ReefKeeper SLX, Need Help Troubleshooting

Jason777 · Dec 29, 2018

I have 2 SLX modules, one attached to an RKL and one to an RKE and could use some help/advice about troubleshooting. The problem shows up when looking at the graphs in MyReef. Both SLX modules have intermittent spikes on the graphs. These spikes are only noticeable on the graphs, the control head readout does not seem to be impacted. Both the temp and pH graphs on the SLX have spikes which happen at the same time. My RKE also has an SL2 module and the graph from it does not have any spikes which makes me think it's the module firmware or hardware but I can't rule out the possibility of a problem in MyReef or my laptop. Can somebody else run MyReef on their system with an SLX for several hours and see if they are getting spikes in data.

Here's a little additional info;
Both SLX modules are running 2.03 and I've even tried reflashing the firmware on one with a different copy from someone else with no change.

My temp probes are running on the temp input so I'm not sure if this spike shows up with an Itemp.

Here is a view of a graph to show the spikes. The top graph is the SLX module compared to the bottom which is the SL2 module.

DaveMorris · Dec 29, 2018

I can try to run a test for you to see if I get the same results. I didn't use the graphing much when I had my tank running and I seem to remember hearing about complaints with some of the graphing but I thought it was just on the head unit graphs. I will try to report back what I find.

Jason777 · Dec 29, 2018

DaveMorris said:
I can try to run a test for you to see if I get the same results. I didn't use the graphing much when I had my tank running and I seem to remember hearing about complaints with some of the graphing but I thought it was just on the head unit graphs. I will try to report back what I find.

Thanks, it would be appreciated. I would not be using the graphing either but we have been running tests on replacement thermistors for the temp probes and it's useful to graph against the DA probe. The Archon did not have these spikes and another person was using a different graphing software and did not have the spikes making me think it's a MyReef problem. That becomes less clear though because it only does it with the SLX module and not the SL2 which I would expect to have the same problem with both modules if it were MyReef.

nub · Dec 29, 2018

RKL with SLX, 2.03 and iTemp. My temp graph doesn't drop out like that. My graph looks like your SL2 graph. Not apples to apples but maybe it will help. My Bus cables are connected via Hub in a "star" configuration instead of daisy chained for what it's worth.

Jason777 · Dec 30, 2018

nub said:
RKL with SLX, 2.03 and iTemp. My temp graph doesn't drop out like that. My graph looks like your SL2 graph. Not apples to apples but maybe it will help. My Bus cables are connected via Hub in a "star" configuration instead of daisy chained for what it's worth.

Thanks for checking. It's just strange that both my SLX modules have spikes and not the SL2. I've replaced all the bus cables and run them in different directions and that has not made a difference. The one common point where I haven't ruled out a problem is my laptop and MyReef so I'll have to find the time to load MyReef onto a desktop and drag it in there to give it a try.

n2585722 · Dec 30, 2018

How do you have you modules connected to the buss cables?
Example
RKE->PC4->SLX->PC4->SL2

n2585722 · Dec 30, 2018

nub said:
RKL with SLX, 2.03 and iTemp. My temp graph doesn't drop out like that. My graph looks like your SL2 graph. Not apples to apples but maybe it will help. My Bus cables are connected via Hub in a "star" configuration instead of daisy chained for what it's worth.

The iTemp probe uses a temp port in the RKL head unit and not the SLX port.

Jason777 · Dec 30, 2018

n2585722 said:
How do you have you modules connected to the buss cables?
Example
RKE->PC4->SLX->PC4->SL2

RKE>PB4>PB4>SLX>SL2
RKL>PC4>PC4>SLX

On the RKE I've moved the order around where I've had the SLX on the end and I've put the SLX>SL2 between the PC4s with no difference. Most of the moving around was so that I could try plugging the SID into different ports. I've tried the SID in the SLX, SL2, and one of the PC4s. I have 2 SIDs so that should rule out a SID problem. I've made all new bus cables for both the RKL and RKE so they would not be routed near any other cable,installed them one at a time, no change. Both SLX modules are installed inside a stand attached to wood and the RKL is in a dry stand controlling an AIO tank and the RKE is in a stand with a sump (in my mind ruling out corrosion inside the SLX). The RKE is just under 2 years old and the RKL probably 4 years old. The SLX on the RKL is actually controlling the tank ATO and temp functions without apparent problem. The SLX on the RKE has a second pH probe and temp probe that are not controlling anything, just used for comparison at this time, and a float switch for my ATO tank low level alarm.

