GHL ION Director User manual

ION Director®
Instruction Manual
Valid from Firmware-Version 1.00
As of 2021-01-23

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Table of Contents
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR GHL PRODUCT.......................................................................................................................... 5
1SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.......................................................................................................................................5
1.1 SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE PERSONS ........................................................................................................ 6
1.2 INTENDED USE ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
2GENERAL............................................................................................................................................................8
2.1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL............................................................................................................................................. 8
2.2 FEATURES............................................................................................................................................................. 8
2.3 SCOPE OF DELIVERY................................................................................................................................................ 8
3CONNECTIONS OF THE ION DIRECTOR®..............................................................................................................9
3.1 GENERAL.............................................................................................................................................................. 9
3.2 CONNECTION OVERVIEW....................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2.1 MUI Sensor Connection............................................................................................................................. 10
3.2.2 PAB-Ports .................................................................................................................................................. 11
3.2.3 AUX Port.................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.2.4 Return Vent ............................................................................................................................................... 11
3.2.5 Power Supply............................................................................................................................................. 11
4ACTIVATION.....................................................................................................................................................12
4.1 CONFIGURATION OPTIONS..................................................................................................................................... 12
4.1.1 Operation with GHL Doser 2.1 Stand Alone .............................................................................................. 13
4.1.2 Operation with ProfiLux Aquarium Controller and GHL Doser Maxi Stand Alone..................................... 13
4.2 ESTABLISHING THE PAB CONNECTION...................................................................................................................... 13
4.3 STATUS INDICATORS OF THE ION DIRECTOR®............................................................................................................ 14
4.3.1 System-Status- LED on the housing cover ................................................................................................. 14
4.3.2 PAB Status LEDs on the Back Panel........................................................................................................... 15
4.4 INSTALLING THE ION DIRECTOR®............................................................................................................................ 15
4.5 HOW IT WORKS ................................................................................................................................................... 17
4.6 SELECTION AND ASSIGNMENT OF THE PUMPS............................................................................................................ 18
4.7 ACTIVATION OF THE PUMPS ................................................................................................................................... 19
4.8 INSTALLING THE TUBES.......................................................................................................................................... 20
4.8.1 Installing the water filter .......................................................................................................................... 22
4.8.2 Installing the return tube .......................................................................................................................... 23
4.9 INSTALLING THE MUI SENSOR................................................................................................................................ 23
4.10 CONNECTING THE MULTI ION SENSOR ..................................................................................................................... 25
4.11 REMOVING THE MULTI ION SENSOR ........................................................................................................................ 25
5CARRYING OUT THE MEASUREMENT ...............................................................................................................26
5.1 ENTER SAMPLE TUBE VOLUME ................................................................................................................................ 27
5.2 PREPARE MEASUREMENT....................................................................................................................................... 28
5.3 MANUAL MEASUREMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 29
5.4 DAILY AUTOMATED MEASUREMENT......................................................................................................................... 29
5.5 ALARM .............................................................................................................................................................. 30
6CONTROL .........................................................................................................................................................30
6.1 SIMPLE CONTROL:SWITCHING SOCKETS.................................................................................................................... 30
6.2 CONTROL VIA DOSING PUMPS................................................................................................................................. 30
7MEASUREMENT ACCURACY .............................................................................................................................31
7.1 WHAT DOES THE MEASURING TOLERANCE MEAN IN PRACTICE? ..................................................................................... 31
7.2 COMPARISON WITH OTHER MEASUREMENTS ............................................................................................................. 31

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7.3 CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................................................... 32
8MAINTENANCE.................................................................................................................................................32
9WARRANTY/LIABILITY......................................................................................................................................32
10 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................33
10.1 HELP AND INFORMATION....................................................................................................................................... 33
10.2 FIRMWARE-UPDATE............................................................................................................................................. 33
11 TECHNICAL DATA .............................................................................................................................................34

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Congratulations on your Purchase
Thank you for purchasing our product and allowing us to help support your path to successful
fishkeeping! With an ION Director® you now own a highly professional piece of equipment
that is more than capable of assisting you in your daily monitoring and maintenance routines.
Please note that the ION Director® does not have an internal controller and therefore requires
for operation a ProfiLux 3 Aquarium controller with latest firmware (6.44 or newer), a ProfiLux
4 (7.25 or newer),a GHL Doser 2 (2.1) Stand Alone or GHL Doser Maxi Stand Alone both with
firmware 1.37 or higher.
For transporting liquids to the ION Director® a GHL Doser 2/2.1 (Stand Alone or Slave) with at
least 3 free pumps is required.
We are confident that our product will help make your hobby more efficient, safe, and
ultimately help you spend more time enjoying your aquarium or terrarium.
Enjoy Your Passion!
GHL Takes Care of the Rest

