What is the difference between Apex JR and Apex EL?

[JCOLE]

I am about to purchase an Apex EL. I called my LFS and they said they have (1) Apex Jr in stock for $499. What is the difference? Are they the same because I can get the Apex EL for $499.

 

[Bob Escher]

I am about to purchase an Apex EL. I called my LFS and they said they have (1) Apex Jr in stock for $499. What is the difference? Are they the same because I can get the Apex EL for $499.

No the Jr is the older model the El is the newer model. Buy the EL

 

[Reefanatik]

Also, with the EL you can add up to 30 modules. The jr maxes out at 7.

 

[Reefanatik]

double post

 

[DarkSky]

EL also let's you monitor power usage per outlet. Jr only will do it per power bar.

EL will also let you use the Triton.

 

[JCOLE]

I just ordered the following from MArine Depot....5 days cannot arive soon enough! I can't wait!

Neptune Systems ApexEL Aquarium Controller
Neptune Systems I/O Break Out Box for Apex, Apex Lite, AquaController 3, or AquaController 3 Pro
Neptune Systems Magnetic Probe Rack (MPR)

 

[Greybeard]

You'll like the EL.

I wouldn't have recommended the Neptune break out box. It works... sort of... but it's a poor design. The one that Avast sells is a much nicer design. I build a DIY one for about $6 worth of parts, using a 6x2 spring terminal strip, some wire, a soldering iron, and a cheap 4" project box.

The probe racks are nice... I like the ones done by Printed Reefing Solutions better (https://printedreefingsolutions.com/)

I'll _NEVER_ go back to having a tank without a controller. If the EL had been available when I bought my Classic, I'd have one. May end up getting one anyway.

 

[JBKReef]

I'm just over a year into my tank and really wish the EL was out when I purchased my Apex Jr. Good choice.

 

[Greybeard]

I'm just over a year into my tank and really wish the EL was out when I purchased my Apex Jr. Good choice.

Yeah... I bought the Classic.

Oh well :P

 

[JCOLE]

You'll like the EL.

I wouldn't have recommended the Neptune break out box. It works... sort of... but it's a poor design. The one that Avast sells is a much nicer design. I build a DIY one for about $6 worth of parts, using a 6x2 spring terminal strip, some wire, a soldering iron, and a cheap 4" project box.

The probe racks are nice... I like the ones done by Printed Reefing Solutions better (https://printedreefingsolutions.com/)

I'll _NEVER_ go back to having a tank without a controller. If the EL had been available when I bought my Classic, I'd have one. May end up getting one anyway.

What is your reasoning for not recommending the break out box? Is it unrealiable, etc? I bought the break out box simply for monitoring. See picture. I made this a month ago for a simple mechanical controller. I have 5v going through float switches for top offs, auto shut off, etc. These trip an $8 8-channel relay which controls the outlets. Works really well. However, I want to know when all this is happening and more. That's the reason for the break out box. I am going to add another 8ch relay board to trip the break out box so I can get texts, etc when the ATO kicks in along with other functions.

Do you have a link to the DIY one you did?

 

[Greybeard]

What is your reasoning for not recommending the break out box? Is it unrealiable, etc? I bought the break out box simply for monitoring.

Do you have a link to the DIY one you did?

The one that Apex sells uses a single common screw terminal as the ground for all of the inputs. Trying to attach 6 wires to a single screw terminal is just silly... and unnecessary. I don't know that it's unreliable.... just a lot of money for what you're getting, and IMHO, it's a poor design.

Google DIY Apex break out box, you'll find several. I didn't really follow anyone's plan, it's just not that complicated of a device. Pinout on the Mini DIN8 connector is really all you need. Solder it to a spring connector strip like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12Way-2Row...h=item54687c9026:g:FuMAAOSw1cNZ9BzR:rk:9:pf:0

That way, you've got a single spring clip for each wire. Much more organized. A little soldering, mount it in a box, no big deal.

 

[JCOLE]

The one that Apex sells uses a single common screw terminal as the ground for all of the inputs. Trying to attach 6 wires to a single screw terminal is just silly... and unnecessary. I don't know that it's unreliable.... just a lot of money for what you're getting, and IMHO, it's a poor design.

Google DIY Apex break out box, you'll find several. I didn't really follow anyone's plan, it's just not that complicated of a device. Pinout on the Mini DIN8 connector is really all you need. Solder it to a spring connector strip like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12Way-2Row...h=item54687c9026:g:FuMAAOSw1cNZ9BzR:rk:9:pf:0

That way, you've got a single spring clip for each wire. Much more organized. A little soldering, mount it in a box, no big deal.

Nice!!