net capable controllers

tgriffin

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So I'm looking at eventually getting a net capable controller. I am wanting something that will email or text me if parameters get out of tolerances and one that when I'm on the road I can go online and check all the parameters on my system.

I was going to call Digital Aquatics and Apex to ask them which units will do this but figured I'd ask her first. I was looking at the RKL net unit due to the price vs the RKE and the Apex.

Do these units have to be hooked up to a wired internet line or will they work off a wireless network?

Thanks
 
The Apex and Apex Lite controllers come with wired ethernet built in. You can add a wireless gaming adapter if you need to access it wirelessly. I suggest setting it up wired if at all possible. Either one can email you if any parameters get out of whack. There are iPhone, BlackBerry and Android apps to access the controller from your phone as well as accessing the generic web pages built in to the controllers. You have full control of monitoring and programming from the Apex web interface.

The older AquaController III also has ethernet built in if you can find one on the used market. I would strongly suggest the Apex as it has a host of new features over the ACIII.
 
The RKL Net does all the things you listed. It is not wireless out of the box, but for $45 you get get one of these (ASUS WL-330gE Multi- Functional Wireless AP - (AP, Ethernet Adapter, Gateway, Repeater 4 mode) to make the system wireless.
 
This topic is like oil and water. All depends on what you like. Its like asking for opinions on computers. Mac or PC.....:lol2: I like Mac. The next guy is all about Windows. I made my decision by calling the companies (Neptune Systems - Apex) and (Digital Aquatics - Reef Keeper) to speak with there support departments as well as seeing some stuff in action.
 
Assault;547888 wrote: What decision did you make, and why?

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=46833">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=46833</a>

Sounds like he's going with the Apex Lite
 
mikesommers;547879 wrote: This topic is like oil and water. All depends on what you like.

Or Ford and Chevy. Most likely the reccomedation will be the system the person is using (as in my case).
 
When I went to make my decision, I emailed DA & Neptune the same question, basically "why you"?

Within 10 minutes, Curt from Neptune emailed me back an extensive list of reasons on his controller. I had probably 20 emails back & forth with him over the next few days.

About 2 weeks later I placed my pre-order for the Apex and a host of extras.

2 days after the stuff arrived (6 WEEKS after my initial inquiry), DA emailed me back with a link to their site.

Now, this may have been a fluke experience with DA, but so far I'm very satisfied with my Apex and the support I get from Curt.

(and I'm in the Mac crowd. LOL No ford/chevy, but I do have a BMW over a Benz! )
 
I love my RKE.......it can do this (with Andy's help anyway) and Im at work...

<img alt="" />
 
I'm interested now, would it be possible to run the Apex Lite without the display? Can I configure and monitor it over the network only?
 
Assault;547888 wrote: What decision did you make, and why?

As Ron said Apex Lite. Very powerful, and great customer service. Plus it will integrate with my iphone! That's only my opinion. Like I said every time you see this topic it's oil and water.
 
With an Apex you can perform the following from any standards based browser (PC, Mac, cell phone).

You can monitor the state of probes and outlets from the home network or Internet. You can display the status of all probes and outlets or create 4 user defined pages that display only the items you are interested in (to reduce clutter and organize information).

Manually override the programming for any outlet on the system by manually turning an outlet on or off.

You can view graphs (requires flash) over 1 day or 1 week of all probes on the system as well as the current draw from each of your outlet strips (EnergyBar).

You can see a raw log of all probe measurements over time (same data as in the graphs but in text format).

Configure and program all outlets on the system (no special software required on the PC, all done through the web interface). This is especially helpful for initial setup.

Backup and restore the configuration of the entire system.

Update controller and add-on module firmware.

RSS feeds and XML outputs of current status.

The device can be configured to email you when any condition (measured probe value, switches, etc) goes out of range.

In addition, there are cell phone specific clients for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android that optomize probe and outlet data to be easily viewed and controlled on the phones small screen. There is even a Vista/Win7 widget to view controller status.
 
misu;547943 wrote: I'm interested now, would it be possible to run the Apex Lite without the display? Can I configure and monitor it over the network only?

I am pretty sure Simon has no display. I would shoot him a pm. He uses his phone to control everything.
 
Schwaggs;547946 wrote: With an Apex you can perform the following from any standards based browser (PC, Mac, cell phone).

You can monitor the state of probes and outlets from the home network or Internet. You can display the status of all probes and outlets or create 4 user defined pages that display only the items you are interested in (to reduce clutter and organize information).