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Get the Most out of your GHL Product
GHL products are well-equipped with simple and intuitive features. In order to get the most
out of our products, we recommend you read this Instruction Manual and the Instruction
Manual of the respective Controller (ProfiLux, GHL Doser 2/2.1 Stand Alone or GHL Doser Maxi
Stand Alone) carefully. Doing so will provide you with the most profound details for using our
product. These and other helpful documents can be downloaded from our website’s
download area (Support->Downloads). Visit our website at www.aquariumcomputer.com, our
Support Forum or meet us on Facebook to become a GHL-Product expert and fully utilize the
full range of functions offered from your device!
1Safety Instructions
Please read these instructions carefully before operating the ION Director®.
GHL products are built with maximum security and safety in mind. However, product safety
for this device can only be guaranteed if you follow these guidelines.
Anyone who uses this device must become familiar with the following safety instructions and
the operation of the device.
Failure to follow these instructions will void any warranty claims.
Be sure to read over the safety instructions provided by this ProfiLux manual; including the
respective manuals of other equipment manufacturers.
In this manual, the following symbols are used:
TIP
General note, tip or advice.
WARNING
Important note for operation, to avoid damage to the equipment, and for
your safety.

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1.1 Safety of Children and Vulnerable Persons
WARNING
This equipment must not be used:
•By small children and vulnerable persons with limited physical,
sensory or mental capabilities.
•By people who are unfamiliar with the functions of this product.
1.2 Intended Use
The ION Director® is intended exclusively for use in the domestic area. ION Director® may only
be operated with GHL accessories.
The ION Director® may only be used to determine the respective ion concentrations of
aquarium water.
Make sure to place the device away from splashing water, moisture or other liquids.
WARNING
To ensure safe operation, the following guidelines must be followed.
Disregarding these safety guidelines, will result in voiding your warranty.
In which case, the manufacturer rejects any responsibility or liability for
damage!
WARNING
Moisture indicators are placed inside the unit and will change color when
exposed to excessive moisture.
Removing these indicators will void all warranty claims
DANGER
Warning that non-compliance can result in injury or damage to the device.

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DANGER
Make sure that the power cord is plugged into a grounded outlet; otherwise
you could get an electric shock or cause a fire.
•Protect the power cable from damage (For example, twisting,
kinking, clamping). Please also pay attention to the joints and
connections to the device.
•Disconnect the power plug by pulling the plug, not the cable.
•Never attempt to disassemble, repair or alter the equipment by
yourself.
•Do not insert sharp objects into the electrical contacts and ports.
DANGER
•If the unit falls into the aquarium or has been exposed to moisture
or humidity, first turn off the power to the device via the fuse or
circuit breaker, then pull the power cord.
•Never touch the power plug with wet hands.
•If the device has become wet or dirty, thoroughly clean and dry it
with a dry cloth.
DANGER
•The device may not be operated if it has been damaged in any way
(e.g. damaged power cord or plug, liquids or objects have gotten
into the interior, device has been exposed to excessive moisture, the
normal operation is disturbed, or the device has been dropped.)

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DANGER
•Never leave your aquarium or terrarium unsupervised for an
extended amount of time.
•The maximum amount of time without personal view depends on
how long your aquarium, terrarium, or pond can survive without
significant damage, even when errors occur.
•Always remember that technology can fail and therefore
malfunctions can never be ruled out!
Power failures, incorrect settings, damage (For example, by water or
overvoltage) or simply an unexpected operating situation can lead to
fatal damage.
•The manufacturer declines any liability for (consequential) damage
or loss arising in connection with the use of the ION Director®, as far
as permitted by law
For your own safety, please look at the hazard prevention and safety instructions in the
chapters that follow.
2General
2.1 About this Manual
These instructions apply to the operation of the ION Director®.
Settings are explained in this manual using the GHL Control Center PC software as an example.
Of course, all settings can just as well be made via the GHL Connect app, via the GHL cloud
service myGHL or via the web interface of the device, depending on personal preference.
2.2 Features
•1 x Multi Ion Sensor (MUI-Sensor port), BNC-connector
•2 x ProfiLux Aquatic Bus (PAB Western sockets)
•1 x AUX port
•5 x Tube connectors (Water sample, References A and B, Waste water, Vent connector)
•1 x Power supply input (24 VDC)
2.3 Scope of Delivery
Please check the contents of this box. The following items should be included:
•ION Director®

