Apex - Issues with pH and Temp readings

[Spar]

I have the Apex controller and have been having issues with the pH and temp readings randomly spiking real high (false positive spikes). The main issue is that when the temp jumps up (reads 102+ for short periods of time) it triggers my lights to turn off and the 'min time' setting to kick in, so makes it pretty much useless in auto mode.

Whatever is causing it is likely to be causing my 2nd issue, which is that I have a separeate submodule to monitor pH and temp of my quarantine tank. It randomly stops responding and doesn't show up in my Status screen. If I hit refresh a few times it will eventually kick back in.

The probes are at least 6" apart from each other... is there anything else that I might be ignoring that is causing some type of interference with the probes? Also, I have 5 EB8's hooked up to this system.

 

[Spar]

Bump.

One thought regarding the 2nd module. I run the cord along with an extension cord with zip ties holding them together. Will this cause electrical interference?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[aquamanic]

Typical culprits are any high current consumers like MH ballasts. Easiest way to test for interference is to completely remove the probe wire from the tank, lay it on the floor and put the probe back in the tank. Then observe. If that solves the problem then you have to re-route it being careful to cross other high voltage/current wires at a 90 instead of parallel (so yes to your question about the extension cord).

On your temp issue with your lights, simply add another temp statement to account for the abnormally high temp (you should also do this with low temp because when a temp probe fails it will read 20 degrees - you don't want your heaters running trying to get the temp up). Do something like this:

If Temp > 80 then OFF <---- this would be your normal shut down for high temp
If Temp > 90 then ON <----- this would come next and would account for those spikes

It will help you out until you can figure out what's causing the interference.

 

[swearint]

If you can't eliminate the spikes, another solution is to use the Defer.

[Lights]
Set OFF
If Time 08:00 to 17:59 Then ON
If Temp > 85.0 Then OFF
Defer 1:00 Then OFF
Min Time 30:00 Then OFF

In the example above, the Temp would have to exceed 85F for a minute or more before it would turn OFF. Since it will also delay the Time statement, just subtract the difference. So it the example, the Time statement would have the lights shut off at 17:59 (5:59pm) but the Defer delays it by one minute.

Todd

 

[Spar]

Thanks both. Hadn't thought about the Defer option. I will do both changing the path of the cords and defer, and may as well do min time 30.

To confirm what Defer does, if the temperature changes back to normal for even a second within the minute of defer, the defer time period would reset? E.g. if the temp jumps to 102, then defer 1 minute starts, 30 seconds later the temp goes back to 78, then 10 seconds later the temp goes back to 102 for 20 seconds (so now a total of 1 minute has passed), nothing will turn off incorrectly? Hoepfully that makes sense.

 

[aquamanic]

That's correct. The condition has to be true for the entire Defer period otherwise it starts over.

 

[aquamanic]

Keep in mind though, Todd's suggestion for the Defer is a great solution for interference but won't help you with a failed probe (since it will exceed any Defer period). You can do both (keep a high/low temp safeguard and Defer) and kind of 'have your cake...'.

 

[reefkeeps]

Guys, I'm having the same issue, infact my PH just dropped to 7.88, a minute later it was 7.99, nothing is on at this point (it's night).

So last week I threw away my lab grade probe and installed a brand new one and I'm still having the issue..... Very strange....




Below is my Alarm code, is this the correct way to implement the delay?

Set OFF
If Temp > 80.2 Then ON
If Temp < 77.1 Then ON
If pH > 08.30 Then ON
If pH < 07.92 Then ON
Defer 2:00 Then OFF
If Power PowerStrip1 Off 000 Then ON
If Power PowerStrip2 Off 000 Then ON
If Power PowerStrip3 Off 000 Then ON
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON
If Switch4 CLOSED Then ON
If Switch2 CLOSED Then ON
If Switch3 CLOSED Then ON
If Switchx4_3 CLOSED Then ON
If Switchx4_2 CLOSED Then ON

 

[aquamanic]

It doesn't matter where in the outlet program the Defer statement is located - it applies to the entire outlet. I find it easier to conceptualize if placed at the end but again it doesn't matter.

So remember that when using the Defer. If you want immediate notification on some conditions but a defer notification on others, placing a Defer on your Alarm outlet is not the solution. Better to create some virtual outlets, put the Defer on those and leave everything in the alarm outlet (including the virtual's) as immediate.

 

[reefkeeps]

TY sir

 

[reefkeeps]

So I have swapped out the probes, and recalibrate about 4 times now. When I finish the calibration and it's still sitting in the solution it reads 10 (as expected) after about 30 seconds it drops to 9.89. Does this seam right to anyone? It's not in the tank so that eliminates stray voltage, it's a new probe, what could cause this?

Keep in mind my other PH meter (non apex) doesn't seem to be suffering the same problem...

I just calibrated both probes and look at the difference, they are 12 inches a part in the sump. My third probe (non neptune system) shows 8.01

Temp
79.0

pH
7.85


pH2
7.98

 

[swearint]

Aside from what Alan said, you should use Defer ON rather than OFF.

Todd

 

[aquamanic]

So has the problem morphed from fluctuating values to inaccurate reading?

If so, focus on your calibration procedure. Are you waiting long enough for the probe to stabilize each time? Are you waiting too long (over 5 minutes)? Are you rinsing in same temp tap water (not RO/DI) between solutions?

I've found calibration to be a bit of an art.

 

[pyton]

I had this issue, turns out my heater was bad and charging the water

Took out the heater and the spikes were gone. Check everything that has a power cord going into the tank / sump. Fine out what is turning on or off when it spikes.

 

[reefkeeps]

My assumption is that fluctuating values to are in-fact inaccurate reading. In the example above the values fluctuated outside of the tank, that should eliminate heaters as they are not longer in the same electrical path. As far as calibrating too long, that's possible, I didn't know that could be an issue, I shall try again....

 

[reefkeeps]

ok, a few new problems, I noticed some lag on the display, actually it appears to be lag.... If I wait a few minutes it looks like the controller is constantly rebooting, the display looks locked and it does not count down seconds. It refreshes every few minutes and the PH & Temp start a low ranges and count back up. I have also noticed the control units light goes to orange when this happens. I have rebooted, turned off all might lights, unplugged the heaters nothing seems to change the outcome... Thoughts?

 

[reefkeeps]

Take inside of the 10 seconds, notice it shows the PH and the Temp at zero and my pumps gone, please tell me I'm not alone on this one....

 

[reefkeeps]

Another example

 

[reefkeeps]

I have reloaded the Firmware version, nothing has improved at this point... Any help would be appreciated...

 

[Spar]

Bump for reefkeeps.

Also, rerouting my data cords caused a significant decrease in bad readings; rarely see them now but they do still occur. Will play around some more but figure at this point just doing the defer will be enough.

On the defer point, I am confused from the point above about needing "defer on" instead. If my goal in keeping the lights from turning off is if short errors in readings occur, doesn't "defer off" do this?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk