HELP! APEX head (brain) died.

[five.five-six]

The real bummer is that when this happened last time, I sent the old brain to reef fix (I’ve been happy with their other repairs and would still recommend them) they fixed a EB8 and display unit for me. Both work great for years but th brain came back “no problem found”. I plugged it in and it did basic operations but when I went to grab it yesterday it fell on its face when I started adding several modules, same as I had sent it in for.


I’ve ordered an A3 pro base unit but it won’t be here until probably Friday. Until then, the tank is running on manual like in the 80’s. I litteraly stuck one of those temperature strips you get with a starter kit from petco on the side of the tank to keep an eye on temp. I have the heaters running on internal thermostat And the lights are just unplugged.


Anything with an aquabuss for at least basic operations of temp and ATO would be great.

 

[Jimbo327]

I hope someone has a backup APEX unit you can borrow.

If in a pinch, get a smart power strip from Amazon or local electronic (Best Buy, etc) store, so you can at least program it to turn on/off your lights and remotely turn on/off certain equipment if needed.

 

[five.five-six]

I hope someone has a backup APEX unit you can borrow.

If in a pinch, get a smart power strip from Amazon or local electronic (Best Buy, etc) store, so you can at least program it to turn on/off your lights and remotely turn on/off certain equipment if needed.

Rearly, the big deal is temperature for a week. I’m running 2 Ehime heaters using their internal thermostats. I hope those keep the temp stable enough.

 

[Discotu]

If you have amz prime order an inkbird or ranco controller for next day delivery. Its good to have as back up anyway.

 

[drexel]

Helio universal controllers are great too. Sorry to hear about the brain, but at least you're old school and can keep everything running, not like these young whipper snappers these days and their fancy controllers.

 

[Jimbo327]

Helio universal controllers are great too. Sorry to hear about the brain, but at least you're old school and can keep everything running, not like these young whipper snappers these days and their fancy controllers.

Real OG reefers only uses their hands. He's getting an A3 pro, he's gone soft!

But seriously, pick up a Ranco, even if you get the new controller head, you should put the Ranco inline with the heaters.

 

[IvanW]

Hey Mark hope you are doing well, I don't think Reef fix is in business any more. I have tried several times in the last few months to contact them with no luck.
I am going to start changing over to Hydros in the next few months, I think it is a better product and great customer service.

 

[five.five-six]

Hey Mark hope you are doing well, I don't think Reef fix is in business any more. I have tried several times in the last few months to contact them with no luck.
I am going to start changing over to Hydros in the next few months, I think it is a better product and great customer service.

I don't think you are wrong about Hydros. that said, I think it would take more time than my tank has to get a hydros system up and running.


I sent a message to fix reef on friday and he got back to me in an hour. He said he didn't have a repaired base unit to sell me but he did get back to me.

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

I have an extra one. Let me know if you want to borrow it


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[five.five-six]

I have an extra one. Let me know if you want to borrow it


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DM sent

 

[moondoggy]

I have two ranco that I am not using, if you need it let me know,
Also can you post a link the A3 Pro you are looking for

 

[Emac909]

I have an extra brain too. It’s the classic (black) brain tho not the gray version

 

[five.five-six]

@OGFrenchHorn hooked me up last night. I programmed from 6:00P to midnight, then again started at 7:00AM and am taking a break. Probably a few hours left but I’m taking a nap now


3 ea EB8
2 ea PM1
1 ea VDL
1 ea LMM
3 ea pH probe
1 ea OPP probe
2 ea temp probe
5 ea 0-10V outputs
3 ea BOB inputs

It’s a lot of work. 5 hrs just identifying and naming inputs and outputs. Can’t run any control until all the inputs are identified and probes are calibrated or stuff goes sideways.

Thank you again OGFrenchHorn and everyone else who offered to loan me one


one word about the classic brains, I opened my orange one up and found that the CMOS coin battery was dead. I’ve ordered a new one to see. If that can fix it.

 

[Discotu]

While you're in there might be worthwhile to swap out the SD card with a higher quality one. I've read of these corrupting on occasion.

 

[five.five-six]

While you're in there might be worthwhile to swap out the SD card with a higher quality one. I've read of these corrupting on occasion.

I don’t notice a sd card, it was definitely acting corrupted.

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

Good news is that when yours comes in, you can clone the programming by making a backup


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[Discotu]

 

[Discotu]

Good news is that when yours comes in, you can clone the programming by making a backup

has anyone tried this before? I had to swap out a head unit right before a international vacation before and ended up doing what Mark did. When I got back I read you can clone the programming but you also have to reconnect all the modules in the EXACT same sequence since that's how the addresses are assigned. Seems easy enough.

 

[cboltsd]

This happened to me recently. My brain died and EB8s went haywire. My solution was to ditch Apex completely and now running Hydros. It’s been great for me and I’m happy with it.


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[five.five-six]

has anyone tried this before? I had to swap out a head unit right before an international vacation before and ended up doing what Mark did. When I got back I read you can clone the programming but you also have to reconnect all the modules in the EXACT same sequence since that's how the addresses are assigned. Seems easy enough.

I sure hope it works. I’ll report back once I have done it or failed.