IceCap Gyre Interface Module: Setup & Installation

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IceCap Gyre Interface Module: Setup & Installation

The Gyre Interface Module is an after-market product that will allow you to connect your Maxspect Gyre pump to a 3rd party controller by using an available 0-10 volt port.

The Gyre Interface Module is an after-market product that will allow you to connect your Maxspect Gyre pump to a 3rd party controller by using an available 0-10 volt port. This makes the Module very versatile and almost universally compatible with most system controllers like the Neptune Systems’s Apex or the Reef Angel. In essence, the module allows you to use your system controller as the gyre controller!

 

In essence, theModule allows you to use your system controller as the gyre controller!

 

Each IceCap Gyre Interface Module comes with the interface box, a Y connection cable and user manual.

The IceCap Gyre Interface Module includes the module itself, a Y cable as well as an instructions manual. The IceCap Gyre Interface Module includes the module itself, a Y cable as well as an instructions manual.

An aquarium system controller is not included with the module but it is required.  Remember that the Gyre interface module is a third-party product intended to facilitate the connection between a Maxspect GyreTM Pump and a system controller. 

To connect your Maxspect gyre to the interface module, you will need to

  1. Unplug the pump’s power supply. 
  2. Remove the standard Gyre controller and re-connect the pump and power supply cable to the Gyre Interface Module. Remove the pump's basic controller. Remove the pump's basic controller.
  3. Plug one end of the included Y cable into the side of the Gyre Interface Module and the opposite end with the ethernet jack into an available 0-10v port on your existing system controller. Now attach the pump to the module just as if you were using the basic controller. Now attach the pump to the module just as if you were using the basic controller.

Calibration Cycle

When you first connect the Module, it will run a calibration cycle for 10 seconds.

The module will run a calibration cycle of 10 seconds the very first time you attach a pump to it. The module will run a calibration cycle of 10 seconds the very first time you attach a pump to it.

WARNING: Be very careful because during the Calibration Cycle, the pump WILL RUN at 100% SPEED.

The calibration cycle only runs the very first time you connect a pump to the module.

 Operations

Under normal working conditions the status light will remain off.

Under normal working conditions the status light will remain off. Under normal working conditions the status light will remain off.

If the module detects an error, such as a broken propeller or no pump present, the status light will illuminate red and the pump will be stopped.

If an error is detected, the red light will begin to flash. If an error is detected, the red light will begin to flash.

The red light will generally remain on for 1 to 2 seconds, then it will turn off and the module will try to restart the pump. If the problem has been fixed, the pump will resume normal operation. If the module detects the error once again, the red indicator light will turn back on. The module will continue to try to restart the pump until the error has been corrected.

Battery Backup

The other great feature of the IceCap interface module is that it allows you to connect your Maxspect gyre to a backup battery.

 

The IceCap battery backup allows you to connect two pumps to the same battery unit. The IceCap battery backup allows you to connect two pumps to the same battery unit.

When loss of power is detected, the Module will go into backup mode where the control input is ignored and the module runs the pump at a preset low speed resulting in a single pump running close to 35-hour with a fully charged battery.

On a fully charged battery, a single gyre may run up to 35 hrs.  On a fully charged battery, a single gyre may run up to 35 hrs.

We will cover installation and use of the backup battery in a future video.

The Top Ten Questions Asked

Now, over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of buzz about this new interface box and there have been a lot of questions about it as well.   So, here I am going to try to answers some of the most commonly asked questions as well as clear up some of the misconceptions.

Number 10:

Will the module run multiple pumps?

The module can only run one pump at a time. If you would like to control multiple gyres with your system controller, each pump will require it’s own interface module.

Number 9:

Can the module work without a system controller?

No, the interface module is not a controller in itself. It requires a system controller to connect to and program the pump.

Number 8:

How many 0-10volt ports does the module require?

The interface module only requires one single pump connection. Many system controllers out there have variable speed ports that can control 2 separate pumps.   The IceCap interface module only requires a free pump connection on a 0-10 volt port.

