Vertex Cerebra Videos

chefjpaul · Jul 17, 2016

slief said:
There is only 1 USB connection on the power bar so you cannot daisy chain them. They either need to be connected directly to the controller or you need to use a USB hub which in my opinion isn't reliable. Having been in the computer industry for nearly 30 years and my core business being a server manufacturer, I have decades of experience with USB hubs and most fail after 12 months of continual use. This applies to most every decent commercially available USB hub I have ever used. I have trouble shot some many issues as a result to faulty USB hubs for color grading control surfaces to USB based RAID units and more that we've learned to recommend avoiding them for critical devices. Especially nearline data storage arrays. As such, using a USB hub for anything mission critical is not a good solution long term IMO.

That sucks big time.

watchguy123 · Jul 17, 2016

For those of us who haven't jumped on this controller yet, the information and discussion is so helpful. I have the apex and although I don't want to spend hundreds for a different controller, I've just never really enjoyed apex and its language, email of power failures after the fact, spotty connectivity with wifi, and Ethernet hook up for software upgrades. I appreciate that I am in the minority perhaps in terms of not being an apex fan. I am hopeful that this new controller proves better or at the least provides impetus for enhancements to apex/Neptune.

Anyway thanks for all the input guys, and keep sharing

FranklinDattein · Jul 17, 2016

In regards to USB, my opinion is a bit different. I certainly have seen the issue above, but high quality hubs will go a long shot like any other piece of electronics.

One test you guys should perform is how well the Cerebra manages the USB connections:
1. Does it alert if the USB cable is disconnected?
2. Given two sets of power outlets, when their USB plugs are swapped, does the computer acknowledge it and the software reacts accordingly?

slosoak · Jul 18, 2016

Not sure if you can answer this one, but if using 2 of the power bars with the temp probes, can the probe of one bar be assigned to the outlet of the second bar? I also have an apex that has worked well. Unfortunately I am not good with code and usually need someone in the Neptune community to write something up for me. I was interested in this also hoping it would be easier to program. Also my DT is on one floor with the sump and chiller in the basement.

FirstContact · Jul 19, 2016

fsamir said:
In regards to USB, my opinion is a bit different. I certainly have seen the issue above, but high quality hubs will go a long shot like any other piece of electronics.

What are high quality brand name USBs?

FranklinDattein · Jul 19, 2016

Anker is a brand I've had good tracking record. AH241 more specifically. There are better ones, but they are in the high price.

slief · Jul 19, 2016

FirstContact said:
What are high quality brand name USBs?

For mission critical servers and those used for film and post production equipment that my company manufacturers, we normally suggest optically isolated USB hubs. These aren't cheap and are typically $200+. I have not seen a single solitary inexpensive USB hub that lasts for years and being in the data storage and server manufacturing business for as many years as I have with well over 1000 servers and work stations in circulation, I have seen countless issues with cheap USB hubs. Everything from Anker to Belkin to APC, they have all had long term reliability issues. In my space, things like color grading control surfaces from JL Cooper to DaVinchi are often connected through USB hubs and we see them dropping off in Relove and Adobe. We also see this all the time with data storage RAID arrays dropping off and not being seen by the OS. After years of trouble shooting USB related issues, we try to avoid USB hubs where ever possible in favor of onboard USB. The only USB hubs that don't seem to fail after a year or two are those built into to high end professional grade displays as well as the high end isolated USB hubs. If a hub must be used, an isolated hub that includes a high quality AC power supply such as those from BB Electronics. In my opinion, with so much riding on our controllers, if a hub must be used and it's going to be the connectivity method between multiple modules, this isn't a place to cut corners because it's not if a cheap USB hub will fail, it's when.
These are one of the hubs we recommend in instances that hubs need to be used.
http://www.bb-elec.com/Products/USB-Connectivity/USB-2-0-Hubs/Industrial-Grade-USB-Hubs.aspx

slief · Jul 19, 2016

fsamir said:
Anker is a brand I've had good tracking record. AH241 more specifically. There are better ones, but they are in the high price.

We have tested and seen our share with the Anker hubs. They tend to run hot and we have seen our fair share of issues with them. Especially when under continual use of things like desk top storage arrays. Maybe they would fare better in the aquarium controller side but I can't help but wonder how the humidity and salty enviornment will impact them.

Sharvey103 · Jul 21, 2016

Following, mine just shipped Tuesday.

psirex · Aug 14, 2016

Any updates?

roosterchef · Aug 18, 2016

Scott, I know you are a major Apex power user, what are you looking for in the Cerebra? Or you just having fun with a new toy?

redddogg69 · Aug 20, 2016

How is using a USB hub different than Daisy Chaining powerbars together? I don't understand how daisy chaining would be more reliable than a hub. I understand what Slief is saying about longterm use of hubs, but would that not be tru of daisy chaining as well? and if so a hub is easy to replace, not so much an onboard usb in a powerbar.

AquaLoco · Aug 21, 2016

I just got my Cerebra. It did not come with mounting instructions. Any one have any idea how to mount the controller?

AquaLoco · Aug 21, 2016

Also, I used to use an Apex to run my Jabeo RW-8 pumps using the Apex Controller Linkage adapter. But the Apex uses an RJ-45 and the Cerebra uses an RJ-11. Anyone have any making a custom RJ-11 jack that works with the Apex Controller Linkage adapter?

psirex · Aug 21, 2016

AquaLoco said:
Also, I used to use an Apex to run my Jabeo RW-8 pumps using the Apex Controller Linkage adapter. But the Apex uses an RJ-45 and the Cerebra uses an RJ-11. Anyone have any making a custom RJ-11 jack that works with the Apex Controller Linkage adapter?

Find out which pairs are using then just diy it....

AquaLoco · Aug 22, 2016

Any one know the Cerebra pin assignments? The Jabeo Apex Controller Linkage adapter pin assignments are documented in other threads on this forum.

psirex said:
Find out which pairs are using then just diy it....

Lloydxmas · Aug 22, 2016

AquaLoco said:
Any one know the Cerebra pin assignments? The Jabeo Apex Controller Linkage adapter pin assignments are documented in other threads on this forum.

AquaLoco · Aug 22, 2016

Thank you so much Lloyd.

Lloydxmas · Aug 22, 2016

I have to make the same cable for my jebaos too. Let me know how it turns out.

Bombard76 · Nov 26, 2016

These posts are from July and August... Is the cloud up yet? What are you impressions with the unit now that you have had if for a few months? I am deciding whether to buy one tonight.