Cerebra owners. Where you at??

[Jerry Williams]

Originally Posted by jason2459

What was that experience and how was it confirmed?

I was one of the first few to sign up on the website as a beta testor. So my experience was personal phone calls from support to me and me calling them. It was getting a next day delivery of a corrupted piece of equipment, that way I learned where they ship from.Also, live video chats explaining and fixing some things I didn't understand. Replies to queries I posted on the Cerebra Club site that would come back in minutes. I asked the support person where he was and he told me where he was in Canada and that they used a proxy phone number, I hope that is the right term, to make access easier for those in the lower 48.
As a side note, I too am the very excited winner of an Omega 200i skimmer from Vertex as a thank you for the support I've given. Fedex will deliver it next day which is tomorrow.

[Jerry Williams]

Originally Posted by jason2459

Interesting. What happens if you invert the float switch magnet?

Can you delay start after return pump outlet turns on instead of or along with the power outage? I shutdown my return pump when I feed so food doesn't just go right down the drain into the sump and then delays start to allow the sump level to stabilize. I know many people time their feeding > return pump /skimmer off > return on > delay skimmer on.

Yes.

[The_Coleman]

Originally Posted by cali9dub

They are close to getting the cloud going. I believe I will have access to it today. Excited to dig into that !

Did you get access to this? Did anyone else for that matter? Initial thoughts on it?

[cali9dub]

Originally Posted by The_Coleman

Did you get access to this? Did anyone else for that matter? Initial thoughts on it?

Actually I jumped the gun. Won't get in till today sometime. And every Cerebra owner will be able to use it...not just me.

[sleepydoc]

Originally Posted by jason2459

Interesting. What happens if you invert the float switch magnet?



Can you delay start after return pump outlet turns on instead of or along with the power outage? I shutdown my return pump when I feed so food doesn't just go right down the drain into the sump and then delays start to allow the sump level to stabilize. I know many people time their feeding > return pump /skimmer off > return on > delay skimmer on.

I have mine set up with a level sensor in the sump so the skimmer shuts off if the sump water level rises above a certain point. This shouldn't be too hard to do either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cali9dub]

Originally Posted by Jerry Williams

I was one of the first few to sign up on the website as a beta testor. So my experience was personal phone calls from support to me and me calling them. It was getting a next day delivery of a corrupted piece of equipment, that way I learned where they ship from.Also, live video chats explaining and fixing some things I didn't understand. Replies to queries I posted on the Cerebra Club site that would come back in minutes. I asked the support person where he was and he told me where he was in Canada and that they used a proxy phone number, I hope that is the right term, to make access easier for those in the lower 48.
As a side note, I too am the very excited winner of an Omega 200i skimmer from Vertex as a thank you for the support I've given. Fedex will deliver it next day which is tomorrow.

So you live in Canada ?

[Jerry Williams]

Originally Posted by cali9dub

So you live in Canada ?

No, I live in SoCalif. Sorry if I confused anyone.

[gcarroll]

Originally Posted by Jerry Williams

Their warranty and support is Adam and he lives in Canada. You may be a little confused because their sales is in SoCal.

No, not confused just never had to deal with Adam. I've never met him. I go direct through the owner.

[cali9dub]

Originally Posted by Jerry Williams

No, I live in SoCalif. Sorry if I confused anyone.

Ahhh. So they ship equipment from SoCal !

[jason2459]

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

I have mine set up with a level sensor in the sump so the skimmer shuts off if the sump water level rises above a certain point. This shouldn't be too hard to do either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yep, I've got all kinds of failsafes including a sump high float switch that would shutdown my skimmer among other things.

Lets see, what I have to provide some kind of redundancy, failsafe, or alert

3 temp probes
2 pH probes
2 salinity probes
1 Ammonia/Nitrite/Par probe
1 Orp Probe
11 float switches
1 huge float switch
2 float valves
3 air pressure switched outlets
1 air pressure switched input
timers and time limiting logic
redundant over flow pipes (bean animal)
4 cafci/gfci individual circuits
battery backup

generator
extra controller brain
extra pumps for skimmer, dosing, in tank, and return


I'm sure I'm missing something. It's overly complex to do a simple job of top off, dose a few things, run a few pumps, and exchange some water. But every mistake I've had or read about I implement something to prevent that risk. Most of which is controlled through the Apex and originally through a reefkeeper.

[cali9dub]

A little update. So far I have updated to several new versions of firmware as Vertex makes changes. The first one I did with the unit hard wired for fear of broken or corrupt files if done via wifi. Since the first update I have done 4 updates via wifi with no problems whatsoever (figured I'd try it now while it isn't running my main tank). I hope it stays that way. Eventually when I change over to 100% Vertex I will have it hard wired, but the wifi updates have worked flawlessly. Just thought I'd share that experience.

