Kessil WIFI- a "solution" without a problem

[ReeferAl]

I have 4 Kessil lights. Two are the old kind that connect directly to the Apex controller module. These have worked great for a couple of years.

Last year I bought 2 of the A360X lights and found that they can only be controlled through a wireless connection. WHY???? The lights are never far from the controller. A wired connection is easy and reliable.

So, I bought the WIFI dongle. Without going through all the initial hassles, I will say that I eventually got it to connect to the Apex and was able to control it successfully. That lasted until we had a brief power outage. That caused it to lose connection and after the power was restored it would NOT reconnect. I have spent hours messing with it. I've reset the dongle multiple times. I've tried connecting it to the Apex but have never been able to re-establish a connection. I did manage to control it for a while with the app but eventually that lost connection and wouldn't reconnect.

Why do they have to make things so complicated? This wireless connectivity is so unnecessary and unreliable. All I can hope is that Neptune eventually comes out with a module that connects directly to the dongle/K-connect port on the A360X. In the mean time I have had to settle for just turning the light on and off with a timer.

Allen

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

My understanding is that you can forego the wireless option and just use their wired controller.
https://kessil.com/products/accessories_SpectralControllerX.php

I'm leaning towards kessils for my next tank.

 

[ReeferAl]

My understanding is that you can forego the wireless option and just use their wired controller.
https://kessil.com/products/accessories_SpectralControllerX.php

I'm leaning towards kessils for my next tank.

I already have an Apex controller. I have no interest in another controller just for some of my lights. Now if Neptune would come out with a wired module that connects directly to the lights via the same port used by the Spectra Controller we would be back in business.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I have 4 Kessil lights. Two are the old kind that connect directly to the Apex controller module. These have worked great for a couple of years.

Last year I bought 2 of the A360X lights and found that they can only be controlled through a wireless connection. WHY???? The lights are never far from the controller. A wired connection is easy and reliable.

So, I bought the WIFI dongle. Without going through all the initial hassles, I will say that I eventually got it to connect to the Apex and was able to control it successfully. That lasted until we had a brief power outage. That caused it to lose connection and after the power was restored it would NOT reconnect. I have spent hours messing with it. I've reset the dongle multiple times. I've tried connecting it to the Apex but have never been able to re-establish a connection. I did manage to control it for a while with the app but eventually that lost connection and wouldn't reconnect.

Why do they have to make things so complicated? This wireless connectivity is so unnecessary and unreliable. All I can hope is that Neptune eventually comes out with a module that connects directly to the dongle/K-connect port on the A360X. In the mean time I have had to settle for just turning the light on and off with a timer.

Allen

Understand your frustration.

If manufacturers would simply fit every device with a wired ethernet port life would be very simple.

It would cost the same from a manufacturing perspective, but unfortunately these decisions are made by marketing rather than engineering.

It is 'cool' to have a flashy smart device app with a bluetooth sticker on the device packaging.