ATO issue when power returns

[Eastamherstbias]

I tripped my breaker today that controls the Apex. When I reset the breaker. I returned to the tank to see the ATO on and spewing RO when it should be off. The energy bar 8 was blinking yellow and the ATO was on. Once it went green, it shut off and returned to normal. How do I make it so that stays off until activated by switches. I thought my fallback was all I need. Any help? I unplugged it again and it did it again.

Here are my codes

ATO
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON
If Switch2 OPEN Then OFF

Low Float
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON

High Float
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Switch2 OPEN Then ON

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I just unplugged it and plugged it back in. It looks liked the ATO and the main pump both turn on while the energy bar 8 is yellow. Once it goes green everything shuts off and it goes into normal programming.

 

[swearint]

It should not do that. Check and see if you have any phantom EB8s listed, you may have a duplicate.

Todd

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I spoke to neptune. Apparently, there is no easy fix. They said to buy a ups for it. Shouldnt the strip send out no
Power until the head says so?

 

[swearint]

Well, based on your Fallback setting that is behaving exactly opposite to the way it should, so something is broken. If it is still under warranty, I would insist they fix it. Using a UPS does not seem practical. It would have to be a large one since you will need to power the EB8 and all the devices that are on it. I don't think just powering the Apex from the UPS would resolve the issue. Did you speak to Curt or someone else?

Todd

 

[aquamanic]

I think the behavior you're seeing is normal while the EB8 loads its firmware. As soon as it does, it will understand your fallback statements and turn outlets on/off as appropriate regardless of whether it can talk to the controller. But for those 10 - 15 seconds.....

 

[swearint]

Alan, that would imply that my lights and several other outlets would turn on when power is restored, and I don't recall ever seeing it do that. Have you seen this?


Todd

 

[aquamanic]

Yes, that's how mine behaves. My lights have a bit of a delay while they warm up so they never really light in that 10 second period. But everything else starts, runs a few seconds then turns off.

Edit: I'll ping Curt just to get the straight skinny on what the boot process is on the EB8s

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I don't know who I spoke to over at Neptune but they remoted into my apex and said everything looked good. But, I would count this as a major glitch. I don't care about the main pump and skimmer showing life but the ATO going on for a 10-20 seconds before Fall back kicks on is a potential problem. It caused me to drop from 1.025 to 1.022 and send about 25 gallons into the system.

 

[aquamanic]

Update:

From Curt, the EB8 when it powers up the outlet states are random. As soon as the EB8 establishes communications with the controller (10 - 15 sec), then the controller refreshes each outlet to whatever the program calls for. If the EB8 can't establish communications with the controller, then it goes into Fallback mode by outlet.

That's why an outlet can come back ON for a few seconds then turn OFF or visa versa. So for that brief period of time, it could be a little dangerous as the OP has discovered.

 

[Jaycen B.]

Would the UPS work on the 12V power supply without this issue?

 

[Eastamherstbias]

What size UPS will I need to fix this issue?

I am surprised this has not been an issue before with anyone although my switch2 stopped it from overflowing.

 

[pencil3]

I don't experence that issue, below is what I use:

If Switch1 OPEN Then OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON
Min Time 015:00 Then OFF
If Outlet ReturnPump = OFF Then OFF
If Outlet SumpHigh = ON Then OFF
If MT-Cond < 34.5 Then OFF