n2585722 · Dec 30, 2018

Jason777 said:
RKE>PB4>PB4>SLX>SL2
RKL>PC4>PC4>SLX

On the RKE I've moved the order around where I've had the SLX on the end and I've put the SLX>SL2 between the PC4s with no difference. Most of the moving around was so that I could try plugging the SID into different ports. I've tried the SID in the SLX, SL2, and one of the PC4s. I have 2 SIDs so that should rule out a SID problem. I've made all new bus cables for both the RKL and RKE so they would not be routed near any other cable,installed them one at a time, no change. Both SLX modules are installed inside a stand attached to wood and the RKL is in a dry stand controlling an AIO tank and the RKE is in a stand with a sump (in my mind ruling out corrosion inside the SLX). The RKE is just under 2 years old and the RKL probably 4 years old. The SLX on the RKL is actually controlling the tank ATO and temp functions without apparent problem. The SLX on the RKE has a second pH probe and temp probe that are not controlling anything, just used for comparison at this time, and a float switch for my ATO tank low level alarm.

Hopefully Dave will be able to try and duplicate your issue. Since you have two separate systems that have the same issue with the same type module but different modules the chances of resolving it are not good. Sounds like you tried enough combinations of buss hook ups to rule out a power issue at the module. My SLX module does not exhibit this issue on the graphs, but they are on the Archon and it has a dampening system in the Archon software to minimize this type of glitching. So it may not show on my graphs even if there is this issue within the SLX module. I do use the SLX temp port to control one of my heaters and it is seems to operate normally.

Jason777 · Dec 30, 2018

n2585722 said:
Hopefully Dave will be able to try and duplicate your issue. Since you have two separate systems that have the same issue with the same type module but different modules the chances of resolving it are not good. Sounds like you tried enough combinations of buss hook ups to rule out a power issue at the module. My SLX module does not exhibit this issue on the graphs, but they are on the Archon and it has a dampening system in the Archon software to minimize this type of glitching. So it may not show on my graphs even if there is this issue within the SLX module. I do use the SLX temp port to control one of my heaters and it is seems to operate normally.

With all the switching around of temp probes I've done during testing there doesn't seem to be a problem with controlling things even with the spikes, I've checked the graphs for the heater and ATO on the RKL and don't see any spikes there and have not seen any transient temps displayed on the control head during one of the spikes, yep, I've spent too much time staring at the displays. My next troubleshooting will be to try another computer with a fresh copy of MyReef installed to r/o my laptop as the problem.

@nub Do you have a pH probe on your SLX? If so, could you look at that graph. Both my pH and temp have spikes at the same time, when they happen, just that the pH spikes go upward and temp go downward.

n2585722 · Dec 30, 2018

Jason777 said:
With all the switching around of temp probes I've done during testing there doesn't seem to be a problem with controlling things even with the spikes, I've checked the graphs for the heater and ATO on the RKL and don't see any spikes there and have not seen any transient temps displayed on the control head during one of the spikes, yep, I've spent too much time staring at the displays. My next troubleshooting will be to try another computer with a fresh copy of MyReef installed to r/o my laptop as the problem.

@nub Do you have a pH probe on your SLX? If so, could you look at that graph. Both my pH and temp have spikes at the same time, when they happen, just that the pH spikes go upward and temp go downward.

That is interesting the pH goes up and the temp goes down. I noticed that the pH when a module is first power seems to be high and gradually drop back to normal. I have never noticed the temp though. Have you moved the SLX modules to a different location. It may be some kind of interference, but since both have the same issue it is unlikely unless they are close to the source the same type of interference.

nub · Dec 30, 2018

n2585722 said:
The iTemp probe uses a temp port in the RKL head unit and not the SLX port.

