Initial Setup of Classic Apex Controller

[crs751]

I recently purchased a used Apex Orange Label Classic controller to replace the Archon currently on my tank. I started the installation yesterday to include mounting the modules I received. This setup does not include a display module but from what I've read you don't need one and I don't intend to purchase one.

I'm having issues connecting to the Apex to access the Classic Dashboard. All lights on all modules display solid status lights. I found the Apex's IP address using their utility but when I try to log into the Apex with this IP address it says the network doesn't exist. I saw on some videos that the Apex uses Port 80 as the incoming and outgoing port which is the same one used by my Archon. I tried to add the Apex into the router but I get an error message that says there is port overlap. I want to keep the Archon operational during the transition to the Apex so I am not interested in removing it from my network yet. Please advise what I need to do to access the Apex.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Bob Escher]

Unplug the archon for the moment and see if you can get into it. Once your in change the IP address to make it a static IP once you reboot and see if you log in using the new ip then plug the archon back into the network

 

[crs751]

Ok I’ll give that a try. Thanks.

 

[Bob Escher]

Ok I’ll give that a try. Thanks.

Make it a static ip and different from the Archon of course

 

[crs751]

I disconnected the Archon and tried to log into the Apex but was not able to do so. I did try a reboot of the Apex system through the Apex Browse app but that didn't help either. I suspect that the Apex is not using Port 80 but I'm not certain where to go from here. Let me know what you think.

 

[crs751]

I was able to get into the Apex Browse Utility and saw that the http. port is 8181. Do I need to set up port forwarding on my router or do I set up the static IP within the Apex Browse Utility?

 

[Flexin]

When I installed mine two months ago I could not connect. I had to reset the unit to the original settings. It seems someone left it in test mode. Something to try.

 

[crs751]

Do you reset it within the Apex Browse Utility? If not how is this accomplished?

 

[crs751]

Within Apex Browse Utility I checked the box to reset the http port to 80 and was able to get the login screen. But the default login and PW of admin and 1234 don't work. Now what?

 

[Bob Escher]

I was able to get into the Apex Browse Utility and saw that the http. port is 8181. Do I need to set up port forwarding on my router or do I set up the static IP within the Apex Browse Utility?

You don’t need to setup port forwarding in your router unless you want to access it remotely
( but once setup you will have fusion to do that so don’t )
You can also specify what port to use
Go into the setup and under configuration you will see networkMake your changes in there
Now you will need to restart the apex for changes to take effect


You will also go to the button where it talks about fusion make sure those two questions
Are answered as well as XML see my setup

 

[crs751]

The problem I have now is that I get the login screen after I changed the Port to 80 but the default login and PW don't work. And I don't have a display. Is a reset on the Apex disconnecting the power to the unit from the bus and connecting again? Or is it possible the old user's Login and PW are still on the unit? I was told that it was reset before it was shipped.

 

[Bob Escher]

Within Apex Browse Utility I checked the box to reset the http port to 80 and was able to get the login screen. But the default login and PW of admin and 1234 don't work. Now what?

Hmm did you buy it from someone?

The problem I have now is that I get the login screen after I changed the Port to 80 but the default login and PW don't work. And I don't have a display. Is a reset on the Apex disconnecting the power to the unit from the bus and connecting again? Or is it possible the old user's Login and PW are still on the unit? I was told that it was reset before it was shipped.

Hmm you can try removing power from it and see but something tells me he didn’t default it if you can get in
Did you say you were able to get in at first or No?
If not

Here is a how to off the Neptune forums


Thank you for your inquiry, and I'm sorry to hear you are having some trouble. As I understand your modules are in fallback and when you power cycled the base unit, the base booted (flashing orange), turned green (solid green), then immediately shut off?

If this is the case, then I suspect that there could be either some HW issues here or a severely corrupted configuration. To reset the controller back to factory settings, I have attached a special firmware that will reset everything back to default: programs, configuration, network setup, and login credentials. Please follow the following directions:
Download the reset firmware revision here
http://www.neptunesys.com/downloads/..._4.10-7A10.zip
Unzip the attached file
Download our most recent revision of firmware here:
http://www.neptunesystems.com/firmware
Confirm a hard wired Ethernet connection from computer to router and router to APEX
Disable your wireless card if you have one
Open the flash utility
Change the aqua4.hex file from the prodcution firmware to the reset firmware aqua4.hex file
On "network address" line put 192.168.1.50 (If your gateway is 192.168.1.1)
Turn your Apex Off
Turn off and firewalls or any anti virus software
Click the update firmware button.
After you see attempt 1 failed on the progress line, plug your APEX back in
Confirm the operation has been complete
Your unit has now been reset, re-update the firmware to the production firmware
Under file name change from reset firmware aqua4.hex to firmware aqua4.hex for the current release version
Update the web pages
Login to your unit in the normal fashion. default:admin password:1234
Via the browser interface go to configuration>network setup
Change DHCP enabled to disabled
Note the current IP address.
This will be your IP address to log into your unit from here on out

 

[crs751]

Yes I did purchase the Apex from someone else.

As far as getting into the Apex, I only got as far as the Login and PW screen. I figure the Apex can be seen within my home network as I wasn't able to get that far before I changed the port configuration to use Port 80. But the previous owner sent me his login and PW; that didn't work and neither does admin and 1234 so I'll try the information you sent me and see where that takes me.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Bob Escher]

Yes I did purchase the Apex from someone else.

As far as getting into the Apex, I only got as far as the Login and PW screen. I figure the Apex can be seen within my home network as I wasn't able to get that far before I changed the port configuration to use Port 80. But the previous owner sent me his login and PW; that didn't work and neither does admin and 1234 so I'll try the information you sent me and see where that takes me.

Thanks for the help.

No worries let us know

 

[crs751]

Update I got into the Apex last night and linked it to Fusion. Now I need to figure out the programming. Moving in the right direction. Thanks for everyone’s help.

 

[Bob Escher]

Good news there are plenty of examples here to help you. There is one thread alone I think
It “ what I can do with my Apex or something like that. Another great place is the Neptune Systems forum Great place
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/

And please ask all the questions you need

 

[Flexin]

Congrats CRS!