heater won't turn on / apex

tatties · Jan 22, 2019

hey all, just when i thought i was getting the hang of the apex controller...

it seems that my heater won't turn on when it gets below the 'on temperature'

i have the output configuration for my heater, which is on outlet 8:

on temp -77.5
off temp -78.0

the temp probe is reading 77.2 right now

i have the finnex 200watt temp from BRS. i have the thermostat on it set at 81/82.

i have output 8 on 'auto'

whats wrong?

jelazar · Jan 22, 2019

The first thing I would check is that the heater works when plugged into a normal home wall outlet. It could be broken. It's also possible that the while the dial says 81/82, you might have to turn the dial to a higher number to get it to come on.

Next, I'd confirm that the APEX is correctly controlling something else on the same EB8 that your heater is on. Maybe the network connection between the two is faulty.

Then I'd check your that your code is good. Here's example code from the Neptune site:

<quote>
[Heater]

Fallback ON
If Temp < 79.0 Then ON
If Temp > 79.5 Then OFF
If Temp < 70.0 Then OFF <-- this is in case the temp probe fails and gives you a false reading
<unquote>

Then I'd look for a configuration problem, like using the name of a different temperature probe or an outlet on a different EB8.

Engloid · Feb 10, 2019

If it's on an eb832, you can log the outlet amperage, to see if the heater is even turning on when the outlet is on.

ca1ore · Feb 10, 2019

Check code and also that you are using the right probe name for your IF conditions. I personally prefer a simpler code.

FALLBACK ON (only if stick has an internal thermostat, otherwise it’s FALLBACK OFF)
SET ON
IF Temp > 80 Then OFF
Defer 002:00 Then OFF

Heater outlet is on until probe reads 80 degrees, and it has to read 80 consistently for two minutes, then heater is off.