Apex issues

[TACoraled]

I purchased a practically brand new apex from a fellow RC member and decided it was time to hook it up to replace my AC jr. After setting it up on my network I decided it would be best to update the firmware before I started setting it up. I tried first from my Mac (Apex was hardwired, Mac was wireless) and ended up with communication errors while trying to run the flash.

Fired up a windows laptop and plugged it into the same switch as the Apex and had to go through the recovery process. I updated to the newest firmware (not the beta) using this pc and then updated the web pages. Things seemed to be fine as I was able to connect using Firefox (pc and mac), Safari (pc and mac), IE, and aqua notes on my phone.

After a few days I noticed I can no longer open the web page for the Apex. if I go down and 'reset' the power of the device, I'll be able to access the web page without issue for a few more days. During this time when I cannot access the page, I can ping the device without issue. Nothing on the network is changing. I can still access the device using aqua notes, but cannot access using any web browser.

I've tried re-flashing the firmware 3 times and each time it's successful. Could the controller be defective? Currently the apex is only monitoring pH, and controlling 2 ports used for powering Blue and White LEDs on a single fixture for my grow out tank.

I also noticed the pH seems to be very choppy with the Apex compared to my AC jr. I've had a BRS probe for about 6 months on the ACjr without issue and purchased a brand new probe for the Apex. I re-calibrated both of the probes for their respective system and most times the units will read within .03 of each other, but I've noticed the graph of the ACjr is very smooth, whereas the Apex graph is up and down in larger increments. Almost like the acjr samples more often than the Apex. But the Apex is reading much higher than the acJr. When the ACjr reads 8.30, the Apex will read 8.44.

I've attached two photos which show the last 24hrs on both my acjr and my apex.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

The duration between readings stored in memory is configurable in both the Jr and Apex; it is called 'log interval'; that can affect how smooth your graph is. The Apex defaults to 10 minutes, I think the Jr was 15 minutes (unless you changed the settings).

The issues you are seeing in web access sounds like the issue fixed in the new beta but I've not experienced the earlier web access being so iffy as you are describing.

WRT PH; 8.3 to 8.44 is a very small difference but comparing controllers the Apex is less prone to interference than the Jr and that could explain the difference. Something else that may affect reading is if (or not) you enabled temp compensation on the PH probe; it isn't needed but if you have it enabled in 1 controller and not the other that also would accuont for a difference in readings.

Your PH graph for the Apex has an unusual spike; not sure how to explain that but if you are changing things and such that could explain it and if not look at the log XML and see if some event occurs around the time of the sharp spike; it could be dosing or water topoff as the spikes are small and nothing I would suggest to be concerned about at this time.