Apex Wireless Bridge / Touch Display

[twin1q]

Hello Nano Reef, I wanted to share my idea of my display for the Apex. It dual as a wireless bridge.

 

Background:

 

A few years ago when I was in college I bought an Apex Jr. without the display unit. I wanted to be frugal and just use my phone to control the unit. Two months ago I wanted to get the display unit. I went to Neptune's website and was in disbelief of the cost. They are charging $124.95 for the display unit. Later that week, I visited a LFS to shop for some new corals, and I saw their Apex used an Ipad for the display. That's when it hit me. I could use a cheap sub $100 windows tablet as a display. Plus I can use it as a wireless network bridge.

 

What I used:

 

HP Stream 7 Tablet 32 GB Windows 8.1 Signature Edition - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PJDNP5K

USB OTG hub charge with 3 ports for tablet - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TIQU232

Linksys USB 3.0 Ethernet Adapter - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LIW8TBG

 

I spent about $130 for all 3.

 

Here what it looks like:

I now have a nice touch display that allows the apex to be wireless connected.

 

I'll post instructions on how to setup the network for windows in a few days. Also, I'll try to post more detailed pics once I figure out how to upload them.

[ManGups]

Sweet .. Let us know how to set it up.

[twin1q]

Hello everyone, I figured out how to upload photos. Here are some better pics of the setup.

 

I got a little fancy with the mounting brackets. I used custom 3D printed brackets to mount the tablet. I did this to keep the the display at an angle.

I routed the wire between the door and the stand to allow me to open the door without any hassle. The wires do not bind or pinch.

 

In the inside of the stand, I have the OTG (On The Go) usb adapter ziptied to the wall. The Adapter plugs into the USB to Ethernet Adapter and the charger that came with the tablet. The charger plugs into the right.

 

*** Make sure the the switch on the OTG adapter is in the middle position **** This allows the charger to power the USB port and trickle charge the tablet. A side note: the tablet will not recognize that it is being charged, but It will be slowly charge the device.

 

Let me know if you have any questions. I'll try to get the tutorial on how to configure the Ethernet adapter to bridge with the WiFi on the tablet soon.

[twin1q]

I'm on a roll tonight. I upgraded the tablet to Windows 10!! And with no issues!! The network settings were untouched.

 

Now for the hard part of the project which is to to configure the WiFi and Ethernet. Its the same for both Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 and I'm sure its very similar to Windows 7.

 

Ok, the hard part is really easy to do once you have the USB to Ethernet adapter divers installed. I had issues with this so I used the CD to install the Linksys Driver. Luckily I have a USB to CD drive .

 

Now for the network setup. (The easy part)

Step 1: Search for Networking and Sharing Center and click on it

Step 2: Click on Select and Change

 

Step 3: Select the WiFi and Ethernet Port. You can zoom out to make it in list view to make this easier.

 

Step 4: Right Click by holding your finger on the selected items for a few seconds and release. Then click Bridge Connection.

Step 5: Wait while the PC does all the hard work. It may take a few min to set up.

You should have a new Icon when its done.

 

Step 6: Log onto ApexFusion and enjoy your new Apex Display / wireless bridge.

 

I use Chrome for my browser and set it to full screen. Be sure to change you touch keyboard settings for the expanded version. This will have the F keys and allow you to get out of full screen mode .

 

That's it! Not that scary. Hope you enjoyed this. Let me know if you have trouble.

 

 

[twin1q]

I almost forgot. You don't have to use a Windows tablet. Any computer with WiFi can be configured to do this as long as it is Not Windows RT. I don't really know if it'll work on Windows RT. You'll have figure that one out.

 

It will work with Mac's and Linux, but you'll have to do some homework to figure that out.

 

If get your display setup, please feel free to show them here.

[smeagol108]

Nice post. question, as I have only just started considering the apex, but I thought they were all wireless to begin with? Or is this only true of a certain model?

thanks!

[twin1q]

Nice post. question, as I have only just started considering the apex, but I thought they were all wireless to begin with? Or is this only true of a certain model?

thanks!

All models of the Apex have an Ethernet port to get Internet connectivity. There are no WiFi versions.

[ManGups]

Sweet man ... !!

[smeagol108]

All models of the Apex have an Ethernet port to get Internet connectivity. There are no WiFi versions

 

Another simple solution when the only option is hard wired Ethernet connection is Ethernet over Power Adapters. Pretty cool devices. Pretty much one end goes near your router and plugs into an electrical outlet. It has an Ethernet jack on it, which you than connect to your router. the other piece plugs into an electrical outlet wherever you need Ethernet. it has a jack on it too to provide Ethernet to your device. The network signal actually travels through the copper electrical wires in your home to the endpoint. real cool devices.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWRUIY4/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687522&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00CUD1M66&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=118TGA2YFCJP2C5GK6YW

[Exodus]

 

Another simple solution when the only option is hard wired Ethernet connection is Ethernet over Power Adapters. Pretty cool devices. Pretty much one end goes near your router and plugs into an electrical outlet. It has an Ethernet jack on it, which you than connect to your router. the other piece plugs into an electrical outlet wherever you need Ethernet. it has a jack on it too to provide Ethernet to your device. The network signal actually travels through the copper electrical wires in your home to the endpoint. real cool devices.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWRUIY4/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687522&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00CUD1M66&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=118TGA2YFCJP2C5GK6YW

Those Are the exact Same thing I use for my Apex, Very reliable and have worked great for me.

