1) the dosers are user replaceable and common parts that you can get directly from kamoer if you needed. This is both the dosing head and the motor block themselves. It’s very very rare that the driver/circuit board side of a doser fails, usually it’s the head or motor. Both which are easily user serviceable with a push on connection.
2) to get more probe ports (ph or orp) you can add on a x3 (1 probe, 2 sense) or a x4 (2 probe plus much more). Hydros doesn’t have modules. Instead you add on additional controllers. When you do this, each device increases the robustness of your system. Each controller is running in parallel with the same configuration but one controller is the main orchestrator of the system and others are secondary. If one controller dies, the others pick up and still operate. This Atleast allows you to limp along while you can fix the issue or replace the failed device. Other systems if your brain dies, you’re SOL. Also when you add additional units, they are hard wired using cables and they become something called a “collective”. All inputs and outputs are shared and in the app it looks like one homogenous controller. The more you scale the more powerful your redundancy becomes.
3) the wave engine is upgradable to control pre-mobius mp wave makers but mobius is a highly controlled ecosystem that unlikely will be allowed to be used outside ETM/NS. That being said, Hydros is always open to working with 3rd party companies and has integrated with some products from Focustronic and Kamoer, with others to come. I know there was talk that Sicce integration is in discussion.
4) the usb on the Wi-Fi power strip is purely for power only
5) the xp8 is the best option for critical items like heaters and pumps. Plus it provides a hardwired link to sensors in your system and it has power monitoring. For less system critical items such as maybe a skimmer pump, LEDs, cabinet lights, etc you can consider the cheaper Wi-Fi strip for $40 for 4 outlets. If you balance what must be a critical item vs secondary, the Wi-Fi strips can help your budget out. But note that they require an active router bridge over Wi-Fi between the strip and main controller for control, so there is some risk (hence using only for secondary items). But the xp8 connects via hardwire to other controllers giving ultimate reliability.
