Apex energy bars

HewFoE · Sep 11, 2020

So I've been piece mealing my apex setup and just need an energy bars at this point. Looking at reviews on BRS, the newer eb832 have horrible reviews. Should I look into getting the eb8 instead? Any pros/cons to consider one vs the other?

WIReefer · Sep 11, 2020

I run both on my new apex and really don’t see any difference haven’t had a problem with either.

themcfreak · Sep 11, 2020

I haven't read the reviews, but I much prefer the EB832 over the EB8. Much more control (each outlet can be shut off regardless of power draw), and power monitoring, not to mention the extra DC24 outlets.

HewFoE · Sep 11, 2020

themcfreak said:
I haven't read the reviews, but I much prefer the EB832 over the EB8. Much more control (each outlet can be shut off regardless of power draw), and power monitoring, not to mention the extra DC24 outlets.

Ya it looks like it's obviously better tech, but the reviews have it down to a 3 star and are plagued by people having failures with the unit (very recent reviews as well). You have to look at the eb832 solo reviews and not the package deals.

But, that's why I'm here to look for more experiences.

Sisterlimonpot · Sep 11, 2020

The EB832 allows for more functionality via fusion. You have 2 1link ports as well as 2 24v ports that can control various equipment. The software side allows for individual outlets to be monitored for volts, amps and watts. Thus allowing you to set up warnings if a device falls below or above a preset.

If you don't care about any of that and want to save some money, the EB8 works well for turning on and off outlets. You just loose some monitoring as well as those 4 extra ports.

themcfreak · Sep 11, 2020

I have 2 personally. I have had 1 outlet stop responding before when it was about 3-4 years old. So it is mechanical and can break. I could have chosen not to worry about it, since it only affected 1 outlet, but didn't want to have 1 not respond. (For the record, it would be on if I plugged the EB832 in. I could turn it off with Fusion, but then turning it back on in Fusion wouldn't turn the outlet back on. However, was still usable if I always left it on). So not perfect, but 1 out of 16 in 3-4 years is not bad, I don't feel. Otherwise, no issues for me.

Sisterlimonpot · Sep 11, 2020

HewFoE said:
Ya it looks like it's obviously better tech, but the reviews have it down to a 3 star and are plagued by people having failures with the unit (very recent reviews as well). You have to look at the eb832 solo reviews and not the package deals.

But, that's why I'm here to look for more experiences.

I never ever read reviews left by customers because it's hard to weed out the shills. There are a lot of people with axes to grind against neptune systems. I personally have 4 EB832s and one EB8 brought over from my apex classic. I prefer the EB832 over the old EB8

themcfreak · Sep 11, 2020

@Sisterlimonpot makes a good point. (made up numbers): reviews are left by 90% people who had a complaint to make and 10% people who were happy. So if BRS sells 1000 EB832, and 10 of were bad, you would see 10 bad reviews, and 1 good. The other 989 you would never know were happy (again, very made up, not to scale numbers) hahaha

Biglew11 · Sep 11, 2020

The 2 post above make very good points. You hear very few good reviews of anything. But if something goes wrong you hear about all of those.
I've had my apex system about 1 year now with eb832 so far zero issues with it.

HewFoE · Sep 11, 2020

Oh trust me, I get it. The vocal minority is always the loudest. People are happy generally keep quiet. It was just the fact that the eb8, eb4, and all of the other products generally have 4.5-5 stars but the eb832 was lacking in positive reviews that has me concerned.

ca1ore · Sep 12, 2020

I’ve two EB832 and four EB8 ..... haven’t had issues with any of them. I do strongly recommend putting the brain on an UPS though. Mine does not react well to losing power.

DaneGer21 · Sep 12, 2020

2-eb832’s, 1-eb8, 1-eb4, no issues here. The 8 and 4 are almost 10yrs old, the 832’s about 3yrs.

HewFoE · Sep 12, 2020

Awesome everyone. Thanks for the info!

dadnjesse · Sep 12, 2020

If you want to run high wattage equipment the new EB832 won't work, I tried running a 700 Watt heater and kept getting errors, I called Neptune and was advised to use the older EB8 as the newer one doesn't support the higher watts. I also use my AC as a chiller and that also wouldn't run. I use one of each now.

User1 · Sep 12, 2020

Mine has been up about 2 1/2 years now without issues. Well, wait. I did have one issue with by EB832. The internal power supply went bad. Truth be told the back story is this though. Car hits power line. Power line starts fire. Fire spreads and catches the other pole on file. Fire fighters put everything out. Lad in car is safe (no idea how they pulled that off but never the less everyone is happy). Utility company restores power. Utility company has a issue in the process and their redundancy of something fails which then sends in 3 times the expected power into our neighbourhood. A surge like a tidal wave.

Probably 200 or so homes in our area as we are on the outskirts. Anyway wave of power hits, trips the main an all of our homes. Some are safe and sound - probably the furthest away from entry point. Those of us closer or unlucky, well, blown solar inverts, appliances, stereos, smart switches, and of course EB832 energy bars

So yes, I had a failure. Unrelated to Neptune but rather freak accident. I guess I could have plugged it into a surge protector or as i'm doing now installing a whole home device. In either case outside of that no. In fact I sent that one in for repair and now it is a spare