[ManGups]

 

Another simple solution when the only option is hard wired Ethernet connection is Ethernet over Power Adapters. Pretty cool devices. Pretty much one end goes near your router and plugs into an electrical outlet. It has an Ethernet jack on it, which you than connect to your router. the other piece plugs into an electrical outlet wherever you need Ethernet. it has a jack on it too to provide Ethernet to your device. The network signal actually travels through the copper electrical wires in your home to the endpoint. real cool devices.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWRUIY4/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687522&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00CUD1M66&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=118TGA2YFCJP2C5GK6YW

Only thing to note they both need to be on the same junction box .

[smeagol108]

Only thing to note they both need to be on the same junction box .

 

Not sure I agree. Maybe older ones do, but I currently and have many friends using them where they need to travel through our breaker panels/distribution panels to get to the outlets we have them on and they do this with no issue. Were you referring to the main breakerbox/distribution panel when you said Junction box? If so than you are correct.

[ManGups]

 

Not sure I agree. Maybe older ones do, but I currently and have many friends using them where they need to travel through our breaker panels/distribution panels to get to the outlets we have them on and they do this with no issue. Were you referring to the main breakerbox/distribution panel when you said Junction box? If so than you are correct.

Most house have different breaker for different room I.e. You can turn off light to a complete room and have lights for the other room on. I am not sure it is will work across that.

[twin1q]

 

Another simple solution when the only option is hard wired Ethernet connection is Ethernet over Power Adapters. Pretty cool devices. Pretty much one end goes near your router and plugs into an electrical outlet. It has an Ethernet jack on it, which you than connect to your router. the other piece plugs into an electrical outlet wherever you need Ethernet. it has a jack on it too to provide Ethernet to your device. The network signal actually travels through the copper electrical wires in your home to the endpoint. real cool devices.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWRUIY4/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687522&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00CUD1M66&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=118TGA2YFCJP2C5GK6YW

That is awesome. I'll try to get one of these soon for another project.

[smeagol108]

It definitely works across all breakers in a house, they all go to the same distribution board. Now outlets u can turn on and off, it obviously won't work if the outlet is off cause it needs power. But it will travel through your breaker box to other breaker/circuits in your house.

A friend that has two breakers boxes/distribution boards in his house and has them jumped it even crosses.

[ManGups]

It definitely works across all breakers in a house, they all go to the same distribution board. Now outlets u can turn on and off, it obviously won't work if the outlet is off cause it needs power. But it will travel through your breaker box to other breaker/circuits in your house.

A friend that has two breakers boxes/distribution boards in his house and has them jumped it even crosses.

Sweet.. I had got a pair from amazon couple of months back and I could not get it work so returned it. Good to know it works across breakers. Maybe I had a faulty one.

[smeagol108]

I can get you exact ones that work if u like. As well as more info.

[Neebles]

Maybe because it's 4am, but I don't quite understand what you are trying to do. Apex can already be run wirelessly with a router and wireless game adaptor. With that being said, apex does not recommend running any sort of system updates without being hard wired, I have experienced problems with this first hand. Also, it' sounds like a bit too much work to control the apex without a display when you can very easily use Apex fusion (which is free) to view and control everything via computer, tablet or phone. My buddy has control of my tank from his house should I be gone and something comes up, he can see a webcam feed of the display and or sump at any given time. Again I'm not trying to bash what you are trying to do, and maybe I just don't understand, but it seems like you are putting in a lot of work for something that is already possible and done quite often.

[twin1q]

Maybe because it's 4am, but I don't quite understand what you are trying to do. Apex can already be run wirelessly with a router and wireless game adaptor. With that being said, apex does not recommend running any sort of system updates without being hard wired, I have experienced problems with this first hand. Also, it' sounds like a bit too much work to control the apex without a display when you can very easily use Apex fusion (which is free) to view and control everything via computer, tablet or phone. My buddy has control of my tank from his house should I be gone and something comes up, he can see a webcam feed of the display and or sump at any given time. Again I'm not trying to bash what you are trying to do, and maybe I just don't understand, but it seems like you are putting in a lot of work for something that is already possible and done quite often.

A lot of people use their smart phones, IPad's, and PC's to connect to the Apex. And if they want a wireless connection to their router, they would use a gaming bridge. What I did was use a Windows tablet as a wireless bridge and have it set to display my Fusion account using chrome. I combine the features to one device. Also, since this tablet is running full blown windows, you can update the Apex directly from the PC . It's now running windows 10

Again, for almost the same price as the display unit, you get a wireless connection and a touch display.

[ruiisu]

Nice awesome build! Thank you for sharing!

Edit: Also I see you have the Jr, the new firmware increases the module capacity for the Apex Jr