PL control 5.0.1.1 vrs SIMU spot programming issue

[Franklin]

Situation:

i've got a PLIIex running 2 Tunzes 6105 on port L1/L2 and L3/L4. So i had to connect my SIMU spot on L5/L6. This is considered ok by the manual. However programming this LED spot is hindered by the PL control 5.0.1.1 because it explicitely says in Program LED function that the spot needs to be connected on either L1/L2 and L3/L4, so i've aborted the programming operation.

Now what to do?

[GHL Support]

Hello,
I can't imagine where in ProfiLuxControl you received this message. Could you describe it or better place a screen shot?
Generally, the Simu LEDs can also be operated at L5/L6.

[Franklin]

Carolin,

I will select all your questions and reply asap

[Franklin]

Hi Carolin,

Please find enclosed the screenshots indicating the inconsistancy and confusion as to what to do when the SIMU spot in connected to L5/L6 port and the ProfiluxControl does order you to make sure it's connected to either L1/L2 or L3/L4 ports.

I'm curious to learn what to do now!

Franklin

[GHL Support]

Hi Franklin,
the intention of this warning is not where you shall connect the Simu-LED, but to make sure that you have connected only one Simu-LED at
the L-port and not two, because then both LEDs would take over the programming. You can disregard that L5L6 is not listed here, I think
it is not mentioned because by default not every device disposes of L5L6.

[Franklin]

Hi Carolin,

As i´m not assuming anything, therfore i'm very cautious not to kill my beloved GHL system, so i take things litterely. As GHL mentiones in her manuals users need to do the right thing. My personal opinion is that a lot of users solely buy GHL stuff as first time users, thus in my case all ports on the PLex version is stuffed with GHL equipment and simply stick to the instructions lacking practical experience with the equipment as a whole. I´m still learning, fun.. but scary at the same time.

I´m recommending at least a section in the manual as if all available GHL equipment is connected to the Pl, thus expecting the software to cope with that as if all that is connected as it is in my case. Again as said before: make things simple, it saves users a lot of puzzling and GHL a lot of service costs involved with a forum where you litterely have to tie up all the bits and pieces from other people's experiences.

OK: i'll take your advise and continue disregarding any software notice of potential malfunction; i'll press the button and close my eyes.

Nonetheless, thanks for the support

Gr. Franklin

[GHL Support]

Hello Franklin,


OK: i'll take your advise and continue disregarding any software notice of potential malfunction
But please only in this special case, of course all other hints that point to the danger of malfunction have to be followed.
Thank you for your suggestions, we are always glad for hints to improve things. I will forward this special case to our development team if L5L6 can be added to avoid future misunderstandings.

[Franklin]

Carolin,

On the SIMU spot again. As said the simu is connected to L5/L6. Illumination 1 is driven by port L5 from 1-10 interface menu. Blue is not working, flash is working (manually checked) and on port L6 illumination 2 with RED does work.

Now what's happening here. The blue worked fine for a few days then it had a mind of its own and now nor the evening program, nor the morning morning is not working, RED is fine, flash is fine.

Hope to hear from you soon, because it's dark in my aquarium at night!

Gr. Franklin

[GHL Support]

Have you tried the manual illumination check (under light scenarios) on L5 and the blue LEDs do not react?
You could also connect the Simu to another L-port e.g. L1L2 and check if the blue LEDs don't work with L1, too.
Generally, please also check again the settings (correct times, correct assignment of the L-port...)

[GHL Support]

Another try is to program your Simu at the L1L2 port and then connect it to L5L6. The programming isn't lost - it is stored in the Simu.

[Franklin]

this is what i did.

1. switched simu cable from L5L6 to L1/L2
2. adjusted 1-10 switch from L5 to L2
3. programed the led from port L1/L2 and selected a light blue color - started
4. tested RED - works fine via timer and light scenario scenario
5. tested flash - works fine and ....
6. The flash in manual mode did fine but i could see the blue leds were n also as it flashes
7. by the way - all simulations are off - with execption of thunder

So all colours work, but i can't get the blue one on only. I've tried all the Illiumination 1-8 selections and 1-10 channels, no blue.

just a minute ago all the white lights wend and the aqua was dark and immeditely the thunderstorm started (and again, blue was running within the SIMU, however not visible in the aquarium.
:confused:

Who can help

[GHL Support]

The blue LEDs react usually (only if the channels have not been swapped) to channel L1, L3, L5...
I understand that you tried to program it at L2?
Please try once again the manual illumination (where you can move the bar for channel 1, 2, ... to see how
the LEDs react) when the Simu is connected to L1L2. Does the blue LEDs show up?

[Franklin]

hi Carolin,

I´ve solved the problem. I took the advise of another forum member. I´ve connected the Simu spot from L5/L6 to L3/L4. Then i've discovered that i had switched channels, so the red one was more predominant. Via the L3/L4 port i programmed the Simu, just for the light blue. Then i returned the connection back to port L5/L6.

Then via ProfilucControl programmed Illumination one in dimmable mode to a series of times (switch points) on Illumination 2 i programmed the red in a series of times as with the blew.

the issue i discovered is that if the Simu is not in dimmable mode it seems to have trouble switching from blue to red and vise versa. I do not know why.

Nonetheless, it work again! i made a restorepoint backup via ProfiluxControl, so i can always come back to this working mode.

I trust this experience works for other new users. Thanks for your assistance

[fabiomicro]

I have 2 SIMU-L and I would like to understand what does each option mean in the programming LED under 1-10v interfaces(swap channels, react to all flashes, react to flashes 1 , react to flashes 2, deep blue moonlight, light blue moonlight, blue white moonlight). I did notice that my moonlights both the white and blue led lights up. if you pick one option like deep blue moonlight then it wont work anymore with flashes during thunderstorm???

[GHL Support]

Swap channels: normally red LEDs react to channel 2, 4, ... and the blue ones to channel 1, 3, ... . By this option you invert the behaviour so that it is the other way round.
React to all flashes etc: becomes interesting if you have several Simu-LEDs. With this you can set if each Simu should flash separately or if they shall flash always together.
Moonlight colour: Here you can set the intensity of the moonlight (blue+white LEDs together). It won't influence the flashing behaviour.

[fabiomicro]

Can I program both simu connected to a splitter at the same time? Or I need to connect one simu directly into the L1/L2port without the splitter?

[fabiomicro]

What is the purpose to swap the channels? What effect do you get with swapping channels? Is this necessary to get a reddish thunderstorm?

[GHL Support]

In fact swapping the channels is more useful if you have a moonlight-LED with only one channel in case there is only one channel e.g. L2 available (after swapping it will react to L2).
No, a red thunderstorm is not possible.