APEX with PX1000 and breakout box

badbones · 12/21/2009, 09:58 AM

I have/had an ac3 pro set up and working perfect. I just upgraded to the apex with a few small problems. 1) is seems to drop the second probe on the PX1000 and change to orpA.
But the big problem is I cant get the breakout box to work with float swithches. I have a top off and skimmer off float switch and neither seeem to work now. They were fine b4.

I have the skimmer on 24/7 and went to the advanced tab and inputed this

If SwitchA2 OPEN Then ON
If SwitchA2 CLOSED Then OFF

is this correct? I also used simialr for the top off but with switch A6

I only have 1 px1000 on the system.

kenargo · 12/21/2009, 10:41 AM

You need to enable PHA2 then the ORP/PH input on the PX1000 will change to a PH input as you want.

Yes, the program you have for the PX1000 floats appear correct; it does take about 6-8 seconds before the switch is seen from a PX1000.

badbones · 12/21/2009, 12:13 PM

with my ac3 pro, the float switch would take effect in a sec or 2 when triggered. I have one float in my skimmer cup to turn off in case of overflow. I take the lid off, and leave if for 10 minutes and the switch wont trigger. I changed nothing other than plugging in to the apex. no other wires were added or changed and all items are from neptune. I just can figure it out.

Also is there a way to copy my program from the apex like i could with ac3pro in case i need to reprogram?

swearint · 12/21/2009, 12:29 PM

Do you have the breakout box connected to the Apex or to the PX1000? If connected to the Apex, remove the 'A' so that they are Switch1, Switch2, etc.

Todd

badbones · 12/21/2009, 01:24 PM

its connected to the breakout box as the px1000 goes to the apex

swearint · 12/21/2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbones

its connected to the breakout box as the px1000 goes to the apex

I am not sure what you mean. The Apex has an I/O port and the PX1000 has an I/O port. The BreakOut Box has and I/O connector that plugs into the port. Which port is it plugged into? If you have it plugged directly into the Apex I/O port, then the 'A' is not needed.

Todd

badbones · 12/21/2009, 02:24 PM

The breakout box is connected to the PX1000 I/O port and the PX1000 connects to the APEX I/O. and this is the program i use for my skimmer

If SwitchA2 OPEN Then ON
If SwitchA2 CLOSED Then OFF

Meitzler · 12/22/2009, 12:25 AM

The APEX comes with 6 digital input. If you add the P1000, you still only have a total of 6 digital inputs. Without the P1000, they are switch1, ...switch 6. With the P1000, they are switchA1, ...switchA6. So adding a P1000 to the APEX does not expand the number of digital inputs. At times, mine does not recognize the P1000. Still trying to understrand.

swearint · 12/22/2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meitzler

The APEX comes with 6 digital input. If you add the P1000, you still only have a total of 6 digital inputs. Without the P1000, they are switch1, ...switch 6. With the P1000, they are switchA1, ...switchA6. So adding a P1000 to the APEX does not expand the number of digital inputs. At times, mine does not recognize the P1000. Still trying to understrand.

I don't actually have a PX1000, but the website and online manual would lead me to believe that is incorrect.

http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?...d=30&Itemid=40

According to the manual:

Each PX 1000 will add the following functionality:
Monitor/Control pH, ORP, and temperature or 2 pH and temp probe.
6 digital inputs for float switches, water on floor sensors, pressure sensors, etc.
Full datalogging support in AquaController and AquaNotes. (1024 data points per measured parameter)
Up to 7 expansion modules can be used. For an AC3 that would make a total of 24 probes, and 42 digital
inputs.
Attaches to AquaController 3's I/O port with a 5' cable.
Automatic Plug N Play PX 1000 module detection.
Additional Expansion modules daisy chain off the previous expansion module.

For the OP, have you tried moving the breakout box directly to the Apex port and seeing if that works?

Todd

Meitzler · 12/22/2009, 10:43 AM

You must buy 2 P1000s in order to get the additional 6 digital inputs. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

kenargo · 12/22/2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meitzler

You must buy 2 P1000s in order to get the additional 6 digital inputs. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

You don't loose all inputs if you use a PX1000 but it takes some DIY to get to the unused inputs.

You can split out the wires and use inputs #1 and #2 from the Apex. Inputs #3-6 are used for PX 1000 communication.

