new apex user

[fishymann]

I am getting my apex tomorrow night (I can't wait). For right now I am just looking to do simple wavemaker, auto top off, and temp control via heater and fans. Are these relatively simple things to do? Is there anywhere I could read up on how to actually program one of these things so that when it comes I have an idea of what I am actually doing and not wasting hours trying to figure out things?

Thanks in advance!

 

[swearint]

Have you read the New User Guide that is stickied at the top of the forum? It has a ton of information on setting up and programming the Apex.

Todd

 

[fishymann]

did not even notice that sticky. Thank you Todd! Looks like I have some reading to slip in between work and sleep today

 

[fishymann]

been reading every change I get... WOW that guide helps a lot. Quick question, I know outlets 4 and 8 are mechanical relays I read all about it just wondering what equipment I should put on them. I have a seloniod valve used for my ATO that will turn on and off multiple times through out the day for probably only a few minutes each time; is this a good device to plug into one of the mechanical outlets? I also may be using a dosing pump and or an aqua lifter, so as I understand these too should be plugged into the mechanical because of their lower power draw is this correct?

thanks guys!

 

[swearint]

The mechanical relays are rated for 10A, so in addition to low power devices they are also good for high power devices. The remaining outlets are rated to 5A. Basically, outlets 4&8 should be used for special cases. You may have to experiment to see which of your low power devices need to be on the mechanical relays. If you have more low power devices than available mechanical relays, you can get a TRIAC outlet to work properly by adding a small nightlight or such to increase the power draw slightly.

Todd

 

[fishymann]

alright didn't spend as long as I thought getting basic operations working. Got to just decide on the timing for the power heads but got it all working YAY! :celeb1:

Now, I hooked up the break out module and connected a float switch to it (one wire to the ground, one wire to the 16 screw) I don't see it coming up on the network configuration. Reading through both manuals (online and printed) I just see that it mentions that once plugged in you can program using switch1 (or which ever switch it is) But how do i know which "switch" to use for programming?

 

[fishymann]

alright, I am stumped on setting up my dns so i can access from my phone / off network. I setup my controller to 192.168.1.131 and set to port 800. setup an acct with dyndns.com picked a hostname and entered in my external IP (that was given by dyndns). logged into my router (netgear wpn824v3) and choose ddns entered my host name and picked a login and password.
tried loggin in on my phone using the host name.com:800 (the port i picked) and i get nowhere.

any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Sorry if it is noobish but I am stumped.

 

[swearint]

Now, I hooked up the break out module and connected a float switch to it (one wire to the ground, one wire to the 16 screw) I don't see it coming up on the network configuration. Reading through both manuals (online and printed) I just see that it mentions that once plugged in you can program using switch1 (or which ever switch it is) But how do i know which "switch" to use for programming?

The BoB is not treated as a module, it won't show up in any way on the Apex. It is just a physical interface. But, you can create virtual outlets to display the status. Then you use the following command to perform actions:

If Switchx {CLOSED/OPEN} Then {ON/OFF}

x is the switch address, in your case 6 since you selected the I6 terminal.

So for example:

[Sump_High]
Set OFF
If Switch6 CLOSED Then ON

This would display Sump_High on your status display and would change between OFF and ON as the float moves. This is all covered in more detail in the New Users Guide.

Todd

 

[swearint]

alright, I am stumped on setting up my dns so i can access from my phone / off network. I setup my controller to 192.168.1.131 and set to port 800. setup an acct with dyndns.com picked a hostname and entered in my external IP (that was given by dyndns). logged into my router (netgear wpn824v3) and choose ddns entered my host name and picked a login and password.
tried loggin in on my phone using the host name.com:800 (the port i picked) and i get nowhere.

any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Sorry if it is noobish but I am stumped.

Did you use the full name? youraccountname.dyndns.com:800
Did you setup port forwarding in your router?

Todd

 

[fishymann]

Todd thank you! I have to check to see if i used the ort# perhaps that is why.
Also thank you for the help with the switch. I understand now

 

[kurt_n]

You're also going to need to let it through your firewall, if you're running one. For me, that's where the biggest trial & error was.

 

[fishymann]

strangely enough I came to work today and tried it and worked perfectly. I dont think my droid could pull up the login dialog and that was my issue.

 

[swearint]

I don't use an android phone, but if the app is anything like the iphone app you will need two different accounts. One for external access that uses the dyndns address, and another using your wireless/internal address when at home.

Todd

 

[RussM]

I don't use an android phone, but if the app is anything like the iphone app you will need two different accounts. One for external access that uses the dyndns address, and another using your wireless/internal address when at home.

This depends on your router. Some routers permit a dyndns name or public (ISP-assigned) IP address to be used when on the local private network, some don't.

If the dyndns name works when the mobile device is in cellular data mode but not when on WiFi at home, then you do need to do as Todd suggests.. create a second controller entry in the app (be it for iPhone or 'droid).

 

[Be Dizzy]

You guys totally helped me set up the app on my samsung charge phone. Fishyman, your post on 6/2 at 8:47 kicks A**!!! Thanks heeps

 

[fishymann]

Yup, when I'm on the internal internet I can't connect using my dyndns address but I can just use my internal IP so no problem there.

 

[fishymann]

just when I thought for a few days I could leave this forum alone... I have one outlet that is being used that is currently set to "manual on" I can not get it to change to auto or manual off. Any suggestions?

 

[swearint]

Is this only when using the web interface? Have you tried using the Display? My first thought is maybe a name conflict with the outlets. Each outlet needs to have a unique name.

Todd

 

[fishymann]

WOW..I promise I am not being annoying on purpose. I checked and sure enough the MAINPUMP alarm was the same name. As soon as I changed the name switched right to AUTO. Alright I had a bit of a scare today. Got home from work and noticed my sump filled higher than it should have been, thankfully it did not over flow (which means timing wise I am safe) .

First let me explain what I want my ATO to do, then I will post my code.
I want it to turn on every 6 hours for 3 minutes only if switch6 is closed, if switch 6 is closed and the ATO is turned on i want it to stay on 30 seconds after the switch6 is open. if my mainpump is off I want the ATO to be off (this probably isn't needed but for some reason I felt it was a good failsafe)

Now, here is my code

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Outlet Mainpump = OFF Then OFF
OSC 000:00/003:00/360:00 Then ON
If Switch6 CLOSED Then OFF
Defer 000:40 Then OFF


Again, any help is incredibly greatly appreciated you guys are great thank you so much especially Swearint

 

[RussM]

WOW..I promise I am not being annoying on purpose. I checked and sure enough the MAINPUMP alarm was the same name. As soon as I changed the name switched right to AUTO.

No worries... and don't feel too bad - you are far being the first person who wanted to "calibrate" their controller with a sledgehammer, only to find that the problem was a self-induced duplicated name.