Used apex with rust

[Mhamilton0911]

Hello all. In my first venture into controllers, I bought a used apex classic. Upon initial inspection, both ends of the included aquabus cable are rusty and the ports on the brain show corrosion as well. The cable end on the display is rusty as well. I have not powered anything on yet. Will test this all tomorrow.

Questions, Is it usable. Is it cleanable?

Obviously I can buy new aquabus cables, but I showed it so get a scope of how corroded the ports on the brain would be.

I understand this is usually mounted in sump areas that have moisture. So I'm thinking this must be a widespread issue. Is this level of corrosion common?

In my set up, it will be in a dry cabinet.

 

[AstroCoral]

Almost all of my used aquabus cables will rust given enough time and exposure to moisture. I just do my best to keep the cables dry and away from moisture. That said, it does seem like your aquabus ports have a considerable amount of rust, I am not sure about the safety of rusty cables/ports.

 

[FUNGI]

I wrap me cable ends in cling film (plastic food wrap)........

 

[Jmp998]

No expert-but I would not be able to sleep at night knowing that is plugged in. Not worried about the tank, worried about the house burning down. Maybe you could send to the repair guy (I forget his name) to look over and see if it is safe internally.

 

[Jmp998]

@_AV

 

[_AV]

Certainly not in an ideal condition
When I get something like this in for repair, those ports get replaced right away.
It may still work depending on the condition of the pins and what's inside the unit. How long it will work in this condition is anyone's guess. Corrosion like this does not just stop if placed in a dry cabinet.
The issue with aquabus ports is that they tend to fry other modules if shorted. You will risk damaging your EB8 or any other modules you have connected, PM1, DOS, etc.

 

[exnisstech]

Certainly not in an ideal condition
When I get something like this in for repair, those ports get replaced right away.
It may still work depending on the condition of the pins and what's inside the unit. How long it will work in this condition is anyone's guess. Corrosion like this does not just stop if placed in a dry cabinet.
The issue with aquabus ports is that they tend to fry other modules if shorted. You will risk damaging your EB8 or any other modules you have connected, PM1, DOS, etc.

Curious do you think packing the connector with dialectic grease would help prevent this on a new unit? We used to do it on electrical connectorson cars but I'm not sure if it would help or hurt on this type of device?

 

[exnisstech]

Certainly not in an ideal condition
When I get something like this in for repair, those ports get replaced right away.
It may still work depending on the condition of the pins and what's inside the unit. How long it will work in this condition is anyone's guess. Corrosion like this does not just stop if placed in a dry cabinet.
The issue with aquabus ports is that they tend to fry other modules if shorted. You will risk damaging your EB8 or any other modules you have connected, PM1, DOS, etc.

Curious do you think packing the connector with dialectic grease would help prevent this on a new unit? We used to do it on electrical connectorson cars but I'm not sure if it would help or hurt on this type of device?

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Certainly not in an ideal condition
When I get something like this in for repair, those ports get replaced right away.
It may still work depending on the condition of the pins and what's inside the unit. How long it will work in this condition is anyone's guess. Corrosion like this does not just stop if placed in a dry cabinet.
The issue with aquabus ports is that they tend to fry other modules if shorted. You will risk damaging your EB8 or any other modules you have connected, PM1, DOS, etc.

How does one go about getting the ports replaced?

This is my first time with an Apex, haven't even gotten it plugged in yet. Not sure if I should or not.

This was definitely not something shown in pictures, it looked like a perfect unit.

 

[_AV]

Curious do you think packing the connector with dialectic grease would help prevent this on a new unit? We used to do it on electrical connectorson cars but I'm not sure if it would help or hurt on this type of device?

It probably won't hurt the device as long as the grease is dielectric. Although, read my post on what does happen with apex modules when internal components are covered in gooey substances :

Apex FMM Module Causes Head Unit Reboot

Some of my previous repairs: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/repairing-eb832-aquabus-power-issues-or-why-head-unit-reboots-again.830684/ https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/another-attempt-at-fixing-apex-eb832.804717/...

www.reef2reef.com

It would get messy though plugging and unplugging the cables. Also, car connector pins are usually bulky and will have plenty of contact surface. I'd be worried about some tiny pins on apex connectors not having a good contact if grease gets in the way.

 

[_AV]

How does one go about getting the ports replaced?

This is my first time with an Apex, haven't even gotten it plugged in yet. Not sure if I should or not.

This was definitely not something shown in pictures, it looked like a perfect unit.

I can look at everything for you: https://www.fixreef.com/mail-in-repair/

Although the repair cost for an older apex is usually comparable with the cost of a used unit. But then again, finding used units in good condition is also challenging.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello all. In my first venture into controllers, I bought a used apex classic. Upon initial inspection, both ends of the included aquabus cable are rusty and the ports on the brain show corrosion as well. The cable end on the display is rusty as well. I have not powered anything on yet. Will test this all tomorrow.

Questions, Is it usable. Is it cleanable?

Obviously I can buy new aquabus cables, but I showed it so get a scope of how corroded the ports on the brain would be.

I understand this is usually mounted in sump areas that have moisture. So I'm thinking this must be a widespread issue. Is this level of corrosion common?

In my set up, it will be in a dry cabinet.

