Help. Breakout box has stopped functioning

Bent · 03/21/2018, 08:02 PM

Good lord just as I almost had this crap finished

For some reason my breakout box has quit working.

I touch two short wires together on every one and it just acts like nothing happens

Everything was working fine. This isn’t a complicated device what the hell happened?

I’m so displeased with the apex it’s not even funny.

ca1ore · 03/21/2018, 08:31 PM

Make sure the DiN plug is fully seated. I’ve had them work loose and the switches stop working.

Bent · 03/21/2018, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Make sure the DiN plug is fully seated. I’ve had them work loose and the switches stop
Working.

It’s seated.

So far I’ve unplugged it, plugged it back in.
Deleted the module, reinstalled the module

Noting is working. Would it suddenly be dead for some reason?

Bent · 03/21/2018, 08:40 PM

How can this stupid thing suddenly be trashed? There’s nothing to it.

I was merely plugging another float switch in now it won’t respond to anything I do.

Bent · 03/21/2018, 08:48 PM

I’m starting to think it’s the pm2 module.

When I disconnect the breakout box, the inputs remain.
When I delete the module totally from the local dashboard and add it back, the inputs come back exactly how they were named previously....even if the break out box isn’t connected to the pm2.

Bent · 03/21/2018, 09:01 PM

Ok breakout box looks fine? I dismantled the thing, there’s not much to these so I’m not sure how it’s possible for it to be trashed.

Good lord it’s probably the pm2. That’s just fantastic

Bent · 03/21/2018, 09:05 PM

Ok figured it out. The breakout box circuit is trashed I guess. I touch the two wires to the first circuit directly on the board and boom. Closed.

What a piece of crap

d0ughb0y · 03/21/2018, 09:08 PM

if you are using apex fusion to see the status, it can take maybe a minute (seems like forever when you are waiting) for the app to update. You can use the native webpage to view the switch status.

d0ughb0y · 03/21/2018, 09:09 PM

I think you can short all the wires together and it should not damage anything. the connections are all input pins and one ground.

Bent · 03/21/2018, 10:02 PM

So I just cut the cable from the break out box and directly connected my ATO float switch to the corresponding wires directly.

Works fine.

So new break out box here I come. Yay.

Won’t be a Neptune one.

ca1ore · 03/21/2018, 10:13 PM

I highly recommend the avast version of the breakout box. I bough a few of the kits .... and I am the worlds worst solderer.

Bent · 03/21/2018, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I highly recommend the avast version of the breakout box. I bough a few of the kits .... and I am the worlds worst solderer.

That’s the one I have my eye on.

One more thing...the dang time won’t set on the local UI.

If I go to fusion, Time is correct. If i go to my computer, time is correct.

If I go to the apex local address, it says it’s December 2008. autoset is enabled...

What gives.

SBV · 03/22/2018, 05:58 AM

Controllers are junk.

After I had a switch stick in the ON position for top off I sold mine years ago and have never looked back.

fishyguy7 · 03/22/2018, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBV

Controllers are junk.

After I had a switch stick in the ON position for top off I sold mine years ago and have never looked back.

That’s why I never rely on one switch

I have a backup too everything and then anything that is controlled by a switch is also set to only run for a max number of minutes. Controllers are not dumb, they can really be a blessing however, they are not foolproof and need backups.

FullBoreReefer · 03/22/2018, 04:06 PM

DIY...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2383435

Mrramsey · 03/23/2018, 07:46 AM

Every time I start to even consider getting an apex controller one of these threads pops up. I agree the BOB is a simplistic device, heck I won't even call it a device because it literally does nothing. Really makes me question the quality control on these items for the price they are fetching.

03/21/2018, 08:02 PM	#1
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Help. Breakout box has stopped functioning Good lord just as I almost had this crap finished For some reason my breakout box has quit working. I touch two short wires together on every one and it just acts like nothing happens Everything was working fine. This isn’t a complicated device what the hell happened? I’m so displeased with the apex it’s not even funny. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

03/21/2018, 08:31 PM	#2
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Make sure the DiN plug is fully seated. I’ve had them work loose and the switches stop working. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/21/2018, 08:40 PM	#4
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	How can this stupid thing suddenly be trashed? There’s nothing to it. I was merely plugging another float switch in now it won’t respond to anything I do. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

03/21/2018, 08:48 PM	#5
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	I’m starting to think it’s the pm2 module. When I disconnect the breakout box, the inputs remain. When I delete the module totally from the local dashboard and add it back, the inputs come back exactly how they were named previously....even if the break out box isn’t connected to the pm2. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

03/21/2018, 09:01 PM	#6
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Ok breakout box looks fine? I dismantled the thing, there’s not much to these so I’m not sure how it’s possible for it to be trashed. Good lord it’s probably the pm2. That’s just fantastic __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

03/21/2018, 09:05 PM	#7
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Ok figured it out. The breakout box circuit is trashed I guess. I touch the two wires to the first circuit directly on the board and boom. Closed. What a piece of crap __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

03/21/2018, 09:08 PM	#8
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	if you are using apex fusion to see the status, it can take maybe a minute (seems like forever when you are waiting) for the app to update. You can use the native webpage to view the switch status.

03/21/2018, 09:09 PM	#9
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	I think you can short all the wires together and it should not damage anything. the connections are all input pins and one ground.

03/21/2018, 10:02 PM	#10
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	So I just cut the cable from the break out box and directly connected my ATO float switch to the corresponding wires directly. Works fine. So new break out box here I come. Yay. Won’t be a Neptune one. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

03/21/2018, 10:13 PM	#11
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I highly recommend the avast version of the breakout box. I bough a few of the kits .... and I am the worlds worst solderer. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/22/2018, 05:58 AM	#13
SBV Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 260	Controllers are junk. After I had a switch stick in the ON position for top off I sold mine years ago and have never looked back. __________________ Will race for Christ Current Tank Info: 120 LPS RR, 40 gal. fuge

03/22/2018, 04:06 PM	#15
FullBoreReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wooster, OH Posts: 1,862	DIY... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2383435 __________________ 60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016.

03/23/2018, 07:46 AM	#16
Mrramsey NEO Reefer Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Hudson Ohio Posts: 1,801	Every time I start to even consider getting an apex controller one of these threads pops up. I agree the BOB is a simplistic device, heck I won't even call it a device because it literally does nothing. Really makes me question the quality control on these items for the price they are fetching. __________________ Mike My 120 Build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2389417 Current Tank Info: 120g In-Wall \| BA Overflow \| 55g Sump \| SWC Extreme 150 Skimmer \| DIY ATO \| 2 Jebao RW-8\| Fluval SP6 \| Photon 48v2 LED \| GFO and Carbon