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Thread: Top off alert outlet

  1. #1
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    Top off alert outlet

    Just when I thought I totally understand how the apex works...sometimes I just don't.

    I want to program an alert outlet to turn on if the auto topoff bucket is empty. My goal is that this outlet should remain off the entire day and only check once a day to see if the topoff is low. If the SW6 float is closed...indicating that the top off bucket is not low then the outlet should stay off.

    The issue I have is that this outlet comes on every day no matter what.

    Help


    LowATO virtual outlet

    Set OFF
    If Time 20:00 to 20:01 Then ON
    Defer 000:59 Then ON
    If Sw6 CLOSED Then OFF

    Thanks






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  2. #2
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    It's not clear where the float switch is positioned, because these two statements are somewhat contradictory: "if the auto topoff bucket is empty" and "indicating that the top off bucket is full". The first phrase implies that the float switch is mounted low in the container, but the second one implies that the float switch is mounted high.
    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.

  3. #3
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    The float is at the bottom of the container, and it is turned upside down, so that it remains closed if the water is higher than the float


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  4. #4
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    The alert outlet is as follows:


    Set OFF

    If Output LowATO = ON Then ON



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  5. #5
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    Thanks for the quick response Russ!


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  6. #6
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    Top off alert outlet

    I am thinking of reprogramming this using the new "On Error" function, will this resolve the issue?


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  7. #7
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    Ok so after writing all this... I changed the code, we will try this..


    Set OFF
    If Time 20:00 to 20:01 Then ON
    Defer 000:59 Then ON
    If Sw6 OPEN Then ON



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  8. #8
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    You could use the When command in the CheckATO VO and If Error command in the email output, but there's a drawback to doing so in this case... if the reservoir is low, and the VO goes into error state, the email alarm will be continuously ON. An ATO low reservoir condition is not usually super critical, and does not warrant immediate action or continuous alerts. Instead, I would do it in a manner that only triggers an alert about ATO reservoir being low a couple of times a day, so you get reminders at a regular but not too frequent intervals amd without holding the email alarm output ON continuously until you reset the VO to AUTO.

    [ATO_Empty] /// the VO
    OSC 480:00/1:00/239:00 Then ON
    If Sw6 CLOSED Then OFF

    This will turn on the output at 8AM and 8PM briefly (for 1 minute) only if the reservoir is low. I chose the OSC values so that the twice-per-day events occur at times which are not annoying - I wouldn't want to get an alert about this at 3AM - that would make me an unhappy camper

    [EmailAlarm]
    {your other programming}
    If Output ATO_Empty = ON Then ON

    Adjust the OSC as desired, or alternatively, you can just use If Time statements instead of the OSC.

    [ATO_Empty] /// the VO
    Set OFF
    If Time 08:00 to 08:01 Then ON
    If Time 20:00 to 20:01 Then ON
    If Sw6 CLOSED Then OFF
    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.

  9. #9
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bpiermat View Post
    Ok so after writing all this... I changed the code, we will try this..


    Set OFF
    If Time 20:00 to 20:01 Then ON
    Defer 000:59 Then ON
    If Sw6 OPEN Then ON
    This is wrong because it does not accomplish what you said you wanted. - the outlet will turn on when the ATO reservoir level is low and will stay on until you refill it. The last line needs to be If Sw6 CLOSED Then OFF so that it prevents the outlet from turning on if the reservoir is not nearly empty.
    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.

  10. #10
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    Yes that would be bad, your code is good, I will try it


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  11. #11
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    Top off alert outlet

    So as a side thought, if I wanted to keep using the defer command, I would have to invert the outlet, i.e. Make it always "ON" and that " OFF" would mean send me a notification.....is that the jist of it? Or will that not work either?

    Note: by outlet I mean the outlet on the apex, the float will be set to open to trigger the alarm


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  12. #12
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
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    You just need this

    Set OFF
    If Time 20:00 to 20:01 Then ON
    If Sw6 OPEN Then OFF


    The problem was you had the logic flip flopped on the switch line. Since you said you want it to email you if the switch is closed.

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  13. #13
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by zombie View Post
    Set OFF
    If Time 20:00 to 20:01 Then ON
    If Sw6 OPEN Then OFF

    The problem was you had the logic flip flopped on the switch line. Since you said you want it to email you if the switch is closed.
    He said this: "The float is at the bottom of the container, and it is turned upside down, so that it remains closed if the water is higher than the float" So it should be If Sw6 CLOSED Then OFF to prevent the outlet from turning ON unless the water level is low.
    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
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
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    Haha. Read through it too quickly. It could still be done as

    VOname
    Set OFF
    If Time 20:00 to 20:01 Then ON
    If Sw6 CLOSED Then OFF

    Email
    Other stuff
    If Outlet VOname = ON Then ON


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  15. #15
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    Yes that would work...but the defer command was meant to top the alert from being sent if the sensor accidentally bounces at the same moment the time is also on...which does not work

  16. #16
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
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    I wouldn't even bother with a defer. If the float is low enough to bounce it's low enough to be considered empty.

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  17. #17
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bpiermat View Post
    Yes that would work...but the defer command was meant to top the alert from being sent if the sensor accidentally bounces at the same moment the time is also on...which does not work
    In a container with no water movement, what are the chances of that happening just the right moment? Pretty slim, eh?

    But, if you really want to, you could debounce it with a brief Defer, like this:

    [ATO_Empty] /// the VO
    Set OFF
    If Time 20:00 to 20:01 Then ON
    If Sw6 CLOSED Then OFF
    Defer 0:30 Then ON

    Now, the switch must be closed for 30 seconds before anything can happen.
    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.

  18. #18
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    That's what I had before, it does not work, the "on" defer does not pair with the if sw6 "off" and the switch always turns on at 20:01.

  19. #19
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
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    Have you checked in the dashboard that the switch actually shows OPEN when empty and CLOSED when it's not?

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  20. #20
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    Hi guys sorry to hijack the thread, i just dont know how to post a new thread. Zombie recently helped me with shutting off my pump after x ammout of time with command
    When On > 000:30 Then OFF
    Now how do i get my apex to alert me when this happens so i know to turn t back on or correct it?

  21. #21
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carlos_rendon View Post
    Hi guys sorry to hijack the thread, i just dont know how to post a new thread. Zombie recently helped me with shutting off my pump after x ammout of time with command
    When On > 000:30 Then OFF
    Now how do i get my apex to alert me when this happens so i know to turn t back on or correct it?
    Select the proper subforum and there will be an icon to post a new thread. Since this is close enough to on topic I'll still answer here and Russ can move it if he wants to.


    You can get an indication in your email by adding an if error statement to your email outlet. The basic syntax is this

    If Error outlet_name Then ON


    You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.

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