[Nic33]

Originally Posted by jason2459

yep, I've got all kinds of failsafes including a sump high float switch that would shutdown my skimmer among other things.

Lets see, what I have to provide some kind of redundancy, failsafe, or alert

3 temp probes
2 pH probes
2 salinity probes
1 Ammonia/Nitrite/Par probe
1 Orp Probe
11 float switches
1 huge float switch
2 float valves
3 air pressure switched outlets
1 air pressure switched input
timers and time limiting logic
redundant over flow pipes (bean animal)
4 cafci/gfci individual circuits
battery backup

generator
extra controller brain
extra pumps for skimmer, dosing, in tank, and return


I'm sure I'm missing something. It's overly complex to do a simple job of top off, dose a few things, run a few pumps, and exchange some water. But every mistake I've had or read about I implement something to prevent that risk. Most of which is controlled through the Apex and originally through a reefkeeper.

It would be awesome if you could do a write up of all the different failsafes that you have. I wonder how much of that you will eventually be able to do with the cerebra.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jason2459]

Originally Posted by Nic33

It would be awesome if you could do a write up of all the different failsafes that you have. I wonder how much of that you will eventually be able to do with the cerebra.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm waiting for some answers and ideas to consider it for my 20 gallon mantis tank. Down the road with maturity I would be open to replace my apex on my 180. Eventually it will need replaced. It could be another apex or another brand. I'll see whats available when that time comes.

As for the write up I've documented practically everything I've done since setting up my current system in 2009 in this thread so I have nothing to hide
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1673282

If I have time I'll see if I can get direct links but my time is very limited right now.

It includes my skimmer, ATS, ozone, co2 scrubber, limewater dosing, carbon dosing, awc, tide timing with my gyres, etc.

I have many separate threads too but included the details or at least links to more detailed threads in my journal thread.

Some have more details like my MTC MVX review, saltmix parameter testing of many brands with Triton, test kit comparisons with various brands and triton and awt, gyre setup, micro biology photos and videos, etc

So, yeah I find it funny when someone thinks I have alternative motives working for some other company. I've put in considerable time and money, my own, to do many of these projects and sharing the results.

[cali9dub]

Vertex brought up that their power bars are rated for 10A, not 16A as was erroneously sent to their marketing dept from Europe. The European powerbars are rated for 16A. They also stated that the total for one outlet or the entire powerbar is 10A continuous. They stated they do in fact have this info coming in the future. I speculate that it'll probably come with the full retail release of the product.

[jason2459]

Originally Posted by cali9dub

Vertex brought up that their power bars are rated for 10A, not 16A as was erroneously sent to their marketing dept from Europe. The European powerbars are rated for 16A. They also stated that the total for one outlet or the entire powerbar is 10A continuous. They stated they do in fact have this info coming in the future. I speculate that it'll probably come with the full retail release of the product.

Ok that jives with the wire used and still comparable with other controller powerbars.

Did they state if they have over current protection at all? Like that fuse that was in the listing just not seen yet?

[cali9dub]

They did say the inside circuitry could handle a MUCH higher load (no specifics) but they are designed for a 10A draw. These comments weren't a result of advertisement vs. real life. They came as a result of asking about trying to power, say, 4-400 watt metal halides off one powerbar. Subsequently a statement from Vertex support gave these numbers, but did say they came from an upcoming statement to be released about the powerbars. That's all.

[jason2459]

Peak amps can be quite a lot more.

[cali9dub]

Yeah

[LXXero]

now that it seems the cloud feature might be coming soon i'm seriously considering this again for my cube build....

i know it has float sensor support, but does anyone know if it supports something like the breakout box that the apex has? So I could do like contact switches / buttons? Like, I have like a feed button where it turns the pump off 20 minutes, or like a magnetic switch for the stand door to turn the lights under the stand on and off? I'd probably want at least 2 of those in addition to 3-4 float switches. Anyone who owns one of these that can confirm? I haven't seen anything specifically about this except in the manual which almost made it sound like there's an extra module to add ports like this? It's not clear...

[sleepydoc]

Originally Posted by LXXero

now that it seems the cloud feature might be coming soon i'm seriously considering this again for my cube build....

i know it has float sensor support, but does anyone know if it supports something like the breakout box that the apex has? So I could do like contact switches / buttons? Like, I have like a feed button where it turns the pump off 20 minutes, or like a magnetic switch for the stand door to turn the lights under the stand on and off? I'd probably want at least 2 of those in addition to 3-4 float switches. Anyone who owns one of these that can confirm? I haven't seen anything specifically about this except in the manual which almost made it sound like there's an extra module to add ports like this? It's not clear...

Thought I'd seen something too, but I searched and can't find it. You could use the float switch input for any other switch, but it seems like there's only 2 on the multi bar. With the USB interface, a breakout box certainly should be possible and I'd be surprised if one doesn't pop up in the future if it doesn't already exist.

Originally Posted by cali9dub

Vertex brought up that their power bars are rated for 10A, not 16A as was erroneously sent to their marketing dept from Europe. The European powerbars are rated for 16A. They also stated that the total for one outlet or the entire powerbar is 10A continuous. They stated they do in fact have this info coming in the future. I speculate that it'll probably come with the full retail release of the product.

Originally Posted by cali9dub

They did say the inside circuitry could handle a MUCH higher load (no specifics) but they are designed for a 10A draw. These comments weren't a result of advertisement vs. real life. They came as a result of asking about trying to power, say, 4-400 watt metal halides off one powerbar. Subsequently a statement from Vertex support gave these numbers, but did say they came from an upcoming statement to be released about the powerbars. That's all.

There's a difference between peak and continuous current load, and most components are designed to handle a higher transient peak load without an issue. Continuous current is different. It's odd that the European bars are rated for 16A; that would imply that the wiring or other hardware is different besides just the plugs. Since Europe is on 220V, they would need lower current for the same power, so if you are building different hardware for the US, why would you build it for lower current draw rather than higher?

This is my biggest concern about the cerebra system, and quite frankly I find Vertex's handling of it concerning as well. By all accounts they are incredibly responsive to questions about the operation and programming of the device, but have yet to address a significant concern regarding the electrical safety of the power bar.

They advertised 16A capacity. Then, after questions were raised, stated in a closed support forum that the design is for only 10A, but have yet (to my knowledge) made a public announcement regarding this or documented that there is any hardware over-current protection.

From the reports, it's got the potential to be a great controller, so I very much hope they get this clarified soon.

[Jerry Williams]

Originally Posted by gcarroll

No, not confused just never had to deal with Adam. I've never met him. I go direct through the owner.

That contibutes to this conversation how?

[gcarroll]

Originally Posted by Jerry Williams

That contibutes to this conversation how?

Just trying to make sense of your original statement and clarifying why I didn't understand it. Don't read too far into it!

[cali9dub]

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

There's a difference between peak and continuous current load, and most components are designed to handle a higher transient peak load without an issue. Continuous current is different. It's odd that the European bars are rated for 16A; that would imply that the wiring or other hardware is different besides just the plugs. Since Europe is on 220V, they would need lower current for the same power, so if you are building different hardware for the US, why would you build it for lower current draw rather than higher?

This is my biggest concern about the cerebra system, and quite frankly I find Vertex's handling of it concerning as well. By all accounts they are incredibly responsive to questions about the operation and programming of the device, but have yet to address a significant concern regarding the electrical safety of the power bar.

They advertised 16A capacity. Then, after questions were raised, stated in a closed support forum that the design is for only 10A, but have yet (to my knowledge) made a public announcement regarding this or documented that there is any hardware over-current protection.

From the reports, it's got the potential to be a great controller, so I very much hope they get this clarified soon.

All I can tell you is what they say they are rated for. The circumstances behind the error doesn't really matter since 10A is what it is. They say all the updated stats have been sent to the US distributors. I guess if you are comfortable with 10A then get in on it...if not, pass. Will it ever change? If it's an issue maybe they'll change it....this is in its infancy after all. I did question why the stats weren't correct on their Facebook page but haven't gotten a response, although they did say they'd have an updated video when this is out of beta, so maybe that's why that old video remains. The people already in the beta program know the correct stats and before the full release the correct stats will be out there so I think the point will eventually be moot when the Cerebra is released as non-beta.

[cali9dub]

Plot twist. Just got this message : "Current batches of multi/power bars are 15A. The original batch were 10A. This is the current spec on the bars I've just been informed of."


So much for the 10A discussion. Lol.

15A versions just started shipping last week.

[sleepydoc]

Originally Posted by cali9dub

The circumstances behind the error doesn't really matter since 10A is what it is. They say all the updated stats have been sent to the US distributors. I guess if you are comfortable with 10A then get in on it...if not, pass. Will it ever change? If it's an issue maybe they'll change it....this is in its infancy after all. I did question why the stats weren't correct on their Facebook page but haven't gotten a response, although they did say they'd have an updated video when this is out of beta, so maybe that's why that old video remains. The people already in the beta program know the correct stats and before the full release the correct stats will be out there so I think the point will eventually be moot when the Cerebra is released as non-beta.

Agreed. I was more thinking out loud, wondering how it happened. 10A is certainly adequate for many people's needs, so the overall power rating isn't the issue for me as much as the lack of a fuse/breaker. BRS and Aquarium Specialty still have 16A listed on their web sites, but if Vertex has notified them of the change, then it's up to them to correct their web sites.

Edit:

Originally Posted by cali9dub

Plot twist. Just got this message : "Current batches of multi/power bars are 15A. The original batch were 10A. This is the current spec on the bars I've just been informed of."


So much for the 10A discussion. Lol.

Wow - so they must have made a hardware change after all!