Apex and Milwaukee MA955 solenoid

cswanson · 05/28/2014, 07:55 PM

Hi,

I bought the calcium reactor set up before I purchased the controller. Doh!

Now I want to control the CO2 solenoid from the Neptune Apex PM1 so I can have all the data and view it in one place.

Does anybody do this already or is the interface (wires/cables/etc) pretty clear on how to use?

Thanks,
Chris

P.S. I went to Apex site, but got caught in registration red tape. Reef Central is the way to go.

gregr · 05/28/2014, 08:19 PM

I'm controlling my Korallin 1502 this way with the Milwaukee solenoid/guage. It works very well and the code is pretty straighforward. Here's what I have on the CO2 outlet:
Fallback ON
Set ON
If pHEFF < 6.41 Then OFF [reactor effluent pH]
If pH < 7.90 Then OFF [tank pH]
If Outlet CaRxPump = OFF Then OFF [just so the CO2 stops when I want to turn the pump off to change media, clean, etc.]

cswanson · 05/28/2014, 09:30 PM

Fantastic.

Is there a liquid solenoid or valve that works well with Apex controllers?

gregr · 05/28/2014, 09:42 PM

Not sure what you're asking here. You mean for your calcium reactor? If so I think the Milwaukee is fine- I haven't read anything bad about it at least and the last one I had I used for about ten years so they must be built ok. As far as the Apex goes- it just turns the outlet on and off so I would think it plays nice with anything that fits the bill voltage-wise.

cswanson · 05/28/2014, 10:06 PM

Yeah, I feel silly.

I just opened the box and it became really apparent how it worked AND that I need to get another 8 outlet module!

I think the other question's answer is a doser pump. I haven't checked, but they probably work the same way with an activated AC outlet.

This is actually a beautiful system because it eliminates proprietary cables and connectors. From a bad dream probably I expected aquaria equipment to follow the same business trend.

Thankfully it doesn't!

kurt_n · 05/28/2014, 10:26 PM

Before you run off and get that 8 outlet module, do a bit of planning and research on what your needs are. For example...

Solenoids are low power/wattage devices and don't play well with triac controlled outlets. Those are outlets #1-3 and 5-7 on the EB8 of an Apex. You want low powered devices, let's just say less than 5 Watts, on the mechanical relay controlled outlets - those are #4 and #8. If you put low powered devices on triac controlled outlets, they may not turn off reliably.

The same goes for dosing pumps - those are low power devices that want to be on mechanical relay outlets. Most people run at least 2 dosing pumps... sometimes 3.

So with 2 dosing pumps and 1 solenoid you're looking at needing 3 mechanical relay outlets. Two EB8s will cover you, but if you need more than 4 mechanical relays then you're out of luck with 2x EB8s.

But...

The EB4 is *all* mechanical relays. So an EB8 + EB4 give you a total of 6 mechanical relays. Granted, you don't get as many total outlets, but depending on the devices you're looking to plug into those outlets, you might be better off going with an EB4.

Hopefully that makes sense. It just kind of sounds like you're on a spending spree without getting your ducks in a row!

cswanson · 05/30/2014, 11:21 AM

Yes, this totally makes sense.

This is what I call the 'gotcha' moment with any type of equipment.

Luckily, I made an outlet audit and found that eight outlets are not going to be enough! So, I went and purchased another 8 module.

Therefore, I will have 4 relayed outlets. I do not believe I have anything that draws more than 5 amps (as that is really a lot of current) so the remaining 12 outlets ought to be sufficient for the other items.

If I find I need more than 4 relayed circuits, there apparently is a way to put a draw in parallel to increase it but that would turn into a waste of current.

Anyway, I am a sucker for graphs, so the apex was the winner.

