Neptune Outside The Box - A Techy Thread

[Tangdora]

Been wanting to write this post for a while.

If you’re a big Neptune user like myself, I’m sure you have spent hours mastering the language and fine tuning outlet coding to get the most out of your system. Unfortunately it gets to a point where you kind of get bored with it and start asking yourself “what other crazy things can I do with it” or “ what other random thing can monitor” Which is exactly where I now sit. Posting this thread out there now, because I would love to hear from other user who have gone outside the box and are doing things with their apex that you won’t find in the comprehension manual.

Some of my biggest curiosity on my bucket list that I have seen done online in the past through the use of an ASM module include

1) ambient CO2 monitoring
2) canopy humidity monitoring

3) Another idea that have recently started exploring is whether or not it possible to track a live scale weigh reading in order to monitor the weight of a my co2 tank in order to alert when it reaching depletion. AI seems to think it’s possible.

*If anyone is doing #1 or #2 right would love to know what you’re currently using.

Other areas of interest include

1) use of the 12 and 24v outlets to control 3rd party dc devices that Neptune does not specifically sell, that is powering something “odd” and of use in your setup.

2) app hacks. In the past I have posted items under this category that I’ll link below that include getting 4-6 columns on a tablet. Or custom iPhone alert sounds. But curious what else is out there.

3) using existing probes or products in unindented ways

Like I said I’m just bored lol and looking for new creative ideas to keep the apex fun going. Look forward to hearing what’s out there.

Thanks.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/apex-fusion-4-6-columns-hack-samsung-tablet.1104678/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/custom-alert-sound-for-apex-workaround-iphone.1113977/

 

[MegabiteOG]

Been wanting to write this post for a while.

If you’re a big Neptune user like myself, I’m sure you have spent hours mastering the language and fine tuning outlet coding to get the most out of your system. Unfortunately it gets to a point where you kind of get bored with it and start asking yourself “what other crazy things can I do with it” or “ what other random thing can monitor” Which is exactly where I now sit. Posting this thread out there now, because I would love to hear from other user who have gone outside the box and are doing things with their apex that you won’t find in the comprehension manual.

Some of my biggest curiosity on my bucket list that I have seen done online in the past through the use of an ASM module include

1) ambient CO2 monitoring
2) canopy humidity monitoring

3) Another idea that have recently started exploring is whether or not it possible to track a live scale weigh reading in order to monitor the weight of a my co2 tank in order to alert when it reaching depletion. AI seems to think it’s possible.

*If anyone is doing #1 or #2 right would love to know what you’re currently using.

Other areas of interest include

1) use of the 12 and 24v outlets to control 3rd party dc devices that Neptune does not specifically sell, that is powering something “odd” and of use in your setup.

2) app hacks. In the past I have posted items under this category that I’ll link below that include getting 4-6 columns on a tablet. Or custom iPhone alert sounds. But curious what else is out there.


Like I said I’m just bored lol and looking for new creative ideas to keep the apex fun going. Look forward to hearing what’s out there.

Thanks.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/apex-fusion-4-6-columns-hack-samsung-tablet.1104678/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/custom-alert-sound-for-apex-workaround-iphone.1113977/

Great topic! Following along.

Love the CO2 monitor idea.

 

[Servos]

I'm not sure if I'd call any exciting but:
1. The 24v outlets to run cooling fans and ato pump. While 24V of either can be found, a buck converter can be used to adjust to a lower voltage. These ports are limited by wattage, but fine for these.
2. FMM - I have a number of float switches and contact probes. Some check levels in RO/RODI containers, for leaks. This also checks the condensate pump which my humidifier discharges into, as well as a sump due to having an automatic water change.
3. "App hacks" - not sure I'd call a hack but does help quality of life. The apex is a bit limited on naming items such as outlets. Having a browser plugin like fox replace is handy. Replace certain words with others can bypass the apex's limitation. The plugin can be set to only replace on particular websites to avoid any unintended consequences.
4. IO Breakout - only a thought exercise, but I've considered using the IO to receive a binary "string" rather than treating each as separate inputs. If each can be in either an on/off status, in theory this could mean 32 or 64 actions could be sent. Something like https://www.waveshare.com/esp32-s3-relay-6ch.htm would make integration possible. That said, I don't exactly have a use for more actions than the 6 wouldn't provide.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I find home assistant to be a better and easier way to go. There’s an excellent apex fusion integration that brings all things apex over (locally even). Any of the things you mentioned could easily be done in home assistant via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or zigbee maybe even matter. Just seems like a lot of hoops to bring in things like that into an Apex, and to be honest I wouldn’t want to bog down the system with unnecessary processing. Especially if you’re already running a bunch of things like trident, dos, lighting and pump schedules.

 

[areefer01]

I find home assistant to be a better and easier way to go. There’s an excellent apex fusion integration that brings all things apex over (locally even). Any of the things you mentioned could easily be done in home assistant via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or zigbee maybe even matter. Just seems like a lot of hoops to bring in things like that into an Apex, and to be honest I wouldn’t want to bog down the system with unnecessary processing. Especially if you’re already running a bunch of things like trident, dos, lighting and pump schedules.

HA can be unreliable and updates can break things. At least that I experienced although I'm not a power user. I found telegraf, influx, and grafana to be more reliable but then again I am more comfortable with it. So there is that I guess.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

HA can be unreliable and updates can break things. At least that I experienced although I'm not a power user. I found telegraf, influx, and grafana to be more reliable but then again I am more comfortable with it. So there is that I guess.

That’s interesting. Not my experience at all….uh nevermind I should take that back before I totally jinx myself. How were you running it (dedicated hardware, pi, in a container?). As with everything, people can have totally different experiences.

I have a couple different smart home systems. Home assistant on a dedicated micro pc, and Homeseer on another dedicated micro pc. Being blind as a bat and with my other issues, these are lifelines for me and control/manage pretty much everything. I totally rely on them for daily life.

I will admit, and to your point, that sometimes integrations can be abandoned which leaves you hanging. That’s typically with older/outdated or low interest integrations. Occasionally, someone else will fork off of a dead integration to bring it back to life but not always.

Edit. I should also add that I try my darndest to never update until the dust has settled.

 

[Blitheran]

I mean technically outside the box but I programmed the trident to only run twice a day. You have to go deep into the coding to do it

Not fancy like you are doing!

 

[BuffaloLake]

Not really a hack, but I do use it to turn on/off grow lights for phyto and houseplants in the same room. I also use a cheap Jabao doser to automate watering the plants as well.

 

[areefer01]

That’s interesting. Not my experience at all….uh nevermind I should take that back before I totally jinx myself. How were you running it (dedicated hardware, pi, in a container?). As with everything, people can have totally different experiences.

I have a couple different smart home systems. Home assistant on a dedicated micro pc, and Homeseer on another dedicated micro pc. Being blind as a bat and with my other issues, these are lifelines for me and control/manage pretty much everything. I totally rely on them for daily life.

I will admit, and to your point, that sometimes integrations can be abandoned which leaves you hanging. That’s typically with older/outdated or low interest integrations. Occasionally, someone else will fork off of a dead integration to bring it back to life but not always.

Edit. I should also add that I try my darndest to never update until the dust has settled.

It is in a Docker container. And I'm onboard, agree, the two users different exp so all good.

I originally set it up to use with my Unifi doorbell to set up a chime. More for fun and see rather than anything serious. I later set it up to pull some Apex data which it did easy enough. Just not something I'm too deep in so could be a "me" issue.