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Thread: Diy audible alarm for Apex users without dispay

  1. #1
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    Diy audible alarm for Apex users without dispay

    This forum has been invaluable to me so it is time to give a little back.

    First thing first Disclaimer: this is diy and should be treated as such. I am not responsible for any damage as result of you using the following instructions. Test your equipment before fully relying on this as a fail safe.

    If you purchased a Apex 2016 without the display you won't get audible alarms. Or if you do have the display and find that the sound is a bit anemic you can make your own buzzer with the parts below. This requires that you have and eb832, fmm, or 1link device with an available 24v accessory port.

    Here is the buzzer https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Here are the plugs https://m.ebay.com/itm/2-sets-molex-...08?_mwBanner=1

    The black wire from the buzzer goes on top where the hook latch is and red on the bottom. Just to be safe check it before you stick crimps in to plug.

    If you are not comfortable with crimping the wires you can buy the NS 24v bare wire cable. I do also recommend having a display. When the internet goes down and you need help with you apex the display becomes an invaluable tool with lots of info.

    For the program I am using the following.
    Virtual outlet
    (Noise)
    Fallback off
    Set off
    If output leak = on then on
    Defer 000:10 then on

    Real Outlet
    (LinkA_2_9)

    Fallback OFF
    Set OFF
    OSC 000:00/000:01/000:05 Then ON
    If Output Noise = OFF Then OFF

    I will the first to admit this code probably isn't the best way to do it, so make sure you test it before relying on it.

    The buzzer is loud, it is like a smoke detector. The code above was designed so it buzzes for 1 second then off for 5 seconds. If you want an annoying constant tone don't use osc.

    There are different buzzers out there that make different sounds. I have one that makes the police siren noise ramping up and down. Just be sure what ever you get it is capable of handling 24v. Otherwise you may damage the buzzer or worse your Apex.


    Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

  2. #2
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    Hi MattD,
    Thanks Again for your help... You were giving me a hand on the other thread a (Audible Alarm). This looks pretty simple, so I might go with this. I was very worried about the sound level as I have an Autistic child and I don't want to scare the crap out of him! It's supposed to be a calming item, not a source of stress. I didn't know that you can set it to run on and off like that. When I get all the supplies I may get back to you on clarification on the programming side of things. Just one little piece of clarification... You mention that you need (among other things) an available 1Link, but I was wondering if you meant just one of the two 24VDC accessory ports? The 1Link seem to be 4 pin connectors... and the connectors you are showing are 2 pin. Or are these both reffered to as 1Link even though they are labelled differently on the Apex diagram? In any case I am guessing you are wanting me to connect it to one of the 2 pin 24V connectors?
    Thanks Again
    Ron
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    I set mine up much the same way, using the Neptune 24V cable. I activate it by linking it's state to that of the built-in audible alarm. I like your idea of using the OSC statement to keep the alarm from being one long continuous loud siren. (Note however that the Set statement is superfluous here; in general, Set and Osc statements are never used together.)

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    Frequent Visitor rkpetersen's Avatar
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    Ron Reade: Yes, you use the 24V port, not the 1Link port. The 1Link cable and connector includes both power and aquabus communication lines; the latter are not needed for this. However, the separate 1Link module also has 2 dedicated 24V ports in addition to its 3 1Link ports, so you could plug into that instead of the EB832 if you happen to have one.

  5. #5
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    Thanks Guys, I am on it! Just wanted to be sure since I am so new to all this.
    Cheers
    Ron

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  7. #7
    Frequent Visitor rkpetersen's Avatar
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    I use these loud high pitched buzzers. Unlike the built-in alarm, one of these will easily wake me in the middle of the night.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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    OK, I am in Canada, so getting some of these specific parts is a little harder (and or super expensive), so I have come up with some alternatives.... If Matt and rkp could look these over and let me know I would appreciate:
    Buzzer to be connected to alarm terminal: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00OK5Y12Y/...6DP1UD75&psc=0

    Buzzer to be connected to Warning sound terminal:
    https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00GYT1SOI/...6DP1UD75&psc=0

    or

    https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B008OTO4VK/...6DP1UD75&psc=0

    And I can get the connectors from here:

    https://www.digikey.ca/products/en?K...&v=1520&v=1720

    and the female crimp connectors:

    https://www.digikey.ca/product-detai...37CT-ND/467810

  9. #9
    Frequent Visitor rkpetersen's Avatar
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    Either of those buzzers would work. The second one you listed is the louder of the two, but I'd try to find one louder still. Or, you could wire up two or three of them in parallel. (I might actually try that myself.)

