Apex Base Unit

[Bryan]

Can the Apex Base Unit be bought separately, if so can one get by without using the display unit. For my purposes it would be tucked under the cabinet and never viewed.

Can everything be done with the software that can be done with the display unit?

 

[RussM]

Yes, you can buy individual components separately rather than as a system. With the latest firmware, a display is entirely optional. In fact, the new Apex Jr ships without a display. There is no "software" per se for the Apex... everything is built-into the Apex firmware and embedded web server.

 

[Bryan]

Aah, I see, anywhere or a link that I can see some of the screenshots.

So then I should be able to do absolutely everything without the display head, including calibrating PH etc all from the webserver?

 

[RussM]

Yes.

 

[RussM]

I don't know where screenshots can be found, but I can do better. You can tinker with my test system. I'll PM you details.

 

[Bryan]

Ok, just to double/triple check. If the unit comes with firmware 4.10 I can do absolutely everything on the PC without requiring the display unit.

Now, what about initially setting up the network connection etc. No display unit required to setup the network.?

What about if the unit comes shipped without firmware 4.10, can I upgrade it without having a display unit?

Thanks in advance.

 

[RussM]

Yes on all counts. I'll add some details once I'm on a computer instead of my phone.

 

[Bryan]

Thanks Russ, much appreciated.

 

[RussM]

When the Apex comes out of the box, and is first connected to your network, it will attempt to get a dynamically-assigned IP address from your router, just like your computer, smartphone, and other networked devices. With a display, it's easy to see what that address is by scrolling through the menu. Without a display, there are several methods, but I'll only describe the two easiest.

The Apex will respond to a name of 'apex' (with Windows PCs only, not Macs), so in your browser, you can just type http://apex. Once the Apex web page loads and you log in, you can see the current IP address on the Network setup page.

You can also use the Apex Flash Utility. With the Apex Jr, it comes on a CD. I don't know if Neptune has started or will start shipping Apex and Apex Lite models with the CD, but it really doesn't matter... you can download it from Neptune's web site. After you download & unzip the file, then run the Apex Flash Utility, there will be a magnifying glass icon. That icon, when clicked, will launch a discovery process and display the results a new small window listing all controllers found. The IP address is listed there.

 

[Bryan]

Thanks Russm, greatly appreciated. Looks like I am sold, will pick up a base unit next weekend. Downloaded the "Unofficial Guide" and lot's of good information in there as well. Thanks again.

 

[Bryan]

There is one thing you can not do on the base unit only web interface vs the display is add legacy outlets.ie X10 modules.

 

[schwaggs]

Sure you can!

Go to Configuration > Module Setup
In the middle of the page, you will see "Add Module"
Select Lunar Simulator from the drop down box
Enter your Module X10 Address in the "Start Control Address" box
Click Add Module

An outlet titled Luner_XX will be created with XX = your X10 address. Then simply edit the outlet and you are all set!

 

[Bryan]

Aah, thanks for that. Wonder why they don't add a Module named X10, perhaps because it is not officially supported anymore.