Apex classic issues

Sabellafella · Jul 6, 2018

Hey Everyone! Need some help with some issues I'm dealing with here. My apex unit failed to connect to the brain late last night. My leds and heater kicked on in the middle of the night(hinting my fallback turned to on). The wierd part about what happened is the second I unplugged my netgear Wi-Fi extender- everything went back to normal. I've been having some internet issues lately so it had me pondering for quite some time. Fast forward to this morning, I got an audible alarm at 80.6 degrees! When it's set to go off at 78.6. Everything started flashing hinting it failed to connect to the brain again. Opened a ticket, spoke with a rep about pulling aquabus cables out to see what's causing interference. After a bit of rebooting, it came down to the display that's causing the apex unit interference. Question is now what, I can't get connected to fusion, plus I don't have my stuff being monitored at the time I need it the most. Has this happened to anyone before? It's included in their troubleshooting so I assume it could be a frequent issue. Also should I be worried it would happen again with another device? Here's an attached photo of what I've found. Maybe I'm just freaking myself out.

saltyhog · Jul 6, 2018

Is that the board on the display? That board looks terminal to me.

I had to replace my display about 4 years.

You should be able to connect to Fusion even without the display being hooked up shouldn't you?

bequreus1 · Jul 6, 2018

You don't need the display to operate apex. You should be able to access apex web server remotely or telnet from the command prompt.

Sabellafella · Jul 6, 2018

saltyhog said:
Is that the board on the display? That board looks terminal to me. I had to replace my display about 4 years.

You should be able to connect to Fusion even without the display being hooked up shouldn't you?

It's the display. I'm going to buy the new apex today just incase yanno? The Wi-Fi adapter had issues last night with the actual apex unit. And for some reason I can't reconnect. But litterally I can't get into fusion to check my programming. I have no issues with what's going on. Just need my programming back =/

saltyhog · Jul 6, 2018

What happens when you log on to Fusion? Do you get the "Apex not connected to Fusion" message error? I'm sure you've tried the obvious unplugging the power source to Apex and the connection to your EB8?

I had a similar problem. I had to get an appointment for their guy to remotely control my computer/Apex and they resolved the issue easily. Mine was related to a firmware upgrade gone bad.

ZoWhat · Jul 6, 2018

Just like cars, TVs, refrigerators etc....nothing last forever.

My Apex is about 5 yrs old and every day its working is a blessed-day bc any electronic device after 3yrs old is doomed to fail at any point in time

I'd reach out to Neptune during biz hours and speak to a Sales Manager (not the person who answers the phone)
1) they might offer a repair....
2) they might off a discounted new one....

EXAMPLE:
I dropped a $500 Reef Octopus skimmer on a concrete floor cracking the canister. I called RO and talked to a Sales Mgr and he was so sympathetic he sold me a $500 replacement for his COST at $275. I now a life long RO customer!!!

Sabellafella · Jul 6, 2018

bequreus1 said:
You don't need the display to operate apex. You should be able to access apex web server remotely or telnet from the command prompt.

The cloud connections are not working properly. I know I don't need the display but I like having a real time look at my tanks parameters. I don't want to have to go on a device every time I need to check my tanks temperature. My netgear gaming adapter isn't working since the incident. Now if I were to buy a new one, how would I be able to connect the apex to the internet without the display screen? Is it possible?

saltyhog · Jul 6, 2018

I gave up on the gaming adapter. It never worked well for me. I went with a nodal router. I put one node next to my tank and it's effectively hardwired to the router. It is incredibly reliable.

I just replaced my display
It was only $99.

tiggs · Jul 6, 2018

I'd try to rule out the brain having issues first. If plugging the Apex into your router directly with a long network cable isn't an option, maybe temporarily move the Apex near your router and plugin. This way, you'll be able to see if it'll connect to Fusion. Have you tried connecting to the classic Apex local web interface?

If more than one component stopped working at once, I'm hoping it's not an electrical surge. My first plan of attack would definitely be ruling out as many variables as possible though and see if your Apex can get on your network and out to the internet.

Sabellafella · Jul 6, 2018

saltyhog said:
I gave up on the gaming adapter. It never worked well for me. I went with a nodal router. I put one node next to my tank and it's effectively hardwired to the router. It is incredibly reliable.

I just replaced my display
It was only $99.

I had another one break on me withen 8 months of having it. I just can't justify paying 100 bucks for one after taking a look at the internal. Nothing against them, I've seen this type of wiring before and there's always problems with ports like this. Just not worth it to me. Ontop of that instead of using a rubber "seal" it's just a knot tied up. Not good for our type of treatment these units get.

saltyhog · Jul 6, 2018

Oh,man. I understand that. Where was your display kept? Mine lasted almost 5 years.

Sabellafella · Jul 6, 2018

tiggs said:
I'd try to rule out the brain having issues first. If plugging the Apex into your router directly with a long network cable isn't an option, maybe temporarily move the Apex near your router and plugin. This way, you'll be able to see if it'll connect to Fusion. Have you tried connecting to the classic Apex local web interface?

If more than one component stopped working at once, I'm hoping it's not an electrical surge. My first plan of attack would definitely be ruling out as many variables as possible though and see if your Apex can get on your network and out to the internet.

I unplugged everything trying to rule out a module issue or maybe a aquabus issue. Only one that seems to give me the problem is the display. When I plug it in it, all my outlets just switch on. I'm long over due for the new apex though. I have a bunch of frag tanks that are going to need eb8s. Just pickedup the new one now to get it over with.

mtraylor · Jul 6, 2018

Sounds like you have more than just a display issue. Your head unit is also fried or your adapter for wifi has issues. Happened to me (fried Unit) and everything did not default on the aquabus's as they should. I had 2 aquabus's. One worked the other did not on the failed unit. I stopped using the display unit years ago. I just use a tablet to access mine and connect to fusion. I purchased the new head unit. The built in wifi is nice. I could finally throw away the access point I had my old apex plugged into. I hated that thing. LOL.

Sabellafella · Jul 6, 2018

mtraylor said:
Sounds like you have more than just a display issue. Your head unit is also fried or your adapter for wifi has issues. Happened to me (fried Unit) and everything did not default on the aquabus's as they should. I had 2 aquabus's. One worked the other did not on the failed unit. I stopped using the display unit years ago. I just use a tablet to access mine and connect to fusion. I purchased the new head unit. The built in wifi is nice. I could finally throw away the access point I had my old apex plugged into. I hated that thing. LOL.

Lol except trying to get this thing connected with an android is driving me insane!!

Dr. Reef · Jul 6, 2018

My head unit for apex classic has been in service for me for at least 10 yrs and its seen better days. Few time water got splased on it and i opened it. Dried it and let it sit for 24 hrs. Plug it back in and it still worked.
I have apex 2016 now and i moved it over to it and still working. Even though i have a tablet next to my tank now but head unit still works.
I ran a reefkeeper elite vs apex classic on same tank as experiment to see which one out performs other. Unfortunately that thread is on a different reef website. After 9 yrs or so RKE develop a short and zapped all modules and was un-usable.
Just my experience.