Neptune WXM Setup Manual

Apex Wireless Expansion

Module (WXM)

Setup Guide

Table of Contents

WIRELESS EXPANSION MODULE – INTRODUCTION ....................................................... 3

FEATURES ...................................................................................................................... 3

PHYSICAL INSTALLATION .............................................................................................. 3

Initial Connections .............................................................................................................. 4

Startup ............................................................................................................................. 4

VERIFY THE INSTALLATION ........................................................................................... 4

UPDATE WXM FIRMWARE ............................................................................................... 4

ECOTECH PUMP DRIVER FIRMWARE UPD ATE ................................................................. 5

WWD Firmware Update ....................................................................................................... 6

EcoSmart Manual Firmware Update ...................................................................................... 7

EcoSmart Automatic Firmware Update .................................................................................. 9

CONFIGURING TH E WX M .............................................................................................. 10

PROGRAMMING PUMPS ................................................................................................ 11

Advanced Program Example .............................................................................................. 13

NEPTUNE SYSTEMS LIMITED WARRANTY ..................................................................... 15

*VorTech, EcoSMART, and EcoTech Marine are all registered trademarks of EcoTech Marine.

WIRELESS EXPAN SION MODULE – INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of this Apex expansion module. The Apex Wireless
Expansion Module (WXM) provides the ability to control Ecotech Marine wireless pumps
from your Apex system. You can control them based on time of day, in response to feed
timers, or any event you can think of using the powerful Apex programming language.

FEATURES

• Wirelessly controls any of Eco Tech Marine's wireless pumps (Wireless Wave Driver or
EcoSmart).

• 11 Independent channels to support 11 pumps.

• Supports Ecotech Marine's Constant, Reef Crest, Lagoon Random, Nutrient

Transport*, Tidal Swell*, Pulse, Sync and Anti-Sync modes.

• Pump modes can be changed based on conditions and events throughout the day
using powerful Apex programming commands.

• The WXM attaches to and is powered by the Apex system via AquaBus.

• Automatic Plug N Play for easy setup and configuration.

• Pumps can be dynamically added/removed from the system.

• Upgradable WXM and EcoTech Marine pump firmware upgrade through AquaBus via

the Apex Base Module.

• Multi-color LED Status and Wireless Status indicators.

• 2 AquaBus ports for flexible system connections.

• Comes with a 3' AquaBus cable.

• Compatible with Apex and Apex Lite systems

* Requires EcoSmart pump driver.

PHYSICAL INSTA LLATION

WARNING: Your Apex Base Module must be running firmware version 4.03 or higher

to support the Wireless Expansion Mod u le (WXM). The current firmware version can
be checked from the Apex Display on the Self Test screen. If needed, please upgrade the
Apex Base Module firmware to 4.03 or higher before proceeding with the installation. See
the Apex Setup and Programming Guide for firmware upgrade instructions.

The AquaController WXM should be securely mou n t ed a s close as possible to the EcoTech
Marine Wireless Wave Driver (WWD) or EcoSmart driver in a location free from moisture.
Use wood screws through the mounting tabs of the expansion module case or if mounting
on drywall, use drywall anchors (mounting hardware not included).

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• Mount the WXM as close as possible to the EcoTech WWD or EcoSmart pump drivers
to ensure reliable wireless communic a tion.

• Mount all modules above the water line of the aquarium.

• Be sure to utilize drip loops on all power cords, AquaBus cables and probe cables.

WARNING: Water damage will void your warranty! Mount all modules in locations safe
from moisture ex posure.

INITIAL CONNECTIONS

Plug one end of the included AquaBus cable into one of the AquaBus ports on the WXM and
the other end into an available AquaBus port on your existing Apex system. It makes no
difference which AquaBus port is used and you do not need to power down the system
when connecting AquaBus a ccessories as the system is plug-and-play.

WARNING: NEVER plug standard USB devices into any AquaBus connector or AquaBus
accessories into computer USB ports. Damage to the AquaBus accessory and/or USB

device may result.