    Edit: Here's a louder one. https://www.amazon.ca/DC3-24V-Industrial-Discontinuous-Electronic-Buzzer/dp/B00B0Q58ZK/ref=pd_sim_469_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=X14HM DVWJ2P6W5S62BJC

    Second Edit: Ooooooh, this is the one. 95+ dB; that'll shake things up a bit. https://www.amazon.ca/SFM-27-Industr...A8WEPGC7FCWGHX

    Where do you buy official Neptune gear from? This is the cable I used: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dc24-...e-systems.html A little pricey but I'd just as soon not do my own connectors unless there is no reasonable OEM option.

  10. #10
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    Ron that is not the right connector from digikey. The female crimp looks fine though.

    Here is the correct one: https://www.digikey.ca/products/en?keywords=43025-0200

    As far as buzzers go those look fine. The ones rkp is recommending should work too. The one jamesreich recommended may be more suitable for your son but imnot 100% sure it will work like the others.

    I only use these buzzers as a hey wake up something bad is happening and use the display for less urgent noise.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by rkpetersen View Post
    I set mine up much the same way, using the Neptune 24V cable. I activate it by linking it's state to that of the built-in audible alarm. I like your idea of using the OSC statement to keep the alarm from being one long continuous loud siren. (Note however that the Set statement is superfluous here; in general, Set and Osc statements are never used together.)
    It's been a bit since I have had to do any programming so I just put set off as a force of habit. Good news is that it has been years since I did the program on my tank and it runs as expected. Just need to knock off some rust.

    And thanks for the input on this. Always good to have a second set of eyes on it.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Reade View Post
    I was very worried about the sound level as I have an Autistic child and I don't want to scare the crap out of him!
    I have no experience with autism, but would perhaps using a light work?. You could use an outlet and run an extension to a lamp and have it come on or flash instead of using a buzzer.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Todd View Post
    I have no experience with autism, but would perhaps using a light work?. You could use an outlet and run an extension to a lamp and have it come on or flash instead of using a buzzer.
    Hey Todd, Unfortunately a light would only work if I was in the room. The first buzzer I listed (85 DB), would only be triggered by the leak detector. Going on past experience I know that this is a true emergency and warrants a system that will rouse me no matter where I am in the house. I would then use one of the two second units... probably the much quieter (50DB) music one as the warning buzzer to take care of anything else that I may want to have an audible alarm for.

    MattD - I really love the idea of programming it to run intermittently as you have... this will definitely reduce the amount of stress created. Thanks for checking out those connectors... I would have definitely picked up the wrong one as I thought it had the same model number as the one you had listed. Apparently I have to pay more attention!

    rkpetersen - I think you may have missed the first buzzer I had listed for the Alarm... that one is 85DB and as loud as I want to go because of my son. Having said that 85DB is at the level of a standard fire alarm, so I am thinking that should do. The other two (50 and 65 DB) were just to be used as a warning sound for other issues... just in case I wanted something. I thought I would install it at the same time while I am setting up my new aquarium, but don't really have any plans for it at this time.

    Anyway, thanks all for your input and suggestions, it has been super helpful.
    Cheers
    Ron

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    I had bought this plug from ebay https://m.ebay.com/itm/2-sets-molex-...08?_mwBanner=1 but the terminal pins are way too short and will not make a connection with the power bar. I went a head and bought a USA made molex pin from this location

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Molex-2-4-6...53.m2749.l2649 and it works perfectly.

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