SMD VARIO CONTROL START User manual

Starting up VARIO CONTROL START
VARIO CONTROL START is operated with 230V-, 50Hz mains voltage.
The temperature sensor supplied is connected to the corresponding input (see Inputs chapter) of the VARIO
CONTROL START. The sensor is 2 used to record the water temperature for aquarium management and
the air temperature for terrarium management.
When the VARIO CONTROL START is started up for the first time, Aqua appears, flashing, in the display. If
VARIO CONTROL START is to be used for aquarium mode, confirm this input with the OK BUTTON.
If it is to be used for terrarium mode, press the + BUTTON to select Tera and confirm your input with the OK
BUTTON.
(This setting can also be changed at any time in the SETUP sub-menu).
After pressing the ESC BUTTON VARIO CONTROL START is in normal mode.
If the operating mode setting is skipped by pressing the ESC BUTTON, VARIO CONTROL START
is in aquarium mode! However, this setting is then not saved.
Setting the time and other operating parameters is described in the VARIO CONTROL START Settings
chapter.
Power rating of the sockets:
Socket 1: 400W
Socket 2: 400W
Socket 3: 400W
Socket 4 (continuous operation): 1200W
3 Display and special symbols
The display of the VARIO CONTROL START is shown in the following, special symbols are described.
HUM Display / Humidity settings
pH Display / pH value settings
Display / Day settings
Display / Night settings
Temperature display (°C)

% Display / Settings in
III Socket number (II and III)
ON OFF Switching ON or switching OFF time
4 VARIO CONTROL START control buttons
Cancel current input or Return to last menu
Confirm the selection
Increase numerical value or next menu item
Reduce numerical value
5 Arrangement of the sockets
Socket 1 is always assigned to the heater control by means of the temperature sensor supplied.
Socket 4 is permanently ON.
6 Arrangement of the sensor inputs

7 VARIO CONTROL START settings
For the settings described in the following it is assumed that VARIO CONTROL START is initially in normal
mode.
The time, temperature, pH value, air temperature and humidity are displayed at intervals of two seconds.
A display only appears if a corresponding sensor is connected and a fault has not occurred. If no reading is
displayed despite the connected sensor, the sensor may be defective and should be replaced.
In general a selection can be confirmed with the OK BUTTON. The + BUTTON is used to navigate to the
next menu/sub-menu item. The ESC BUTTON can be used to quit the respective menu/submenu.
Entries are made using the + BUTTON or - BUTTON and can be cancelled with the ESC BUTTON.
Changeable values are signalled by flashing.
In normal mode it is possible to return from the main menu at any time by pressing the ESC BUTTON.
After setting the time the sockets programmed with the ON/OFF switching times are immediately
switched on or off.
If Socket 3 has been programmed in terrarium mode (ON/DURATION) it does not become active until the
switching on time is reached.
7.1 Time settings
The + BUTTON is used to switch to TIME SETTINGS selection. (See also Fig. 2).
is displayed.
Confirming this selection with the OK BUTTON leads to the TIME SETTING sub-menu.
Confirm this selection by pressing the OK BUTTON.
The time hours flash.
Use the + BUTTON and/or the – BUTTON to set the current time in hours and confirm with the OK
BUTTON.
Now repeat the above procedure for the flashing time in minutes. The + BUTTON is used to switch to
Start Day selection.
If the OK BUTTON is used for confirmation - here the time for the start of the day can be set.
The symbol is displayed. Proceed as for entering the current time.
After entering the time you can switch to the Start Night selection by pressing the + BUTTON.
If the OK BUTTON is used as confirmation - here the time for the start of the night can be set. The .
symbol is displayed.
These settings are necessary, e.g. if you wish to lower the temperature at night.
If this setting has been made you are returned to the time setting. Press the ESC BUTTON to return to the
TIME SETTINGS menu. is displayed.
7.2 Heater settings
From the TIME SETTINGS menu, press the + BUTTON to switch to the HEATER SETTINGS menu (see
also Fig. 3).
00 is displayed.
Confirming this selection with the OK BUTTON leads to the HEATER sub-menu.
Settings are made using the +/- BUTTON, confirm with the OK BUTTON. If you want to skip an input, use
the + BUTTON to switch to the next selection item or the ESC BUTTON to switch to the main menu.
The following inputs are possible:
•Daytime Temperature (display and °C)