Number 7:

Can I run the battery backup without the module interface?  

No, without it, the gyre will not ramp down it’s speed to conserve battery power.

Number 6:

Can I run my own battery backup with the module?

No, the IceCap battery backup unit allows the IceCap module to monitor the life and energy charge of the battery. When the pump is running on battery power, the module will flash it’s L-E-Ds letting you know how much charge is left on the battery.

Number 5:

I already own a maxspect gyre, can I use the module?

Absolutely! You can replace your current basic controller with the IceCap module and connect it to your system controller. As we mentioned before, the IceCap module requires a system controller and cannot operate as a stand-alone product.

Number 4:

Will the icecap module be included with all new maxspect gyres?

The IceCap Gyre Interface Module is made in the USA. The IceCap Gyre Interface Module is made in the USA.

No, the IceCap Module is an after-market product made by IceCap without any affiliation to Maxspect. The IceCap Module is sold separately. 

Number 3:

Does the module have it’s own programming language? How do I program it?

The interface module does not have it’s own programming language. You do all your programming and controlling via your system controller. The module only facilitates the connection between the maxspect gyre and your system controller. In essence, the Icecap Module allows your system controller to become your gyre’s controller.

If you have an APEX Controller by Neptune Systems, you can watch our "IceCap Gyre Interface Module: APEX Controller Setup" video for instructions on how to program your brand new interface box!

Number 2:

Will the module allow me to run the maxspect gyre in Alternating Gyre Mode?

Yes, please stay tuned for an upcoming video in which we will explain in depth how Alternating Gyre Mode can be achieved using your system controller.

And the number 1 questions asked is:

When can I buy this interface module?

The IceCap Gyre Interface Module is now available exclusively at www.coralvue.com.

Buy It Now!


 

If you would like more information on the IceCap Gyre Interface Module check out the link below. If you have any technical questions that you wish to ask, please head over to www.coralvue.com/support and submit a support ticket.

 

The Gyre Interface Module is an after-market product that will allow you to connect your Maxspect Gyre pump to a 3rd party controller by using an available 0-10 volt port.

The Gyre Interface Module is an after-market product that will allow you to connect your Maxspect Gyre pump to a 3rd party controller by using an available 0-10 volt port. This makes the Module very versatile and almost universally compatible with most system controllers like the Neptune Systems’s Apex or the Reef Angel. In essence, the module allows you to use your system controller as the gyre controller!

In essence, theModule allows you to use your system controller as the gyre controller!

Each IceCap Gyre Interface Module comes with the interface box, a Y connection cable and user manual.

The IceCap Gyre Interface Module includes the module itself, a Y cable as well as an instructions manual.  

The IceCap Gyre Interface Module includes the module itself, a Y cable as well as an instructions manual.

An aquarium system controller is not included with the module but it is required.  Remember that the Gyre interface module is a third-party product intended to facilitate the connection between a Maxspect GyreTM Pump and a system controller. 

To connect your Maxspect gyre to the interface module, you will need to

Unplug the pump’s power supply. 

Remove the standard Gyre controller and re-connect the pump and power supply cable to the Gyre Interface Module.

Remove the pump's basic controller.

Remove the pump's basic controller.

Plug one end of the included Y cable into the side of the Gyre Interface Module and the opposite end with the ethernet jack into an available 0-10v port on your existing system controller.

Now attach the pump to the module just as if you were using the basic controller.  

Now attach the pump to the module just as if you were using the basic controller.

Calibration Cycle

When you first connect the Module, it will run a calibration cycle for 10 seconds.

 

The module will run a calibration cycle of 10 seconds the very first time you attach a pump to it.  

The module will run a calibration cycle of 10 seconds the very first time you attach a pump to it.

WARNING: Be very careful because during the Calibration Cycle, the pump WILL RUN at 100% SPEED.

