Any Neptune Apex pros near Augusta?

[rskillz]

I'm in Colorado until September and my wife says my Apex won't turn on. This presents a real problem since my LEDs only run on the apex. I think it has something to do with the firmware.

Is anyone near Augusta or could swing by and take a look? I'd be willing to pay ya for the help.

 

[lilrobb]

Do you have it connected to the web?
We could remote access it...

 

[rskillz]

The display module won't even come on. And no, I didn't set it up for web access. Which is quite the bummer now =

Edit: I really need someone with a windows laptop to go by and update the firmware. (We only have macs) I will pay ya, plus hook you up with frags later on!

Someone help!

 

[budsreef]

If it was working and now it isn't then I wouldn't think it could be firmware related. How many EB8s do you have? What color are the indicator lights on the base and the EB8s?

Unless you have an adapter, the base gets its power from the EB8 so if you have lost power to it then nothing would work. Is it on a breaker or GFI that could have tripped due to the storms that have come through?

Have her look for the indicator lights to see if anything is getting power and if she hasn't already done so, have her unplug the EB8 and plug it back in while watching the indicator lights.

 

[rskillz]

We've tried to unplug it and plug it back in and nothing. Indicator lights are blinking yellow. It is on a surge protector. Just one EB8

 

[lilrobb]

You're the third person this happened to after this weeks storm, including me...

 

[rskillz]

What was your fix? Was it fixable >_> ?

 

[lilrobb]

Updated my firmware to the latest beta and swapped the EB8 for a spare one I had...
The other guy needs to send it in to Neptune...

 

[budsreef]

Unfortunately, blinking yellow is not good and possibly firmware got corrupted, but it usually means a hardware failure on the base unit or the EB8. Since you only have one EB8 that makes it more difficult to troubleshoot. It's not normal to get it, but by chance did you get the 12V adaptor? If so you could disconnect the EB8 and just power the base unit and see what the staus light indicates then.

 

[rskillz]

I'll have her try hooking up through a 12v adapter.

Well, this really stinks, I'm 1800 miles away.

How long can a reef tank go without light? few days?

 

[budsreef]

Any update? I have done a three day lights out on my tank several times to help with algae control with no adverse reaction by the corals that I could see. What size tank is it? Can the leds be plugged into a timer? Is there anyone near you that could lend a T5 fixture until you get it solved?

 

[ichthyoid]

Why not just unplug the LED's from the control module and plug them straight into the wall?

When he gets back he can address the controller issue.

(or did I miss something?)

 

[budsreef]

That's what I was thinking too, if they could just be plugged into a timer. The problem may be that the controller is what is supplying the power or another issue may be if you just power them up without a controller they may turn on 100% which would probably be worse than no light.

ichthyoid;657421 wrote: Why not just unplug the LED's from the control module and plug them straight into the wall?

When he gets back he can address the controller issue.

(or did I miss something?)

 

[ichthyoid]

Budsreef;657438 wrote: That's what I was thinking too, if they could just be plugged into a timer. The problem may be that the controller is what is supplying the power or another issue may be if you just power them up without a controller they may turn on 100% which would probably be worse than no light.

Good point, Bud (as usual). I did not consider that he may be using the dimmer function.

FWIW-
If that IS the case, placing some heavy window screen (available at HD/Lowe's, 1 or more layers) between the light and tank would serve as a good/cheap way to cut down on the intensity. Also could disable one or more modules, if possible.

"Necessity is the Mother of invention"- Plato

PS- This is EXACTLY why I have not to date used a dedicated controller on an aquarium. I developed and later sold industrial automation for years, and saw first hand what can happen. It is very difficult (and expensive) to bullet proof, even limited functionality, with automation. If machines break, it's one thing. When things die, it's something else entirely.

 

[rskillz]

Yea, I have 180 3w crees over the tank, at 100% it would burn them up pretty quickly. The LEDs only run when their USB dimmer switch is controlled/hooked up. Can't run them straight off the wall unfortunately.

 

[budsreef]

Are you using the VDM to control the LEDs? I think it was specific to the Aqua Illumination fixtures but will it control other types?

Rskillz;657488 wrote: Yea, I have 180 3w crees over the tank, at 100% it would burn them up pretty quickly. The LEDs only run when their USB dimmer switch is controlled/hooked up. Can't run them straight off the wall unfortunately.

 

[tito]

LilRobb;657133 wrote: You're the third person this happened to after this weeks storm, including me...

these happen to me too i am going to send the eb8 and display and apex back these week i lost a lot in these storm and i got zap by it too .

 

[ruadh]

If all you need if a firmware upgrade, I could probably take my laptop by your house tomorrow afternoon.