HYDROS Online Manual IceCap Dual Pump Controller Activate Water Change Mode (0-10V)

Activate Water Change Mode (0-10V)

Sometimes, one may want to allow the IceCap Dual Pump Controller (ICDPC) to control the flow pumps in our tank, but at the same time, have a 3rd party controller tell the ICDPC to start Water Change Mode.

It brings the best of both worlds into one.  Allow the ICDPC to do what it does best while at the same time, trigger the Water Change mode with a click of a SINGLE button.

What you will need to get started

  • 3rd party controller with an available 0-10V port (Ethernet) and the latest firmware installed
  • IceCap Y-Cable

Step 1: Connecting the APX Link Cable

  • Using the IceCap Y-Cable 3.5mm stereo jack end, attach it to the ICDPC’s 0-10V IN port.
  • Connect the other end of the APX Link Cable (ethernet) to one of your APEX VS Ports.
TIP: The IceCap Y-Cable has two 3.5mm stereo jack connectors.  

If you connected the cable to the APEX’s VS1/2, then you need to program the APEX variable speed ports 1 or 2.  

If you connected the cable to the APEX’s VS3/4, then you need to program the APEX variable speed ports 3 and 4.

Step 2: Configure your APEX

  • Go into your APEX Fusion interface and select the VS port based on the physical port where you connected the APX Link Cable to the APEX.
  • Click on the “Gear” icon to the right of the name to enter the “Output Configuration” screen.
  • Under CONTROL TYPE, select “Advanced.”
  • If you are using one of the APEX Feed Modes to activate your water change sequence, enter the following:
    Set 0
    If FeedB 000 Then 30
    The 30 is the voltage number you want the VS port to send out, assuming that FeedB is your water change trigger.
  • If you are using a Virtual Outlet called Water_Change to activate your water change sequence, enter the following:
    Set 0
    If Output Water_Change = ON Then 30
    “Output Water_Change” is the Virtual Outlet you are using to trigger the sequence.  30 is the voltage number you want the VS port to send out, assuming that the Water_Change outlet is turned ON.

Step 3: Configure the ICDPC

Start the HYDROS App and go into the OPTIONS screen.

  • Change MODE CONTROL INPUT to 1.
    TIP: If after proceeding to the instructions below, the ICDPC does not respond after activating Feeding on the APEX, then change this number to 2.

Go into the MODES screen and tap on WATER CHANGE.

  • Set the mode’s INPUT VOLTAGE to three (3).
  • Set MODE TIMEOUT to 00:00:00 because we do not know how long it will take us to finish the water change.
  • Set EXIT DELAY to 00:02:00.  
    WARNING: If a pump is installed high, it may become exposed when all water movement stops.  This setting will add a delay-exit time AFTER the mode has deactivated. The ICDPC will wait 2 minutes before it deactivates Water Change mode and goes back to normal operation.
  • Select an LED COLOR in the mode configuration screen, and the ICDPC will display it while the Water Change Mode is active!

Step 4: Save your configuration

  • Tap on the yellow bottom band to upload your changes to the cloud and the ICDPC.

Now you can activate your Water Change Mode on your APEX.  It will send a 20-volt signal to the ICDPC.  After matching the voltage to the Water Change Mode, the ICDPC will activate it.