05/28/2014, 08:19 PM	#2
gregr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Studio City, Ca Posts: 7,011	I'm controlling my Korallin 1502 this way with the Milwaukee solenoid/guage. It works very well and the code is pretty straighforward. Here's what I have on the CO2 outlet: Fallback ON Set ON If pHEFF < 6.41 Then OFF [reactor effluent pH] If pH < 7.90 Then OFF [tank pH] If Outlet CaRxPump = OFF Then OFF [just so the CO2 stops when I want to turn the pump off to change media, clean, etc.] __________________ 150g mixed reef Apex, 60g sump, MTC MVX-26 skimmer, MTC Minical, Geo kalk reactor, Tunze 6095s, closed loop, Orphek Atlantiks. Utube video: https://youtu.be/pAzqzxVnrUw

05/28/2014, 07:55 PM	#1
cswanson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Francisco Posts: 22	Apex and Milwaukee MA955 solenoid Hi, I bought the calcium reactor set up before I purchased the controller. Doh! Now I want to control the CO2 solenoid from the Neptune Apex PM1 so I can have all the data and view it in one place. Does anybody do this already or is the interface (wires/cables/etc) pretty clear on how to use? Thanks, Chris P.S. I went to Apex site, but got caught in registration red tape. Reef Central is the way to go.

05/28/2014, 09:30 PM	#3
cswanson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Francisco Posts: 22	Fantastic. Is there a liquid solenoid or valve that works well with Apex controllers?

05/28/2014, 09:42 PM	#4
gregr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Studio City, Ca Posts: 7,011	Not sure what you're asking here. You mean for your calcium reactor? If so I think the Milwaukee is fine- I haven't read anything bad about it at least and the last one I had I used for about ten years so they must be built ok. As far as the Apex goes- it just turns the outlet on and off so I would think it plays nice with anything that fits the bill voltage-wise. __________________ 150g mixed reef Apex, 60g sump, MTC MVX-26 skimmer, MTC Minical, Geo kalk reactor, Tunze 6095s, closed loop, Orphek Atlantiks. Utube video: https://youtu.be/pAzqzxVnrUw

05/28/2014, 10:06 PM	#5
cswanson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Francisco Posts: 22	Yeah, I feel silly. I just opened the box and it became really apparent how it worked AND that I need to get another 8 outlet module! I think the other question's answer is a doser pump. I haven't checked, but they probably work the same way with an activated AC outlet. This is actually a beautiful system because it eliminates proprietary cables and connectors. From a bad dream probably I expected aquaria equipment to follow the same business trend. Thankfully it doesn't!

05/28/2014, 10:26 PM	#6
kurt_n Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA Posts: 2,592	Before you run off and get that 8 outlet module, do a bit of planning and research on what your needs are. For example... Solenoids are low power/wattage devices and don't play well with triac controlled outlets. Those are outlets #1-3 and 5-7 on the EB8 of an Apex. You want low powered devices, let's just say less than 5 Watts, on the mechanical relay controlled outlets - those are #4 and #8. If you put low powered devices on triac controlled outlets, they may not turn off reliably. The same goes for dosing pumps - those are low power devices that want to be on mechanical relay outlets. Most people run at least 2 dosing pumps... sometimes 3. So with 2 dosing pumps and 1 solenoid you're looking at needing 3 mechanical relay outlets. Two EB8s will cover you, but if you need more than 4 mechanical relays then you're out of luck with 2x EB8s. But... The EB4 is all mechanical relays. So an EB8 + EB4 give you a total of 6 mechanical relays. Granted, you don't get as many total outlets, but depending on the devices you're looking to plug into those outlets, you might be better off going with an EB4. Hopefully that makes sense. It just kind of sounds like you're on a spending spree without getting your ducks in a row!

05/30/2014, 11:21 AM	#7
cswanson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Francisco Posts: 22	Yes, this totally makes sense. This is what I call the 'gotcha' moment with any type of equipment. Luckily, I made an outlet audit and found that eight outlets are not going to be enough! So, I went and purchased another 8 module. Therefore, I will have 4 relayed outlets. I do not believe I have anything that draws more than 5 amps (as that is really a lot of current) so the remaining 12 outlets ought to be sufficient for the other items. If I find I need more than 4 relayed circuits, there apparently is a way to put a draw in parallel to increase it but that would turn into a waste of current. Anyway, I am a sucker for graphs, so the apex was the winner.