Manually override the programming for any outlet on the system by manually turning an outlet on or off.

You can view graphs (requires flash) over 1 day or 1 week of all probes on the system as well as the current draw from each of your outlet strips (EnergyBar).

You can see a raw log of all probe measurements over time (same data as in the graphs but in text format).

Configure and program all outlets on the system (no special software required on the PC, all done through the web interface). This is especially helpful for initial setup.

Backup and restore the configuration of the entire system.

Update controller and add-on module firmware.

RSS feeds and XML outputs of current status.

The device can be configured to email you when any condition (measured probe value, switches, etc) goes out of range.

In addition, there are cell phone specific clients for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android that optomize probe and outlet data to be easily viewed and controlled on the phones small screen. There is even a Vista/Win7 widget to view controller status.

My point exactly!!!!
 
mikesommers;547947 wrote: I am pretty sure Simon has no display. I would shoot him a pm. He uses his phone to control everything.

that's my plan too, I keep the **** phone with me at all times anyway why bother looking at a display (and paying for it)

who's selling these locally?
 
misu;547943 wrote: I'm interested now, would it be possible to run the Apex Lite without the display? Can I configure and monitor it over the network only?

Nope, you need a display to perform a few of the maintainance items like probe calibration. Plus the display is an easy way to check tank status and start and cancel feed timers.

EDIT: The Apex will run without a display, so it is technically possible to *run* one without a display, I just don't know how you would perform probe calibration and such...
 
Sample graphs from the Apex:

Temp - you can see I have my chiller and fans programmed to keep the temp within .8 degree range. You can also see that over this 7 day period, my tank temp is gradually reducing. This is the seasonal adjustment feature of the Apex. it simulates the seasonal temperature swings found on the reef. It can do the same for the length of the lighing period.

I also attached a graph of the power consumption on one of my EnergyBars. This is the one that controls my frag tank lights (among other things). The smaller step up is when the Actinic lights come on and the larger when 2 - 250W halides come on. You can see on a couple of the days in the graph that the power consumption dropped part way through the normal "on" period. I suspect this is due to a bulb going bad or some other reason one of the halides is shutting down. I will have to monitor this to see if it continues. I would have never known of the problem without this graph as the frag tank lights come on in the middle of the night.
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>
547977=25891-power.jpg
>
547977=25891-power.jpg
class="gc-images" title="power.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>
547977=25890-temp.jpg
>
547977=25890-temp.jpg
class="gc-images" title="temp.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>
 
Sorry for the rapidfire posts, this is my last one... :)

Check out this graph from the EnergyBar that runs my Chiller (and other smaller draw items). The spikes are when my chiller runs. From this I can easily see how many times and for how long the chiller runs. There are a couple interesting things here:

1) Electrical Geek Warning - Note how the spikes are shorter eariler in the day and longer in the middle of the day. This graph displays Current draw (Amps). I suspect the chiller draws more amps in the middle of the day when the grid voltage is lower....

2) Notice that on 8/4 the chiller ran 8 times but on 8/6 it only ran 6 times? This is due to the addition of a room fan in my fish room. I found that the chiller runs only 5-6 times vs 7-8 times with the fan off. However, I also noticed that I evaporate ~5 gallons of water with the fan on vs ~2 per day with it on...
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>
547983=25894-chiller.jpg
>
547983=25894-chiller.jpg
class="gc-images" title="chiller.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>
 
so will does the RKE and the Apex come with all the probes that it is capable of monitoring or controlling?
 
That depends on the package you buy. The typical Apex starter bundle includes the Base Module, Display Module, EnergyBar (outlets), temperature probe, pH probe.

An ORP or pH probe for the second probe port is typically purchased separatly.
 
JeF4y;547925 wrote: When I went to make my decision, I emailed DA & Neptune the same question, basically "why you"?

Within 10 minutes, Curt from Neptune emailed me back an extensive list of reasons on his controller. I had probably 20 emails back & forth with him over the next few days.

About 2 weeks later I placed my pre-order for the Apex and a host of extras.

2 days after the stuff arrived (6 WEEKS after my initial inquiry), DA emailed me back with a link to their site.

Now, this may have been a fluke experience with DA, but so far I'm very satisfied with my Apex and the support I get from Curt.

(and I'm in the Mac crowd. LOL No ford/chevy, but I do have a BMW over a Benz! )

Lol!!!
 
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