Water Alarms
- Thread starter btkrausen
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I got one from Lowe's. $12.95 and have it in the flow my RO/DI takes when I forget that I am making water. It has saved me from flooding my carpet at least a half dozen times.
Shop Basement Watchdog Battery Operated Water Alarm at Lowes.com
Shop Basement Watchdog Battery Operated Water Alarm at Lowes.com
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btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
Nice, thanks for that.
FWIW, I tried the leak detector that BRS sells, which can tie into your RODI output, so if there is a leak, it'll stop the flow. It worked out ok, but the cable wasn't long enough for me, so I ended up not using it.
FWIW, I tried the leak detector that BRS sells, which can tie into your RODI output, so if there is a leak, it'll stop the flow. It worked out ok, but the cable wasn't long enough for me, so I ended up not using it.
swannyson7
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I have two of the ones that TB aquatics sells. I use one in my tank stand, and the other for my RO tub. I'll try to find a link for the one to use with a breakout box
swannyson7
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Here's an excerpt from the apex new user guide:
Another device known to work with the Apex and a BB is the Waterbug water sensor (WB-200). This device requires its own mini-controller which will handle up to 4 Waterbug devices. The controller attaches directly to the BB which in turn, connects to the Apex. It is recognized as just another switch to the Apex and you can test for it in outlet programs (i.e. turn off pumps, send email, etc.). In fact, you can connect dry contact switch that is normally open or closed to the BB. The contacts can only have 0 – 5V of power – power beyond that will damage the base module.
Another device known to work with the Apex and a BB is the Waterbug water sensor (WB-200). This device requires its own mini-controller which will handle up to 4 Waterbug devices. The controller attaches directly to the BB which in turn, connects to the Apex. It is recognized as just another switch to the Apex and you can test for it in outlet programs (i.e. turn off pumps, send email, etc.). In fact, you can connect dry contact switch that is normally open or closed to the BB. The contacts can only have 0 – 5V of power – power beyond that will damage the base module.
swannyson7
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It also gives links for a few other things that you can hook up on your breakout box:
Cheaper water sensor Water Level, Leak, Flood Sensor, USWLS
Humidity Sensor Humidity Sensor HA-1 #1190 - Smarthome
Float Switches Aquahub Homepage
Magnetic contact switches Surface Mount Miniature Magnetic Contact Switch, Normally Closed - Smarthome
Cheaper water sensor Water Level, Leak, Flood Sensor, USWLS
Humidity Sensor Humidity Sensor HA-1 #1190 - Smarthome
Float Switches Aquahub Homepage
Magnetic contact switches Surface Mount Miniature Magnetic Contact Switch, Normally Closed - Smarthome
Seems like a handy device to have even outside of an aqurarium.....but i still feel things go wrong as soon as you leave the house LOL. Would be nice to have a texting functionality.
swannyson7
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Thats where the alarm hooked up to a breakout box on the apex comes in. You can get a text and an email :wink:
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btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
Apex can text. Just send an email to your phone number. If you have Verizon, its Phone#@vtext.com. ATT is Phone#@txt.att.com I believe.
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btkrausen
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swannyson7
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If you don't already have it, make sure you download the unofficial apex new user guide. (You can google it) It's long, but chock full of useful information :wink:
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btkrausen
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Yeah, I've see that one, and need to get it. I've been using the Apex for over a year now, and controllers for many more years
Thanks for the reminder though.
Man i cant even imagine what it would be like reading that email. Talk about a heart dropping feeling!
swannyson7
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The worst part is decoding it. It will just send you a text and list your parameters and give you the on/off.auto state of each outlet. That's where the virtual outlets come in to play. Unless you set up a virtual outlet to show the state of the water alarm, you won't know what the problem is. As long as you have your apex set up with some forethought, then you can turn pumps on or off, and hopefully prevent the problem from getting worse....and of course pretend you're sick to go home from work ASAP, lol
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btkrausen
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Oh yeah, I agree, but its better than sitting upstairs, with your tank leaking, and not knowing, haha. I can't hear my smaller ones go off from upstairs.
swannyson7
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I have an alarm to help notify me of necessary maintenance too. For instance, if one float switch is tripped, and the other isn't for more than 30 minutes, I get a text with an alarm message. Better to know that it's time to replace a $5 float switch ahead of time and remedy one of the failsafes before the second one fails and you wind up with a flood. I keep a few extras on hand and it takes about 2 minutes to switch them out. The Apex can be a real life saver with some planning.
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btkrausen
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How many things, like float valves and such, can you put on a single breakout box. Can multiple boxes be daisy chained to the Apex?
swannyson7
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You can hook up 6 switches to a single B.O.B. I don't think you can daisychain, but you could probably hook up a second with an expansion module. Let me check...
i don't see any expansion modules that have another I/O port. I guess I was thinking of the DA controllers with the system labs. Whoops!
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btkrausen
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I remember looking for the water detectors a while back that people recommended with the Apex but couldn't find them or they were pricey. Water detection is the biggest reason I want it, with other protection next.
