedback and its a good place for me to start. This PC4 is around 5 years old so I have no problems with the way it has performed. Also, I may give them a call. I called them once about 6 years ago and they were quite rude and unpleasant. So I totally understand about them having a bad rap for customer service.

Found something for you to play with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Aqu...384637?hash=item3aca8da8fd:g:cVwAAOSwV0RXq7ql

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Thanks. Saw it as well. After I read your post I looked at the pc4 closer and see what you are talking about with taking it apart. It looks like it is two pieces that are glued together. Somebody went to a lot of trouble to keep it from being repaired

 

[njtiger aquariums]

Thanks. Saw it as well. After I read your post I looked at the pc4 closer and see what you are talking about with taking it apart. It looks like it is two pieces that are glued together. Somebody went to a lot of trouble to keep it from being repaired

I bet they want you to purchase a new unit then to repair it. Also could be they are concern of someone opening it up, messing it up, causing damaged and then suing them.

 

[ReeferBob]

I hope it was you that hit the BIN. I would have gotten it otherwise. New ones are $100 now.

 

[hawkinsrgk]

I bet they want you to purchase a new unit then to repair it. Also could be they are concern of someone opening it up, messing it up, causing damaged and then suing them.

Yea that's definitely what it looks like. I think it would be difficult to take apart and not break the case in the process. Definitely not interested in buying another pc4. I have a spare pc4 that can be used if the whole thing stopped working

After your response to my thread on the temp controller I read your build thread on the diy controller that you are doing and it looks like it would be a lot of fun. Still in the reading stages on how to integrate a pi, rtc and some relays. The 16 channel relays look pretty sweet

 

[domination2580]

I know this is old thread, but there should be 5 screws on the back side then you can spread it apart, but the outlets are are soldered to the board so you can't bring it apart very far