Remote Neptune Substation

[srobertb]

I have my AWC and mixing station about 60’ from my house. The run is essentially flat but is long. I have a series of 1/4 water lines run for AWC in/out and ATO run + a 24v relay for my ATO pump. The AWC change DOS pumps are under the tank and they’re loud and I’m running out of room. I’d like to create a second station in my garage- maybe with an energy bar? I’d like to add a salinity probe, the AWC DOS pumps, some FMM modules, etc out here.

1link cables can only go 20’ apparently. Does active USB-A work? Any suggestions are helpful.

 

[MnFish1]

I have my AWC and mixing station about 60’ from my house. The run is essentially flat but is long. I have a series of 1/4 water lines run for AWC in/out and ATO run + a 24v relay for my ATO pump. The AWC change DOS pumps are under the tank and they’re loud and I’m running out of room. I’d like to create a second station in my garage- maybe with an energy bar? I’d like to add a salinity probe, the AWC DOS pumps, some FMM modules, etc out here.

1link cables can only go 20’ apparently. Does active USB-A work? Any suggestions are helpful.

Not sure about 'active USB-A' - there are debates yes and no about whether you can use standard USB cables - there was a recent thread with a similar question on another thread here. The upshot was I believe that some had concerns about the warranty if you use USB-a standard cables. But - Neptune offers a 30 foot cable and extension cables - and the total length can go up to 200 feet. The one caveat (according to Neptune) - is you not create a loop in your aquabus system

 

[Kershaw]

I use normal male male usb cables with out issue. I don’t have anything that long running. But you can try one of these. I use a 25’ for VR

 

[Mical]

You can use these -> https://www.usbfirewire.com/apex.html - I run a second tank 75ft away off my apex

 

[srobertb]

Perfect. I didn’t want to drill a larger hole and the repeaters and filters add bulk to the cable. Thanks!

 

[SuncrestReef]

I use normal male male usb cables with out issue. I don’t have anything that long running. But you can try one of these. I use a 25’ for VR

Just so you're aware, official USB cables longer than 5 meters are required to include a repeater device. These repeaters operate on 5v and are incompatible with the Apex which sends 12v through the cable. That's the reason places like USBFireWire.com manufactures long cables specifically for the Apex. While the connectors are still USB, the cable does not conform to the official USB Specification and would not work for traditional USB devices like computers, printers, hard drives, etc. But they're fine for the Apex.

 

[srobertb]

Thanks for this clarification. I’m no stranger to USB extensions but didn’t understand how the Apex used the line. Im going to order from USBfirewire I just need to quadruple check my measurements.

 

[_AV]

Another word of warning is about running power over a USB/Aquabus cable of such length, especially with FMM modules involved. I suggest checking and double checking that there will not be a circumstance where power off of EB832 or FMM modules is transferred over the aquabus cable as this will put serious stress on the 12v circuit within those modules and will cause them fail prematurely.

I discuss these issues here:

Apex FMM Module Causes Head Unit Reboot

Some of my previous repairs: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/repairing-eb832-aquabus-power-issues-or-why-head-unit-reboots-again.830684/ https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/another-attempt-at-fixing-apex-eb832.804717/...

www.reef2reef.com

and here:

Repairing EB832 AquaBus Power Issues or Why Head Unit Reboots Again

Some of my previous repairs: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/eb832-attempting-to-communicate-with-apex-bootloader-mode.811958/ https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/another-attempt-at-fixing-apex-eb832.804717/...

www.reef2reef.com

Ideally, you'd want to completely isolate the 12v Vcc line on the aquabus cable and find a way to power your clusters of modules independently.

 

[srobertb]

I have 2 fmm modules but I’m away from my fish tank and can’t remember how they plug in. I was thinking I would just run the USB out to my garage where I would have a power bar. I have an extra old style black one laying around but I may buy an 832 if necessary. Couldn’t I just use those ports, which has an independent power source, to power FMM modules and DOS pumps remotely?

 

[_AV]

You could. The problem is that if/when your main power source fails at location A, the independently powered FMM at location B is forced to power everything over the long usb cable at location A, which it can't do longer than a few minutes.

 

[srobertb]

Got ya. So USB from EB832 to EB832 should be fine.

 

[_AV]

Got ya. So USB from EB832 to EB832 should be fine.

Not entirely, but certainly better than to FMM. Again, don't overload the EB832 AquaBus power and do hope that the other EB832 will not fail/disconnect. Read up about the issue here:

Repairing EB832 AquaBus Power Issues or Why Head Unit Reboots Again

Some of my previous repairs: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/eb832-attempting-to-communicate-with-apex-bootloader-mode.811958/ https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/another-attempt-at-fixing-apex-eb832.804717/...

www.reef2reef.com