Apex Base Unit Poor Design

[coffeenut]

Well, I have had the APEX system running my 650 gal system since last april, and I LOVE IT..
I agree you should get that unit replaced..

But for operational quality it it great...
The break out box is a very inexpensive component, and not designed to be " durable".
Just FYI to qualify my experience with the product.
I have:
2 displays
1 main control box ( and a back up...)
6 Eb8s
2 break out boxes
2 pm boxes
3 ph probes
1 orp probe
4 float switches
3 temp probes

ALL running in unison perfectly..
APEX does the best job of any low priced controller out there..
If you want rugged quality..
BUY A PLC, relays and build a Control cabinet.. and see how much that costs..

 

[reefkeeps]

Do i hear an echo? Coffeenut, who sells the displays? I would love to another in my poor mans fish room.....

 

[aleonn]

Glad you took the pix. IMO it should be replaced by the store you purchased from, I wouldn't want that base unit either!

 

[RussM]

who sells the displays? I would love to another in my poor mans fish room.....

You can get the display head from Neptune directly. It seems that most retailers don't stock it.

 

[pwrmac2]

UPDATE: I called AquaCave today to see what my options were. I spoke with Enrico and explained the situation. He asked me to send him some pictures and he would get back to me. He called back this evening and said he had spoken with Curt. Enrico has sent me a shipping label and arranged for me to ship the base unit to Neptune to be fix or replaced. I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

Thanks Enrico and AquaCave for A+++ customer service!

 

[milkman55]

Good luck. Sorry for your problems, but in the end I believe you will be impressed with the Apex and Neptune customer service.

 

[tmgrash]

pwrmac2, unfortunately mine came in the exact same as yours. It really looks as if there isnt even enough room to fit them on there correctly. Hopefully they function fine.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

If you are talking about how the connectors are slightly offset; this is the design and is because the connectors are slightly different and have slightly differnt mounting requirements. You may notice that 1 connection appears to be all metal and the other not; that is because they ground differently; this is part of the issolation design of the connections.

Addressing specifically the cross thread issue in the above image; that should not have happened and the unit may have been banged around at some time; maybe during shipping; I don't know. The nuts on the probe connections can be easily fixed by loosening them and fixing the attachment or return to the place of purchase and claim damage during shipping. I doubt that anything shown will affect operation of the unit; the internals are quite well mounted and don't tend to be affected by the bit of jolting that may have caused the nut issue.

 

[tmgrash]

No not just offset, its also crossthreaded, bent, and cockeyed. Exactly the same as the pic posted. It seems secure though and if everything inside works I dont think ill mind much, ill never see that part of the unit anyhow.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

No not just offset, its also crossthreaded, bent, and cockeyed. Exactly the same as the pic posted. It seems secure though and if everything inside works I dont think ill mind much, ill never see that part of the unit anyhow.

That is odd; where did you purchase the unit?

 

[tmgrash]

AquaCave, but I dont think its their issue. It definately appears to be a manufacturing defect, like I said its not loose or anything. The nut is screwed down on the v1 port which is raised slightly which in turn makes it bent and cockeyed (not 100% sure crossthreaded). It looks identical to the OP's pics. I am not going to try and warranty it unless it doesnt function properly. I believe the OP also stated that they said this was an acceptable manufacturing flaw. I wonder if they went to a cheaper manufacturer than original.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

I would certainly send Neptune an email and let them know what your unit looks like and supply images if you can. I doubt that this is an intentional or acceptable but they should know what you have so they can investigate and get the issue fixed.

The email is support@neptunesys.com

 

[ieatchinese]

I purchased mine directly from Neptune and it has the same issue. I decided to plug it in and check if it worked....it did, so I didn't complain.