Apex Feed cycle ?

Why not just set a "feed cycle" up as an outlet that's activated via switch? Get a $2 door bell from the hardware store, connect it to your breakout box, and have a virtual outlet that monitors the switch. Set the virtual outlet to turn off when the button is pushed, it will switch to ON. Now, you could do this directly in the code of the device too, but I like to use a virtual outlet so that I can see when it's on/off when troubleshooting things. Now, put lines in your outlet code of the devices that you wish to control, to monitor the virtual outlet state. Finally, set a delayed restart after being turned on. You have to hold the button down for a few seconds, but that should work for you just fine.

--AJ

 

Man, I agree that it's much more difficult than you make it seem. You might as well be giving instructions on restarting the International Space Station. Glad there are people out there that know all of this stuff.

 

I think J (lehrjet) can do that, but he speaks English!!

 

Ha...well, it doesn't get much more English than that for doing this. Sorry folks! I'm happy to help you guys set things up when/if you need assistance...but I would recommend taking the time to learn stuff on your own as you probably won't have someone around at 2 AM when you're having an emergency and you need to change your Apex program.

The basic time/temp/ph triggered programming, which the Apex has wizards for, will get you by with 90% of what you will do. Maybe even 100% for some people...

--AJ

 

I'm pretty glad that I use the AI controller for lights, the Tunze controller for pumps, and my AC Jr. to control temp and report pH and temp. I don't need to teach this old brain all about the Apex.

 

I got lost after buying the $2 doorbell; I could probably hook one up to the house, but that virtual stuff is out of my league!

 

I have to run now, but would be happy to explain things Aaron was talking about when I get back. But that is a good way to do it if you don't mind the button somewhere, breakout boxes are always good to have never know what you might want in the future /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

 

Bah...it's not all that much trouble. It's actually pretty easy.
Oh, one other reason why I use a virtual outlet for this type of thing is so that I can change the switch status (not the actual switch status, but the status of the virtual outlet that represents the switch status) through the web interface. That would not be possible if the code was set to directly monitor the switch itself.
Can I ask why you're using two feed modes? Are they set up so that Feed Mode A is for one tank and Feed Mode B is for another?
I have no idea why Curt does things that way. Maybe you should send him an e-mail requesting the simultaneous execution of feed modes as an enhancement. As for there being a feature that you're missing...I don't believe that's the case.
Here's the code that will do what I talked about:
Assumptions - a two push button type switches are connected to your break out box on switch ports 1 & 2. These switches are used to activate feed mode on two separate tanks. The desire is to turn off the return pumps and powerheads on each tank when the corresponding switch is activated. Tank 1 needs a 10 minute feed cycle and tank 2 needs a 30 minute feed cycle. The feed cycle can be activated by either pushing the button, going into the web interface (change to on, then back to auto), or going into the display and using the manual control option.
[FeedMode1]
Set OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON
Min Time 010:00 Then OFF  (sets outlet to not turn off for 10 minutes after being turned on)
[FeedMode2]
Set OFF
If Switch2 CLOSED Then ON
Min Time 030:00 Then OFF   (sets outlet to not turn off for 30 minutes after being turned on)
[RetPump1]
Set ON
If Outlet FeedMode1 = ON then OFF
...
[Pwrhead1]
Set ON
If Outlet FeedMode1 = ON then OFF
...
[RetPump2]
Set ON
If Outlet FeedMode2 = ON then OFF
...
[Pwrhead2]
Set ON
If Outlet FeedMode2 = ON then OFF
...
--AJ

 

Yeah, that definitely helps.  A little guidance on these things goes a long way.  Give me a call when you're ready to set yours up and we can go over the basics.
--AJ

 

It sounds a lot more complicated than it is.  You program it just like you would a regular outlet, but instead of controlling a physical device's power for on/off, you're controlling a value to be either on or off.  The term virtual outlet is used because in the Apex, that's how you have to set things up in order to accomplish this.  The Apex does not have the ability to have programming set up that's not connected to a device.  So instead of adding a real device, you add a fake device.  You can tell the Apex that you're adding a DC8 (legacy 8 outlet power strip), but never hook one up your Apex.  The Apex will still send the signals out like it's there, and your programming will be controlling the outlet state, just like it were a real outlet, but it allows you more flexibility so that you don't have to have redundant code in multiple outlets.
I like to use the example of lights leveraging virtual outlets.
Without virtual outlets, you have to configure your light cycle in each outlet, as shown below:
[Halides1]
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 15:00 to 23:00 Then ON
Min Time 010:00 Then OFF
If Temp > 80.5 Then OFF
[Halide2]
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 15:00 to 23:00 Then ON
Min Time 010:00 Then OFF
If Temp > 80.5 Then OFF
[DosingPump]
Fallback OFF
OSC 015:00/010:00/035:00 Then ON
If Time 15:00 to 23:00 Then OFF   (Don't dose when the lights are on)
If you wanted to change the light on/off times, you have to change it in three separate outlets.  If you want to reduce the max temp before the halides turn off, you do that in two separate outlets, etc.  With a virtual outlet, you can put all of that shared programming in one place, then have multiple outlets just look at the state of the virtual outlet to determine their on/off state.  This keeps all of your logic in a single outlet, and allows you to change your light on/off time in a single place.  This is shown below:
[HalideState]  (virtual outlet)
Fallback OFF


Set OFF


If Time 15:00 to 23:00 Then ON


Min Time 010:00 Then OFF


If Temp > 80.5 Then OFF
[Halides1]

Set OFF

If Outlet HalideState = ON Then ON

[Halide2]

Set OFF


If Outlet HalideState = ON Then ON

[DosingPump]

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
OSC 015:00/010:00/035:00 Then ON

If Outlet HalideState = ON Then OFF  (This over-rides the OSC command since it comes after it)
I hope this helps to understand virtual outlets.  Honestly, they were one of the most difficult things for me to grasp with this programming...virtual outlets and the OSC command.  The good thing is, once you understand them, they are easy, but getting to that point of understanding can be a challenge.
--AJ

 

My brain hurts, anyone wanna buy my apex?

 

LOL I'll trade you an ACIII for it.  It works great for turning lights ON/OFF and running a heater.
AJ,  Great idea with the virtual outlets.  I am currently only using one at the shop for a maintenance cycle which only shuts down the skimmers for a certain amount of time.  Being able to group things together such as lights and pumps would be a great option for the table top tanks.  Thanks for the idea.
Also, for those who are having a hard time wrapping their heads around Apex programming Google search "Apex unofficial users guide" it helped me program immensely.