+KimP Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Has anyone programmed an outlet using the display only? I'm in middle of moving and don't have the ability to control it through my computer at that house. My temps have been having huge fluctuations so I finally broke down and bought a heater. Problem is I can't get the temp stable with the heater. I'm thinking the best thing to do is crank the heater all the way up and let the apex control it. Is that a good idea? If so, I'm having trouble getting the outlet programmed using the display. I need to get this stable because I'm losing corals :/ moving sucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Definitely do NOT max out the heater. Use the heater's controls as the primary, and use the Apex as a backup control, per se. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 ACK! do you have a laptop and a router? you dont have to have an internet connection, all you have to do is be on the same network. i would go that route before i cranked a heater up to max (unless its an undersized heater). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 This is my programming Fallback OFFIf Temp < 76.7 Then ONIf Temp > 77.0 Then OFF I have my Heater's temp set to 77-78 just in case the apex outlet was to fail. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 This is my programming Fallback OFF If Temp < 76.7 Then ON If Temp > 77.0 Then OFF I have my Heater's temp set to 77-78 just in case the apex outlet was to fail. My heater outlet failed and i had NO idea. The heater stayed on all summer long, chiller cycled for an entire summer and i thought it was just because i was running closed tops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 My heater outlet failed and i had NO idea. The heater stayed on all summer long, chiller cycled for an entire summer and i thought it was just because i was running closed tops I experienced the same problem 2 summers ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 This is my programming Fallback OFF If Temp < 76.7 Then ON If Temp > 77.0 Then OFF I have my Heater's temp set to 77-78 just in case the apex outlet was to fail. My heater outlet failed and i had NO idea. The heater stayed on all summer long, chiller cycled for an entire summer and i thought it was just because i was running closed tops Working equipment compensating for failing equipment = ugly electricity bill. Alternately the tank would have been cooked if not for the chiller. I have my heater and chiller about a degree higher and lower than the apex. This way, I let the Apex control it, but the failsafe is the thermostat in the heater and chiller. I also calibrate the Apex temperature probe about every 2 months, and it needs adjustment every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 Good thing I asked It's a 300watt. I cannot get the thing to keep anywhere near a stable temp on its own. I have a laptop and a router there, we even still have internet service, but my apex went through the downstairs router which is now at the new house. So I can't access the apex anymore. If it's not doable easily through the display then I'll have my husband get it to work. I am clueless with this network stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 You should be able to program the Apex network interface through the display. But, I'm assuming you had it physically plugged into the router with an ethernet cable. Do you have any idea if you set a static IP address? If not it should be available as soon as you plug it into the new router, you will just need to figure out what the new IP address is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 how long has the heater been in? depending on the size of the tank it could take a day or two, but i wouldn't think you should be getting huge fluctuations in it. maybe you got a bad heater? undersized heater? the dial may not match the temp that it is set to, so you may have to fiddle with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 You can also use this program to find the IP address if it's plugged into the new router: http://www.neptunesys.com/ApexBrowse_pc.zip or for mac: http://www.neptunesys.com/ApexBrowse_mac.zip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 Well I got a chance to mess around with the display again. If I can make this work then I won't have to fool with the networking stuff. I set the outlet as a heater. What temp spread do people like to use? Ideally the temp would stay between 77-78. That's also the default settings. I didn't realize the apex would control both ends, turning it on and off according to the temp. Also what should I set the heater itself on? It didn't put out any heat at all until I turned it up to 90. It sat completely cold for days when I set it to 78. Maybe the heater's a dud :/ And should I increase the range in the apex settings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 I would set it to like 84 on the heater (to see if you can get it to engage), and then max our your heat at 80 in the apex. if i had a spare heater I'd offer it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted January 14, 2014 Author Share Posted January 14, 2014 I would set it to like 84 on the heater (to see if you can get it to engage), and then max our your heat at 80 in the apex. if i had a spare heater I'd offer it I'll try that. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mitch Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Heater definitely sounds broken. I have a new spare I got from BRS you are welcome to. Just replace with another new one at the next GB. Lmk as i'm North, but work South (M/T/Th). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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