You could also get a PM1 (with comes with 6) as an alternative. The PM1 is nice as it isn't limited in distance as the PX1000 is.

Meitzler · 12/22/2009, 11:18 AM

I have not seen the PM1 for sale yet. But, it looks like a great solution.

swearint · 12/22/2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenargo

You don't loose all inputs if you use a PX1000 but it takes some DIY to get to the unused inputs.

You can split out the wires and use inputs #1 and #2 from the Apex. Inputs #3-6 are used for PX 1000 communication.

You could also get a PM1 (with comes with 6) as an alternative. The PM1 is nice as it isn't limited in distance as the PX1000 is.

Thanks for the clarification Ken, that was not obvious from the manual. I assumed that the PX1000 used a seperate data connection, like a DC8, for communication and left the mini-DIN8 free for additional inputs. The PM modules are a definite design improvement.

Todd

kenargo · 12/22/2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meitzler

I have not seen the PM1 for sale yet. But, it looks like a great solution.

They are here: http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?...mart&Itemid=26

12/21/2009, 12:29 PM	#4
swearint Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,644	Do you have the breakout box connected to the Apex or to the PX1000? If connected to the Apex, remove the 'A' so that they are Switch1, Switch2, etc. Todd __________________ Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Current Tank Info: 125g Reef

12/21/2009, 09:58 AM	#1
badbones Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 908	APEX with PX1000 and breakout box I have/had an ac3 pro set up and working perfect. I just upgraded to the apex with a few small problems. 1) is seems to drop the second probe on the PX1000 and change to orpA. But the big problem is I cant get the breakout box to work with float swithches. I have a top off and skimmer off float switch and neither seeem to work now. They were fine b4. I have the skimmer on 24/7 and went to the advanced tab and inputed this If SwitchA2 OPEN Then ON If SwitchA2 CLOSED Then OFF is this correct? I also used simialr for the top off but with switch A6 I only have 1 px1000 on the system.

12/21/2009, 10:41 AM	#2
kenargo Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 8,212	You need to enable PHA2 then the ORP/PH input on the PX1000 will change to a PH input as you want. Yes, the program you have for the PX1000 floats appear correct; it does take about 6-8 seconds before the switch is seen from a PX1000. __________________ Click on my name to visit my homepage and access a collection of AquaController and Apex software, tips, trick and other Q&A including a link to the 'unofficial Apex new users guide' with loads of helpful information and don't forget to put a pin in my location map. Current Tank Info: 225G, BK 300 Deluxe, Deltec PF601, Precision Marine Kalkreactor, 2-LMIII+6 pumps, SpectraPure UHE, Apex, LunarSim, Tunze 6305s. Mixed reef, clam, fish, etc.

12/21/2009, 12:13 PM	#3
badbones Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 908	with my ac3 pro, the float switch would take effect in a sec or 2 when triggered. I have one float in my skimmer cup to turn off in case of overflow. I take the lid off, and leave if for 10 minutes and the switch wont trigger. I changed nothing other than plugging in to the apex. no other wires were added or changed and all items are from neptune. I just can figure it out. Also is there a way to copy my program from the apex like i could with ac3pro in case i need to reprogram?

12/21/2009, 01:24 PM	#5
badbones Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 908	its connected to the breakout box as the px1000 goes to the apex

12/21/2009, 02:24 PM	#7
badbones Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 908	The breakout box is connected to the PX1000 I/O port and the PX1000 connects to the APEX I/O. and this is the program i use for my skimmer If SwitchA2 OPEN Then ON If SwitchA2 CLOSED Then OFF

12/22/2009, 12:25 AM	#8
Meitzler Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richland, WA Posts: 188	The APEX comes with 6 digital input. If you add the P1000, you still only have a total of 6 digital inputs. Without the P1000, they are switch1, ...switch 6. With the P1000, they are switchA1, ...switchA6. So adding a P1000 to the APEX does not expand the number of digital inputs. At times, mine does not recognize the P1000. Still trying to understrand.

12/22/2009, 10:43 AM	#10
Meitzler Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richland, WA Posts: 188	You must buy 2 P1000s in order to get the additional 6 digital inputs. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

12/22/2009, 11:18 AM	#12
Meitzler Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richland, WA Posts: 188	I have not seen the PM1 for sale yet. But, it looks like a great solution.