APEX Skimmer Programming Issue

[Albertan22]

Hi everyone, I’m having an issue with my skimmer programming. It has been working perfectly for about two years but over the course of the summer we have started having power failures for the first time since we’ve owned the house and I have found that my programming isn’t working out for that kind of restart.

When the power comes on there is a time period of maybe 3-4 minutes where everything is powered but the wifi isn’t connected yet. The skimmer kicks on before the return pump has drawn down the sump water level and it overflows all the skimmate into the sump.

ere is my skimmer programming:
Fallback OFF
Set ON
If FeedA 000 Then OFF
If FeedB 060 Then OFF
If FeedC 005 Then OFF
If FeedD 000 Then OFF
If Output Vfeed = ON Then OFF
If Output Maintenance = ON Then OFF
If Output Cor_20 = OFF Then OFF
Defer 005:00 Then ON

As far as I can tell, it should remain off until the wifi comes back then wait 5 minutes but it isn’t doing that. The COR20 has a Fallback On command and fires right up when the power comes on. Thoughts?

 

[dank reefer]

Programing is no Wifi dependent as the programing is stored on the APEX. So as soon as power is restored the 5 min countdown begins.

 

[Albertan22]

Programing is no Wifi dependent as the programing is stored on the APEX. So as soon as power is restored the 5 min countdown begins.

It’s not though, as soon as the power is restored the skimmer starts up, that’s my issue. If I try to replicate it by just unplugging the unit from the wall it does the 5 minute delay, but if my router is also down then it just fires up immediately with no delay.

 

[DaneGer21]

Very weird.

 

[Albertan22]

Yeah I’m pulling my hair out here. I don’t understand why my programming isn’t working.

 

[SuncrestReef]

This is a common problem. The Defer timer that normally delays turning on the skimmer does not apply after a power failure. To get a delay when the Apex first boots up after the power is restored, use the “If Power” command:

If Power Apex Off 005 Then OFF

This causes the output to remain off for 5 minutes after power is restored.

Also, be sure to read this post on the proper settings when using the If Power command:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/apex-code-to-defer-after-outage.787978/#post-8373020