Bidirectional tidal flow

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by Lampshade

There's small PVC valves on washing machings for the fill cycle, cheap, but only 1/2" opening.

Using a OM with a timer as suggested earlier would eventually give bad timing...BUT... you can do it without a PLC. Just get 2 adjsutable timers (like Panasonic PM4H), a relay, and a windshield wiper motor. Windshield wipers have a home sensor, or auto off switch. Most have them now unless it's off a 67 VW or something, i used a rear wiper off an aerostar for something similar, cost $10 from a wrecker. If you set timer 1 to run for 15 sec on (or whatever it takes to open). then off for timer 2 amount (your Open time). And On again to home position to reset timer 1 again.

I stay away from unreliable sources when I buy components for any OM unit, sure I can buy from E Bay, wrecking yards,and garage sales, but it isn't going to happen, I deal direct with OEMs for motors and magnets, the balance we produce in house, in the video provided. I am using the exact $39 timer I suggested a few pages ago, same principle that according to Mr Phelps would not work, I use an $8 sensor from Digikey to sense a magnet at each of four locations (home position)to trip the timer,reducing the number of magnets to just two would do exactly what MitchM required, the timer is set for around 7 seconds, it can be expanded to 8 hours if required.

http://s1008.photobucket.com/albums/...t=DSC_0263.mp4

Paul

[lastlight]

That is pretty darn cool. Do you have plans to develop this into a more refined product?

[golf nut]

I might

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by golf nut

I stay away from unreliable sources when I buy components for any OM unit, sure I can buy from E Bay, wrecking yards,and garage sales, but it isn't going to happen, I deal direct with OEMs for motors and magnets, the balance we produce in house, in the video provided. I am using the exact $39 timer I suggested a few pages ago, same principle that according to Mr Phelps would not work, I use an $8 sensor from Digikey to sense a magnet at each of four locations (home position)to trip the timer,reducing the number of magnets to just two would do exactly what MitchM required, the timer is set for around 7 seconds, it can be expanded to 8 hours if required.

http://s1008.photobucket.com/albums/...t=DSC_0263.mp4

Paul

Actually my comments where based more on clarification and trying to understand exactly how the system would work and to be sure it would work. I made it clear exactly what would be needed to make the system reliable and if you read the thread it was you who failed to provide the information I asked for, I actually repeated questions multiple times.

Originally Posted by sphelps

For the system to be reliable a simple a delay won't work. If it's an over ride that's a pretty cool little system. How much would the whole system cost, built and ready to go?

I'm also a mechanical engineer who works in automation of manufacturing equipment but I do however appreciate your efforts to drag my name through the mud. In the past I've installed half a dozen of your units on clients tanks based on my recommendations as well as recommended them to many others when the application fits. I won't be doing that anymore.

[golf nut]

It appears you have a very short memory, on at least 5 occasions you said it wouldn't work, and if it did it would be way more than $500, I told you how it could be done and again you disagreed, as you do on many occasions when we have been in a similar discussion, I showed you the video which proves my initial statement.

When I need a load sensor or advice on load sensors I will call you , when you need advice or info on OM you call me, just because you cannot figure out how to make it work for $39 doesn't make it impossible.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by golf nut

It appears you have a very short memory, on at least 5 occasions you said it wouldn't work, and if it did it would be way more than $500, I told you how it could be done and again you disagreed, as you do on many occasions when we have been in a similar discussion, I showed you the video which proves my initial statement.

When I need a load sensor or advice on load sensors I will call you , when you need advice or info on OM you call me, just because you cannot figure out how to make it work for $39 doesn't make it impossible.

Actually it wasn't until post 55 that you finally managed to confirm the timer waits for a decay in the signal. Every other time you simply stated it works without explanation which is why I had to repeat my questions and concerns so much. I also always said it may not work if... and had to fill in the blanks based on the best assumptions I could make with the limited information provided, never did I flat out say it wouldn't work. My intent was to help you make a reliable system by asking a few simple questions and making some simple suggestions not to prove you wrong. My memory is fine but your reading skills and attitude could use some work.

