Finnex heater controller w/Apex

[Sleepydoc]

I got a Finnex 820M heater controller to serve as an auxiliary controller for my heaters. On the web site (both Finnex’s and BRS’s) they state it’s not compatible with the Apex controller series but give no other rationale. Does anyone have any more insight on this? My thought is I’ll plug it in to to an Apex outlet, have the Finnex controller set at 77º and have the Apex turn off the outlet if the temps get above 80º. Used in this fashion, the Apex outlet would essentially be a regular outlet, on all the time so it shouldn’t matter to the controller.

 

[Pistondog]

I got a Finnex 820M heater controller to serve as an auxiliary controller for my heaters. On the web site (both Finnex’s and BRS’s) they state it’s not compatible with the Apex controller series but give no other rationale. Does anyone have any more insight on this? My thought is I’ll plug it in to to an Apex outlet, have the Finnex controller set at 77º and have the Apex turn off the outlet if the temps get above 80º. Used in this fashion, the Apex outlet would essentially be a regular outlet, on all the time so it shouldn’t matter to the controller.

What you suggest is fine, and good practice.
They might be referring to using the apex to control the heat, ie switch the finnex on/off, a bad idea. Or that the apex cannot send set points down to the finnex.

 

[Gtinnel]

i can’t imagine any possible way that it wouldn’t work. Especially since the apex is just a backup.

 

[Sleepydoc]

My guess is it isn't designed to have the power cycled on and off repeatedly like you would if the Apex were primary and the Finnex were backup. My EB832 is on the fritz so for the time being the Apex isn't even an issue. :/