Apex? A huge mistake?

[Terence]

The controller itself is 121f. I'm just stating why is the controller 121f when there is no current flowing thought it. I have no pumps or lights plugged into it.

The Apex Jr. is basically a computer with a transformer in a metal box. If you plug in any electronics into 120VAC power and it has something digital inside it has to have a way to make the 12oVAC power into DC voltage. In this case, the 12 and 5VDC necessary to operate the electronics inside and power the AquaBus. So think of it like you are plugging in your notebook power supply - touch that and see how hot it gets.

Sometimes when electronics are power cycled due to an outage you can get power spikes that confuse it. If you want further protection against this, I suggest you might want to get a UPS.

As far as support, your first ticket last night was at 10:49PM - after hours - but, our staff are super passionate about our support level so he sent you a response 16 minutes later asking if you wanted to have a phone session. He then followed up again today. We are here if you want the help.

Hope all this information helps you understand things a bit better. If you still want your money back, I suggest you get with whomever you bought it from and see about a refund.

 

[pastelball]

The apex is nice. Bought the jr. after Christmas so only been running for about 4 months. Mine is running cool to the touch. Have my skimmer and return pump plugged in and temp probe. The biggest mistake I did was buying the jr. Wish I would of bought the regular at this point and programming is really a learning curve. Good luck with yours

 

[ngvu1]

I once had an Apex Jr.; I put it on top of a laptop fan because it was too hot for my like. I don't know why there is no fan built in on that unit if it is that hot without ANY load. Heat shortens the life of electronic components right? In the summer if the house does not have central air running, that think is a fire hazard!

 

[azbigjohn]

Only other thing I can mention is how are you connected to the internet? I had a power outage take out the plug and play network adapter I had my Apex Jr tied into (for wireless). As soon as I replaced the wireless extender, it came back online fine.

As for running hot, I live in Arizona, and have even added an EB8 and PM module, and I notice no temperature extremes.

As others have mentioned, perhaps taking it back, or even trying to sell it might give you a little return on your investment. Better tha payin gthat much for something you are only going to use as a temperature monitor.

 

[n2585722]

I don't use the Apex but I have one question. If you cannot communicate with the controller how do you know it is not working since you do not have it controlling anything? You could have an issue with your router. For one thing if you router reboots it will re assign IP address to all the devices on your net. It could be that your Apex now has a different IP address than before the outage and is working properly otherwise. I would get Neptune to help you gain access to your controller. Don't give up on a controller just because of this one incident. I do have a controller it is just another brand and I would not setup a tank without one now.
As for the heat that is your control electronics dissipating their heat and has nothing to do with the outlets. Those are controlled by either relays or triacs. Neither of which generate that much heat even when loaded.

 

[Newb73]

I would not run a tank wihtout an apex. I have the full system and an entire back up unit in my closet ready to go.

When lightening hit mine they only charged me $50 to fix my unit (which is now my back up). A power outage causing it not to connect would be extremely rare. Mine gets turned off on a regular basis. Although to be fair, i added an UPS power back up system to it a while back.

 

[jsker]

@n2585722 has the most sound advice.
System>net setup> DHCP check if it is on. If it is off it will not find the IP Address
System>net setup> Ip address check and see what the IP address is
Check you router and see what the router assigned the IP address as. you can find the information by doing a search on line for your routers IP address
If all else fails, System>net setup> Restart. this will reboot the system. Could just be hung after the power outage and need to be rebooted like any computer.
Good luck

 

[JasReef]

I have a Jr. running my biocube and have had no issues with it for over a year now. It is also is cool to touch, doesn't heat up at all.

As far as not trusting it that is what the fallback settings are for. If the unit loses power whatever you have plugged will fallback to a default setting of your choice, either on or off. In the long run I would trust it over the cheaper timers and I wouldn't trust myself to unplug things and remember to plug them back in.

If you really don't want it I'm sure you would have no troubles selling it to someone in your local club.

 

[powderblue14]

I have a 325 gl tank and run the apex gold package along with 3 modules. I love it and wouldn't have a tank without an apex.

 

[DMan]

If you want to use the Apex for power outages then you'll need battery back ups. Both the Apex and your router need to be on the backup. If the router isn't backed up your IP address will change. From the sounds of it you haven't connected to Fusion yet and just using the App. That is the problem, your IP address changed so you have to edit it in the App

 

[Harry_Y]

I love my Apex, I have no idea whats going on with my Power company lately but I've been having
some outages here, and every time my Apex comes right back up and continues on without fault.

As far as as the unit being warm, even with it "doing nothing" it still has a power supply and a Micro-controller running.

Sad to see you give up so easily

 

[Fate]

Maybe its your router? Try resetting it

 

[Peanut]

they have tools for this, you should contact support, they are great....this probably would be resolved by now.

 

[klp]

I also have a deep background both in electronics and later in computer and network support. I expect problems (love/hate electronics) with electronics and with your background you should as well. Electronics are very apt to fail within the first 90 days, more likely first few weeks, if they are going to fail has been my experience. You also likely had a voltage spike with the outage that may have done damage. Call support and let us know what they say.

 

[ATB USA]

So me & my wife decided to get back into the saltwater hobbie. We had a 230g for a few years & shut it down about 5 years ago. So we're not greenhorns lol. This time we got 100g custom with starfire & 25g sump.
Really nice & simple. Got a ATI 48" dimable system, Bubble king 180 etc etc. So new to me is these controllers so I got a apex jr. I hooked it all up & it was working.
I didn't plug anything into it as I wanted to dial in my tank, rate of flow though the sump, skimmer cycle tank so I figured once I'm done I'll have time to set up my apex. Then the power went out and now my apex is a expense thermometer. Didn't come back online now can I connect to it. Also the set up is horrible. The heat it generates without anything plugged into crazy. I wish I hadn't bought it. How could I trust it to control my tank when a power outage took it out? Also I found out I can't access it remotely unless I'm in the house (before the power outage).

I just want my money back for this brick. I'm very disappointed & have a lighter wallet to prove it.

Did you have it plugged into a surge protector? I dought it is fried, their support is really good.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

So me & my wife decided to get back into the saltwater hobbie. We had a 230g for a few years & shut it down about 5 years ago. So we're not greenhorns lol. This time we got 100g custom with starfire & 25g sump.
Really nice & simple. Got a ATI 48" dimable system, Bubble king 180 etc etc. So new to me is these controllers so I got a apex jr. I hooked it all up & it was working.
I didn't plug anything into it as I wanted to dial in my tank, rate of flow though the sump, skimmer cycle tank so I figured once I'm done I'll have time to set up my apex. Then the power went out and now my apex is a expense thermometer. Didn't come back online now can I connect to it. Also the set up is horrible. The heat it generates without anything plugged into crazy. I wish I hadn't bought it. How could I trust it to control my tank when a power outage took it out? Also I found out I can't access it remotely unless I'm in the house (before the power outage).

I just want my money back for this brick. I'm very disappointed & have a lighter wallet to prove it.

Sounds fried to me.. I would contact support, like someone else said they'll probably fix it. Though if it's second-hand, they may not.