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•Power supply splitter-cable
•IOND MUI Sensor
•Reference solutions A and B
•Flex PVC tube 8 m (315”)
•Inline water-filter
•Insert
PAB connection cables are not included with the ION Director®, they are also available in our
onlineshops. The IOND-Sets do however, include a PAB-Cable for connecting the IOND to the
included Doser.
Please check to make sure all items are in perfect condition. In case of damage, immediately
contact the dealer from whom you purchased the ION Director®.
WARNING
A damaged ION Director® or components may not be put into operation
under any circumstances.
3Connections of the ION Director®
3.1 General
Applies to all connections:
WARNING
•Connect only original accessories from GHL.
•Do not use force when plugging-in connectors. If a plug contact does
not fit check that you have chosen the correct socket and that the
orientation is correct.
DANGER
•Incorrect connection (For example inserting a USB connector into a
PAB connector) can lead to damaging the ION Director®.
•A repair caused by this, is not covered under warranty and will
therefore incur repair charges.

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3.2 Connection Overview
The ION Director® includes the following connection ports and displays:
3.2.1 MUI Sensor Connection
The supplied MUI sensor is connected to this eight-pin Mini-DIN socket.
DANGER
•The eight-pole Mini-DIN socket (MUI sensor input at IOND) as well as
the eight-pole Mini-DIN plug (at MUI sensor) can easily be damaged
permanently if not handled properly, e.g. when contacts are bent!
•Therefore, when plugging in the connector, make sure that the
polarity respectively the orientation is correct (arrow on connector
must be directed upwards)!
•The plug must be easy to insert, NEVER use force, insert with care!
•Mechanical damage to the plug and/or socket can lead to the
destruction of the ION Director®!
•A repair caused by this, is not covered under warranty and will
therefore incur repair charges.

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TIP
•The sensor is sensitive to interference due to the low signal level. To
obtain the best measurement results, it is therefore necessary to
ensure sufficient distance between the sensor and its cable and
sources of interference (e.g. ballasts, power lines, pumps,
entertainment electronics, etc.).
3.2.2 PAB-Ports
PAB devices are connected to the black RJ45 Western sockets. These are on the one hand the
control unit (ProfiLux 3/4/4e or GHL Doser Standalone), on the other hand possibly existing
further slave devices. Please also refer to the instructions in the operating manual of the
corresponding control unit.
3.2.3 AUX Port
This mini DIN socket can be used to connect devices with AUX plugs.
3.2.4 Return Vent
Return to the aquarium and ventilation.
3.2.5 Power Supply
24 VDC hollow socket. The ION Director® does not have its own power supply. The device needs
to be connected to the power supply of the GHL Doser 2.1 via the power supply splitter-cable.
To install, first connect each Y-ends of the splitter cable to the DC-connector of the ION
Director® (24 VDC, polarity: Inside +, outside -) and GHL Doser 2.1. Connect then the other end
of the splitter to the main power supply of the Doser.
Please note that the ION Director® and the GHL Doser are operated with 24 V, ProfiLux on the
other hand runs with 12 V. It is therefore not possible to tap the supply voltage for the ION
Director® from the ProfiLux.
Never connect 12 V consumers to 24 V power supplies (or vice versa), this will inevitably lead
to malfunction or destruction!
Use only the supplied original cables and power supplies for supplying power to the ION
Director® device.

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DANGER
•To establish the power supply, the supplied Power supply splitter-
cable may only be connected to the ION Director® and to the GHL
Doser 2.1 (24 V consumer) and its power supply unit.
•Under no circumstances connect 12 V consumers (e.g. ProfiLux) to 24
V power supply units (or vice versa), this will inevitably lead to
malfunction or destruction!
•A repair caused by this is not covered by warranty and is therefore
subject to a charge.
4Activation
4.1 Configuration Options
DANGER
For conveying the liquids (sample water and referenced) to the ION
Director® only pumps of a GHL Doser 2/2.1 Slave or Stand Alone must be
used!
Never use other pumps for this purpose (also don’t use pumps of the GHL
Doser Maxi) –this may cause destruction of the ION Director®!

