Apex Controller Life Span to Replacement

karimwassef

karimwassef

Active member
For any of the long time users and experts here -

What do your consider the length of time a controller should work before needing to be replaced?

It has no moving parts (not even a fan), so it should last for 5 years or so - right?

What's been your experience?
 
I've had mine since they were first released with no hardware failures. That is over 5 years now. I had my previous Neptune Aqua Controller Gen 1 when I purchased it new in the mid 90s up until I replaced it with my Apex. That was close to 15 years.
 
My apex had to be rebuilt because it got water in it. Other then that it's been a work hourse! It's build number 1475. It's one of the first run batches.
 
slief said:
I've had mine since they were first released with no hardware failures. That is over 5 years now. I had my previous Neptune Aqua Controller Gen 1 when I purchased it new in the mid 90s up until I replaced it with my Apex. That was close to 15 years.
Click to expand...

Early adopter here as well with two units. Other than a bad ORP unit on the first controller (which Neptune promptly repaired) and an EB8 that has started to show intermittent problems, I have had no issues.

Actually have 3 head units - given that it is a mission critical piece, I opted to purchase another when Neptune was repairing the ORP outlet assuming the redundancy would never hurt. In 5-years, it's never been out of the box.

Not a simple install either, between the two tanks: 6 EB8's, an EB4, 3 breakout boxes, 9 accessorie modules. Heck, I even have a second display in the basement.

M
 
Want2BS8ed said:
Early adopter here as well with two units. Other than a bad ORP unit on the first controller (which Neptune promptly repaired) and an EB8 that has started to show intermittent problems, I have had no issues.

Actually have 3 head units - given that it is a mission critical piece, I opted to purchase another when Neptune was repairing the ORP outlet assuming the redundancy would never hurt. In 5-years, it's never been out of the box.

Not a simple install either, between the two tanks: 6 EB8's, an EB4, 3 breakout boxes, 9 accessorie modules. Heck, I even have a second display in the basement.

M
Click to expand...

I keep a spare base unit as well. It's completely programmed and ready to go at a moments notice. Like you, I have a very complex system with 5 EB8's, 3 EB4's, PM1, PM2, 2 VDM's, 3 Lunar Sims, Dos, AFS, ALD Module, 2 Breakout boxes and more... You can never be too prepared.
 
Hmmm... I seem to be the odd one out then.

I'm 2.5 yrs in and having corrupted outlets, jitteriness sensors and very long delays in response to signals. We'll see how Neptune supports. They've been great so far.

I have a dedicated UPS and a hardware line to my router. Never been touched by a drop of water (back to a dry side wall).
 
I want to say I had to pay for shipping to them and it cost me like $175 I think. They wound up putting a new mother board and chip set. I am planning on buying a back up unit down the road.
 
karimwassef said:
Hmmm... I seem to be the odd one out then.

I'm 2.5 yrs in and having corrupted outlets
Click to expand...

EB8's use 6 triacs and 2 relays. If you short out something that is plugged into an outlet that is controlled with a triac you can blow the triac.

The relays are the one moving part in an Apex system.
 
My EB8s run fine. My concern is with the main controller. Between slow response time, corrupt outlets and multiple disconnects... I'm worried. I just didn't expect a maintenance cost at 2.5 yrs
 
Done all that and spent a few hours with customer support - they're very supportive.

In the end, they recommended to send it in for service, but at a cost.

I just don't think that should be necessary every couple of years.
 
That's what I expect too. There's always some statistical failures. Just a shame that I'm it & get stuck having to pay again so soon.
 
karimwassef said:
That's what I expect too. There's always some statistical failures. Just a shame that I'm it & get stuck having to pay again so soon.
Click to expand...

Back everything up. Take a screen shot of your module addresses. Pull all your programming and copy it into a text file. Then disconnect the EB's, display and other modules from the base unit. Do a reinit and wipe your Apex out so that its like new. Then set the Apex to replacement mode. Reconnect all the modules. Check to make sure all the modules are at their original addresses. If they are, do a restore. That will probably solve your issue. To me it sounds like something got corrupt as you noted and an init all followed by a restore should fix it. Be sure you have a copy of all your programming in a text file in case something goes wrong.
 
I've done that. I've reinitialized it to brand new state and manually reconstructed it from text files - one outlet at a time. With over 20 virtual and 24 real outlets.

I didn't just back it up. I typed each and every line in! Copy-paste, but still...

It got better (from 300 failures to connect each day down to only 50) but clearly it's not fixed.

The sad part is that I'm getting the PAR meter and two more VDM modules for Christmas in the morning. I was getting ready for a big expansion of my control capabilities and now I may need to rethink my whole investment with the controller. :(
 
What do you have to think about? Buy a back up base unit, get the other one fixed.

You paid $300 for a PMK and $200 for another two VDM.

A base module is $275.

I'd be bothered too if it happened to me but I know what I would do considering I have lots of modules, 3 new DDR & 5 new DOS sitting in boxes waiting to be installed.

If something goes down after the warranty expires I am not going to dump thousands of dollars in equipment because of a single piece in a big chain.
 
karimwassef said:
I've done that. I've reinitialized it to brand new state and manually reconstructed it from text files - one outlet at a time. With over 20 virtual and 24 real outlets.

I didn't just back it up. I typed each and every line in! Copy-paste, but still...

It got better (from 300 failures to connect each day down to only 50) but clearly it's not fixed.

The sad part is that I'm getting the PAR meter and two more VDM modules for Christmas in the morning. I was getting ready for a big expansion of my control capabilities and now I may need to rethink my whole investment with the controller. :(
Click to expand...

How many outlets have logging enabled? If you have a bunch enabled, try disabling logging on most if not all outlets and see if that helps.
 
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