Breakout box help

[ohclereef01]

I built a breakout box today. Double and triple checked connectivity with an ohm meter for switch terminals 1 - 6 per the diagram in the manual. Everything checks out fine.

I use this code:
If SwitchX CLOSED Then ON
If SwitchX OPEN Then OFF

And when I change things from 'switch6' to switchx (and the plug moved) the only plug I can ever get working is 6 even though everything else test fine - ground and control each pair tested on their own.

Ideas??

Im doing this directly on the outlet setup.. not on a virtual. (I have no virtuals) only a DC8 on an Apex Lite.

Very frustrating since all of the wiring has tested ok.


Thanks guys!


-justin

 

[aquamanic]

If your breakout box is connected to the base module then your switches will be named 'switch1' through 'switch6'. You can forget about the 'switchx' nomenclature.

If you have that right then the only other thing it can be is your wiring. There's no other logic to enable or disable a switch.

To make testing easier, insert that code you have into the SndAlarm outlet. That way, when you complete a circuit for a switch, the base module will sound - makes testing a little easier.

 

[pcbroch]

I think I had the same problem as you. In my case, I assumed the pinout diagram was the connector pinout, when in fact it's the socket pinout. If you mirror your connections, it should work.

The reason why only Switch 6 works, is because if you swap it, it becomes ground, and ground become Switch 6. Any other channel won't have a valid ground connection.

Makes sense?

 

[j3piloterau]

I bought the breakout box and just installed it and 2 switches to it (one high, one low) in the return section. I do not see anywhere in the apex setup that shows they are installed at all. Where would that be?

Also I will be using an aqua lifter as my ATO pump. Does this look like it should work? And if so I just type that in to the outlet setup for the ATO pump?

osc 003/150 on/off then pump off
if switch1 open then pump off
if switch2 open then pump off

Thank you so much for the help.

 

[swearint]

Does this look like it should work?

The Breakout Box is an interface, it is not 'recognized' like as a module. Once you have the float switches hooked up then you can use the If Switch command to test for them. You are on the right track, but your syntax is incorrect. In the outlet you have selected for you pump, use the following:

[ATO_Pump]
OSC 0/3/150 Then ON
If Switch1 OPEN Then OFF
If Switch2 OPEN Then OFF

Also, if you have not already done so, read the New User Guide stickied at the top of this forum.

Todd

 

[j3piloterau]

I have read the amazing user guide. I'm just browsing the BB section again. I cannot for the life of me figure out what the RSV pin is for.

 

[pcbroch]

RSV is for "reserved". It simply means it doesn't do anything, but they've left it there for (potential) future use.

 

[j3piloterau]

So far everything on this tank has gone pretty easy including setting up the apex. I cannot for the life of me get the ATO program to work. I have 2 float valves in the return section (one 1/2" higher than the other), but for now I am just trying to get it to work with one switch. The pump works fine (aqualifter,) and I tested both switches with a multimeter this morning. The float instructions say with magnets up (they are up) the switch is in a NC operation. I took the program straight out of the user guide and put it in the outlet configuration:


Fallback off
If switch1 open then off
If switch1 closed then on
Defer 005 then on

Still nothing. Please can someone tell me what I am overlooking or forgetting to do. Thank you so much in advance!!

 

[swearint]

You need to either reverse the float (if possible) or reverse the logic. You want the pump outlet to be ON when DOWN. Currently you have it such that the pump is OFF when OPEN/DOWN. I recommend reversing the float, so that the ATO is ON when CLOSED/DOWN. That is because the default state for the switches is OPEN. Therefore, if the float where accidentally disconnected, it will revert to OPEN and keep the ATO OFF. Most vertical style float switches can be reversed by removing the clip that retains the float, removing the float and inverting it, then re-assemble.

Todd

 

[aquamanic]

That example in the User Guide assumes you've reversed the float as Todd suggests so that UP = OPEN = OFF and DOWN = CLOSED = ON. As Todd points out, if you pull the plug on your breakout box or disconnect it from the controller, switches will appear as OPEN to the controller. In that case, you want everything to stop.

I've clarified that section to show that it assumes the float has been reversed.

 

[j3piloterau]

Well after all my anguish it turns out all I was doing wrong was plugging the switches into switch 5 and 6 instead of 1 and 2. It works well now, but if I want to add switch2 as a safety do I just add it to the bottom like so?



Fallback off
If switch1 open then off
If switch1 closed then on
Defer 005 then on
If switch2 open then off

 

[Specialtang]

If that code is working for you your floats are upside down. Remove the bottom clip flip the float over and reinstall the clip.

I got this from Neptune awhile back for two floats

Fallback OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then OFF
If Switch1 OPEN Then ON
If Switch2 CLOSED Then OFF
Min Time 015:00 Then OFF

 

[swearint]

If that code is working for you your floats are upside down. Remove the bottom clip flip the float over and reinstall the clip.

Not necessarily. Generally, it does not matter whether the switches are Normally CLOSED or Normally OPEN. However, since the Apex switches default to OPEN when disconnected, you need to decide the safest response. In the case of an ATO, you would want it to do nothing when OPEN. Otherwise, you could flood your sump. Go disconnect both of your switches and test what happens.

Todd

 

[Specialtang]

Someone else made the same point you did so I flipped my bottom float upside down (again, does that make it right side up now?) and changed my code to


ATO
Fallback OFF
If Switch1 OPEN Then OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON
If Switch2 CLOSED Then OFF
Min Time 015:00 Then OFF