Expanding the Collective

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BR260354

BR260354

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I currently have an X2 Starter. I'm about to move away from the Apex Jr and also add Octo Pulse 2 and VarioS 4 return. I will likely add the wave engine v2. Trying to decide if I should add the X3 only (use the pH probe from Apex), add X3 Pro (to get the XP8), do the X4 only (same with pH probe), OR go for the X4 Pro Starter. Seems I could just get away with X3 only and add terminators and bus cables. Not sure if I need all the ports on the X4, but it is a nice to have....just in case.

Once decided, how would I connect all? XP8 to X2 for power? Would I do the same for the X3/X4? What's at the start and end of the collective?

Committing to Hydros after the good experience. Still would be nice to open it up to Home Assistant or Homebridge for other monitoring methods.

TIA!
 
The WEv2 will also power the buss. You can have both the WEv2 and XP8 or multiples of either on the command buss. It is just the power packs the connect directly to the command buss that cannot be on the buss with another power source unless there is a data only cable used between them. The order will not matter too much it is however you can best connect them together on your layout. The XP8 is a great controller to have. It also provides power monitoring like the drive ports do. I seem to run out of sense ports before any of the others. The X4 would give you 4 of those. But if you are not in a need for them you could go with the X3. I have a X3,XS,XP8 and WEv2 at my tank. The others are in the garage including an X4. I needed the 0-10v inputs for water level sensors in my storage tanks.
 
Would you power the WEv2 with the XP8 or does it need its own? Not sure if power goes "down the line". For example, XP8 power to X3 to X2 to WEv2.

X3 is probably enough for me for now. Gives me two extra sense ports with the two I have on the X2.

Thanks again!
 
The brain of the WEv2 can be powered by the buss but any pumps connected to the direct drive ports will not run without the WE power supply. Also if you get a battery backup you will have to connect that between the WE supply and the WE. I have the IceCap backup connected to mine. That will also power the other controller during a power outage. Of coarse it will not power the XP8 AC outlets though.
 
Is it worth driving a return pump with the WEv2? Have a VariouS-4. If not, I could get away with the WELite. I can see wave pumps, but unsure on returns.
 
According to the list you can control the VariouS 4 with a direct drive port. Make sure and get the correct adapter cable for it. It would let you set the speed with a schedule or schedules. You can also have it run with a battery backup if you get that although that is not an important pump to keep running during a power outage in most cases.
 
Hey Danny. Thanks again for your time. I ended up ordering the X4 Pro Starter, WEv2, and a few other items. Just want to confirm connectivity of the collective. Here's a possible layout: XP8 Command Bus to X4 Command Bus to X2 (existing) Command Bus to WEv2. WEv2 will have its own power supply. Terminators on the XP8 and WEv2. That work, or must I have Data Only between the X4 and X2? Per a video I watched, Carlos said the WEv2 and XP8 would know not to backfeed the power. Just want to verify. If I need the Data Only, I'll need to order that.
 
BR260354 said:
Hey Danny. Thanks again for your time. I ended up ordering the X4 Pro Starter, WEv2, and a few other items. Just want to confirm connectivity of the collective. Here's a possible layout: XP8 Command Bus to X4 Command Bus to X2 (existing) Command Bus to WEv2. WEv2 will have its own power supply. Terminators on the XP8 and WEv2. That work, or must I have Data Only between the X4 and X2? Per a video I watched, Carlos said the WEv2 and XP8 would know not to backfeed the power. Just want to verify. If I need the Data Only, I'll need to order that.
Click to expand...
If you are only using the XP8 and WEv2 to power the buss then it will work but more than likely only one will supply power to the buss. Mine is the XP8. I also have a WEv2, XS, X3 and XP8 at the tank. I do have a data only cable going from the tank to the controllers in the garage but only because it is too far to use a regular buss cable since they are 35ft away from each other.
 
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BR260354 said:
Hey Danny. Thanks again for your time. I ended up ordering the X4 Pro Starter, WEv2, and a few other items. Just want to confirm connectivity of the collective. Here's a possible layout: XP8 Command Bus to X4 Command Bus to X2 (existing) Command Bus to WEv2. WEv2 will have its own power supply. Terminators on the XP8 and WEv2. That work, or must I have Data Only between the X4 and X2? Per a video I watched, Carlos said the WEv2 and XP8 would know not to backfeed the power. Just want to verify. If I need the Data Only, I'll need to order that.
Click to expand...
Yes, XP8s, WEs and WELEs are all "power givers" and have back current protection built in so they can all be connected to the same power bus at the same time and wont hurt each other. The only Hydros power device that doesnt have this protection is the DC wall plug that plugs into the command bus port, that device can not be used in this situation or else a XP8 or WE will end up frying it. But multiple XP8s, WE, and WELEs are fine on the same bus and actually good to have from a redundancy perspective.
 
I see the WEv2 (and other WE's) can take a battery backup. However, only IceCap is supported. Really? I currently have a 12v backup for my MP40s that I'm about to replace. Would another 12v 20ah battery work??

Thanks again!
 
BR260354 said:
I see the WEv2 (and other WE's) can take a battery backup. However, only IceCap is supported. Really? I currently have a 12v backup for my MP40s that I'm about to replace. Would another 12v 20ah battery work??

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
That would work on the Kraken when it comes out but I think the wave engine adapter cables needed are made to connect to the IceCap V3.
 
Hello again. I have OctoPulse 2 (two of them) connected to the direct drive ports on the WEv2. All good. Once I received the third connector, I tried to setup the Varios-4 return within the collective. First I just received pump errors. Tried both ports 3 and 4 on the WEv2, still nothing. I then tried swapping out the adapter cables from the connect OctoPulse. I took the adapter cable that I tried for the return to the Pulse - that cable works. For the return, it "pulses" on and off still with the pump error on the status screen. Also tried ports 3 and 4.

The Varios-4 is setup as a Flow Pump 0 to 100% range. I also setup a schedule for Constant Speed (at 4% currently for testing). I also tried different Positions thinking that perhaps it was conflicting with the other Positions/Patterns for the Pulses.

Not sure what else I'm missing. I guess I could try one of the drive ports the Pulses use. Thoughts? TIA!
 
Try higher than 4%, that low may not work with that pump, try atleast 20%. Also check the connection between the pump adapter and the pump connector. That is keyed but easily mismatched since the rubber is so flexible. Double check to make sure the keyying on that connector matches both sides of the connector
 
Thanks for the quick response. I set to 20%. BTW, I had it at 40% before I went to 4%...but at this point, I'll try whatever I need! Double checked the connectors. I even moved one of the Octo Pulses from Drive port 2 to 4 and moved the Varios-4 to Drive port 2. Same results. Return pump goes on, then off (pump error), then on again...back and forth. Weird. Yes, I even swapped pump adapter cables.

I also tested the Varios-4 with its own controller....that works fine. So the pump does work.

Thanks again!
 
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