The calibration cycle only runs the very first time you connect a pump to the module.

 Operations

Under normal working conditions the status light will remain off.

Under normal working conditions the status light will remain off.  

Under normal working conditions the status light will remain off.

If the module detects an error, such as a broken propeller or no pump present, the status light will illuminate red and the pump will be stopped.

If an error is detected, the red light will begin to flash.  

If an error is detected, the red light will begin to flash.

The red light will generally remain on for 1 to 2 seconds, then it will turn off and the module will try to restart the pump. If the problem has been fixed, the pump will resume normal operation. If the module detects the error once again, the red indicator light will turn back on. The module will continue to try to restart the pump until the error has been corrected.

Battery Backup

The other great feature of the IceCap interface module is that it allows you to connect your Maxspect gyre to a backup battery.

 

The IceCap battery backup allows you to connect two pumps to the same battery unit.  The IceCap battery backup allows you to connect two pumps to the same battery unit.

When loss of power is detected, the Module will go into backup mode where the control input is ignored and the module runs the pump at a preset low speed resulting in a single pump running close to 35-hour with a fully charged battery.

On a fully charged battery, a single gyre may run up to 35 hrs.   On a fully charged battery, a single gyre may run up to 35 hrs.

We will cover installation and use of the backup battery in a future video.

The Top Ten Questions Asked

Now, over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of buzz about this new interface box and there have been a lot of questions about it as well.   So, here I am going to try to answers some of the most commonly asked questions as well as clear up some of the misconceptions.

Number 10:

Will the module run multiple pumps?

The module can only run one pump at a time. If you would like to control multiple gyres with your system controller, each pump will require it’s own interface module.

Number 9:

Can the module work without a system controller?

No, the interface module is not a controller in itself. It requires a system controller to connect to and program the pump.

Number 8:

How many 0-10volt ports does the module require?

The interface module only requires one single pump connection. Many system controllers out there have variable speed ports that can control 2 separate pumps.   The IceCap interface module only requires a free pump connection on a 0-10 volt port.

Number 7:

Can I run the battery backup without the module interface?  

No, without it, the gyre will not ramp down it’s speed to conserve battery power.

Number 6:

Can I run my own battery backup with the module?

No, the IceCap battery backup unit allows the IceCap module to monitor the life and energy charge of the battery. When the pump is running on battery power, the module will flash it’s L-E-Ds letting you know how much charge is left on the battery.

Number 5:

I already own a maxspect gyre, can I use the module?

Absolutely! You can replace your current basic controller with the IceCap module and connect it to your system controller. As we mentioned before, the IceCap module requires a system controller and cannot operate as a stand-alone product.

Number 4:

Will the icecap module be included with all new maxspect gyres?

The IceCap Gyre Interface Module is made in the USA.  The IceCap Gyre Interface Module is made in the USA.

No, the IceCap Module is an after-market product made by IceCap without any affiliation to Maxspect. The IceCap Module is sold separately. 

Number 3:

Does the module have it’s own programming language? How do I program it?

The interface module does not have it’s own programming language. You do all your programming and controlling via your system controller. The module only facilitates the connection between the maxspect gyre and your system controller. In essence, the Icecap Module allows your system controller to become your gyre’s controller.

If you have an APEX Controller by Neptune Systems, you can watch our "IceCap Gyre Interface Module: APEX Controller Setup" video for instructions on how to program your brand new interface box!

Number 2:

Will the module allow me to run the maxspect gyre in Alternating Gyre Mode?

Yes, please stay tuned for an upcoming video in which we will explain in depth how Alternating Gyre Mode can be achieved using your system controller.

And the number 1 questions asked is:

When can I buy this interface module?

The IceCap Gyre Interface Module is now available exclusively at www.coralvue.com.

Buy It Now!


 

If you would like more information on the IceCap Gyre Interface Module check out the link below. If you have any technical questions that you wish to ask, please head over to www.coralvue.com/support and submit a support ticket.

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