•Night-Time Temperature (display and °C)
•Temperature Control Hysteresis (display °Ch)
The following additional selection options only appear if Socket 2 was configured as the heater HE in the
SETUP sub-menu.
•Floor Heating Offset (aquarium mode), (display °CG)
•Daytime Temperature Socket 2 (terrarium mode in combination with the combined sensor), (display
.e °C)
•Night-Time Temperature Socket 2 (terrarium mode in combination with the combined sensor), (display
e °C)
•Temperature Control Hysteresis Socket 2 (terrarium mode in combination with the combined sensor),
(display°Ch)
In terrarium mode the floor heater should be operated at Socket 1.
7.3 pH value settings (aquarium management)
From the HEATER SETTINGS menu, press the + BUTTON to switch to the PH SETTINGS menu (see
also Fig. 4).
PH is displayed.
Confirming this selection with the OK BUTTON leads to the PH VALUES sub-menu.
Make the settings as described above. If you want to skip an input, use the + BUTTON to switch to the next
selection item or the ESC BUTTON to switch to the main menu.
The following inputs are possible:
•Setpoint pH
•pH Value Hysteresis (display h)
•pH 7 Calibration (display CAL7)
•pH 4 Calibration (display CAL4)
The setpoint and hysteresis only appear if Socket 3 was configured for pH (PH) in the SETUP sub-menu.
Display and use of the pH value control requires connection of a pH electrode available as an accessory.
pH value control is switched off in night-time mode.
The pH electrode is supplied with reference solutions with pH values 7.0 and 4.0.
To calibrate, the pH electrode must be in the relevant reference solution.
After selecting pH 7 Calibration with the OK BUTTON, CF appears in the display after the calibration has
been completed. Press the + BUTTON to select pH 4 Calibration and calibrate with the OK BUTTON. Here
too, CF appears in the display following successful calibration.
Both calibrations must be performed for meaningful adjustment of the pH electrode.
7.4 Humidity settings (terrarium management)
From the HEATER SETTINGS menu, press the + BUTTON to switch to the HUMIDITY SETTINGS
menu (see also Fig. 5). This menu only appears if Socket 3 was configured for humidity O in the SETUP
sub-menu.
If,ijO is displayed.
Confirming this selection with the OK BUTTON leads to the HUMIDITY VALUES sub-menu.
Make the settings as described above. If you want to skip an input, use the + BUTTON to switch to the next
selection item or the ESC BUTTON to switch to the main menu.
The following inputs are possible:
•Daytime Relative Humidity Setpoint (display .e %)

•Night-Time Relative Humidity Setpoint (display e %)
•Relative Humidity Hysteresis (display % e h)
•Sprinkling Time (display rt))
•Maximum Sprinkling Time (display to)
Display and use of the humidity control requires the connection of a combined sensor available as an
accessory.
This registers both humidity and air temperature. This can be used to control an additional heater via
Socket 2.
If the maximum sprinkling time is exceeded to also appears in the display.
The sprinkling is stopped for 5 hours; the error display is then in reset and control mode for humidity
restarts.
The time monitoring can be switched off, e.g. for operation with nebulisers. To this end, the value for to
must be set to 0. If the value selected for rt is larger than 0, sprinkling occurs (activation with Socket 3) for
the set time and a subsequent pause for 30 seconds. This occurs for safety reasons to register the effect of
the sprinkling and to avoid excessive humidification. If this pause is not wanted, rt can be set to 0. The
activation (sprinkling) then continues until the set humidity setpoint is reached.
7.5 Socket 2 Timer settings
From the HUMIDITY SETTINGS menu, press the + BUTTON to switch to the SOCKET 2 SWITCH
SETTINGS menu (see also Fig. 6).
This menu only appears if Socket 2 was configured for switching times (ti) in the SETUP sub-menu.
S1 is displayed.
Confirming this selection with the OK BUTTON leads to the SOCKET 2 sub-menu.
Make the settings as described above. If you want to skip an input, use the + BUTTON to switch to the next
selection item or the ESC BUTTON to switch to the main menu.
The following inputs are possible:
•Switching time 1 ON (display II, ON and 4)
•Switching time 1 OFF (display II, OFF and 1)
•Switching time 2 ON (display II, ON and 2)
•Switching time 2 OFF (display II, OFF and 2)
•Switching time 3 ON (display II, ON and 3)
•Switching time 3 OFF (display II, OFF and 3)
•Switching time 4 ON (display II, ON and 4)
•Switching time 4 OFF (display II, OFF and 4)
Up to four switching times can be defined.
No switching takes place if the ON and OFF switching times are identical.
7.6 Socket 3 Timer settings
From the SOCKET 2 SWITCH SETTINGS menu, press the + BUTTON to switch to the SOCKET 3
SWITCH SETTINGS menu (see also Fig. 7 for aquarium mode and Fig. 8 for terrarium mode.). This menu
only appears if Socket 3 was configured for switching times () in the SETUP sub-menu.
is displayed.
Confirming this selection with the OK BUTTON leads to the SOCKET 3 sub-menu.
Make the settings as described above. If you want to skip an input, use the + BUTTON to switch to the next
selection item or the ESC BUTTON to switch to the main menu.
The inputs differ as follows depending on the operating mode selected:
Aquarium mode Terrarium mode
• Switchin
g
time 1 ON • Switchin
g
time 1 ON
• Switchin
g
time 1 OFF • Switchin
g
time 1 DURATION
• Switchin
g
time 2 ON • Switchin
g
time 2 ON

