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Thread: Random changes for Float Switches on Breakout Box

  1. #1
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    Random changes for Float Switches on Breakout Box

    I bought my Apex Breakout box to add four float switches to my system... 1)
    Skimmer Cup Full Vertical Float Switch installed on the lid of my skimmer cup;
    2,3,4) Ca/Alk/Mg Doser Reservoir Empty Horizontal Float Switches installed at
    the bottom of each reservoir section.

    Simple installation.... drilled the
    holes, screwed the sensors in, took one lead from each sensors and spliced them
    together to the ground socket on the Breakout Box.... took the remaining lead
    from each sensor and screwed them into socket 1,2,3,4 of the breakout box.
    Seemed simple enough.

    Switch 1... the vertical float switch seems to be
    working fine and stable. Switch 1 is CLOSED when the lids is on normal... Sw1
    flips to OPEN whenever I turn the lid upside-down simulating a full cup.
    Good!

    However, the Horizontal Switches seem to be randomly changing state of their
    own accord. I watch my control panel... they open... they closed.... for no
    apparent reason.

    What would cause this??? The connections are all solid
    and firmly seated. Plus... they are flipping back and forth with nothing
    touching the connections... no physical stimulus.

    I assume the wires don't matter which is ground and which is taken to the switch....

    I also assume one wire from each sensor goes to ground.... right?

    Thoughts please, thanks for the help in advance

  2. #2
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    Look to see if you have Probe Expansion enabled described in this post
    https://forum.neptunesystems.com/sho...ll=1#post96569
    Jon

  3. #3
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    Power Monitor was ON... I switched it to OFF.... watching now to see if that resolved it.... need to review the rest of that thread as well.... thanks for the reference...
    M

  4. #4
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    Well Power Monitor wasn't it.... still changing state on it's own. Did not find Probe Expansion... must not be in mine.... That was a great post... made a few updates based on it... but none of that seems to be solving the problem. Still random switch states in the horizontal float switches.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by jonmos75 View Post
    Look to see if you have Probe Expansion enabled described in this post
    https://forum.neptunesystems.com/sho...ll=1#post96569
    Totally separate question.... how'd you do the "My Apex Status" and "My Apex Programming" links??? That's cool!

    Joy.... now my EB8 is not connecting on the AquaBus at all... no green light.... I'm tired... I'll look again in the morning.

  6. #6
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Random changes for Float Switches on Breakout Box

    Quote Originally Posted by OmegaJedi View Post
    Well Power Monitor wasn't it.... still changing state on it's own. Did not find Probe Expansion... must not be in mine.... That was a great post... made a few updates based on it... but none of that seems to be solving the problem. Still random switch states in the horizontal float switches.
    Are you positive Probe Exp is not present?
    Attachment 3368

    Which model of Apex do you have?
    Please do not send me PMs with technical questions or requesting assistance - use the forums for Apex help. PM me ONLY if the matter is of a private or personal nature. Thanks.

  7. #7
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Which switches are randomly changing - 2, 3, & 4, or just 3 & 4, or ???
    Please do not send me PMs with technical questions or requesting assistance - use the forums for Apex help. PM me ONLY if the matter is of a private or personal nature. Thanks.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by RussM View Post
    Are you positive Probe Exp is not present?
    Attachment 3368

    Which model of Apex do you have?
    Thanks for that.... Found it... Probe Exp was on.... turned it off.

    Apex Gold..... several years old. Running the latest firmware version 4.40_3A16

    My newer and biggest issue is that my EB8 suddenly died during this.... no status light at all.... It's plugged in... the outlet is providing power.... is it just dead suddenly? (&$R#!..... This is a bit frustrating

  9. #9
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    Have you tried the reset button on the EB8? If it got hit with too many amps it trips off.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Frogfish View Post
    Have you tried the reset button on the EB8? If it got hit with too many amps it trips off.
    The reset didn't do it... but I bought a new one... I'll trouble shoot the old one later.

  11. #11
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    It seems to be just 3 and 4 randomly switching. 1 and 2 seem stable.

  12. #12
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    I moved the leads from 3 and 4 to 5 and 6.

    I then used some spare outlets and programmed them...

    Fallback OFF
    If SkmSw1 OPEN Then ON
    If SkmSw1 CLOSED Then OFF

    and turned LOG On

    Did that for each switch to log any switch configuration changes.

    Tested it on the Skimmer cup lid... logged perfectly.

    I am going to run that for a bit without touching anything and see if the switches are stable and not changing. Then I will test the switches for 1,2,5,6..... Don't know how the circuitry is internal to the breakout box but it appears I have a bad Switch 3,4

  13. #13
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Did you reboot after disabling Probe Expansion as instructed in this sticky? https://forum.neptunesystems.com/sho...robe-Expansion
    Please do not send me PMs with technical questions or requesting assistance - use the forums for Apex help. PM me ONLY if the matter is of a private or personal nature. Thanks.

  14. #14
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    Been stable for a while now on 5/6 instead of 3/4

    I love Neptune Apex products... but reliability and product quality is a real issue they need to work on. I've gave up on DOS units because mine kept failing even after I returned several times... the Auto Fish Feeders I also gave up on.... I love the functionality... but I don't like stuff failing out of the box.... now I have to go through the hassle of return etc. etc.

  15. #15
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Please see my previous post.
    Please do not send me PMs with technical questions or requesting assistance - use the forums for Apex help. PM me ONLY if the matter is of a private or personal nature. Thanks.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by RussM View Post
    Please see my previous post.
    I missed the reboot instruction.... I'll do that and retest it.

    Restarted it... then moved the lead from 5 back to 3.

    Appears stable.... you're the man!! I'll watch it for a while and verify.

    M

  17. #17
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    Russ, wanted to thank you again. Appreciate it.
    Mark

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