Apex ATK Adjustment Help

[reeferericb]

My ATK low sensor malfunctioned last night and I didn’t catch it until this afternoon. It continuously read closed (from 7:00 last night until 3:00 this afternoon) and my pump was running pretty dry. It typically runs for about 30 seconds to a minute every hour. What additional programming can I add to either turn the ATK on for a short time or even possibly use the high sensor? I would like an alarm to notify me of the change so that I can clean the sensor. Is this doable?

 

[MarshallB]

It should already be programed with a time limit for that specific purpose.

Here is mine, the default programming. I also have a sensor in my RO tank, ROLow. Which is why you see that.

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If ATK_H OPEN Then ON
If ATK_L CLOSED Then OFF
If ROLow OPEN Then OFF
When On > 005:00 Then OFF
Defer 000:10 Then ON
Defer 000:04 Then OFF
Min Time 060:00 Then OFF

By default it should only run for 5 minutes every 60 minutes. You can reduce the 5 minutes to whatever you want and also extend the min time to something higher, like 120 so it will only come on every 2 hours.

As for alarms. Click settings - inputs - find the name of your high atk sensor and click the alarm notification.

I have yet to have mine fail to close, but they have failed to open a few times now in 6 months.

 

[reeferericb]

It should already be programed with a time limit for that specific purpose.

Here is mine, the default programming. I also have a sensor in my RO tank, ROLow. Which is why you see that.

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If ATK_H OPEN Then ON
If ATK_L CLOSED Then OFF
If ROLow OPEN Then OFF
When On > 005:00 Then OFF
Defer 000:10 Then ON
Defer 000:04 Then OFF
Min Time 060:00 Then OFF

By default it should only run for 5 minutes every 60 minutes. You can reduce the 5 minutes to whatever you want and also extend the min time to something higher, like 120 so it will only come on every 2 hours.

As for alarms. Click settings - inputs - find the name of your high atk sensor and click the alarm notification.

I have yet to have mine fail to close, but they have failed to open a few times now in 6 months.

My pump never came on to fill the tank because the low sensor never read open. It was dirty I guess. I cleaned it and it’s working fine now, but if there’s a way to adjust the programming to automatically turn the pump on after a couple hours that would be great. It would still have a high sensor and float switch as backups.

 

[reeferericb]

It should already be programed with a time limit for that specific purpose.

Here is mine, the default programming. I also have a sensor in my RO tank, ROLow. Which is why you see that.

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If ATK_H OPEN Then ON
If ATK_L CLOSED Then OFF
If ROLow OPEN Then OFF
When On > 005:00 Then OFF
Defer 000:10 Then ON
Defer 000:04 Then OFF
Min Time 060:00 Then OFF

By default it should only run for 5 minutes every 60 minutes. You can reduce the 5 minutes to whatever you want and also extend the min time to something higher, like 120 so it will only come on every 2 hours.

As for alarms. Click settings - inputs - find the name of your high atk sensor and click the alarm notification.

I have yet to have mine fail to close, but they have failed to open a few times now in 6 months.

My return pump was running dry. The PMUP has plenty of water to use from.

 

[Crabby48]

I would add a third sensor as a low water alarm to notify you something maybe wrong.

could keep it lower to even turn off return pump

 

[SuncrestReef]

You can use a virtual output to act as a timer to tell you if the low sensor hasn’t reported OPEN for a long time, then send you an alarm notification. This example will send you a notification if it’s been CLOSED for 2 hours

[ATK_Lo_Warn]
Set OFF
If ATK_Lo CLOSED Then ON
Defer 120:00 Then ON

[EmailAlm]
Set OFF
If Output ATK_Lo_Warn = ON Then ON

If you’re not familiar with virtual outputs, see my tutorial here:

Neptune Apex Programming Tutorials, Part 5: Virtual Outputs

Part 5 of our Apex Programming Tutorials. This one is on Virtual Outputs.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[reeferericb]

You can use a virtual output to act as a timer to tell you if the low sensor hasn’t reported OPEN for a long time, then send you an alarm notification. This example will send you a notification if it’s been CLOSED for 2 hours

[ATK_Lo_Warn]
Set OFF
If ATK_Lo CLOSED Then ON
Defer 120:00 Then ON

[EmailAlm]
Set OFF
If Output ATK_Lo_Warn = ON Then ON

If you’re not familiar with virtual outputs, see my tutorial here:

Neptune Apex Programming Tutorials, Part 5: Virtual Outputs

Part 5 of our Apex Programming Tutorials. This one is on Virtual Outputs.

www.reef2reef.com

Would this work or no? I added the virtual outlet as well. I’m just thinking this may at least help keep the sump full.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Would this work or no? I added the virtual outlet as well. I’m just thinking this may at least help keep the sump full.

No, that syntax on line 4 is invalid.

If the sensor is not reading properly, I would suggest manual investigation rather than automation turning on a pump when you don't know for sure what the situation is.