Cap PPM-3 "sticking" and running generator constantly

[Guest]

Thats the first time its happened to me and I'm glad I was around to catch it in a few hours,the PPm's in my 8 by 8 room was around 3600 when I started venting.My setpoint is 1500PPM,so at 1450(50 below setpoint)it kicks on the generator until the 1500 setpoint then kicks off.It normally rises a little over 1600PPM then slowly drops to 1450 where it kicks in again.The problem this morning was at 1450 it kicked in but the reading on my cap stayed at 1450 instead of rising,this kept my generator running indefinately because it wouldn't rise to 1500 to cut it off.I killed power and it has been working alright but I need to know if this has happened to other CAP-PPM3 users and if its taking a crap on me.I wont always be here to save my plants from too much of a great thing

 

[2buds]

I had an older version of a cap meter that did the same thing after about a year. I went to a timed release system and used the readings from the meter to get things close and consistent and I haven't looked back. What sucked to me is how much the things cost and it crapped when the warranty ran out. I haven't heard of this before but it happened to me. I'd be interested to see if anyone else chimes in. Good luck.

 

[Guest]

mine was doing the same thing.. i'm 99.9% sure that a digital ballast caused the ppm3 to go wacky. got rid of the digi ballasts, replaced the pp3 and haven't had a prob since.

 

[Guest]

Well I dont have digi ballasts,and its been about a year..Its working properly this morning.I hate shit designed to fail after a certain amount of time

 

[HIDEyourBUD]

CAP PPM-3 CO2 Meter/controller Malfunction

CAP PPM-3 CO2 Meter/controller Malfunction

The PPM-3 is know to hang from time to time. The solution is to use a timer on the PPM3's power supply and cycle the unit off and then back on a few times a day.

I suggest this with ALL of these units because this is a cheaply preventable problem that can cause HUGE issues. Save yourself some hassle and take this step now.

 

[yamaha_1fan]

The PPM-3 is know to hang from time to time. The solution is to use a timer on the PPM3's power supply and cycle the unit off and then back on a few times a day.

I suggest this with ALL of these units because this is a cheaply preventable problem that can cause HUGE issues. Save yourself some hassle and take this step now.

I will buying one of these soon. Great thing to know, thanks

 

[DrLongbottom]

The PPM-3 is know to hang from time to time. The solution is to use a timer on the PPM3's power supply and cycle the unit off and then back on a few times a day.

I suggest this with ALL of these units because this is a cheaply preventable problem that can cause HUGE issues. Save yourself some hassle and take this step now.

Great advice....I had to do this exact thing to resolve cap 3 from occasionally "sticking". DLB

 

[Kilbud]

My discussion with CAP today

My discussion with CAP today

I spent about a 1/2 hour on the phone with CAP this morning. There are 2 possible issues in my situation.

1st - My digital ballast he said when people use 2 or more digital ballasts they can have issues. I'm using 4 Lumatek 600 watt digital ballasts.

2nd - direct light on the PPM 3. The CO2 sensor is in the upper right hand corner of the PPM3 and if infrared from your lights comes into contact with the sensor it can cause it to go screwy.

I will be moving the ppm3 down 1 ft off the ground to eliminate this issue. I will see if it continues to lock up.

I've had it lock up on 1450 like blockheader and I've have it lock on 9999.
This morning when I went in the room it was reading 5850 and rising and my gen1e was off. It always works when you reset it. My issue has been happening 2 or 3 times a week. I want to know whats causing my issue so I'm eleiminating the light problem 1st.

I have a call into Lumatek and spoke with one of their techs. He said he wanted to speak to a friend who works in a local hydro shop that sells a lot of CAP products and will get back to me.

After my light test I will be using a seperate timer now resetting it at 4 and 8 hours. If moving my PPM3 out of the light resolves the issue I will post it.

CAP recommended using the PPM2A which is around $170 more than the PPM3, but I would have to shut off the fuzzy logic which is the main difference between the 2. You can't use the fuzzy logic when using a generator. He said they have received no tech call on the PPM2A locking up. I think I'll stick with the PPM3 and a $10 timer.

Peace all, KB

 

[Closet_Glow]

intresting I just got this PPM3 - CO2 PPM Monitor/Control by CAP yesterday and I run it with a GEN-1LPE CO2 Generator (electronic) - LP... and mine runs about 10 times on and off and then sticks....how gay.... anyways I need a timer to have the CO2 off at night since i dont have a photo cell...so it going to work out hopefully...


everytime it sticks I unplug it and and its fine...also its placed under the lights so im going to move it around....


please keep this thread alive...i have about 10 days to return this controller or exchange it so feel free to give input if you own one...

did i mention how happy i am with the GEN-1LPE...perfect

 

[HIDEyourBUD]

CAP is having some serious quality control issues as my 3 day old PPM-2a dumped a tank of CO2. The factory says that it "never happens" and blamed it on my humidity being 50%.

Unfortunately, these units were designed prior to the e-ballast craze and thus was not designed with them in mind. That being said, I'll be buying another brand controller ASAP.

 

[grassfarmer]

trying to bring back this thread

trying to bring back this thread

wondering if anyone has had success fixing a problem with the ppm 3? I just pluged mine in brand new, and it doesn't shut off the gen after setpoint. I have an electronic window a/c in the room, no digi ballasts, and I dont know where I could hide it from light in my 6x15 room with 3kw in it. I would like some info if anyone has it?

 

[hardseed]

just got one

working fine so far how are others going????

 

[LifeCycle]

got the cap ppm2a thing locks up once a week c02 is being wasted...gonna put a call into cap as well as put it on a timer...for now..

 

[jocat]

it's not so good when all this tech stuff starts failing, i have the ppm1 co2 controller monitor and have experienced the same issues as everyone else...very frustrating to have a tank take a dump on you..i had been thinking of using the controller as a gauge to monitor the co2 but using the old school timer release method, used to have one that had two dials on it whenpower came on the first release was controlled by one knob, set for however long it takes to fill room to desired levels, the second knob controls the burst time to keep levels up. lower tech and prettymuch foolproof, but can't make adjustments on it's own....that's where the monitor could at least tell you whats up. i think i'll try the other sugestion in this thread and put the thing on a timer, that's even easier! jc

 

[LifeCycle]

called cap told them about the lockups they said dont have a digi ballast or digi ballast cord within 10f of the co2 controller...so i moved the controller,things mint no more lock ups...