Common Mistakes?

[Jay-Hawks]

I just received my new Apex Aquacontroller Lite today and I plan to begin installing my new system in the next couple of weeks. I have spent the last couple of months reading this forum and reading the new Users Guide which I think will be of great help when I install the system.

In addition to installing the new Apex system I'm getting ready to do a major overhaul of my current system. My plan is to relocate my sump from under my tank to the garage and after that has been completed I will begin the install of my apex system. I plan to use the apex to control all kinds of things from lighting, ATO, wavemaker, heating, chilling and eventually automatic water changes, but that is way down the road.

My initial plan is to configure the system using the web interface but I'm sure it won't be long and I will be trying to write custom code. From my reading I have come to understand that the sequencing of my code is critical to its operation. Other then the sequencing of the code are there any other common problems that people seem to encounter that I should look out for?

Thanks!

Scott

 

[swearint]

There is a common misunderstanding about Defer and Min Time. These are exceptions to the order rule, they are evaluated last regardless of position. Also, they apply to the outlet as a whole, not specific commands.

Todd

 

[aquamanic]

Not reading the manual
Outlet naming conflicts (must be unique, < 12 char)
Outlet selection (keep dosing pumps, other low current devices on 4 & 8)
Not reading the manual
Probe placement (keep wires away from high voltage)
Carefully following program syntax
Not reading the manual
Trying to make email work with Gmail
Networking issues and ISPs
Firmware updates and network conflicts
Not reading the manual

 

[Jay-Hawks]

Yeah I have read about those and I can't say that I really understand how they work but I know I will have to use them. I have a Kalkwasser reactor that I have hooked up to my ATO and I will want to delay the running of my ATO for a period after the reactor mixes the kalkwasser.

 

[Jay-Hawks]

Not reading the manual
Outlet naming conflicts (must be unique, < 12 char)
Outlet selection (keep dosing pumps, other low current devices on 4 & 8)
Not reading the manual
Probe placement (keep wires away from high voltage)
Carefully following program syntax
Not reading the manual
Trying to make email work with Gmail
Networking issues and ISPs
Firmware updates and network conflicts
Not reading the manual

So I was thinking about reading the manual again, good idea? :lolspin:

 

[aquamanic]

Reading it cover to cover is probably not practical but what gets me again and again, is someone will try something new but just dive into it without looking in the index and reading the page or two on that command or topic. Then it doesn't work like they expected and they're stumped, yet the answer is right there.

OK, down off the soapbox. Back to work.

 

[kurt_n]

Reading it cover to cover is probably not practical ...

With spending the type of money on this thing that we do, it seems VERY practical to me! And that's what I did. (Belated thank you.)

Biggest issues (not necessarily mistakes, per se) I had were with external networking. But eventually I stumbled across the correct combination of router/firewall rules and settings that made it work. Unfortunately, this seems common because of all the possible differing setups out there that people have... there's no way to write up a one-size-fits-all set of instructions for it. But if you *do* have problems, just understand the logic of what you're trying to do and keep good notes on what combinations of settings and rules you've tried on your hardware/software. Eventually you'll get it.

Oh... and read the manual.

 

[wwanthony]

I would read the manual....

 

[ridetheducati]

Read the unofficial manual as well.

 

[aquamanic]

You guys are killing me.....

 

[RussM]

Bah! One should only resort to RTFM-ing when one is about to beat one's head against a brick wall.

 

[aquamanic]

typical Navy....

 

[wwanthony]

Read the unofficial manual as well.

Good point....I stand corrected.

I would read the manual(S)......

 

[insomniac2k2]

If you have an old manual like i had, it also does not tell you to pull the plastic protector off the temperature probe. Dont make that mistake like i did....

 

[kurt_n]

Let's rephrase that last post...

Do *NOT* pull what *appears* to be a plastic protector off the end of the temperature probe. It is part of the probe. Do NOT remove it.

 

[insomniac2k2]

i swear when i wrote it, it made sense . Do what he said..

 

[kurt_n]

i swear when i wrote it, it made sense . Do what he said..

Oh, it makes sense. I can see what you meant, but it took a couple reads! :hmm4: