Reef Keeper 2 people Beware

[Salty Dog]

Ok I have been controlling my tank for the last 4 months with a reef Keeper 2. I whent on vacation a few months ago and had my wifes friend watch the tank. I came home to a tank at 62degrees and most of the coral in bad shape. I jumped into action and checked things out to find a blown fuse on my Reef Keeper. I pulled all the plugs from the controller and pluged them directly into a power source to buy me time to get some replacement fuses at Radio Shack. Well I got the fuses and was back in buisness with the controller working. I did lose a few corals but I was lucky. Ok at 9:30 I woke up today to find the Actinics didnt go on? I got up and looked at the temp on the display and it was at 72. **** here we go again. I go and check out the cause and find the Reef Keeper has blown a fuse again. Now I know some of you might be thinking Im over sressing the cotroller with Wattage but this is not the case at all. I decided to eliminate the problem entirely andremove the fuse link itself. My wife and I travel quite offten and I cant risk it anymore. I then powered the controller on a 20amp GFI plug. No more worries.

Bill

 

[Bob 1000]

I had to upgrade my fuse against their advice..The factory fuse is to small in my opinion

 

[Josh]

Don't run life support devices on electronic controllers.

 

[jerl77]

running one 2 yeas never had a problem with it trust it with my life

 

[Bob 1000]

Ok I have been controlling my tank for the last 4 months with a reef Keeper 2. I whent on vacation a few months ago and had my wifes friend watch the tank. I came home to a tank at 62degrees and most of the coral in bad shape. I jumped into action and checked things out to find a blown fuse on my Reef Keeper. I pulled all the plugs from the controller and pluged them directly into a power source to buy me time to get some replacement fuses at Radio Shack. Well I got the fuses and was back in buisness with the controller working. I did lose a few corals but I was lucky. Ok at 9:30 I woke up today to find the Actinics didnt go on? I got up and looked at the temp on the display and it was at 72. **** here we go again. I go and check out the cause and find the Reef Keeper has blown a fuse again. Now I know some of you might be thinking Im over sressing the cotroller with Wattage but this is not the case at all. I decided to eliminate the problem entirely andremove the fuse link itself. My wife and I travel quite offten and I cant risk it anymore. I then powered the controller on a 20amp GFI plug. No more worries.

Bill

How big is your system 125, 180????

 

[Bob 1000]

running one 2 yeas never had a problem with it trust it with my life

How big is your system??

 

[jerl77]

mine is a 125 if that helps

 

[Malibu361]

Thanks for the heads up ,I just hooked mine up on Friday!!:splitspin Are they just common ,ceramic,15 amp, Buss fuses from Radio Shack?

 

[grknyer]

Don't run life support devices on electronic controllers.

Hey Josh thank God you run a website instead of a Hospital :lol2:


I Have a Rk2 with no problems to report.

 

[aaron23]

yea please let me know what type of fuses they are i'd like to stock up just incase something happens.

 

[Bob 1000]

I was wondering if the system size had something to do with it and if anyone with a system size less the 125 had any problems with these controllers.. I upgraded to a 20 amp and have been without incident..

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

I suggest a ACIII or ACIII Pro, you an check your stats via the Internet or Get warnings via SMS or Email.

I have seen may RK2s do the same exact thing, actually mine did.... and a clients of mine is having problems with the relays.

I agree be Cautious with Digital Aquatics...

 

[Salty Dog]

How big is your system 125, 180????

225g

 

[Salty Dog]

Yes you can stock up on fuses from Radio shack they have the ceramic you will need. Im just tired of the worry so I removed the fuse link.

 

[jerl77]

never heard this problem before running 2 years strong

 

[Keith P]

Yes you can stock up on fuses from Radio shack they have the ceramic you will need. Im just tired of the worry so I removed the fuse link.

Would a slow-blow fuse do a better job??

 

[Malibu361]

How do you remove the fuse link?

 

[Salty Dog]

for the fuse : On the side of the plug port box there is a little grey plug with a slot on it, turn that and it will pop out. Be careful sometime they are tuff to turn.

To remove the fuse link" Remove all the small phillip screws along the side of the plug box and remove the back plate, the by the fuse bend the side of the metal to expoxe the enternals. You will see the fuse link with a green wire on the fuse and a soder point to connect. Remove link and soder wire directly to the soder point. Its very easy to do once you open it up.

 

[charlie1225]

for the fuse : On the side of the plug port box there is a little grey plug with a slot on it, turn that and it will pop out. Be careful sometime they are tuff to turn.

To remove the fuse link" Remove all the small phillip screws along the side of the plug box and remove the back plate, the by the fuse bend the side of the metal to expoxe the enternals. You will see the fuse link with a green wire on the fuse and a soder point to connect. Remove link and soder wire directly to the soder point. Its very easy to do once you open it up.

Just wondering, wouldn't that be a little dangerous? The manufacturer placed a fuse there for a reason right? Isn't that to avoid short circuits?

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

I would ONLY use Manufacturer recommended fuses, I have had a seen one practically catch on fire. Check to see if it under warranty and contact Digital Aquatics. I personally would not mess around with "possibilities." Especially when it comes to electrical equipment that can carry that much amperage.