R
Redemptioner
Guest
So I have to say overall the Hydros boards are pretty poorly designed, why on earth they are doing things backwards like turning tiny voltage regulators on and off for DC devices instead of using a Fet to turn on and off the power supply to the DC device is beyond me (or not connected to the BUS DC rail), especially considering how much that limits the use of the ports (no reason they should not be rated at 5A each as long as your power supply is large enough, it is ok if it was only the probe ports like this). But that is not what I am here about....
There is simply no excuse for tinning cables and then jamming them into crimp terminal blocks and made oh so worse by the fact these are the main AC supply cables to XP8. Not only is this illegal in most western countries (i.e. USA when they are allegedly made), it is also a serious fire risk and shows a very poor QC process and puts much doubt into many other claims made by Hydros/Coral view if such poor electrical practices are taking place...
So everyone please take the time before you power up your XP8, unscrew the 4 screws on the top, remove the 3 wires from the terminal block coming from the main AC cord and fuse (take a picture before hand if you don't know what colour means what) and cut about 10mm of each end of the 3 cables (should be taking some plastic insulator with it), re-strip and twist the wires tightly and insert them back into the correct terminal block holders and tighten down (pro tip, initially only tighten the terminal down enough to hold all 3 wires in place and not fall out easily, once all 3 are in the terminal block and not going to fall out you can tighten down fully). When you strip the wires back, make sure there is no tin/solder on them before twisting them together, if there is just cut a little more off.
@Coralvue, you need to immediate do something about this before anymore are sent to customer and send a safety warning out to existing customers as this is a very serious fire risk, especially if people are using large heaters or chillers plugged into the XP8, and no doubt puts you under considerable liability risk. These connecters WILL have a problem in the future due to the tin/solder, it is guaranteed (and is why it does not meet standards), just when it happens will be dependant on current draw and ambient temp. DO NOT BURN PEOPLES HOUSES DOWN OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD PLEASE!
I am using Hydros because I use the Focustronic range and use the mastertronic test for automations, unfortunately hydros seem to do some very strange things like dosing pumps inside controllers or the XP8 having a 24v internal power supply despite nothing needing this voltage, so everything is then further converted down to 12v at multiple places, then down to 5v, then to 3.3v...crazy inefficient, massively restricts the current available through the ports (due to cheap low frequency regulators) and a great way to cause a bunch of electrical noise....
On a side note, the XP8 enclosure is the standard 200x120x75mm enclosure found on amazon and aliexpress if you want to get one without the massive side mountings, the unit is not sealed to begin with so if you are like me and need a less obtrusive case, it is cheap and easy to swap out.
There is simply no excuse for tinning cables and then jamming them into crimp terminal blocks and made oh so worse by the fact these are the main AC supply cables to XP8. Not only is this illegal in most western countries (i.e. USA when they are allegedly made), it is also a serious fire risk and shows a very poor QC process and puts much doubt into many other claims made by Hydros/Coral view if such poor electrical practices are taking place...
So everyone please take the time before you power up your XP8, unscrew the 4 screws on the top, remove the 3 wires from the terminal block coming from the main AC cord and fuse (take a picture before hand if you don't know what colour means what) and cut about 10mm of each end of the 3 cables (should be taking some plastic insulator with it), re-strip and twist the wires tightly and insert them back into the correct terminal block holders and tighten down (pro tip, initially only tighten the terminal down enough to hold all 3 wires in place and not fall out easily, once all 3 are in the terminal block and not going to fall out you can tighten down fully). When you strip the wires back, make sure there is no tin/solder on them before twisting them together, if there is just cut a little more off.
@Coralvue, you need to immediate do something about this before anymore are sent to customer and send a safety warning out to existing customers as this is a very serious fire risk, especially if people are using large heaters or chillers plugged into the XP8, and no doubt puts you under considerable liability risk. These connecters WILL have a problem in the future due to the tin/solder, it is guaranteed (and is why it does not meet standards), just when it happens will be dependant on current draw and ambient temp. DO NOT BURN PEOPLES HOUSES DOWN OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD PLEASE!
I am using Hydros because I use the Focustronic range and use the mastertronic test for automations, unfortunately hydros seem to do some very strange things like dosing pumps inside controllers or the XP8 having a 24v internal power supply despite nothing needing this voltage, so everything is then further converted down to 12v at multiple places, then down to 5v, then to 3.3v...crazy inefficient, massively restricts the current available through the ports (due to cheap low frequency regulators) and a great way to cause a bunch of electrical noise....
On a side note, the XP8 enclosure is the standard 200x120x75mm enclosure found on amazon and aliexpress if you want to get one without the massive side mountings, the unit is not sealed to begin with so if you are like me and need a less obtrusive case, it is cheap and easy to swap out.
