Apex Help

Anyone with an Apex or knowledge of an Apex I have some questions.

I just installed the controller (went from RKL to Apex lite w/net) and there are some things I dont really understand how to do and if anyone can tell me how that would be awesome.

First is Email Alerts:
I have the email working fine...I just want to get emails in the following:
1. When the temp rises above 82
2. When the temp falls below 76
3. When the power fails and then is restored.

Next is the Fallback option.
1. What is it?
2. What setting do I put it on for my heaters, fans, pumps, and lights?

Basically when power fails I want everything to come back on, and the MH lights should have a safety built in to stay off for at least 15 minutes before coming on again. Is that possible too?

What is the best setting for heaters? I have it now set to come on at 78.4 and go off at 78.5 is that correct to keep my temp at 78.5?

Next thing is when my temp gets above 79 I have my fans come on and then the fans shut off at 78.8 is that ok too?

Last thing is my MH lights....if the temp gets over 81 I have them shutting off for 30 mintutes. Is that enough time you think or is there a way to set them to come back on when a certain temp is reached like 78.5?

Thanks!!!

 

Bump

anyone out there with APEX controller experience ?

Steve

 

Go into the web configuration. You will see an virtual outlet under outlet configuration called EmailAlm_I5. Configure the outlet:

If Temp > 82 Then ON
If Temp < 76 Then ON
If Power Apex Off 001 then ON

This will be the default state of the outlet if for any reason communication is lost with the Apex base unit. For example, if the base unit dies, the outlet will set itself to that state, on or off. I did a fallback off for lights and heaters, fallback on for fans and pumps. This isn't for power outages, after power restores it will continue the original program and put the devices in the appropriate state.

Configure the MH outlet with the following line of code

If Power Apex Off 015 Then OFF

That will keep the power off for 15 minutes after a power outage. That assumes the base unit lost power, as well. You can add an extra level of insurance by putting

If Power EB_x Off 015 Then OFF

x being the number of that Energy Bar, probably 3 or 4 - in the case you have 2 Energy Bars and only the one with the MH loses power for some reason and the Apex base unit continues receiving power from the other EB8.

That is fine.

That is good.

Interesting thought on the temp, never tried that. I just had them set to stay off for 30 minutes. If the temp is below the alarm degree (81) it will turn them back on, if not, they still stay off regardless.

 

Awesome...thanks for the bump Steve!!!

Zach....thanks so much for all the help and info K+

Couple little things....if I also want an email for Ph levels would I add it like this....
If Ph > 8.4 Then ON
If Ph < 8.0 Then ON

Is that correct? If not can you let me know how to get emails for Ph above 8.4 and below 8.0? Thanks!!!!

Last thing on the extra level of insurance for the MH lights coming back on...
If Power Apex Off 015 Then OFF
I will add that to the advanced section for the lights...do I also add
If Power EB_x Off 015 Then OFF
That line right underneath it?

Thanks again for all your help!!!

 

Correct on the e-mail alert setting for pH. Just add that to the e-mail alarm virtual outlet. If you only have one EB8 you don't need the If Power EB8 statement - if your one EB8 loses power, so does the Apex base and the e-mail will send when the unit reboots.

 

Great....thanks again Zach!!!

FYI....Not sure what phone you have but I think the Android market now has an Apex app for it.

 

Blackberry all the way. Ken over at RC has a great web app I use to control my apex from my Berry and view stats / outlet states

 

Not to hijack thread but i have been thinking about whether to get an apex or rke, The apex sounds like a P.I.T.A. to program. I have an old rk2 that's a no brainer, is the apex really that technical?

 

No, it is very simple. Far from a PITA. I've played around with the RKE, RKL and the Apex is simpler and has more features.

 

Having now had/used both, the Apex is amazing!

The RKL is very very easy to use, the Apex is easy to use, I just like to verify and double check and ask many questions before I make any changes or additions to things like this.

Since it's controlling so much of my tank I really need to make sure I get it right!

The web interface is worth the price of admission alone!!!

Apex is a better unit hands down! Read the manual, and there is another manual out there also for download that's even better on RC. You should have no problems.