Vortech keeps going "missing" from WXM

jankyjameson · 04/01/2012, 08:28 PM

I recently connected a WXM module to my Apex system, updated firmware on all modules and on my MP40. It seemed to be working fine just after setting up...I created a few profiles, put a simple "set" profile into the Vortech outlet program, and let it run. Over the last few days since then, the Vortech and the WXM have lost communication with each other several times. No light shows on the Vortech module, and a green status light shows on the WXM. In the status screen on the web browser, next to where the Vortech is in Auto, it says "Missing".

I thought it might be because of a physical distance of a few feet that was between the WXM and the Vortech module, but I put them within inches of one another and it has happened twice since then. Any threads already on this topic, or anyone with a similar experience?

souperman · 04/01/2012, 09:01 PM

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. I think I am having communication issues with my WXM and MP40s. I have not seen them drop off of the WXM, but I am having weird problems with the pumps in pulse mode. It almost seems like one pump is getting confused and begins to fire in sync with the other instead of async. Normally they async up again after a few minutes but not before destroying any standing wave I had going.

Amoore311 · 05/24/2012, 06:42 AM

Anything ever come of this?

I'm having a similar problem now too. The space between the WXM and the Vortech Controllers is maybe 2', at the very most.

milkman55 · 05/24/2012, 06:57 AM

The distance is not the issue. My WMX is in the basement below my tank and about 15" across the room. I get "missing" from time to time, but it always corrects itself. Been running my WMX with two MP40's since the product was first introduced. No problems.

Check your status page to make sure all the firmware is up to date.

Amoore311 · 05/24/2012, 09:37 AM

I'll double check the firmware tonight after work.

I've had the WXM since launch as well, I was actually on the pre order list for it. Hopefully this works out, as my one pump has been "missing" for quite some time now lol.

aquamanic · 05/24/2012, 01:49 PM

You should also check the pump driver's firmware. This can only be done by counting the blinking lights on power up. There will be a series of fast then slow that indicate version. Could be your Apex and WXM are current but the pump drivers are not.

jankyjameson · 05/24/2012, 01:50 PM

Yes, something did come of it actually. Never figured out exactly what was causing the issue, but my Apex firmware was not current. Updated the Apex firmware, deleted the Vortech and reinstalled it, and everything has worked fine ever since. Let me know if the firmware update works for you, I'd be interested to know.

Also, another unrelated Apex noober mistake I was making (not that you were making this one, but in case anyone else is reading)...I had my Vortech physically plugged into an outlet on my EB8, but since the WXM creates a virtual outlet for the Vortech, this was the only one I was paying attention to. When I looked at the physical outlet it was plugged into, it was running a cycle when it should have been set to just run 24hr. So that caused me some initial confusion as well.

gregorfd · 06/09/2013, 08:10 AM

Having a very similar issue. All firmware is current. MP40 has gone "missing" for quite some time now. Deleted the outlet and re-slaved. LED blinks blue/yellow but no virtual outlet is created. I know the WXM is working because I have a MP40es connected that is working fine. Unplugged the MP40es when attempting to re-slave the MP40 so I know that wasn't the problem.

Interested in those that have had this issue and solved it.

04/01/2012, 08:28 PM	#1
jankyjameson Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: austin, tx Posts: 57	Vortech keeps going "missing" from WXM I recently connected a WXM module to my Apex system, updated firmware on all modules and on my MP40. It seemed to be working fine just after setting up...I created a few profiles, put a simple "set" profile into the Vortech outlet program, and let it run. Over the last few days since then, the Vortech and the WXM have lost communication with each other several times. No light shows on the Vortech module, and a green status light shows on the WXM. In the status screen on the web browser, next to where the Vortech is in Auto, it says "Missing". I thought it might be because of a physical distance of a few feet that was between the WXM and the Vortech module, but I put them within inches of one another and it has happened twice since then. Any threads already on this topic, or anyone with a similar experience?

04/01/2012, 09:01 PM	#2
souperman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 262	I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. I think I am having communication issues with my WXM and MP40s. I have not seen them drop off of the WXM, but I am having weird problems with the pumps in pulse mode. It almost seems like one pump is getting confused and begins to fire in sync with the other instead of async. Normally they async up again after a few minutes but not before destroying any standing wave I had going. __________________ No.

05/24/2012, 06:42 AM	#3
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	Anything ever come of this? I'm having a similar problem now too. The space between the WXM and the Vortech Controllers is maybe 2', at the very most. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

05/24/2012, 09:37 AM	#5
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	I'll double check the firmware tonight after work. I've had the WXM since launch as well, I was actually on the pre order list for it. Hopefully this works out, as my one pump has been "missing" for quite some time now lol. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

05/24/2012, 01:49 PM	#6
aquamanic WHO DAT?? Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 5,709	You should also check the pump driver's firmware. This can only be done by counting the blinking lights on power up. There will be a series of fast then slow that indicate version. Could be your Apex and WXM are current but the pump drivers are not. __________________ I don't work for Neptune. Please put all questions into forum posts and not PM's. Visit the Neptune Community Forums for the latest Neptune updates - forum.neptunesystems.com

05/24/2012, 06:57 AM	#4
milkman55 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 832	The distance is not the issue. My WMX is in the basement below my tank and about 15" across the room. I get "missing" from time to time, but it always corrects itself. Been running my WMX with two MP40's since the product was first introduced. No problems. Check your status page to make sure all the firmware is up to date.

05/24/2012, 01:50 PM	#7
jankyjameson Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: austin, tx Posts: 57	Yes, something did come of it actually. Never figured out exactly what was causing the issue, but my Apex firmware was not current. Updated the Apex firmware, deleted the Vortech and reinstalled it, and everything has worked fine ever since. Let me know if the firmware update works for you, I'd be interested to know. Also, another unrelated Apex noober mistake I was making (not that you were making this one, but in case anyone else is reading)...I had my Vortech physically plugged into an outlet on my EB8, but since the WXM creates a virtual outlet for the Vortech, this was the only one I was paying attention to. When I looked at the physical outlet it was plugged into, it was running a cycle when it should have been set to just run 24hr. So that caused me some initial confusion as well.

06/09/2013, 08:10 AM	#8
gregorfd Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Annandale, VA Posts: 68	Having a very similar issue. All firmware is current. MP40 has gone "missing" for quite some time now. Deleted the outlet and re-slaved. LED blinks blue/yellow but no virtual outlet is created. I know the WXM is working because I have a MP40es connected that is working fine. Unplugged the MP40es when attempting to re-slave the MP40 so I know that wasn't the problem. Interested in those that have had this issue and solved it.