Out smarted by my APEX... again

[sewer urchin]

Hello everyone,
After scouring the Unofficial Guide for a while I'm not seeing an exact match to my problem, I've decided that I should call in the big guns for a diagnosis.

Here's what's up. There was a power outage this morning from about 8 am to noon, when the power came back on the apex was acting "different".

The display was not showing the pH value and I noticed that lights and pumps were not working (even though the display showed that the were).

... so I enabled the pH probe setting and presto- that problem solved the display is showing the pH value! However, anything plugged into the EB8 showed that it was was on and working according to my programming but it wasn't (I plugged the lights and main pump into a separte circuit on the old timer -everything still works fine).

Also, the time and Date on the display will flash on and off with no rythem (for example on for 3 sec off for 5. the on for 4 off for 2). This is not so important to me, I only include it as a symptom to help diagnose.

The status LEDs both the 'Brain" and the EB8 are gren and solid so I think that they are working.

I thought that maybe when the power came back on taht a seprate EB8 got created and that's the real one doesn't work... I looked and only saw the one listed- no dice.

Should I update the firmware and restart or is that a bad idea? Thanks for any ideas.

on one more problem... I don't speak APEXian very well, so I may have to open the APEX to English dictionary a few times. ; )

 

[schwaggs]

1st step should be to backup your programming to your PC.

Then I would power cycle everything including the EB8

If that doesn't work, I would re-flash with the latest firmware and web pages.

If all was well, the clock should be working normally. Seems like something is corrupted causing it to run slow....

 

[sewer urchin]

Schwaggs

Thanks for the quick response...

Just wanted to make sure I am understanding you right

1- save the programming by using the Load/Save Configuration.
2 Could you explain the power cycle a little more, I'm sure it's simple but if I fry the unit I'm toast...

 

[schwaggs]

yep, backup your programming by using the "Save Programming" button on the load/save page.

Reboot by unplugging all your EB8s from the wall outlet and unplugging your 12V adapter (if you added one which is not common to have one). unplug the power, count to 10 and plug it back in.

 

[sewer urchin]

Looks like I'm re installing the firmware... Tried the power cycle lost the pH display. ( Hey At least I know how to fix that...)

 

[schwaggs]

yea, something is really wrong if it isn't saving basic settings like that... (obviously... )

 

[ripped tide]

Think the apex could have been damaged in a power surge?

 

[sewer urchin]

I really hoping that's not the case...
I'm running his version <p style="text-align:left"><span style="color: #FFFFFF"><span style="font-family: Verdana">4.12L_2A12</span></span> I hope that it's just something corrupted in the firmware.<p style="text-align:left"><span style="color: #FFFFFF"><span style="font-family: Verdana"></span></span>

Edit: That should read this version 4.12 build #2
<p style="text-align:left"><span style="color: #FFFFFF"><span style="font-family: Verdana">

</span></span>

 

[sewer urchin]

Well... it looks like the re flash took, but it didn't solve the problem. Everything updated and I got a message:


The underlying connection was closed: An unexpected error occurred on a receive.

Then when I was under the tank routing some cables...I cracked the reactor (as in water gushing out) that I got during the group buy. They say bad luck happens in threes, at least I know better then to ask what else will happen.

For tonight ...I OFFICIALLY QUIT. Maybe a good nights sleep will help me tackle it in the am.

 

[krcraig1]

I had a problem with my APEX after a major power outage at the house. I tried everything to reset my one of my EB8's. After a couple of days of trying things on my own (and even buying a new EB8), I emailed Neptune Systems. Paul was able to login via telnet to my APEX and he FIXED it via some special ninja programming!! Man, I was happy. I would suggest you contact Neptune, they have great support. http://www.neptunesys.com">www.neptunesys.com</a>

Edit: I just found the email for support: neptunesys.email@gmail.com

 

[rdnelson]

Sewer Urchin;790018 wrote: Maybe a good nights sleep will help me tackle it in the am.

