UV light on APEX EB8 issues

[Bryknicks]

I recently a UV light on my system with the power connected to an EB8 in order to control the light during feedings, return pump off, etc. I just installed it 3 days ago and have been having issues when its powered down and turns back on. When it kicks back on it makes my EB8 go crazy and flickers the power for a few seconds before finally kicking on. Nothing is on a GFCI outlet which I have heard about issues running a UV light on. Has anyone else had this issue or know what it is a result of? The UV light is hooked up to my return manifold so the only power is the light bulb itself.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Why do you want it on/off that often? It will probably shorten bulb life significantly and the UV works based on long exposure time, and turning off for feeding etc will likely have no effect on anything.

 

[Bryknicks]

Why do you want it on/off that often? It will probably shorten bulb life significantly and the UV works based on long exposure time, and turning off for feeding etc will likely have no effect on anything.

Since it's on my return line I thought it would need to be turned off without water flowing through it? I wouldn't mind keeping it on 24/7 so long as it doesn't get damaged without constant water flow.

 

[ca1ore]

What do you mean by 'EB8 going crazy'? Absent that, sound like the starter/ballast on the UV may be problematic. Is the UV new, or cheap? Franky, I think the practice of shutting down the main pump to feed is singularly pointless. You are correct in that you should not run a UV without water flow, so if you stop turning off the pump to feed the tank your UV problem goes away.

 

[Bryknicks]

What do you mean by 'EB8 going crazy'? Absent that, sound like the starter/ballast on the UV may be problematic. Is the UV new, or cheap? Franky, I think the practice of shutting down the main pump to feed is singularly pointless. You are correct in that you should not run a UV without water flow, so if you stop turning off the pump to feed the tank your UV problem goes away.

It's a brand new unit although cheap as its a Jebao.

Now that I'm thinking more about it, it is the APEX unit itself that goes crazy. I have two EB8 units to control all my electronics. The EB8 with the UV light only has my doser and a small power head connected to it. When the UV light kicks on, there is a lot of loud clicking noises and all electronics (from both EB8 units) keep switching on and off for a few seconds then it magically stops and the power restores with everything running. It seems like its a tripping issue but this circuit and the outlets are not GFCI.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Save yourself a lot of headaches & leave it on all the time along with the pump.

 

[vangvace]

Yes you are correct in having it on when water is flowing through it and turning it off otherwise.

Do you know what outlet the UV is plugged into? I believe outlets 4 and 8 are a higher amperage and should "freak out" less

 

[Bryknicks]

Yes you are correct in having it on when water is flowing through it and turning it off otherwise.

Do you know what outlet the UV is plugged into? I believe outlets 4 and 8 are a higher amperage and should "freak out" less

Thanks, this did the trick! I switched it to outlet 8 and that stopped the issues.

 

[ca1ore]

Odd though. Other outlets on the EB8 are rated at 5 amps. Wouldn’t have thought an UV would come anywhere close to that. Maybe it’s because the UV is drawing too small a load. Outlets 4 and 8, though having a greater amp rating, ironically are better at switching small loads.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Why do you want it on/off that often? It will probably shorten bulb life significantly and the UV works based on long exposure time, and turning off for feeding etc will likely have no effect on anything.

There is no harm in turning off and on the UV periodically for feeding. Most UV lights need to be replace annually anyway, and turning them off for a few minutes each day will not diminish their lifespan enough to impact the normal replacement cycle. Also, the UV exposure time is calculated based on flow rate, and if you leave the light on when the flow is stopped or slowed, you will over-expose the water killing everything (you normally want pods and other larger lifeforms to pass through without killing them) and if there's no flow the bulb or quartz sleeve will overheat and possibly shatter. Therefore it's a best practice to turn off the UV if flow is reduced.

I have been running my UV controlled by Apex for nearly 2 years, and it gets shut down twice per day during feeding. The reason I reduce the pump flow during feeding is to minimize the amount of food that gets washed down the overflow and stuck in the filter socks. This is a normal practice for many reefers.

 

[vangvace]

Odd though. Other outlets on the EB8 are rated at 5 amps. Wouldn’t have thought an UV would come anywhere close to that. Maybe it’s because the UV is drawing too small a load. Outlets 4 and 8, though having a greater amp rating, ironically are better at switching small loads.

I was thinking the current load at startup was close enough to the rating to cause them problems, like back in the Metal Halide days.