Very disappointed with EB8

[Reefinabox]

I love my Apex controller and already don't know how I lived without one for so long, but the EB8 is a joke and it seems the solutions from Neptune are pretty weak IMO. You can't plug low draw devices like dosing pumps, fans etc into the TRIAC outlets because they will not shut off. Neptune's solution: Use the relayed outlets. They are suggesting to use the outlets which were designed for items that draw the most current for items that draw the least current. Also they state the reason for the TRIAC outlets in the first place is because the relayed outlets have a limited number of operations before they fail due to the mechanical nature. Strike two for using dosing pumps on the relays since they need to switch on and off many times a day. Now on to the next issue. If you use the relay outlets for your dosing pumps you have to plug lights into TRIAC outlets. Now whenever the relay outlets switch off your lights flash, ballasts buzz etc. Neptune's response: A whole scientific explanation about sine waves and switching at certain points which the relays don't do which in turn introduces noise that the TRIAC outlets are very sensitive to. Their solution: put your lights on the relayed outlets. Come again? Which one is it? I would venture to guess that at least 90% of the people that purchase these controllers are going for automation which means they will be running lighting and dosing pumps yet somehow the EB8 was designed to not allow those 2 things to happen at once. How about 4 relay outlets and 4 TRIAC outlets on an EB8? Is there no way to shield the TRIAC outlets from the noise a little better? Maybe offer outlets in configurations of 4 keep them seperated. You could offer the EB4 and EB4HD or something. Then when you order a package you could choose from a combination of any 2 of the strips. Sure it might raise the cost of the initial package a little, but given Neptune's solutions I seem to be stuck purchasing either an EB4 or another EB8 to get the number of relayed outlets I need so everything will operate properly. So I am spending another $150 on top of the original package anyway and I can't even use all of the outlets I paid for in the first place. If providing the different type outlets in separate boxes of 4 raised the package price by $50 I would still be out less money, have no wasted outlets and I wouldn't have to figure out where I am going to put the extra box I shouldn't even need. Now on top of all of this outlet 1 on my EB8 is freaking out and turning on/off on its own randomly and providing varying amounts of current as the fans (and nightlight....a workaround for the low current draw issue) that are plugged into it speed up and slow down (and the nightlight dims) when the outlet randomly does its thing. The outlet is on manual and I have switched it on/off manually, powered down and restarted everything and it still does it.

As I stated before I love all of the functions of the Apex itself and can't wait to get the additional modules for control of my Vortech and LEDs but the EB8 seems to be a big turd in the punch bowl.

 

[slief]

I have several EB8's and have no issues. I am aware of the issue with low draw devices not switching off and for me, the relay outlets are not an issue as I have plenty of EB8's with several free outlets.

That said, there is a solution that was posted here some time back. I believe it was an inline GFCI plug like this solves that problem.

I will try to dig that thread up and if I can I will post it assuming that somebody doesn't confirm this first.

 

[Reefinabox]

I would not have an issue with the relay outlets either if I had 2 EB8s much less several. My point is the package as setup from Neptune should run my relatively simple system with ease. Here is what I expected to run from the Apex:

Return pump
Skimmer
Heater
Fans
Doser
Doser
MH Lights
LED Lights

8 devices, 8 outlets. Should be perfect but it is not. As it is I would have to purchase another EB8 or EB4 so that I can get the 2 extra relay outlets I apparently need. That would leave me with 2 outlets on my original EB8 unused and an additional 2 relay outlets (EB4) or 6 TRIAC outlets (EB8) on the extra unit I would have to purchase. I understand there are some "workarounds" but they should not be necessary and again require me to spend more money to get my existing setup to work as advertised. I have already spent $10 in night lights and multitaps to try to get things working, and those GFCI plugs aren't exactly cheap.

 

[slief]

Here is one thread. Apparently a small inline surge protector does the trick as well.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1837624

While there are some minor downsides to the triacs, the upside is that they last forever and are very reliable. There are a number of threads here that get into details of why triacs are used. Apex is not the only controller that uses triacs in there power bars either.

The surge protector workaround mentioned in the link above is under $10. You might think about re-organizing your outlets to free up a relay outlet. Depending on the wattage of your heater or your halides, you might be able to move those to a triac outlet and the dosing pumps to the relay outlet.

 

[swearint]

I won't go into the whole design trade-off discussion, but there is another possible solution. Neptune makes a Socket Expansion device:
http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=40

This is typically used to offload high current devices from a DC8/EB8, but should work for the issue the OP is having. It effectively converts a Triac outlet into a mechanical relay. It retails for about $40.

Todd