(light) switches and controllers

[jacksonpt]

Is anyone using any sort of external switch to trigger events or turn things on and off with their controller? I'm not talking about power strips or those American DJ strips, but more like a light switch or similar on/off toggle that is connected to a controller for easy turning on/off of things like feed cycles, water changes, etc.

I know I've seen a couple of posts/pics in the past, but can't seem to find them now.

I assume most any mechanical, 2 position switch will work, right?
Wiring it to my Apex/BOB should be the same as using a float switch, right?

Anything else I should be thinking about?

TIA.

 

[mcgyvr]

I'm sure there are people doing that.. Even automating with Alexa/Google Home devices..

My controller (reef angel) has a function already for that so you just use the joystick that comes with it and select "water change" or "feed" whatever.. So no external button needed.. But I could if I wanted..

 

[jacksonpt]

I'm sure there are people doing that.. Even automating with Alexa/Google Home devices..

Unfortunately, internet isn't all that reliable in my house ("perks" of living in rural country I s'pose)... so I'd like something a bit more convenient for me, but also a bit more simple for my family should they need to intervene on the tank's behalf when I'm not at home. But because of our internet issues, more automation/remote access/remote control isn't a good option.

 

[journeyman]

I just use a cheap switched outlet I plug into my power strip for the pumps I want to turn off for water changes etc... They're a couple of bucks on Amazon

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

[jacksonpt]

To be clear, I'm not looking to simply turn an outlet on or off - I'm looking to trigger events though my controller, that could impact any number of physical or virtual outlets, without having to go through Fusion or the Apex Jr display module.

 

[mcgyvr]

Yes...
The ATO float switch is doing exactly that..
The same would apply..

 

[cch1321]

Yep, I have switches on my apex through a breakout box that control a few individual things and a physical feed hold button. You could easily program it to control multiple mechanisms at once, too, though (ie. Calcium reactor feed and recirc pump).

If I switch off my return, my skimmer turns off too (since the sump level rises when the pump is off) as an example.

I used regular single pole light switches and one momentary switch for the feed hold.

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[jacksonpt]

Nice, thanks. That momentary hold "switch" would be really handy for my auto water change program.

 

[aaronpentz]

I have used un-lit door bell switches in the past. With an Apex you cannot trigger the official feed mode. You can do the same if you adjust the programming per outlet to get the same result.

I'm not sure about reef keeper

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[thegrun]

I have several toggle switches to control multiple items in my tank via my Apex:
Skimmer off
Lights to Maximum Daylight Mode
Lights to Blue Mode
Water Change (turns off ATO, Skimmer, Heaters, Dosing Pumps)
All pumps off (photography mode)
I also use magnetic door switches through my Apex to turn on in stand overhead lights when the stand doors are opened.

 

[Member No. 1]

I'm using a float switch in my skimate collection container.
It's set to NC.
I used an 3.5mm Male/Female Mono Audio Cable to connect the float to the BOB. Be sure to use a MONO cable, others will work, but you only need 2 wires.
https://www.amazon.com/kenable-3-5m...23&sr=1-6&keywords=3.5mm+mono+extension+cable

Cut in half.
Cable with male connector goes to float switch.
Cable with female connector goes to BOB.

The plug is in the middle between the float switch and BOB.

Code for Skimmer:
Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Output Return = OFF Then OFF
If FeedA 030 Then OFF
If FeedB 030 Then OFF
If FeedC 030 Then OFF
Defer 002:00 Then ON
If Power Apex Off 005 Then OFF
If S_Skim OPEN Then OFF
If S_Skim CLOSED Then ON

What this will do, is when the collection container is full, the skimmer will shut off.
But the best part is since the switch is set for NC, if I want to do maintenance on the skimmer, or clean the cup, or empty the container, instead of going to Fusion and turning the skimmer OFF, all I do is unplug the 3.5mm jack, this makes the circuit OPEN and the skimmer stops. Once the maintenance is done, plug the jack back in, 2 minutes later the skimmer starts.

It also is a nice quick disconnect so when I have to empty the container.

 

[Gorgok]

Nice, thanks. That momentary hold "switch" would be really handy for my auto water change program.

They make 'regular' momentary switches that look/feel just like the normal toggle light switches if you want to keep it all neat. I have used them as garage door opener buttons (instead of the silly mismatched doorbell buttons the house came with :wildone: ). Course now with fancy new garage door openers the 'button' is more like a module so back to ugly stuff growing on the walls....

Like this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Eaton-0-amp-Single-Pole-White-Momentary-Indoor-Light-Switch/1000193153

 

[homer1475]

Single pole doorbells work great!

I have one on my stand to trigger a feed mode that shuts off the return, skimmer, and powerheads. You can't actually trigger the apex's feed mode, but with proper programming you can simulate the feed mode.

It's simple programming really:

If sw4 open then off

SW4 refers to the location on the BOB, and open or closed, depends on the switch.

 

[jacksonpt]

Thanks everyone. I've got some spare light switches laying around that I'm going to play with today. Won't be my final design, but good to start/test with.

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[jacksonpt]

Making use of the switches is probably the easiest thing I've ever tried to do in my reefing career. Another one of those - why did I wait so long - things, lol.

I had a couple of spare light switches that I used just as a starting point to see how things could/would work. Super simple to wire up and program (since they are just on/off switches). The first I setup to control my fuge light (gotta start somewhere), the second triggers my water change program (I'll change this to a momentary switch during the final install so it can't accidentally be left on). I'll probably add a 3rd to control my skimmer, but this was one of the easier projects I've taken on.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[jacksonpt]

If anyone is still paying attention, I put together a control box to replace the light switches I was using temporarily. It didn't come out Altra perfect, but it's dang good enough for a first go.


And here it is "dry fitted" on my board.

 

[Member No. 1]

Sweet! Nice job!

 

[jacksonpt]

On a related note to all of this, what's the best way to run multiple grounds to the breakout box? It only has one common ground connection for all six switch connections.

Is there a better option than a wire distribution block?

 

[Member No. 1]

Connect them all in the box, then run one ground wire to the BOB.
The wire you use can be quite small since it's not current carrying.
6 twisted pair wire works great.

 

[homer1475]

Same here, just one wire coming out of the BOB with the rest of the grounds twisted together, soldered, and wire nutted.