Learning to Program Apex Controller

[Kbra]

I wanna run my coding by some of the pros to make sure im not missing anything
So first of many questions to come is:
Im running my return pump on a Energy Bar 8 and im trying to program it to run 24/7 unless i manually tell it to turn off. So heres the code i put in. Make sense or wrong?

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Power Apex On 000 Then On

And i dont fully understand when to use Fallback...

So for the Return Pump do i want it ON if theres a power outage and i want the pump to come back online when restored or do i want the Fallback at off?

 

[Kbra]

Current Setup

Ok so heres all 8 as of now am i missing anything you guys would recommend?

Return:
Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Power Apex On 000 Then ON

Skimmer:
Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Outlet Return = ON Then ON
If Outlet Return = OFF Then OFF

Refug Light:
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 12:00 to 22:00 Then ON
If Temp > 81.0 Then OFF
Min Time 001:00 Then OFF

Halide Left:
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 14:30 to 21:30 Then ON
If Temp > 81.5 Then OFF
Min Time 020:00 Then OFF

Heater:
Fallback OFF
If Temp < 77.0 Then ON
If Temp > 78.0 Then OFF

Fan(for Halide Fixture):
Fallback OFF
If Time 14:00 to 22:05 Then ON

Actinics:
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 11:00 to 23:00 Then ON
If Temp > 84.0 Then OFF
Min Time 005:00 Then OFF

Halide Right:
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 14:00 to 22:00 Then ON
If Temp > 82.0 Then OFF
Min Time 020:00 Then OFF

 

[Rortreefer]

I am by no means an expert at all when it comes to programing this unit as I am still learning a lot myself, but you might want to have your Halide fixture fan turn on whenever your halides are on at all...

I see the situation of turning them on to check something, or show someone, and they are left on a for a long period of time without being cooled.

So maybe:

Fan(for Halide Fixture):
Fallback OFF
Set Off
If Outlet Halide Right = On Then ON
If Outlet Halide Left = On Then ON

 

[Rortreefer]

Question, what is the Min Time 0??:00 Then Off/On do to the outlet?

 

[Letsgotothezoo]

I heard lots of problem with this controller. First generation always has some issues.

 

[Kbra]

Question, what is the Min Time 0??:00 Then Off/On do to the outlet?

ok so the Min time is important for the halides so that if they are on all day then they get turned off then back on you want to give them time to cool before turning back on usually like 15 min or so. So i set mine 20min off time is required before turning back on.

Min Time 020:00 Then On

says be off for atleast 20 min then you can turn on...

Looks like it a be you and I trying to learn our way through this thing. One big thing i wanna set up is the online monitoring from my phone and emails

 

[bigtex52]

I heard lots of problem with this controller. First generation always has some issues.

Nah. Mine works like a champ. They have upgraded the firmware once, but it was to smooth the way the graphs plotted, correct the rounding for the amp draw report, etc and other small adjustments.

 

[Paramecium]

Mine has been working great. I am still learning myself but my understanding is the min time is to keep the lights or whatever you may have on that outlet from turning on and off if you are bouncing on a temp limit for instance.

Fallback I believe is what the outlet should go to if it loses it's signal from the controller. I believe this is when the green light is flashing on the EB8. It is still running but not receiving information from the controller.

 

[Paramecium]

I could be wrong but assuming I am correct I would think that fallback on your skimmer, return pump and possibly your halide fan might want to be on.

 

[Paramecium]

OK I double checked and that is correct.

From the apex manual.

Fallback When used with an EnergyBar the outlet is given the fallback state if
communication between the Apex base module, and the EnergyBar
fails.

So I would suggest putting the return, skimmer and possibly the fan on fallback ON and the lights on fallback OFF so they don't stay on and cook the tank.

 

[Kbra]

Good call i noticed that the other day in the setup and changes the pumps to on but ddint think about the fan

 

[Kbra]

has anyone mastered the web hosting on this yet to access it outside your own network?