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To operate the device, an additional control unit (ProfiLux from model 3, GHL Doser Stand Alone
from model 2 or a GHL Maxi Doser Stand Alone) is required
4.1.1 Operation with GHL Doser 2.1 Stand Alone
The ION Director® is connected to the GHL Doser 2.1 Stand Alone via the ProfiLux Aquatic Bus
(PAB).
In this configuration, the GHL Doser has
control over the measurement process: It
controls its dosing pumps and the valve
in the ION Director®, evaluates the
measurement results, and calculates the
measurement values.
4.1.2 Operation with ProfiLux Aquarium Controller and GHL Doser Maxi Stand
Alone
The ION Director® is connected to the ProfiLux 3/4 or a GHL Doser Maxi Stand Alone and a GHL
Doser 2 (2.1) Slave via the ProfiLux Aquatic Bus (PAB).
With this option, the ProfiLux or the GHL Doser
Maxi Stand Alone has full control over the
measuring process and behavior of both the
GHL Doser and ION Director®. The ProfiLux or
the GHL Doser Maxi Stand Alone will control
the dosing pumps in the Slave Doser and the
valve in the ION Director®. This will allow the
controller to evaluate the measurement
results and calculate the measurement
values.
4.2 Establishing the PAB connection
As a PAB device, the ION Director® is connected via the PAB connection to the controller
(ProfiLux, GHL Doser 2.1 Stand-Alone or GHL Doser Maxi Stand Alone).

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PAB is an interference free CAN-Bus-System which allows for extremely secure data transfer
between all PAB devices such as for example ION Director® and GHL Doser 2.1. The range can
be up to 100 m (300 FT).
The required PAB cables are available in different lengths and are not included and must be
purchased. The IOND-Sets do include a PAB cable for connecting the IOND to the included
Doser.
TIP
•Be sure to obtain suitable PAB cables in the appropriate lengths to
meet your needs.
•PAB-cables are available online at GHL Store (EU) and GHL USA Shop
(US) in different lengths from 0.5 m up to 50 m.
To enable the operation of the ION Director®, the device needs to be assigned to the
respective controller. For thorough information on how to assign PAB devices please refer to
the corresponding Instruction manuals and our Knowledge Base on our website
www.aquariumcomputer.com.
4.3 Status Indicators of the ION Director®
The ION Director® includes two status indicator lights which are located on the housing cover
and the back of the device. These lights provide system status information at a glance.
4.3.1 System-Status- LED on the housing cover
The various colors can show you at a glance, the condition of your aquarium.
The color and blink codes shown depend on the particular Firmware.
For the meaning of the blink codes, please refer to the Knowledge Base at our website
www.aquariumcomputer.com.

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4.3.2 PAB Status LEDs on the Back Panel
Located on the back panel of the ION Director® are another two LEDs
that provide information about PAB connection status and PAB
communication status.
The upper yellow LED indicates proper communication within the PAB connection. The lower
green LED provides information about the status of the PAB communication.
Status
Meaning
Yellow LED flashes
ION Director® receives PAB commands
Green LED is ON
ION Director® is ready for operation
Green LED flashes quickly
ION Director® is started, firmware update
Green LED flashes every second,
yellow LED is OFF
ION Director® has not received PAB commands from
ProfiLux, GHL Doser SA or GHL Doser Maxi SA for more
than 30 seconds
Both LEDs are OFF
ION Director® has no supply voltage
4.4 Installing the ION Director®
The device must be protected from water at all times!
Mount the ION Director® in a water-protected area. When selecting the mounting material,
make sure that you have adequate sizing and stability. Make sure that the unit cannot fall into
the water during assembly or normal use.
If the device is placed inside an aquarium cabinet, make sure that it is placed in an area free
from splashing water; moisture or liquids that can penetrate.

