filter doesn't respond to ProfiLux speed changes

I've tried to control my Eheim 350 with PLC 5.0.5.4, but it seems it doesn't respond on commands whatever I do. May be my settings aren't correct:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/PLCEheim.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/PLCPumps.jpg

When I put the filter in manual mode (by using the buttons on the filter itself) a minute later, the filter turns back into automatic mode and LED's 4 and 5 starts flashing for about a minute. It doesn't mater if the "An Eheim controller is connected" is checked or not. After a second try the error didn't came back.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...terknoppen.jpg

According to the user manual it means there's an electronic error:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...iltererror.jpg

So, does GHL know what the problem is or was?
Nevertheless, I still can't control my filter by using PLC..

@MartinS
The settings should be ok. You configured the EHEIM for a constant flow at 10% (Pump1).
If the filter returns from manual mode (per keys at the filter itself) and returns to automatic (suggesting: constant flow mode) the filter is responding to the commands of the EHEIM-Controller.
Unchecking the "An Eheim controller is connected" only stops the ProfiLux sending the flow info to the EHEIM-Controller.
The EHEIM-Controller send the current flow periodic to the filter and request the filter state. So if the EHEIM-Controller is connected and it got a flow info from ProfiLux the EHEIM-Controller send this flow to the filter.

I can't help with the LED codes. In this case EHEIM would know the answer, what the reason is or was.

Hello Frank.
Thanks for your reply. But still there is a big little problem: the filter doesn't respond on commands from PLC.

@MartinS

Is the problem still present if you disconnect the DSub from EHEIM-Controller to ProfiLux for a short time (powercycle)?

Unfortunately, yes.

Other suggestion:
Could you set up sine waves 60s with range 1% to 20% for the filter and report us the result?

Hi Frank,
Done. PLC reacts. In the "State" colum the percentage repeats running from 1% to 19% and down. The filter isn't impressed...

Hi Martin,

on your Picture i can see that your Filter run's with 3960 U/min and has only an flow of 292l/h.
How is your Filter connectet? Is ther any Resistent in the Pips?

How many flow can you get maximum when you use the Eheim Control Centern without the PL connectet?
And how many speed maximum?

Hi Klaus,

Thanks for noticing. Unfortunately I don't have the original Eheim control center. I thought I don't need it when the Profilux version is used...
But when I put the filter in manual mode, it can run a bit faster for a very short time. After a few seconds the speed decreases. I will look in to it.
But nevertheless, I suppose the filter should listen to PLC.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MartinS

Hi Frank,
Done. PLC reacts. In the "State" colum the percentage repeats running from 1% to 19% and down. The filter isn't impressed...

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you should consider that the filter is only able to change the speed in steps - a change between 1 ... 19% may just not be recognized

for testing: just change the range to 1% ... 100%, 1 minute, and watch what happens

Hi Martin,

i think, that you have maybe the same situation like me.

I have al lot of thinks in my Pipe from the Filter to the Tank.
Link CO² Reaktor, Heating, SensorTank, ...

If I try to get on voll Speed my Filter makes only 200l/h put 1000l/h or more is posible with nothing in the Pipe...

Hi Matthias. Just tried what you suggested. But still nothing happens.

According to the filter LED's there is a problem with the flowrate:

B 1. Adjusted flowrate not possible and / or
2. flowrate smaller than 50%

(B 1. Eingestellte Durchflussmenge nicht möglich und / oder
2. Durchflussmenge kleiner 50%)

I am busy trying to solve this (new) problem. Although the filter is cleaned and all hoses are checked. But the question is: must PLC, despite this problem, nevertheless be able to reduce the flowrate to for instance 1%?
Or putting it a bit different: what would be the normal response of the filter in this case?

The filter is put in automatic mode within a minute when it was first set to manual mode. So the filter does respond on certain commands.
Is there may be a way to check if the Eheimcontroller is working properly?

the technical limitations of the EHEIM filter define the minimum and maximum flowrates

our controller just sends its "wishes" to the filter

what do you mean with " According to the filter LED's there is a problem with the flowrate"? what are the LEDs displaying exactly?

can you access with the EHEIM-Control Center? what happens there?

Underneath combination of LED's are lit on my filter:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...ltererror2.jpg

Accdording to the user manual this errorcode means:
B 1. Adjusted flowrate not possible and / or
2. flowrate smaller than 50%

Besides that, the current flowrate is 281 liter per hour. So I suppose PLC must be able to slow it down to 1%.

I don't have the Eheim control center yet. I thought I don't need it when the Profilux Eheimcontroller is used...

The EHEIM filter supports a range from a minimum flow to a maximum flow. The minimum flow (at 1%) does not correspond to 1% of the max. flow.

With ProfiLux we are able to set those flow steps of the filter. 1% correspond to the minimum flow with the EHEIM filter can be achieved.

That's clear but not an answer to my question. I can't immagine 281 liter per hour as to be 1% = the minumum flowrate of the filter.
So must PLC be able to slow it down to 1% or not?
And is there may be a way to check if the Eheimcontroller is working properly?

The 350 model for example supports a flow of 400l/h at minimum.
How should PLC able to slow down the filter beyond the minimum flow?

Normal operation of EHEIM-Controller: the green LED at the EHEIM-Controller is permanent on (Connection to EHEIM filter established) and the yellow LED flashing (EHEIM-Controller gets flow settings from ProfiLux)

When 400 l/hr is the minimum (=1%?) in a normal situation, of course 281 is lower and difficult to control. Btw, where can be found what the (normal) minimum flowrates are of the Eheim 3e? I have looked up the user manual but could not find this information.
I've measured the actual flow and this compares with the readings. So, first I will try to solve the flowrate problem and see what happens.

Quote:

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The 350 model for example supports a flow of 400l/h at minimum.

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That´s not the whole truth. A flow of 400l/h with minimum speed (2100min-¹) is only possible at free flow - without hoses and also without filter masses (as said in the manual) - same is valid for the 1050l/h at maximum speed of 4320min-¹. You never can reach that in real environment.

In my opinion the possible minimum flow of 400l/h for constant flow is much too hight. Maybe a minimum of 250-300 should be possible to set. But anyway, that´s not a prob of GHL ....

Quote:

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I can't immagine 281 liter per hour as to be 1% = the minimum flow rate of the filter.
So must PLC be able to slow it down to 1% or not?
And is there may be a way to check if the Eheimcontroller is working properly?

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Unfortunately the flow will decrease with time - or the pump will speed up more and more with clogging of the filter masses. That depends on programming.
I don´t know if an alarm is set able for going below a minimum flow and/or reaching a maximum speed level (as I see, pump speed is setable from 2100min-¹ up to 4320min-¹ in steps of 60min-¹) due I haven´t get my EHEIM controller yet.

But I have asked Eheim for a pump courve -let´s see if I get it. :cool: