Best price for WaterBug?

[kenargo]

Anyone??? I need to get 2 units.

[Daniel Reef]

I was actually looking for this recently and saw this link:

http://www.smarthome.com/7160/WaterBug-Water-Sensor-WB-200/p.aspx

[Hawkdl2]

I've been looking for a while and that is about the best price I've seen. Someplace had them for $48 or so, but I think shipping was a more.

[Lightsluvr]

I was actually looking for this recently and saw this link:

http://www.smarthome.com/7160/WaterBug-Water-Sensor-WB-200/p.aspx

I did my due diligence, and this was the cheapest place I found...

LL

[thebradybunch]

Here you go. I just ordered mine from this guy on Ebay. It shipped the next day and is brand new. I couldn't be happier with the service.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150380700162&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The Waterbug sells for $24.99 and $5.99 for shipping

[GentlemanBean]

Here you go. I just ordered mine from this guy on Ebay. It shipped the next day and is brand new. I couldn't be happier with the service.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150380700162&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The Waterbug sells for $24.99 and $5.99 for shipping

Thanks for the tip! I just submitted my purchase.

[kenargo]

Nice; thanks.

[jjstecchino]

Here you go. I just ordered mine from this guy on Ebay. It shipped the next day and is brand new. I couldn't be happier with the service.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150380700162&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The Waterbug sells for $24.99 and $5.99 for shipping

Thanks, bought one!

[Daniel Reef]

They are all sold out on the ebay site. Can anyone let me know their experience with the water bug and if they are easy to use? I would also like to know if you connected the waterbug to Apex and what code you used. Thanks.

[kenargo]

They are all sold out on the ebay site. Can anyone let me know their experience with the water bug and if they are easy to use? I would also like to know if you connected the waterbug to Apex and what code you used. Thanks.

To the Apex (or AC3 family) the Waterbug works like a switch; there are contacts that are closed when water is detected. Programming would be the same as any float switch; example:

If Switch1 OPEN Then OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON

[tuckdawaytoo]

Quick question: Can you just use the switch and wire direct to the I/O of the Apex? It is much cheaper to buy just the switches $19/each. Seems like the main unit is overkill since we already have the Apex to recieve signal???

[Daniel Reef]

Quick question: Can you just use the switch and wire direct to the I/O of the Apex? It is much cheaper to buy just the switches $19/each. Seems like the main unit is overkill since we already have the Apex to recieve signal???

Do you have the link where they sell just the switches?

[studcoop]

I am in the same process using the waterbug with the Apex unit. I have the waterbug kit but I am waiting for the apex unit to show up along with the i/o breakout box. I would like to see pictures on how people are hooking this up. Or at least how to connect to the i/o box.

[tuckdawaytoo]

Just the switch for $19.99

http://www.smarthome.com/7161/WaterBug-Extra-Water-Sensor-W-S-U/p.aspx

[tuckdawaytoo]

So anyone with a waterbug already running. Is the main unit necessary or just the switch. I would think that if the switch is a normally open circuit that is closed by the water you could wire directly to Apex unit.

[tuckdawaytoo]

For those of you with an apex that would like a quick I/O alternative:

I purchased a six foot 8 Din Male to Male connector here for $8:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MD8-Mini-Din-8-Minidin-8-pin-Male-Male-6-ft-cable_W0QQitemZ370266908667QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5635a0a7fb

Went to Radio shack for 8 section terminal block $2.99

and Project box $2.99

Total $14

I cut the one end off the connector checked each wire and matched color to pin # using meter:

Pin 1 BRN
2 BLU
3 ORG
4 RED
5 GRN
6 YEL
7 PRP
8 BLK

Works great. If someone wants a photo let me know.

The terminal bar is great as it has two sides with screws you attach the side from the Apex to one side of the bar and then the other side has 8 screws to attach each of your items.

[Daniel Reef]

So anyone with a waterbug already running. Is the main unit necessary or just the switch. I would think that if the switch is a normally open circuit that is closed by the water you could wire directly to Apex unit.

If you find out, let me know.

[Gomer]

since salt water is very conductive, can you do a dirt cheap DIY setup effectively using a wire loop with a break in it at the sensor location? In the super ghetto fabulous way, taping 2 wires connected to the apex with the other ends taped to the floor with a 1/4 " spacing? If you need to sense a potential, you can just hook a battery or wallwart inline

[Hawkdl2]

The WB sensor is not a float switch and cannot be wired directly to the Apex (or AC3). The sensor is a conductivity or resistivity detector that triggers a relay in the WB main unit that will close a circuit that can be detected by the Apex. There is a discussion of this with a comment from Curt here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1235114&page=2 - and the links within.

Don't forget that you also have to get a 12V adapter for the WB200 - required to trigger the intenal relay.

[Daniel Reef]

Any input as the whether this product is good? Especially those that bought it from e-bay, was the seller a good seller?

[GentlemanBean]

i bought mine from the seller linked above and couldn't be happier. it shipped quickly and arrived in perfect condition.

[rsuplido]

I'm wondering if you can just use something like this directly to the AquaController:

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-48-2800-water-sensor-switch.aspx

[Daniel Reef]

I'm wondering if you can just use something like this directly to the AquaController:

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-48-2800-water-sensor-switch.aspx
Anyone know this answer?

[kenargo]

Anyone know this answer?


From the description yes, it should work. Basing my answer on the information that suggests there is a contact closure on water contact.

It appears that you will need a 5 v power supply to power the circuitry.

If you go this route report back if it 'really' works.

[Gordonious]

Well almost a year later and no report back from that one and those ebay items people were snagging up are gone as well. :-(

[Hawkdl2]

I installed one of the ebay WB systems and it seems to be working fine. The seller was great and it came in in brand new condition - although that's moot at this point. I've tested it twice with a wet rag across the terminals and the Apex responded appropriately.

[Gordonious]

Were they the "WaterBug" brand name products just at a cheaper price on ebay or was it more like one of the water sensors? Just trying to figure out what all the options are.