The RKL head unit only has a Bus cable to connect to the system, no additional ins or outs. The iTemp connects to any open Bus port which I've had it connected to the SLX and the Hub with no difference as far as graphing is concerned.

@nub Do you have a pH probe on your SLX? If so, could you look at that graph. Both my pH and temp have spikes at the same time, when they happen, just that the pH spikes go upward and temp go downward.[/QUOTE]

I do have a PH probe on the SLX. My PH graph drops down occasionally with no discernible pattern.

n2585722 · Dec 30, 2018

nub said:
The RKL head unit only has a Bus cable to connect to the system, no additional ins or outs. The iTemp connects to any open Bus port which I've had it connected to the SLX and the Hub with no difference as far as graphing is concerned.

@nub Do you have a pH probe on your SLX? If so, could you look at that graph. Both my pH and temp have spikes at the same time, when they happen, just that the pH spikes go upward and temp go downward.

I do have a PH probe on the SLX. My PH graph drops down occasionally with no discernible pattern.

[/QUOTE]

The iTemp uses two wires in the buss to connect to the temp port in the RKL. Otherwise the temp probe and iTemp probe are the same probe. The only difference is on uses a Molex microfit 3.0 connector to connect to the temp ports of a SL type module. The iTemp has a buss connector. The buss uses 4 wires of a 6 wire cable. The iTemp uses the 2 wires not used by the buss in the buss cable to connect to the RKL head unit temp port.

nub · Dec 30, 2018

Something I thought of that may or may not matter. Around the end of August or so the graph feature stopped working on myReef for me. It would open and I could see past data but it wouldn't show current data or graph. I had to uninstall/reinstall for it to start working again. I never saw drops in the temp. graph that I can recall though. My PH was doing as it shows above and I questioned to myself why it would do this. If my temp. was doing this I would have questioned using it as a fail safe or control of a heater so I'm sure it looked like above.

With the mention of the difference in the two sensor types by n2585722 are either of you familiar with the cable and connector type for the Bus cable? Jason777 mentioned making new ones. If the info is out there already I'll look for it. Bus cables are the only issue I've had with the system and replaced them shortly before all of the old stock disappeared. I've been watching to see how the thermistors work out and the Bus cables would be my only other potential issue unless I lose a module.

Thanks to both of you!!

n2585722 · Dec 30, 2018

I will have to add something to a thread I have for buss cables.

Jason777 · Dec 30, 2018

Putting MyReef on a desktop and moving it in there to record did not help the problem.

Jason777 · Dec 30, 2018

The bus cables are just a 6 wire cable with RJ12 connectors wired straight through as a data cable (6P6C).

I've given up for a while. My firefish have been getting along for several months, sold to me as a mated pair, but one has become aggressive toward the other just today. There's no way to catch them without dismantling the whole rock work so I'm a little bummed after spending a couple hours trying to catch one. The SLX troubleshooting will have to wait while I figure out how to solve my fish problem.

nub · Dec 30, 2018

You may not be interested but I'll throw it out there anyway. Since I'm not using the standard probe with the Molex connector I wouldn't mind running your probe for a day or two to see what it looks like on my SLX. You're in Osessa, I'm in Houston. You pay to get it here and I'll pay to get it back to you. If not I completely understand. It could show to be a common "issue" with the RKL/RKE and SLX or if it runs clean on mine may point to interference like n2585722 mentioned.

Jason777 · Dec 31, 2018

Thanks @nub but I know it's not the probe. I have two DA probes and they both do the same thing when put on the SLX. I'm also testing some new thermistors and they do the same thing on the SLX. Since I also have an SL2 module on the RKE I've moved them around and they are steady on the SL2 and whatever is attached to the SLX has the spikes. I could send you one of the stainless steel thermistors to run on the SLX with the caution that they are somewhat experimental at this point so I wouldn't let it control anything. That would at least show if it's just some bizarre coincidence that I have two SLX modules with the same problem. You wouldn't need to return it and that might add more data and observations to the testing of that type probe. Shoot me a PM with your address and I'll send one when I get time if you're interested.