Absolute best thing you could do for the moment. My first boss in this industry always recomended that when faced with a problem you just can't seem to overcome, walk away. Have lunch, take a smoke break or go home and sleep. When you come back, you normally find the problem within minutes. It has worked for me countless times (just a couple days ago as a matter of fact).

While I know very little about the Apex, a bit of information may help determine the root cause and thereby put you in the right direction. What was the cause of the power outage? Was it storming outside? Was it that the power co was just working on the lines? Was it only your house or was it the entire neighborhood? Answering these questions will give you an indication if an external source may have damaged the Apex. When the power came back on, there is some surge but most likely not anything that would do equipment damage. On the other hand, a lightning strike in the vacinity could have sent a large surge through the grid which could have damaged sensitive electronics.

 

[sewer urchin]

Hey Rich,

The only problem with "sleeping" on it is that if I took a nap every time I had a problem I would sleep for 23 1/2 hrs a day! haha But it does seem to help.

I don't know the cause of the outage, there were no storms outside-blue skies in the am, no lightning or at least no thunder.

The outage seemed to take out my end of the county. I did unplug the unit ( and the computer) until after the power came back on ( a lot of times the power will flash a few times before becoming stable). Nothing else in the house has been damaged.

I thought I read somewhere that there is a capacitor that controls the programing can stay charged for 24 hrs, so I'm go let it sit for a day.

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/member.php?u=4038"></a>Krcraig- You got that right, Paul has great customer service at Neptune. Yeah I've had to use him before and he solved the problem that stumped me for day, in minutes.
I won't call on the weekend, everybody needs a little break form work. If I no one else has any ideas I'm going to email on Monday. I've been paroling RC as well.

Anyways this problem forces me to read more and hopefully learn more, I've found some programing I'd like to try when if I can ever get it to work again.

 

[rdnelson]

Sewer Urchin;790052 wrote: Hey Rich,

The only problem with "sleeping" on it is that if I took a nap every time I had a problem I would sleep for 23 1/2 hrs a day! haha But it does seem to help.

I don't know the cause of the outage, there were no storms outside-blue skies in the am, no lightning or at least no thunder.

The outage seemed to take out my end of the county. I did unplug the unit ( and the computer) until after the power came back on ( a lot of times the power will flash a few times before becoming stable). Nothing else in the house has been damaged.

I thought I read somewhere that there is a capacitor that controls the programing can stay charged for 24 hrs, so I'm go let it sit for a day.

Krcraig- You got that right, Paul has great customer service at Neptune. Yeah I've had to use him before and he solved the problem that stumped me for day, in minutes.
I won't call on the weekend, everybody needs a little break form work. If I no one else has any ideas I'm going to email on Monday. I've been paroling RC as well.

Anyways this problem forces me to read more and hopefully learn more, I've found some programing I'd like to try when if I can ever get it to work again.

If it was that widespread I would say they had a major equipment failure which could have caused a surege. But, you were most likely very remote from that point so I would bet it isn't related to a spikei in the incoming power source.

 

[spankdog]

I don't have much to add here other than that my Apex also stops displaying the Ph and the temp when I lose power. After I re-enable them everything seems to be back to normal. It looks like there is one newer version of firmware so I may try updating to see if that fixes the issue. I've got the tank on a UPS so I don't worry about power outages too much.

 

[sewer urchin]

Well just to update...

I got of the phone with Paul, man you weren't kidding about ninja computer skills ...WOW. The apparent problem was that after the outage the EB8 and the Base were trying to occupy the same Aquabus address. He described as something that happens very occasionally and there would be no way to diagnose with out going into the system (I know probably said so my feeling wouldn't get hurt hehe).

While he was there he fixed a bunch of other setting that I had buggered up and walked me through how I could tweak a couple of things.

I have to say it again " There customer Service ROCKS!"

Now on to aggravating the cats by flashing the lights on and off from the dining room... and the dogs... and the lizards.. and the wife.

Ok... I'm pushing on the wife she gave me the look, time to back off now.

I guess I've got to dig up the back up UPS and check to see of it is still working!