Brown out issues

[idpitt]

During some summer thunderstorms, my Apex setup ( Apex, AWM, break out etc) has not rebooted cleanly, leaving the ATO running but the lights off. Even with a Fallback OFF on the ATO outlet, the pump has kept running almost overflowing the tank. The brownout wasn't enough to trigger various network equipment. I've installed a UPS to ride through these outages but is there a reason why the Apex won't reboot cleanly and take control of everything? Latest firmware etc...

[aquamanic]

Your ATO pump might be too small to shut-off properly. What kind of pump and what outlet # is it running on?

[idpitt]

That had crossed my mind. It's on a triac outlet of an EB8 and is an Innovative Marine Hydrofill. It switches on and off fine when everything is working correctly. I could move it to a relay output.

[aquamanic]

Looks like it draws 10w. That's not a lot but should be enough for a Triac.

Can you post your ATO code?

[idpitt]

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Depth CLOSED Then ON
If Depth OPEN Then OFF
If Overfl OPEN Then OFF
If Leak_L CLOSED Then OFF
If Leak_R CLOSED Then OFF

I have just added the initial Set OFF and the last two leak detection lines (more for completeness than anything else). I was hoping the Fallback OFF would be enough to ensure the ATO wouldn't kick in upon partial reboot.

[aquamanic]

I have just added the initial Set OFF

That may have been all it needed. Except in a few cases you almost always need a Set statement to establish a baseline for the rest of the program.

[idpitt]

That may have been all it needed. Except in a few cases you almost always need a Set statement to establish a baseline for the rest of the program.

Ok and Thanks. I'll see how it works out. With an incomplete boot (the status light was flashing , not solid green), I'm guessing the EB8 was left in an inconsistent state. I always thought the fallback off would take care of that but I have a lot to learn about the Apex. With the set off and the UPS installed, hopefully I won't have anymore near over flows.

[aquamanic]

Your understanding of Fallback is correct - if the EB is flashing yellow it means it can't communicate with the controller. In that case it will set outlets to their fallback state. However, once communications are resumed, fallback is ignored and the program takes over. In your case, there was nothing to define a starting point for the outlet. If every possible on condition had an associated off or vice versa, it wouldn't be a problem.