Octo - VarioS4 & Pulses - WEv2

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 0, Members: 0, Guests: 0)

BR260354

BR260354

Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2022
Messages
110
Reaction score
8
Location
The Woodlands, TX
Hey all. I've had my Hydros setup working well for a while. My connections are XP8 -> X4 -> WEv2 <- IceCap backup power/power. I have 2 Octo Pulse 4's and 2 Octo VarioS4 - one running a return and the other pushing to a Chaeto reactor. My return pump is set to 78% with my other at 95% (going through a 1/2" pipe, hence the high percentage).
Today I was rearranging my controller board to make room for plumbing for an external refugium. I also had my pumps off within the Hydros app because I was adding pods. I figured I could do this while everything is powered up and running. Move the X4 then I moved the WEv2. The WEv2 dropped a bit to disconnect both the command bus coming from the X4 and the power from the IceCap. I plugged in everything and it seem to power up. When I turned on the return pump, water was barely coming out. I have a Hydros flow better and it kicked up to like 70gph and then just dropped to almost zero. I then turned it to MAX, and my got to maybe 120gph. I usually run just under 200gph. I thought I had a pump issue or a clog or something. Went direct to the DT, still nothing. I had a spare Red Sea DC pump...plugged that in and bam, no issues. So, no clog. Last option, I broke out the original VarioS controller. That did the trick.

The other thing is, I noticed my corals are hardly moving. The Pulses are going, but not moving much. I usually have those at a max of 40%. I upped it to 65% for now.

The problem is, Hydros is displaying the percentages of what it should be doing, but it isn't. I reset the cables, rebooted the WEv2, rebooted the collective, still no dice. It seems that pulling the power screwed something up. Is my WEv2 toast? The Pulses within the Hydros app do occasionally show "Check pump", but then continues on.

Sorry for the long post, but I figured some background would help. Thanks all!
 
You said you had a IceCap backup on it. I wonder if it is running on just the 12v from the IceCap instead of the normal 24v power supply. Try unplugging the power in to the WE from the Ice cap and then plug in the WE supply directly to the WE and see if your pumps run and if they do if that fixes the speed issue.
 
Well, that did it. I disconnected from the IceCap and took the power going to the IceCap (WEv2 power) to the WEv2. Watched for the Check Pump warning....didn't come up. Reconnected the VarioS4, and yep, all good. In fact, seems stronger than before. I had to drop down the 74%.

Now....why? Is my IceCap backup being weird? I'm about to head out of town, so not too worried about it and I also have a UPS backup. Of course, I put the whammy on it! ;-). Glad it working and I'm not having a controller issue....just a battery backup issue, I guess.

Thanks for your help, Danny!
 
Check all the connections to make sure one didn't get pulled out at the IceCap battery. Especially check the one from the WE power supply to the IceCap Battery. The cable from the IceCap battery to the WE must be ok since it was running at 12v.
 
I'll check, but probably leave everything as is until we are back. I thought I plugged in everything. The same power I use for the IceCap is now plugged in directly to the WEv2.

I have been noticing my GPH dropping the last few weeks or so. I had to increase % of the return a couple of times. Now I'm pushing 202gph at 74%. Perhaps that's just something else.
 
BR260354 said:
I'll check, but probably leave everything as is until we are back. I thought I plugged in everything. The same power I use for the IceCap is now plugged in directly to the WEv2.

I have been noticing my GPH dropping the last few weeks or so. I had to increase % of the return a couple of times. Now I'm pushing 202gph at 74%. Perhaps that's just something else.
Click to expand...
The power just passes through the IceCap during normal operation. I believe there is a third connector on the battery for the charger.
 
Sounds somewhat familiar. Check the fuse on your Icecap battery. Willing to bet you blew the fuse and have been running off battery.
 
I checked the fuse this morning, looks fine. For now, I have the IceCap backup out of the rotation. Maybe I'll hook it up later. I did remove the stock battery and attached a larger external one.
 
BR260354 said:
I checked the fuse this morning, looks fine. For now, I have the IceCap backup out of the rotation. Maybe I'll hook it up later. I did remove the stock battery and attached a larger external one.
Click to expand...
At lest we have eliminated the WE and it's power supply as the issue. That leaves the adapter cables or something in the IceCap battery. Also check the fuse with an ohm meter if you have one when you get back and can do that. Sometimes they can look good and still be open. I am a electronics tech and unless it is obvious that it is blown I always check them with a meter also.
 
Any chance you have a dual Icecap battery setup or are using the y cable? There was an impedence issue with the y cable quite a while back. Doubt there are still any out in the wild but suppose it is possible if it sat on a retailer's shelf for a while
 
BR260354 said:
not using a dual battery. I removed the stock battery and hooked up the external lithium battery.
Click to expand...
I think @thom_smith was referring to 2 IceCap batteries together using a Y cable adapter. A lithium battery requires a different charging circuit than a lead acid gel cell which I believe is the original battery. Things may get damaged if you are trying to charge a lithium battery with a gel cell charging circuit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top