Who got an Apex controller for Xmas?

[Velodog2]

This guy for one!

Got a Jr for my 18 nano. Spent yesterday setting it up and it is awesome! I made connecting to my network more difficult than necessary by trying to use an old router for the wifi hookup, during which I managed to brick my good router. $120 of stupidity tax. I ended up using a $50 Netgear universal wifi adapter that plugs into the Ethernet port on the Apex. It works great. My main need for this is monitoring the tank when I'm away since I'm trying to grow a little acro garden and any little hiccup will undo a lot of time and money. The web and app interfaces are great, as is the flexibility of the whole setup.

I think I will use the remaining 3 outlets for my return pump, skimmer pump, and fan for summer cooling. The Apex can be configured for chiller control which is just great. I want to add a moisture detector to the remaining aquabus port and program the pumps to shut down if it is activated, as well as sending out alarms of course. That covers the more likely failure modes. The power loss notification is still a problem that I need to work on. And I haven't quite been successful getting it to send an email but I don't think that will take much longer. Anyone know how to make it send a text message?

My LED lights are running ok on an old X-10 controller now, but I may get another 4 outlet expansion module in the future to integrate them.

Anyway I'm super pleased with my new toy and wanted to share the happiness.

And my last thought ... In trying to make my tank bulletproof I am making it completely dependent on one single piece of equipment that I am simply assuming will not fail. An independent observer may shake his head at that.

 

[Velodog2]

Yes! I'm the only one! Hahahahaha!

 

[Bow]

Lol I got one too. Tried the old router thing but wasn't working for me. So trip to best buy and it's good to go. Now just have to figure out the programming. Little more complicated then I thought it was going to be

 

[Velodog2]

Yes it is complicated. Have you been able to get access to it from outside your home network?

 

[Bow]

Haven't had time to try that yet. Want to get the programming done and hooked to the tank. Then I'll worry about getting to it from outside. Haven't ben able to do that till now I guess I can wait a while

 

[Spendley]

Enjoy your new toys, guys.

I got an ATO and just plugged it in yesterday. Much easier setup but still a great feeling when everything works right!

 

[Velodog2]

Finally got the outside network access working last night! It was a lot trickier than I expected. The instructions could have been better.

Now to resolve the email sending issue. And there is reference to texting capability at one point in the manual, but then there is no mention of how to make it happen.

 

[Bow]

I got the email and text setup. Let me know what you are stuck on

 

[trido]

I also got one for Christmas! I have an extra VDM, Extra EB8, Orp, a breakout box and also used an old DC8 as well for a total of 24 outlets, 8 variable speed/dimming ports and will use the breakout box for six on off switch's for various pumps and lighting. I haven't had time to completely set it up but look forward to getting some e-mail fail safes set up.

 

[Manaz101]

This might sound like a silly question, but I'm new to the apex. Can you use a wifi dongle instead of running an Ethernet cable? Is that what the netgear $50 piece you're talking about?

 

[Bow]

Yes the netgear piece takes place of running a cord. Think u still need to hardwire for software updates though

 

[Velodog2]

Yes Manaz, that is what the Netgear piece does, but it isn't a dongle - it connects to the ethernet port not a USB port. There were a lot of USB wifi adapters there and for less money but I shied away from those because the Apex literature emphasizes not to plug a USB device into the "Aquabus" ports. I think they look like USB ports, but don't function like them. That was my guess anyway.

 

[Manaz101]

OK, makes sense! Thanks for the quick response. I was thinking I wanted to get the apex and just started reading about this but was thinking I had to run a cable for it, makes life simplifier if I can just get an adapter.

 

[Velodog2]

Frankly Bow this email issue is surprisingly frustrating. I'm pretty sure I know everything to put into the blanks in the configuration, and have tried as many combos of variants as I can come up with, but a test email has not appeared. Any trick to this I'm missing? Oh yeah and while I'm asking, how do you get it to send a text?

 

[Bow]

Did u check the authenticate email box and enter your id and password? The alt email line can be used as text. But if you are using a smart phone it came in as 2 emails. Make sure you save and update at the bottom of the page

 

[Dapozer]

I got one also, a Lite. Had it plugged and running the tank in 15 min, However it took another 3 days to get outside access and to program what I wanted and needed. A little complicated for this non computer type person. Still haven't done alarms or email yet. I am impressed I got 2 of the feeds functioning and have used them both. awsome to schedule pumps, and skimmers to come on separate times after feeding. Think I am going to like it. However programming is a pain.

 

[Velodog2]

Yeah I've got the authenticate box checked with username and password in place. I've set this up on many devices before and never had a problem so there is something in there gumming up the works.

So you haven't really gotten a text function either it sounds like. It seems you would need to provide your phone number someplace for that to work unless there was a way to kludge it through email.

 

[bkv1997]

if your a verizon customer you can use your [email protected] as an email and it will text you the content.

 

[Bow]

I think the text is working because I get 2 emails. But the iPhone knows it's sent from an email account not a text number so it puts it in that folder. Could be wrong and if I am someone let me know.

 

[Velodog2]

Thanks bkv - I'm with ATT but I think there is a function like that with them too. It's been a long time since I'd thought about it and couldn't quite remember how it worked. Bow, if it doesn't come as a text, it's not a text lol. In an alarm situation I want a text notification. Emails are easy to ignore for hours.