Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

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JLW
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Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by JLW »

Hey all... I have an SMS122 pH controller. Every so often, it gets "stuck," and it makes this ERRRNT noise. Sometimes, it'll do this just once, sometimes it'll do this again and again for several minutes. This is very, very annoying -- particularly when it does it at 3 AM ...

ANyone have any idea WHY it is doing this, and more importantly, how to make it shaddup?
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jweis
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Re: Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by jweis »

JLW wrote:Hey all... I have an SMS122 pH controller. Every so often, it gets "stuck," and it makes this ERRRNT noise. Sometimes, it'll do this just once, sometimes it'll do this again and again for several minutes. This is very, very annoying -- particularly when it does it at 3 AM ...

ANyone have any idea WHY it is doing this, and more importantly, how to make it shaddup?
Mine has never done that. I did have to speak with the Milwakee folks once and they were very helpful. YOu may just want to reach out directly to them.
Julie
37g planted, 11g planted, and three 5.2g planted shrimp tanks.
JLW
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Re: Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by JLW »

For those who are interested, I did talk to Milwaukee. They said that it is due to improper current reaching the unit, and to try plugging it into a different circuit.

Unfortunately, I live in a very old apartment, and I have THREE circuits in the entire place (pain in the canister filter). So, unless I want to run an extension cord halfway around the house, out the front door, and into the neighbours, I'm SOL. :(

I'm having to basically turn it on and off manually. I guess it's better than NO CO2, but ... I'm guessing that it is from one of two things: either having the AC running, or possibly due to some work the electrician did on the apartment, which roughly coincides with when the problem started. Either way, frustrating.

I *may* try turning the gas way down and just letting it go all the time, no pH controller. (But plugged into the lamp timer).
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150EH
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Re: Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by 150EH »

You could try exrention cords with a larger gauge wire, this could make it easier for the electric to flow. That is if you are using any that are under sized.
Sincerely,
Tim
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krisw
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Re: Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by krisw »

What about trying one of those power filters that are often used in home theater setups to ensure that the power current is clean so it doesn't produce any extra noise/interference? You could probably buy one at a best buy, and return it if it doesn't help the situation. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-Theate ... 720&sr=1-2
JLW
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Re: Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by JLW »

Both of those are not bad suggestions: I'm going to give the noise reducer a shot... though I hate buiying anything at Best Buy.
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JLW
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Re: Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by JLW »

The thicker extention cord actually seems to have done the trick.

Unfortunately, the solenoid now hums: I think that I wrecked it by having it open/close/open/close/open/close so often ...
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jweis
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Re: Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by jweis »

JLW wrote:The thicker extention cord actually seems to have done the trick.

Unfortunately, the solenoid now hums: I think that I wrecked it by having it open/close/open/close/open/close so often ...
Is it still under warranty? Milwaukee was very responsive when I was having problems.
Julie
37g planted, 11g planted, and three 5.2g planted shrimp tanks.
JLW
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Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:56 pm
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Re: Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by JLW »

Everything I got, I got used. So, unfortunately, I'm SOL.

I've sent Milwaukee a couple of e-mails, and only gotten the initial response which was, "Try plugging it into a different circuit." (Which, unfortunately, in my house is not practical. The extension cord did fix it, though, so I can't complain.)

I guess I'll be in the market for a new reg. in the near future. :) If I can get one, I'll go dual stage, I'm scared to death of cylinder dump.
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150EH
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Re: Noisy Milwaukee pH controller...

Post by 150EH »

Cylinder dump is not a big deal most of the time and I have never lost any fish. Now I do use dual stage regulators to avoid it but it wasn't my main reason to switch, I just wanted something that will out live me and be very accurate and adjustable.
Sincerely,
Tim
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