When i had this unit, it too had this. I took a q-tip with WD-40, cleaned up the rust and used another to coat the terminals with WD-40 as a rust resistor

 

[nothing_fancy]

The cable is easily replaceable but the dual USB port should 100% be replaced. The part should be available via mouser. The internals should really be cleaned out with contact cleaner but beware that the solution can off gas so you shouldn't use it near your tank and let it dry for at least a couple days before plugging it up near your sump. Electronics such as this should stay away from sumps in my opinion if theres an option to house them someplace else. Probe cables and things like that are usually very long and aqua bus cables are generally long and can be jumped.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I payed about 100 for the unit with a display. I think I'll do my best with cleaning, new aquabus cables and at least attempt to use it long enough to know whether or not I'm an Apex person. Then I'll decide if I like the controller to fix it or buy new.

This is certainly a learning experience, and any future used equipment I'll ask about rusted parts and cables prior to buying.

Thank you for the link to the repair website, I might end up repairing this unit in the future if I like the whole product and app and the whole apex experience.

Thank you all for your input.

Last question, should I bother to tell the member I bought from that the unit was rusty, or chock it up to a learning experience?

 

[FUNGI]

No expert-but I would not be able to sleep at night knowing that is plugged in. Not worried about the tank, worried about the house burning down. Maybe you could send to the repair guy (I forget his name) to look over and see if it is safe internally.

Its low voltage and amps....

 

[FUNGI]

"Last question, should I bother to tell the member I bought from that the unit was rusty, or chock it up to a learning experience?"....
IMO, buyer should have asked/Seller should have mentioned....Live and Learn.....

If you are good with a soldering iron, the replacement port costs no more then $5.....

 

[Dburr1014]

Hello all. In my first venture into controllers, I bought a used apex classic. Upon initial inspection, both ends of the included aquabus cable are rusty and the ports on the brain show corrosion as well. The cable end on the display is rusty as well. I have not powered anything on yet. Will test this all tomorrow.

Questions, Is it usable. Is it cleanable?

Obviously I can buy new aquabus cables, but I showed it so get a scope of how corroded the ports on the brain would be.

I understand this is usually mounted in sump areas that have moisture. So I'm thinking this must be a widespread issue. Is this level of corrosion common?

In my set up, it will be in a dry cabinet.

Was the seller up front with you about this issue?
Shame on the seller if they were not upfront with the condition.

What else came with the unit?
This alone is definatly not worth $100. I'd be sending it back to them, imo.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

"Last question, should I bother to tell the member I bought from that the unit was rusty, or chock it up to a learning experience?"....
IMO, buyer should have asked/Seller should have mentioned....Live and Learn.....

If you are good with a soldering iron, the replacement port costs no more then $5.....

I do agree with this, this was my inexperience showing. I certainly will not make that mistake again. Where is the source of parts? My husband might tackle that if I end up replacing with a new unit, if I'm already tossing it is a good time to experiment.

Was the seller up front with you about this issue?
Shame on the seller if they were not upfront with the condition.

What else came with the unit?
This alone is definatly not worth $100. I'd be sending it back to them, imo.

It was just sold as " working condition" no mentions of the rust.


Although I did mention that this was my first Apex anything, that I'm totally new to controllers.


I think ultimately it was a learning experience and I'll be more cautious with another purchase. I did buy separate from a different member an eb8 that looks new, no rust anywhere and I do see others for sale with obvious rust on the screws. I may not have seen it if I unboxed at the tank where the room is darker apart from the tanks lights. Maybe the seller missed it? If you unhooked it working, then one would assume it's fine?


Maybe my feelings in that dept will change if I can't get it to work at all.

 

[FUNGI]

I do agree with this, this was my inexperience showing. I certainly will not make that mistake again. Where is the source of parts? My husband might tackle that if I end up replacing with a new unit, if I'm already tossing it is a good time to experiment.



It was just sold as " working condition" no mentions of the rust.


Although I did mention that this was my first Apex anything, that I'm totally new to controllers.


I think ultimately it was a learning experience and I'll be more cautious with another purchase. I did buy separate from a different member an eb8 that looks new, no rust anywhere and I do see others for sale with obvious rust on the screws. I may not have seen it if I unboxed at the tank where the room is darker apart from the tanks lights. Maybe the seller missed it? If you unhooked it working, then one would assume it's fine?


Maybe my feelings in that dept will change if I can't get it to work at all.

Replacement Ports: Tons of choices....just google. Try to get 3.0 if possible

 

[Dburr1014]

I do agree with this, this was my inexperience showing. I certainly will not make that mistake again. Where is the source of parts? My husband might tackle that if I end up replacing with a new unit, if I'm already tossing it is a good time to experiment.



It was just sold as " working condition" no mentions of the rust.


Although I did mention that this was my first Apex anything, that I'm totally new to controllers.


I think ultimately it was a learning experience and I'll be more cautious with another purchase. I did buy separate from a different member an eb8 that looks new, no rust anywhere and I do see others for sale with obvious rust on the screws. I may not have seen it if I unboxed at the tank where the room is darker apart from the tanks lights. Maybe the seller missed it? If you unhooked it working, then one would assume it's fine?


Maybe my feelings in that dept will change if I can't get it to work at all.

Also, I hope they factory reset it for you. That can be a pain in the neck also.