Neptune apex energy bars frying

[christwendt]

Hello. So I’ve had a total of 2 energy bars completely get fried. It happens when the power goes out. I think the quick power shutting off does something to the energy bar and fries it due to having a heavy load. It makes it so everything plugged in doesn’t work even when the power comes on. When I call support they tell me it’s fried and offer me a new one. Thankfully both times I had an extra energy bar that I could swap out and order a new one. They both were the older so they couldn’t “fix” them. My question is

How do I prevent this happening? It seems when the power goes out it “fries” my energy bar. Would adding an ups do anything? I don’t need to power stuff when the power is out. I have that under control. I need to prevent my future apex energy bars from getting fried during power outages. This is quite scary as if it happened when I was away it’s not an easy fix like hooking up a generator or allowing my battery back up on power heads to work.

 

[braaap]

Hello. So I’ve had a total of 2 energy bars completely get fried. It happens when the power goes out. I think the quick power shutting off does something to the energy bar and fries it due to having a heavy load. It makes it so everything plugged in doesn’t work even when the power comes on. When I call support they tell me it’s fried and offer me a new one. Thankfully both times I had an extra energy bar that I could swap out and order a new one. They both were the older so they couldn’t “fix” them. My question is

How do I prevent this happening? It seems when the power goes out it “fries” my energy bar. Would adding an ups do anything? I don’t need to power stuff when the power is out. I have that under control. I need to prevent my future apex energy bars from getting fried during power outages. This is quite scary as if it happened when I was away it’s not an easy fix like hooking up a generator or allowing my battery back up on power heads to work.

Switch to hydros. I had an eb832 that completely burned the traces out of the PCB. Neptune did not care. Would have burned a house down if it wasn't seen for 5 or so more minutes.

 

[codycolina707]

Hello. So I’ve had a total of 2 energy bars completely get fried. It happens when the power goes out. I think the quick power shutting off does something to the energy bar and fries it due to having a heavy load. It makes it so everything plugged in doesn’t work even when the power comes on. When I call support they tell me it’s fried and offer me a new one. Thankfully both times I had an extra energy bar that I could swap out and order a new one. They both were the older so they couldn’t “fix” them. My question is

How do I prevent this happening? It seems when the power goes out it “fries” my energy bar. Would adding an ups do anything? I don’t need to power stuff when the power is out. I have that under control. I need to prevent my future apex energy bars from getting fried during power outages. This is quite scary as if it happened when I was away it’s not an easy fix like hooking up a generator or allowing my battery back up on power heads to work.

Idk if it would help but I've had mine go off from power outage a ton of times and be fine having it plugged into a gfci outlet

 

[Jamie814]

I need to prevent my future apex energy bars from getting fried during power outages.

A power outage is not going to damage the energy bar. What is the total wattage of all the equipment plugged into it that would draw power upon it coming back on?
A power surge could definitely damage them. Try putting a good surge protector before them and see if that helps.

 

[christwendt]

Switch to hydros. I had an eb832 that completely burned the traces out of the PCB. Neptune did not care. Would have burned a house down if it wasn't seen for 5 or so more minutes.

dang that’s scary. I am so invested into the system though. It’s my only complaint but to be fair the energy bars were 7+ years old. Any pics ? Did you try to modify the PCB? I’m looking into harry aquatics. I think I saw you comment on that older post too. He offers a power supply replacement and pcb was mentioned.

 

[christwendt]

Idk if it would help but I've had mine go off from power outage a ton of times and be fine having it plugged into a gfci outlet

Can you explain this more? So buy a gfci outlet plug in and plug that into my wall outlet? Then plug apex into the gfci ?

 

[christwendt]

Idk if it would help but I've had mine go off from power outage a ton of times and be fine having it plugged into a gfci outlet

Or do I need to have an electrician install a gfci outlet?

 

[christwendt]

A power outage is not going to damage the energy bar. What is the total wattage of all the equipment plugged into it that would draw power upon it coming back on?
A power surge could definitely damage them. Try putting a good surge protector before them and see if that helps.

