Problem connecting with Apex and programming

[isyy]

Hi!

I have a new Apex and I followed the Unofficial User Guide to set it up. Initially I had problems connecting it to my home network even though all the network information matches. I can access it through Telnet, bt when I tried using the browser, I got a 404 error. After updating the firmware (I've updated webpages first, but still got the 404 error, so I dedcided to update the firmware), it seem to work the first time. But now, it's taking forever to connect (20 minutes and it's still busy connection). So I tried to manually set it up in the controller. It was set to local time (12 hours format) and I switched on the probes. But with further programming e.g. inputting the value to switch on the light (24 hour format), it didn't work as programmed i.e. it didn't switch on at all. I've checked that I connected it to the right socket on EB8 by switching it to "manual on" and it worked. But it didn't work when the switch is placed on "auto". Is my programming incorrect? I'm at loss at how to continue from here.

Any comment is appreciated.

 

[RussM]

Did you change the http port in the Apex's network configuration? If so, you need to access it using http://192.168.1.50:nnnn (substitute the actual ip address of the Apex. nnnn = the current http port) Or change the http port back to the default of 80 and reboot.


Do you at least get the login prompt?

Also, try accessing this page: http://192.168.1.50/cgi-bin/status.xml (using the actual IP address, of course)
If this works, then you need to reload the web pages.

 

[isyy]

Hi! Thank you for the reply.

I can connect to the webpage now. It's a hit and miss thing. The http port is always the default 80. But I am not able to access the xml link or through the website. The error is "The XML page cannot be displayed
Cannot view XML input using XSL style sheet. Please correct the error and then click the Refresh button, or try again later. "

But I'm still having problem getting the program to work on "auto".

 

[aquamanic]

It sounds like some of your web pages are either not loaded or corrupted. I would do as Russ suggested and reload your web pages. This is not the same as loading your firmware - its a separate step using the same loader utility.

If you want to post the program statement of some of the outlets you're having trouble with, we can take a look at what might be wrong.

 

[isyy]

Hi! Alright, it is able to connect well now.

But programming is still a problem. For example, I want to set the light to be switched on at 0800 hours and off at 2000 hours. It should be off when the temperature is 30 degrees celcius. Below are my setting.

Current Apex status:

However, the lights remains off.

Please advise. Thank you.

 

[aquamanic]

Your clock is wrong.

 

[isyy]

I apologise for asking the obvious but I can't spot the error. My clock is wrong as in? I can't use the 12 hour format for my display?

 

[aquamanic]

You can but it is showing am.

 

[aquamanic]

Actually the clock is probably not the problem. Set your hysterisis to 0 and see if they turn on.

 

[isyy]

I see. Then the clock is correct; I'm living on the other side of the world.

The program for the lights are working now. But I can't say the same about the chiller.

Chiller program: Fallback OFF
If Temp > 28.0 Then ON
If Temp < 26.0 Then OFF

It doesn't have the hysterisis setting? The temperature is currently in degrees Celsius. Current tank temperature is 28 degrees Celsius. But chiller is not turning on.

 

[swearint]

Notice that there is not an 'equals' sign. So the chiller will not turn ON until the Temp exceeds 28.0. If you want it to turn ON at 28.0, change it to read 27.9.

Also, I would recommend switching to Advanced mode for your outlets. You will gain much more functionality. The wizards are a good starting point, but are very limited.

Todd

 

[isyy]

Alright. Will take the "equal" sign into consideration.

My tank temperature is now at 29 degrees Celsius, but the chiller is still not working...

 

[aquamanic]

What temp do you have your chiller's internal t-stat set to? If higher than 29 then it's not going to turn on even though the Apex has asked it to. It needs to be 1 - 2 degrees lower than the Apex set point so it will turn on when the Apex asks it to. The reverse is true with heaters.

 

[swearint]

Is the outlet ON but the chiller is not running? In other words, is is possible that the chiller thermostat is set higher? Have you tried setting the outlet to Manual ON?

Todd

 

[isyy]

Yes, the outlet is switched on but the chiller is not running. I've tried lowering the chiller thermostat to 20 degrees and setting the outlet to Manual On but it is still not running. I have a nagging feeling that the chiller requires more power than what the Apex can provide.

 

[aquamanic]

That's not it - if so it would trip a breaker.

 

[aquamanic]

If you plug the chiller into a wall outlet, does it turn on?

 

[isyy]

I see. The voltage provided in my country is 230V. I am using a step-down transformer to connect it to the Apex.

Yes, it does turn on when I plug it into a wall outlet.

 

[swearint]

Wait, you're trying to run a 230V chiller on 120V power from the EB8? That won't work.

Todd