WaterBug and Apex FULL USER GUIDE!

[ToLearn]

For those flocking to this thread if you expected to find a guide there is no such thing. For those expecting another vent from me, well I'm not venting I want this thread to lead to a full guide for how to use the WaterBug properly with the Apex, how to trouble shoot issues, and how to identify a dead sensor or whole unit.

First question, anyone who has there water bug set up properly try to bridge a wire from the S connection to the other S connection on your water bug, does it trip the alarm?(assuming you have the audio alarm set to trigger when water is sense and it has been working.

Please help me write this out fully so that in the future when someone has an issue they can be referred to this thread for set up, use, and trouble shooting. I'm also game for this going on Kenargos or ReefTronics site, or it being added as an appendix to the New User Guide. This information doesn't seem to have been collected in a complete way anywhere and I want to help make that happen.

I'll play the dummy asking all the stupid questions until the thread answers all of them.

 

[ToLearn]

Someone made a post in another thread and said the water bug could be used as either Normally Open(NO) or Normally closed(NC), but the programming would need to be inverted. I think this may in fact be the case, but one needs to consider that if the IO port isn't connected to anything(your break out box becomes unplugged) it defaults to NO.

Is this right?

 

[Deleted member 143833]

If nothing is connected then the switch input defaults to "Open"

 

[ToLearn]

Ken, could you try to bridge a connection from the S connection to the other S connection on your water bug and see if it trip the alarm and e-mail?

 

[rsuplido]

Another thread again? Why not continue from the first thread you created rather than creating a new one every time you have a question. It will make it easier for folks to follow (and search for) a solution if it's only on one thread.

Anyway, did you try the program I suggested on your original thread? http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17809039#post17809039

Also, here's another thread that has discussed the WaterBug from a few years back. It's basically talking about the same solution I've suggested: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12908551

 

[ToLearn]

First question, anyone who has there water bug set up properly try to bridge a wire from the S connection to the other S connection on your water bug, does it trip the alarm?(assuming you have the audio alarm set to trigger when water is sense and it has been working.

 

[ToLearn]

Yes I tried what you said Reggie and nothing happened. Same result if the connections were all dry or if both of the bugs were sitting in a puddle of water. Nothing would change if I bridged a connection from S to S. I believe the only way I was able to get anything different was when I moved the connection from NO to NC, but still the water bugs wouldn't change anything wet or dry.

 

[niko5]

If i bridge a wire to my s and s input i hear a light click from the water bug ( relay closing ) and it trips my alarm

 

[ToLearn]

THANK YOU niko5!

When I bridge that connection nothing happens. I believe I have heard that click once in all my testing. I have a feeling either my main WaterBug unit is dead or one of my senors. I was hoping someone could help me trouble shoot through it to confirm this is the case.


Does this read correctly?
"Note/WARNING: DO NOT follow the Wiring diagram found on the WinLand website. It shows connecting the power adapter to NO on the WaterBug which we do NOT want to do. It also shows bridging a connection between GND and C on the WaterBug which we do not want to do. "

 

[rsuplido]

If you short both S'es and it doesn't click as what niko5 has reported, then I guess there's something about your WaterBug controller, and not the sensor.

What are you using to power your waterbug? It was mentioned in the other thread that you need a 12v 100ma DC adapter. Maybe niko5 can share what he is using on his.

 

[ToLearn]

I'm using the power supply the smart home site that sold me the WaterBug recommended with it. They said, "Typically on the power supply, there is a black wire (gnd) and one with a white stripe (+V). those would be wired in accordingly."

Winland who makes the WaterBug said that, "One of the wires will have a whit strip on it. That one is positive going to # 1 terminal. The sensor is not polarity sensitive so it can be hooked up either way without a problem. "

I couldn't find a white stripe on the power pack I purchased, but it seems it doesn't matter.

 

[niko5]

When i get home ill check what terminals i have power going to. I'm using a 12 v 4.5 amp power supply but it powers several other items that's why the amps are so high.

 

[unbreakable]

Were you able to hook this up? Im looking into getting a waterbug system to hook up to my apex

 

[ToLearn]

Never got it working.