It also still makes little sense to invest in an OM for this flow setup, a second pump will cost the same and produce better results.

[Lampshade]

Originally Posted by golf nut

I stay away from unreliable sources when I buy components for any OM unit, sure I can buy from E Bay, wrecking yards,and garage sales, but it isn't going to happen, I deal direct with OEMs for motors and magnets, the balance we produce in house, in the video provided. I am using the exact $39 timer I suggested a few pages ago, same principle that according to Mr Phelps would not work, I use an $8 sensor from Digikey to sense a magnet at each of four locations (home position)to trip the timer,reducing the number of magnets to just two would do exactly what MitchM required, the timer is set for around 7 seconds, it can be expanded to 8 hours if required.

http://s1008.photobucket.com/albums/...t=DSC_0263.mp4

Paul

Looks like you made it work. I built automation equipment for many years, Never minded puting products on that have been tested to run for millions of cycles in horrible conditions, even if they where made for something different. Why re-invent the wheel when someone has made something to work.

You have however found a way that will not have any issues with salt water buildup and should run great. Good thinking with the mag. sensors.

I've been looking at doing something similar to my return, but i have a PLC on my tank, so should be much easier.

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by Lampshade

Looks like you made it work. I built automation equipment for many years, Never minded puting products on that have been tested to run for millions of cycles in horrible conditions, even if they where made for something different. Why re-invent the wheel when someone has made something to work.

You have however found a way that will not have any issues with salt water buildup and should run great. Good thinking with the mag. sensors.

I've been looking at doing something similar to my return, but i have a PLC on my tank, so should be much easier.

If you have a plc then you are correct, it is a no brainer as long as there are enough timers in the plc to give you all the random moves you require, a couple of units I have out there are programmed to change daily so that they actually match what is happening the same day in that part of the world where the corals came from, others are simply a real time repeat scenario, same thing every day with no tide influence.
If you ever have an questions feel free to email me, it is likely running somewhere, only to happy to help.

OM is a fun thing for me to do, I have many CNC's that produce product for large corporations which allows me to design build all I want, I couldn't program a plc if I tried, and at my age I have no intention in learning, I need more time on the golf course.

Paul

[MitchM]

Originally Posted by Red Coral Aquariums

Mitch;

To clear things up for me.

You want a higher flow pattern at the upper part of the tank with less flow on the lower part of the tank?

* to accomplish this with Vortechs you would need 2 x MP60s up top on each side and 2 x MP40s below.

* to accomplish this with a closed loop you would need 2 pumps and really good timers and ball valves on your output piping to control amount of flow. You would also need reliable check valves.

What is your closed loop hole placement in your tank?


Kevin

Hi Kevin,



There are 4 holes drilled in the top brace to accommodate 4 seaswirls, which were to be fed by the 4 holes drilled in the lower bottom back of the tank.
My original sump return was to be determined and because the tank is acrylic I have the ability to reasonable modify it.

What I would like to do is use only the front two top holes for the seaswirls and drop a couple supply pipes originating from the sump down the back two top holes.
The two supply pipes would alternate the flow, clockwise or counter clockwise in 5 hours one direction with a 1 hour rest followed by 5 hours in the opposite direction, 1 hour rest. Repeat.
The top zone would be kept moving through the closed loop full time.
I have 1 reeflo dart supergold for the closed loop and 1 reeflo dart supergold for the sump return.

Depending on the results of the final setup, I was leaving open the option of adding the MP60's. The price of them is giving me a lot of incentive to minimize how many (if any) I put in there.

Mitch

[MitchM]

It sounds like there is a design that would work from Oceans Motions, but since there are other suggestions coming up in this vendor forum I should probably continue this on my build thread.
I really appreciate everybody's suggestions so far!

Another issue I thought of is that as well as having the OM unit work, the pump supplying the OM unit would need to be synced to turn off and on at the correct time.