Why doesn't this exist? Or does it?

[DanP-SD]

Great questions. The spring terminals would allow you to connect input devices other than the included momentary buttons. The most common is probably a float sensor. So, for example, you can install a float switch in your skimmer collection cup that will switch from open to closed when the cup is full and you can program the Apex to turn off the skimmer when the switch is closed with a single line of programming in the skimmer outlet as follows: "If Sw6 Closed then OFF." Of course you'd have to swap out "Sw6" for whatever name your Apex gives that terminal.

You could just as easily install a pressure button in your cabinet or a magnetic two-piece switch so that, when you open your cabinet a light goes on.

As for where they show up, as soon as you plug in a new break out box or one of these hybrid boxes, Apex will recognize it and place the new tiles in Fusion. You just need to drag them to where you want them and sometimes need a title trial and error to figure out which is which. If you follow my build instructions they will number sequentially in the order I mapped out above but depending on your configuration it may not start with Sw1.

As for the programming, that's beyond the scope of this thread and each use would be different. There are dozens of threads here on R2R that provide the code. One that I created for the automatic water change is: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/apex-programming-for-on-demand-water-change.293593/#post-3683473. If you search for your particular goal, chances are you'll find the answer. There are also great examples in the Neptune comprehensive user manual. If neither source gives you the answer, post a thread and the group here can help you design the code.

Good luck.

 

[JamesP]

You could just as easily install a pressure button in your cabinet or a magnetic two-piece switch so that, when you open your cabinet a light goes on.

We must be on the same wavelength as I do this too lol.

 

[LJC6780]

Great questions. The spring terminals would allow you to connect input devices other than the included momentary buttons. The most common is probably a float sensor. So, for example, you can install a float switch in your skimmer collection cup that will switch from open to closed when the cup is full and you can program the Apex to turn off the skimmer when the switch is closed with a single line of programming in the skimmer outlet as follows: "If Sw6 Closed then OFF." Of course you'd have to swap out "Sw6" for whatever name your Apex gives that terminal.

You could just as easily install a pressure button in your cabinet or a magnetic two-piece switch so that, when you open your cabinet a light goes on.

As for where they show up, as soon as you plug in a new break out box or one of these hybrid boxes, Apex will recognize it and place the new tiles in Fusion. You just need to drag them to where you want them and sometimes need a title trial and error to figure out which is which. If you follow my build instructions they will number sequentially in the order I mapped out above but depending on your configuration it may not start with Sw1.

As for the programming, that's beyond the scope of this thread and each use would be different. There are dozens of threads here on R2R that provide the code. One that I created for the automatic water change is: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/apex-programming-for-on-demand-water-change.293593/#post-3683473. If you search for your particular goal, chances are you'll find the answer. There are also great examples in the Neptune comprehensive user manual. If neither source gives you the answer, post a thread and the group here can help you design the code.

Good luck.

Thanks for all the info! I've ordered some of the parts but now have to decide what size box I want and what all I want on it! I think I may add a couple of toggle switches and a spring box along with the momentary buttons. Lots of room for expansion! I also got the multi colored buttons so hopefully it'll be easy to remember which switch is which. [emoji6] lol.

I'm sure I'll have fun figuring it all out!

 

[LJC6780]

Oh.. in planning for expansion.. is there a limit to how many switches you can add?

Could you add a box with a toggle for each outlet so that the power could be cut to an outlet manually? I have 20 outlets over 3 strips. I'm sure I don't NEED that many but it was part of a system I purchased from someone. Anyway, I'm thinking a manual power toggle would be nice. Is that possible?

Also, just so I'm understanding, the momentary buttons are pressed for a few seconds then whatever program you have attached will trigger, then revert when done, correct?

With a toggle switch you'd have to physically switch it back for it to revert, right?

And with the spring plugs you attach separate items such as float switches (and not sure what else) that you would also program to perform a specific function when engaged one way or the other ... do I have this all understood correctly?

Also, is it best to have these in one box or each type separately? Do you need a separate din cable for each 6 switches (6, right? 1 ground and 1 unused?) and can you somehow daisy chain multiple boxes together or do you need separate Apex ports available to add more?

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks for the info!

 

[JamesP]

I have a virtual outlet tied to each momentary button with a defer off statement basically making it latch for some period of time. I chose not to use physical toggles so i dont forget and leave it which is why it is more of a virtual latching toggle. I also have a 5 second defer on statement in the virtual outlet so i have to hold the button for 5 seconds to avoid accidental triggering. I would personnaly stay away from toggles. What if you toggle it then leave the house? I left my tank lights on for 3 days like that on accident and came home to an algae bloom and angry corals.

 

[LJC6780]

I have a virtual outlet tied to each momentary button with a defer off statement basically making it latch for some period of time. I chose not to use physical toggles so i dont forget and leave it which is why it is more of a virtual latching toggle. I also have a 5 second defer on statement in the virtual outlet so i have to hold the button for 5 seconds to avoid accidental triggering. I would personnaly stay away from toggles. What if you toggle it then leave the house? I left my tank lights on for 3 days like that on accident and came home to an algae bloom and angry corals.

I can see that, which is why I have everything so automated as it is. I guess I was thinking if I needed to shut something off NOW, I could flip a switch faster than I can find my phone, open the app, wait for it to connect, find the switch I need and then flip it. Say, the floor is flooding or something got sucked into a powerhead.. I also have a couple pumps hooked up so that I can pump water into the tank for water changes and a smaller pump for refilling my RODI reservoir. These I toggle from off to on and use them manually since there is no system in place for automation there.

Everything is pretty much automated except for water changes, filling the reservoir and feed buttons. But each feed button is programmed to automate pumps off and on and such. I just know it frustrates me to have to wait on the phone to load it all up just to flip a switch! Other than a couple I can think of off hand, the other toggles would mainly be for emergency shut off. And I wouldn't even really need all that if I could easily get to my power strips but they are all on boards by the wall behind the tank. I can reach them if I crawl under there but it's not fun or fast!

Do you know of a better way to have emergency shut off?

 

[JamesP]

I have an apex display module and i press up or down so it is a feed cycle to turn everything off. You could do somethung similar with a diy box like this. The feed is many hours so it will restart everythung if i forget. Now if im cutting apart pipe or something the only thing i trust is physically unplugging my return pump in addition to one of the above logical off methids.