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The ION Director® as well as its accessories are destroyed by excess moisture or excess
atmospheric humidity - Please observe the technical data and notes below!
To ensure maximum safety and operation, the following regulations must be followed! Failure
to follow the safety guidelines will result in VOIDING your warranty. The manufacturer rejects
any responsibility or liability for damages resulting from misuse!
Powered equipment and water can become a dangerous combination if precautions are not
taken. It is therefore essential to supply power to all mains-operated devices which are
operated in the aquarium or in the vicinity of the device via a residual current circuit breaker!
In order to avoid any danger, all mains-operated devices must be disconnected from the
mains; all plugs must be disconnected! When working in the aquarium, it can never be ruled
out that a heating element, a pump, or a luminaire is defective.
Please also note:
TIP
•Please ensure good access to the connections of the device
•Please consider the maximum cable lengths of the connected PAB
cables, sensors etc. when selecting the installation site
WARNING
•To ensure proper operation, the connection cables should never be
kinked, crimped, or positioned in an unsuitable way.
DANGER
•The ION Director® must be installed horizontally.
•The maximum deviation from the horizontal must not exceed
+/- 3 °.
•Only when installed correctly an adequate measurement can be
carried out.
•The ION Director® may NEVER be used without a built-in MUI
sensor!

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4.5 How it works
The figure to the side shows a schematic representation of the operating principle.
The 3 tube inlets on the front of the ION Director® are connected to 3 dosing pumps of a
GHL Doser 2 (2.1). The precise dosing pumps handle the conveying of the liquids.
After starting the measuring process, first the sample tube is completely refilled, the water
previously present in the sample tube is returned to the aquarium (or the sump) through the
connection on the back (Vent). This ensures that a fresh sample is always used for the
measurement - and not older water that has been in the sample hose for a longer period of
time - and that the measurement result actually reflects the current situation in the tank; in
addition, no water is wasted during this flushing.
Afterwards, the sensor is calibrated and the measurement is carried out by slowly adding
reference liquids and the sample water.

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The sample water required for the measurement as well as the reference liquids are drained
off as wastewater (through wastewater outlet on the front of the device), this wastewater
must be collected in a separate container for later disposal.
Please note the following when installing the devices:
WARNING
•ION Director® and GHL Doser (as well as ProfiLux if present) must be
positioned away and protected from splashing water and excess
humidity!
•Splashing water/saltwater and or condensing humidity (e.g.
occurring nearby the sump) will destroy the devices –this voids all
warranty claims!
•The waste water should generally be collected and disposed of.
However, it may be returned into the tank if the resulting
quantities of reference liquids do not lead to significant or
disturbing changes of salinity or filling level.
•You may lead the return of the sample water back into the
tank.
4.6 Selection and Assignment of the Pumps
In the GCC under Probe/sensor controls, select the category ION Director, check ION Director
enabled. Save the changes.

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WARNING
When you changed settings for your device via the GCC, you must always
save them using the "Save changes" button.
For the measurement, three pumps of the GHL Doser 2.1 are required. As default, pumps 1-3
are preselected for the functions Water sample, Reference A and Reference B.
You can change that pump assignment. If you already have several Dosers in your system,
then take care when numbering the pumps that one number is not assigned more than once.
4.7 Activation of the Pumps
1. Set the pump speeds required for the measurement, for all 3 pumps (water sample and
references) to speed 3
Dosing -> Dose overview -> Dosing pump x (the pump you chose for the IOND) -> Pump
settings -> Maximum Speed (3).

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DANGER
•Please carry out the calibration carefully.
•The pump calibration has a direct influence on the precision of the
measurement and control.
•The more precisely you perform the calibration, the more accurate
the ION measurement can be.
2. Calibrate the selected pumps
3. Activate the fill level
For safety reasons, ION measurements are only started if it is ensured that there is at least 10
ml of each Reference solution for the measurement in the respective dosing container.
Enter the container capacity. For the pumps that deliver the reference fluids (here 2 and 3),
the example shown here is 500 ml. You can also enter a minimum below which an alarm
should be triggered.
-> Save the changes.
The Doser calculates the fill level indicator according to the specified capacity of 500 ml and
the filling level. If you choose a larger fluid container (for example, 1000 ml) at a later time,
then you need to save that again, so that this capacity change can be taken into account in the
level indicator.
The container is emptied by dosing, therefore choose Container is emptied.
To activate the level indicator, press the Refill container button and confirm with OK.
4.8 Installing the Tubes
You can place the ION Director® and the GHL Doser 2.1 side by side or stack the devices.