SMART ATO
Intelligent Aquarium Automation
Manual
Model
SATO-100P
Notice
The Smart ATO is designed to be an extremely compact and reliable device for “topping off” water lost due to
evaporation.
1. Please read the manual in detail before installation
2. Keep the power adapter dry and away from water to avoid any safety issues.
3. Please clean the sensor every 6 months to prevent non-fill alert due to algae build up.
4. Avoid installing controller in an area with micro bubbles or direct lighting.
Precautions
We highly recommended that whenever performing an operation that will affect the water level (for
example water change, replacing filter sock), the Smart ATO should be RESET afterwards by
disconnecting from power and then reconnecting.
This is because if the water level is not returned to exactly the same level as before the maintenance, the Non Fill
or Over Fill alert times will then be incorrect and could cause false triggering of either of these alarms.
Refer to the diagram below:
Water tube output end must not be submerged in tank/sump water (this can lead to water siphoning from
tank to “top off” water container).
Water tube output end must not be lower than the highest possible water level of the “top off” water
container (this can also lead to water siphoning from the “top off” water container into the tank/sump).
Principles of Operation
The SMART ATO is triggered to activate when the water “low” condition exists for a continuous 3 seconds,
thereby “debouncing” any wave effects.
The rate of evaporation of water from your aquarium is dependant upon many factors, such as ambient
temperature, humidity and whether or not your aquarium is covered.
However, the rate of evaporation of water for your tank will remain fairly consistent providing there is no dramatic
changes in any of the above.
The AFS Technology (Auto Feedback Security) error detection built into the Smart ATO relies on this reasonably
consistent rate of evaporation by using:
•
the frequency of “top offs” (time between “top offs” ) and
•
the “top off” duration (how long the “top off” lasts).
There are 2 possible ATO failure scenarios –
Non Fill and Overfill.
Non Fill Alert
Blue LED flashing slowly with audible alert.
The Smart Controller will “remember” the time between the last 2 “top offs” (T1).
If the elapsed time since the last “top off” (T2) is greater than 2 times this previous time (T1), the non fill alert will
be triggered (flashing blue LED slowly with audible alert). If T2 > (2 x T1). This error will reset after the net refill.
For example, if the time between the last 2 “top offs” was 13 hours, then the Smart Controller will alert when
greater than 26 hours has elapsed since the last “top off”.
*Note: The Smart Controller initial setting for this error is 48 hours - if no “top off” occurs within 48 hours after
installation and initial “top off”, the alert will be triggered.
*Note: The minimum period for this alert is 24 hours. For example, if the time between the last 2 “top offs” was 5
hours, then the Smart Controller will alert when greater than 24 hours has elapsed since the last “top off”.
CAUSE OF ALERT
Maintenance has changed water
level
(Most frequent error!)
REMEDY
This is the most common error. If maintenance has been performed and
the water level is different to the level before maintanance, this alert could
be triggered. If this was the cause you should now be able to trigger a “top
off” by moving sensor just above the water level until pump activates. This
will reset the alert.
We highly recommended that whenever
performing an operation that will affect the water level (for example
water change, replacing filter sock), the Smart ATO should be RESET
afterwards by disconnecting from power and then reconnecting.
Misalignment
If this is the cause, adjust the alignment of the Smart Controller, and system
should trigger a “top off” and will reset the alert.
Algae Build Up
Remove the “wet side” lens and clean/reassemble.. It this was the cause
you should now be able to trigger a “top off” by moving sensor just above
the water level until pump activates. This will reset the alert.
Over Fill/Water Empty Alert
Red LED flashing slowly with audible alert.
The Smart Controller will “remember” the time it took for the last “top off” (T3). The Over Fill alert will be triggered
(flashing red LED slowly with audible alert) when the time it takes for the next “top off” (T4) is greater than 3 times
the last one. T4 > (3 x T3).
For example, if the last “top off” took 10 seconds, then the Smart Controller will alert when the next “top off” time
exceeds 30 seconds.
* Note. The minimum “top off” time for this alert is 15 seconds. For example, if the time for the last “top off” was 4
seconds, then the Smart Controller will alert when the time it takes for the next “top off” is greater than 15 seconds.
CAUSE OF ALERT
Water empty
(Most frequent error!)
REMEDY
Add water to the "top off" container and then reset.
Bubble noise
Reduce the bubbles around the Smart Controller "wet side", and then reset
*Reset : Unplug and replug the power wire.
LED Indicators
● Green LED Light on
Power on
(POWER)
Flashing slowly
● Blue LED
Flashing slowly
Refer to section on Non Fill Alert.
with audible alert
Returns back to normal after cause of problem
rectified.
Refer to section on Overfill/Water Empty Alert
(ALARM)
● Red LED
(PUMP)
Refilling/Pumping
Flashing slowly
with audible alert
Flashing quickly
Bad connection
Reconnect the pump wire by hand, and then reset*
with audible alert (pump)
Pump malfunction Replace the pump, and then reset*
*Reset : Unplug and replug the power wire.
Installation
1. Mount the Smart Controller (SC) on the clear wall of the tank/sump.
2. Connect the DC pump wire into the SC and install the water tubing (Notice to set the ATO
output tubing higher than the tank/sump and the reservoir level to prevent siphon).
3. Connect the power adapter into an AC socket and then into the SC to initialize.
4. Position SC by moving the outside controller under the present water level or 1/5 inch (5mm)
higher than the present water level to test the ATO function.
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