STARTUP

As soon as the WXM is connected to an active AquaBus, the probe module will power up
and begin to initialize. When first connected to an AquaController Base Module (through the
AquaBus), the WXM will automatically be assigned an AquaBus address and be added to
the AquaController configuration. The LED Status indicator on the WXM will flash yellow
while it is being initialized. Once initialized, the LED Status indicator will be solid green. The
LED Status indicator will flash yellow when the WXM is powered on and communication with
the AquaController Base Module is lost.

VERIFY THE INST ALLATION

Verify the WXM was initialized and added to the AquaController Apex configuration:

Apex Display: Setup – Module Setup – Modify Name – from this screen, you can
see all AquaBus modules installed on the system.
Web Interface: Configuration – Module Setup – Verify the WXM is listed in the Apex
Module List.

UPDATE WXM FIR MWARE

A new version of firmware for the WXM and EchoTech pumps may be included with Apex
Base Module firmware updates. You should check the firmware version status when the
WXM is first installed and after updating the AquaController Base Module firmware. See the

Apex Wireless Expansion Module (WXM) - Setup Guide Page 4

section titled Updating Firmware in the AquaController Apex Setup and Programming Guide

Pump Type

Minimum Firmware Version

MP40W

3.1

MP10 EcoSmart

1.5

MP40 EcoSmart

1.5

for instructions to update AquaController Apex Base Module and WXM firmware.

To check or update an Apex module firmware:

Apex Display: Setup – Module Setup – Update Module – use the up/down arrows to
highlight the Apex module to update, push Select to update.
Web Interface: Configuration – Module Setup – in the Module Configure area, in
the Module: box, select the Apex module to update from the dropdown list, click the
Update Firmware radio button, click the Submit Module Update button, a new
browser window will open to display the update status.

ECOTECH PUMP DRIVER FIRMWARE UPDATE

The WWD and EcoSmart drivers must be updated to a minimum firmware level before they
can be controlled by the WXM. See Table 1 - Minimum Firmware Versions for minimum
firmware versions.

The firmware version installed on an EcoTech Marine pump driver can be determined by
counting the LED blinking sequence when the pump is initially powered on. The major
revision is indicated by the number of green blinks while the minor revision by the number
of blue blinks. For example, 3 green blinks followed by 1 blue blink indicates version 3.1.

Table 1 - Minimum Firmware Versions

If your pumps are up to date, continue configuring your WXM and EcoTech Marine pumps
by following the directions in the section titled Configuring the WXM.

If your pump needs a firmware update, it can be upgraded through the WXM. To update
WWD pumps follow the steps outlined in the section titled WWD Firmware Update. To
update EcoSmart pumps that have not been connected or configured to connect to the
WXM must be updated manually using the instructions in the section titled EcoSmart
Manual Firmware Update section. EcoSmart pumps already connected to the WXM can be
updated using the automatic mode using the instructions in the EcoSmart Automatic

Firmware Update section.

Apex Wireless Expansion Module (WXM) - Setup Guide Page 5

NOTE: To downgrade EcoSmart pumps, the Automatic mode cannot be used, the manual
method must be used in this case.

WWD FIRMWARE UPDATE

Follow these steps to update the WWD firmware. The update procedure is initiated and
controlled at the Apex Display, these procedures cannot be performed from the Apex Web
Interface.

WARNING: Place the WXM and WWD within 2 feet of each other to ensure reli a ble

wireless communications during the entire firmware update procedure. Make sure all
EcoTech pumps are powered OFF except the pump being updated. Wireless
communications from other EcoTech Marine pumps can interfere with the update process.

Apex Display: Setup – Module Setup – Config Module

1) If you have more tha n on e WXM connected to t h e Apex, use the up and
down arrows to highlight the WXM that is within 2 feet of the pump to be
updated and press Select.

2) Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight WWD Update and press
Select.
The Apex Display will indicate:

WWD Update
Download: XX%

3) Once the download has completed, the Apex Display will indicate:

WWD Update
Download Complete
Begin Pump
Firmware update

Pumps Updated: X

4) Remove power to all EcoTech Marine wireless pumps (both WWD and
EcoSmart pumps).

5) On the pump you wish to update, press and hold the Set and Mode buttons
while you apply power to the WWD pump. Continue to hold these buttons
(about 10 seconds) until the WWD LED flashes red/white. Release the
buttons.

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