Someone else mentioned gfci. From my understanding they are both different. Makes me think I need both a surge protector and gfci outlet? I thought the apex had a build in surge protector. It has that pin in the back of it. I have to check my total watts my internet is out a lot of storms lately so I can’t open dashboard.

 

[codycolina707]

Or do I need to have an electrician install a gfci outlet?

You can get a gfci cord what I use don't need electrician unless you want to

 

[braaap]

dang that’s scary. I am so invested into the system though. It’s my only complaint but to be fair the energy bars were 7+ years old. Any pics ? Did you try to modify the PCB? I’m looking into harry aquatics. I think I saw you comment on that older post too. He offers a power supply replacement and pcb was mentioned.

I didn’t try and modify anything. His power supply wouldn’t have fixed it. I’m good friends with Harry and sent it down to him. He was blown away by the damage and blamed it on poor design.

I was heavily invested too. But I sold off all my stuff and got a full Hydros system. Barely put out any additional money. Maybe 2-300.

 

[Jamie814]

From my understanding they are both different.

Yes, different, a gfci outlet or cordset is designed to protect you from electrocution and maybe prevent a fire in some cases. Surge protectors protect electronics from power surges which seems to be your issue. Surge protectors are all rated differently so if you purchase one be sure to research first.

 

[christwendt]

You can get a gfci cord what I use don't need electrician unless you want to

Thank you I will look into that. I thought it was the energy bar and losing power.

 

[christwendt]

Yes, different, a gfci outlet or cordset is designed to protect you from electrocution and maybe prevent a fire in some cases. Surge protectors protect electronics from power surges which seems to be your issue. Surge protectors are all rated differently so if you purchase one be sure to research first.

Thank you. I will look into a surge protector. I thought the apex had one built in. I’ll also look into my max watts. I’d guess 1000

 

[Jamie814]

I’ll also look into my max watts. I’d guess 1000

The EB832 is rated for 7 amps or 840 watts max per outlet not to exceeed 15 amps or 1800 watts max total. Any more than that and you risk damaging it. Large heaters and chillers can push these limits easy. What size heater do you use, and do you have more than one?

 

[christwendt]

The EB832 is rated for 7 amps or 840 watts max per outlet not to exceeed 15 amps or 1800 watts max total. Any more than that and you risk damaging it. Large heaters and chillers can push these limits easy. What size heater do you use, and do you have more than one?

I’m just getting back to logging in. It has been a crazy few weeks. I did not know it was rated for 840 watts. So the energy bar I don’t think is hitting max watts. My heater is plugged into a non Neptune energy bar. But I think it’s easily over 840 watts going into to the same outlet ( one outlet inlet is Neptune apex , the other is a non Neptune energy bank) that I have filled up completely too ). I would guess it’s easily 1100 watts going in to the outlet at the wall. Is that too much ? But only 400 watts max on the energy bar.

 

[christwendt]

Energy bar watts

 

[Jolson10]

I put a small sine wave UPS system in for all apex components and I quit loosing stuff. I did also put in a whole home surge protector at that same time.

 

[christwendt]

I put a small sine wave UPS system in for all apex components and I quit loosing stuff. I did also put in a whole home surge protector at that same time.

Can you elaborate on the sine wave ups? I think I’m going to add a UPS to my apex and internet router. From my understanding UPS will also serve as a surge protector right ? Do you add it like this ?

 

[Jolson10]

Can you elaborate on the sine wave ups? I think I’m going to add a UPS to my apex and internet router. From my understanding UPS will also serve as a surge protector right ? Do you add it like this ?

Below is the one I use:

CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS System, 1500VA/1000W, 12 Outlets, AVR, Mini Tower,Black​

I plug the Apex into this, but not UPS powered so it can control the power fail events as desired. IE: When power I would only run pumps and shut off heaters, which would allow my take to run for 12+ hrs just circulating water.

 

[christwendt]

Below is the one I use:

CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS System, 1500VA/1000W, 12 Outlets, AVR, Mini Tower,Black​

I plug the Apex into this, but not UPS powered so it can control the power fail events as desired. IE: When power I would only run pumps and shut off heaters, which would allow my take to run for 12+ hrs just circulating water.

Thanks so much. Can you confirm you have it set up like in this photo ? And just program certain things to be on if power is loss.