Unboxing and adding Hydros XP8 to my Collective

[reefiniteasy]

It’s Sunday Funday in my house. Opened my Hydros XP8 power bar. It’s gorgeous. I really like the aesthetics of the Hydros line, sleek and functional. Packaging is great. Hydros packaging is always very informative. QR code insert that takes you directly to the online manual. I rearranged a bit on my control board and the power bar fit perfectly. I’ll post more in the next couple of days about installation. Not ready for that yet as I have to reconfigure wires and make some decisions about how it will be hooked up. Currently my Collective is split in two islands. My X4 and XS are powered together and run off a UPS. Then I have a data only cable to my Wave Engine that is wired to the IceCap battery. Our community suffers from frequent power blips because of nearby construction. The UPS saves everything from the have to constantly reset. More to come when I make some decisions.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

I been wanting for them not release it, I am interested in what people think of it. I’m not running any controller now. Lost my apex in a flood
May go hydros this time around

 

[n2585722]

I been wanting for them not release it, I am interested in what people think of it. I’m not running any controller now. Lost my apex in a flood
May go hydros this time around

Do you have any questions we can help you with.

 

[reefiniteasy]

So I installed the XP8 today. I plugged it in and brought it into the app as a stand alone device. I then updated the firmware. Of course I first updated the app on my phone and the firmware in my current collective. After the firmware was updated, I pulled the plug. I also disconnected the X4 power supply and then wired a command bus cable from the XP8 to the X4 and installed a terminator on the open XP8 command bus port. Then I plugged the XP8 back in. My collective rebooted as it should. I then added the XP8 to my collective.

Easy peasy!

 

[reefiniteasy]

So I was finally able to move some of my equipment over to the XP8. It took a couple of days as I waited for Amazon to deliver my flat 14ga 2’ extension cords. These allow me to plug items in without having bulky plugs on the front of my control and some plugs don’t reach to the front of my board.

I plugged the four extension cords into outlets 5, 6, 7, and 8. I then turned off my return pump, skimmer, heater, and light and moved all four from the WiFi strip to the XP8. I then changed the location of each output device.

All that’s left is to consolidate my cabinet lights, Amazon tablet, and Maxspect icv6 to one WiFi strip so I can remove the other and repurpose it.

I was also able to mess around with the power monitoring. The new power monitoring on the Hydros XP8 is amazing. My IM MightyJet runs around 20 watts. I have my power safe range set at 18 - 22 watts. I triggered feed mode on the pump controller (not Hydros) and immediately the system alerted that I’m out of the power safe range. I got notifications on my phone and email. I couldn’t be happier.

 

[n2585722]

Which extensions are those? Those look like they may be what I need. I cannot close the door on my cabinet at the moment since the cables stick out so far from the outlets.

 

[reefiniteasy]

Which extensions are those? Those look like they may be what I need. I cannot close the door on my cabinet at the moment since the cables stick out so far from the outlets.

These are what I bought. $6.99 each but so worth it. However, they won’t work for outlet 1 because of the angle of the flat plug and the command bus cable and terminator.

FIRMERST 1875W Flat Plug Extension Cord Black 2 feet, 15A 14 AWG, UL Listed

 

[n2585722]

These are what I bought. $6.99 each but so worth it. However, they won’t work for outlet 1 because of the angle of the flat plug and the command bus cable and terminator.

FIRMERST 1875W Flat Plug Extension Cord Black 2 feet, 15A 14 AWG, UL Listed

Thanks

 

[reefiniteasy]

 

[minus9]

Looks good. If you need short IEC power connectors for you power bricks, then try this place, it really reduces the 6' cables wrapped up with zip ties to custom lengths. They have the same style that Kessil uses on their bricks, so it keeps the clutter down. SF Cable

 

[Viva'sReef]

Wow, you got that pretty fast. Nice write up, thank you! I've been wanting to add a "2nd brain" to my collective for sometime now. Currently running an X4 and WaveEngine and just ordered the Xp8. Hope to get it delivered next week sometime.

 

[n2585722]

Wow, you got that pretty fast. Nice write up, thank you! I've been wanting to add a "2nd brain" to my collective for sometime now. Currently running an X4 and WaveEngine and just ordered the Xp8. Hope to get it delivered next week sometime.

If you are just starting a collective don't forget the bus cables and terminators.