New Apex eB4 appears as EB8

Phaedreef · Jul 17, 2021

I just recently purchased 4 brand new EB4's to add to my set up. Three of them register correctly with the Apex controller and appear as EB4's. One of them however insists as appearing as an EB8. I have deleted and tried re-adding a few times. Has anyone seen this before? Is it a bad EB4 where it was incorrectly flashed at the factory as an EB8?

SuncrestReef · Jul 17, 2021

Go into the EB4's Configuration page, then choose Software Update and save the changes. This should clear up the problem.

Phaedreef · Jul 17, 2021

SuncrestReef said:
Go into the EB4's Configuration page, then choose Software Update and save the changes. This should clear up the problem.

I tried this, and unfortunately no change... still thinks it's an EB8. Thanks for the suggestion though!

SuncrestReef · Jul 17, 2021

Joseph Trost said:
I tried this, and unfortunately no change... still thinks it's an EB8. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Are you the same person who also posted this EB4 problem on the Neptune Facebook group? If not, it's interesting that two people have the exact same problem on the same day.

Which model of Apex do you have, and what version of AOS is it running?

Phaedreef · Jul 17, 2021

Hi, no I didn't post on Facebook, so two people I guess (interesting coincidence....). This is an ApexEl running 5.06 7D21. I do also have a full Apex running the same software, but haven't tried plugging into that system, as it's running a 500 gallon stony coral reef, and I didn't want to get into something odd happening in that setup.... The EL runs a 100 gallon softy setup that my wife loves.

This all started because I had two EB832's fail within two weeks of each other on the 500 gallon setup each with the 5V power supply issue and decided to replace all of them on both setups before I had anymore fallout..... In total I've replaced 5 EB832's with a combo of EB8's and EB4's. Only this one EB4 has given me trouble....

Phaedreef · Jul 17, 2021

Joseph Trost said:
Hi, no I didn't post on Facebook, so two people I guess (interesting coincidence....). This is an ApexEl running 5.06 7D21. I do also have a full Apex running the same software, but haven't tried plugging into that system, as it's running a 500 gallon stony coral reef, and I didn't want to get into something odd happening in that setup.... The EL runs a 100 gallon softy setup that my wife loves.

This all started because I had two EB832's fail within two weeks of each other on the 500 gallon setup each with the 5V power supply issue and decided to replace all of them on both setups before I had anymore fallout..... In total I've replaced 5 EB832's with a combo of EB8's and EB4's. Only this one EB4 has given me trouble....

I just requested membership on the Facebook group... I didn't know it existed, but would like to follow the other problem posted there...

raullozano3 · Jul 17, 2021

Hey I am the guy that posted on Facebook with the same problem, hmm sounds a HW issue, how recent you got the EB4 and from where, maybe a bad batch with firmware of an EB8? you know the typical identity crisis . I will open a ticket soon but sounds too suspicious.

Flameback Pair · Jul 17, 2021

Joseph Trost said:
This all started because I had two EB832's fail within two weeks of each other on the 500 gallon setup each with the 5V power supply issue and decided to replace all of them on both setups before I had anymore fallout.....

@Joseph Trost what 5V power supply issue are you talking about?

Phaedreef · Jul 17, 2021

EB4 is brand new bought this week from a large online retailer. I don't want to get into which one, and cause any issues.

Phaedreef · Jul 17, 2021

powers2001 said:
@Joseph Trost what 5V power supply issue are you talking about?

If you do a search on EB832 5V you should find some threads in reference to this.... I found them after digging around trying to understand the failures I had, and then taking the failed EB832's apart....

SuncrestReef · Jul 17, 2021

powers2001 said:
@Joseph Trost what 5V power supply issue are you talking about?

See:

Another attempt at fixing Apex EB832

Some of my previous repairs: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/radion-xr30-complete-no-light-repair.792711/ https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/radion-lights-board-level-repair.774331/ https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ai-hydra-fan-connector-repair-significant-corrosion.793402/ First off, let me...

www.reef2reef.com

raullozano3 · Jul 17, 2021

Joseph Trost said:
EB4 is brand new bought this week from a large online retailer. I don't want to get into which one, and cause any issues.

well i did buy it too from one too, retailers just resale the HW i was just trying to get into if there was a bad batch of EB4

raullozano3 · Jul 19, 2021

Just an update, I did open a case and I am getting it RMA, it seems there has to be a Firmware reprogram on the device.

Phaedreef · Jul 19, 2021

Thank You! I will open a case as well.

Daimyo68 · Aug 11, 2021

Joseph Trost said:
Thank You! I will open a case as well.

This is a firmware issue that started when they released 7d21.

I have 3 eb832 units working just fine before I applied this update...

After the update, 3 bricked EB832's within 1 week.

On all 3 units, the fan is not working now, and although it shows the outlets being controlled, they have no voltage at them. I confirmed this on all 3 units..

Not exactly happy at the moment...

BZOFIQ · Aug 11, 2021

I guess it's time to plug the collection of new EB4 and EB8 I bought recently to make sure all is good for a new setup.

Daimyo68 · Aug 11, 2021

I'll also add, this wasn't an isolated issue with me.

3 EB832's on 3 separate systems, in 3 different client locations, minimum of 20 miles away from each other.

The 7D21 update was quickly replaced with the 7F21 update and now the 8C21 update... all within 3 weeks time... little fishy

_AV · Aug 11, 2021

How old are your EB832s?
I'm not 100% convinced the problem is with the update. Although, can't rule it out either.
The 12v PSU is a much more widespread issue and I wouldn't be surprised if older EB832s are failing rapidly.
If your EB832s don't have the UL sticker on the back under the mounting plate, plug them into power in a darker room and check if you can see a dim read light inside between 120V outlets on the right front side of the unit. If you don't see the red light, the problem is with the hardware and not firmware.

The symptoms you are describing are much more indicative of the 12v PSU hardware problem than the firmware.

Daimyo68 · Aug 12, 2021

1 year 10 months
1 year 4 months
1 year 1 month

I confirmed the power light/s on all of them, and they are indeed out, and also confirmed with a 3 fans not working (the other telltale sign), and know of the issue related to the power step-down module, I've replaced 2 of them in the past.

But 3 eb832s inside 2 weeks with identical failures ( loss of 110v at every socket no matter if in Auto or ON) right after updating to 7D21...

BZOFIQ · Aug 12, 2021

Daimyo68 said:
1 year 10 months
1 year 4 months
1 year 1 month

I confirmed the power light/s on all of them, and they are indeed out, and also confirmed with a 3 fans not working (the other telltale sign), and know of the issue related to the power step-down module, I've replaced 2 of them in the past.

But 3 eb832s inside 2 weeks with identical failures ( loss of 110v at every socket no matter if in Auto or ON) right after updating to 7D21...

Planned obsolescence