• Switchin
g
time 2 OFF • Switchin
g
time 2 DURATION
• Switchin
g
time 3 ON • Switchin
g
time 3 ON
• Switchin
g
time 3 OFF • Switchin
g
time 3 DURATION
• Switchin
g
time 4 ON • Switchin
g
time 4 ON
• Switchin
g
time 4 OFF • Switchin
g
time 4 DURATION
Up to four switching times can be defined.
No switching takes place if the ON and OFF switching times are identical or the ON period is Zero.
The ON period is entered in minutes and seconds.
The setting is made for aquarium mode as for Socket 2 however with display III.
The following settings are possible for terrarium mode:
•Switching time 1 ON (display III, ON and 1)
•Switching time 1 DURATION (display III, d1)
•Switching time 2 ON (display III, ON and 2)
•Switching time 2 DURATION (display III, d2)
•Switching time 3 ON (display III, ON and 3)_
•Switching time 3 DURATION (display III, d3)
•Switching time 4 ON (display III, ON and 4)
•Switching time 4 DURATION (display III, d4)
If you switch between aquarium and terrarium mode you must check the switching times and if necessary
correct and re-enter them.
If these settings are finished, press the + BUTTON to switch to normal mode.
7.7 Setup settings
The SETUP sub-menu can only be reached from normal mode by simultaneously pressing the + BUTTON
and the - BUTTON (see also Fig. 9).
The first selection allows you to change the operating mode. The current operating mode is displayed.
If this is to be changed, confirm this by pressing the OK BUTTON. Use the + BUTTON or the – BUTTON to
select AqUA or tera. Confirming the required operating mode by pressing the OK BUTTON and then the +
BUTTON leads to selection of Socket 2 Operating Mode. The current operating mode is displayed.
If changes are to be made here, confirm again with the OK BUTTON. The selection options are Timing Circuit
mode (display tl) or Heater (display HE).
Confirming the required operating mode by pressing the OK BUTTON and then the + BUTTON leads to
selection of Socket 3 Operating Mode. The current operating mode is displayed. If changes are to be made
here, confirm again with the OK BUTTON. The selection options are Timing Circuit mode (display tl) or
ph/Humidity control (display PH and/or HU).
Confirming the required operating mode by pressing the OK BUTTON and then the + BUTTON leads to
selection of Time Display Format. The current format is displayed.
If changes are to be made here, confirm again with the OK BUTTON. The selection options available are
display of the 24 hour format (display 24h) or the 12 hour format (display 12h) .
The setting options in the Setup menu are now completed. Press the ESC BUTTON to return to normal
mode and its display.
8 VARIO CONTROL START factory settings
The following settings are made in the factory:

Temperature:
Day: 27 °C
Night: 26 °C
Hysteresis: 0.2 °C
Floor offset: 2 °C
pH value:
Day: 7.0 pH
Hysteresis: 0.2 pH
Humidity:
Day: 60 %
Night: 60 %
Hysteresis: 10 %
Metering period: 5 seconds
Max metering: 30 minutes
All timers: 00:00
Sockets:
Socket 2: Timer
Socket 3: Timer
Day starts: 08 hrs
Night starts: 18 hrs