Autopilot APCEPH1 User manual



APCEPH1 pH CONTROLLER
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SPECIFICATIONS APCEPH1
Input voltage 120 Volts AC
Maximum amperage 14.5 amps @ 120 VAC
pH Accuracy +/- 0.2 pH
pH Control range Adjustable 4.5 – 8.5 pH
Weight < 1 lbs
Dimensions 3" x 6" x 3.5"

2 www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
BASIC DESCRIPTION
The APCEPH1 has been designed to accurately and reliably measure and control the pH
of any aqueous (water-based) soluon, including hydroponic nutrient mixtures as well as
sh aquariums. It does this by measuring the pH level of the water to be controlled and
then it will automacally add pH adjustment (EITHER acid or alkali) to change the liquid’s
pH to the user’s desired level. Note: Most water soluons will slowly change pH over me in a
single direcon (either raising OR lowering of the pH).
The user can select their desired pH seng from 4.5 to 8.5 pH. Many other adjustable
sengs allow the APCEPH1 to be customized by the user for their specic needs. For best
results, read and follow these instrucons.
PRINCIPAL OF OPERATION
The APCEPH1 consists
of several components.
Understanding how
these components work
together is crical to
geng the most from the
APCEPH1.
1. Sensors: Two
sensors are provided
with the system, a
temperature sensor
and a pH sensor. The
sensors are connected
to an in-line sensor
interface cable. The
sensors are then
inserted into the
“sampling assembly”.
2. APCEPH1SK -
Sampling assembly
(oponal / sold
separately): For
best results, the
sensors should have
a constant ow of
water to ensure
they are accurately
measuring the pH
and temperature. The
sampling assembly
holds the two sensors
and provides water
ow across the
sensors to accurately
measure the water
temperature and pH
level.

Sensor interface
connects to
controller
pH sensor
probe Temperature
sensor probe


pH and
temperature
sensors inserted
into sampling
assembly
SAM-1
Sampling
assembly
Water
inlet
Water outlet
1. SENSORS
2. SAMPLING
ASSEMBLY*
*Sold separately

3
www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
3.  A
circulang pump will
constantly supply water
to the sensor sampling
assembly. The pump
includes an inlet lter to
ensure the sensors do
not become fouled. The
circulang pump will also
provide good aeraon
of the water while
operang.
4. Dosing pump: A
chemically resistant
low-voltage peristalc
pump is used to
accurately transfer the pH
adjustment liquid (acid or
alkali) into the water. The
pump comes with a low-
volt power supply.
5. Controller: The APCEPH1
controller is the “brain”
of the system. The
sensors and peristalc
pump connect to the
controller.


LCD
display
4 simple
to operate
push
buons
Dosing
pump
connecon


pH
adjustment
liquid inlet
pH
adjustment
liquid outlet
3. SUBMERSIBLE
CIRCULATING
PUMP*
4. PERISTALTIC
DOSING
PUMP
5. CONTROLLER
*Sold separately

4 www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
HOW IT WORKS
Although the APCEPH1 may seem
complicated, the basic operaon of the
unit is actually quite simple. The example
below describes the operaon of the
APCEPH1 being used to lower the pH of a
water tank / reservoir or aquarium.
Let’s assume that the user has selected pH
down control with the following sengs:
pH = 6.0
 = 10 seconds
 = 2 minutes
pH deadband = 0.2
pH Up or Down = Down
The pH sensor probe constantly measures
the pH of the water to be controlled. In
this example, when the pH levels rises
beyond 6.0 ph, the unit will acvate the
dosing pump for 10 seconds.
Aer the dosing pump stops, the mixing
mer will start to count down for 2
minutes. The mixing mer is important to
allow sucient me for the pH adjustment
acid to completely mix into the water.
During the mixing me, the unit is waing
for the water to react to the addion of
the pH adjustment liquid.
By adding only a small amount of pH
adjustment each dosing “cycle”, the pH
level can be lowered slowly to the desired
level. If too much pH adjustment is added
to the water or if the mixing mer is set
too low, the pH level could “over-shoot”
the desired pH level.
Once the mixing mer counts down to
zero, the unit will again measure the pH
level and determine if another dose is
required (this is where the deadband
seng works).
In this example, the pH deadband is set
at 0.2 pH. So if the pH sensor detects that
the level has dropped from 6.0 to 5.8 or
below, no other doses are required and the
controller will not acvate another dosing
cycle. If the unit measures the pH to sll be
above 5.8 pH, addional pH dosing cycle(s)
will connue to occur unl the pH level
goes down below the pH seng MINUS
the deadband seng. (The deadband
seng works just the opposite when
raising the pH level… pH seng PLUS the
deadband).
By adding pH adjustment slowly in small
amounts, the pH level will gradually go
down to the desired level without “over-
shoong” the pH setpoint.
Ideally, the user should start with a low
seng for the dose me and a high seng
for the mixing me to allow plenty of me
for the pH adjustment to stabilize.
If the user has a large quanty of water to
be controlled, the dosing and mixing mer
sengs may need to be increased. Smaller
quanes of water can use lower dosing
and mixing mes.

Peristaltic
pump
Temp sensor
Sample pump
(operates 24 hours)
Hydroponic nutrient
reservoir
*Provided by user
The “sample” pump will constantly operate
to provide a sample of the current nutrient.
The sample pump will also mix and aerate
the nutrient.
pH stock adjustment
liquid reservoir
*Provided by user
pH
sensor
SAM-1
Chemical
tubing
Sensor
interface cable
D1-
PHC

APCEPH1

5
www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
INSTALLATION
SENSOR ASSEMBLY
1. If you are using the APCEPH1SK
sampling assembly, refer to the
instrucons to install the sensors.
2. If you are not using the APCEPH1SK
sampling assembly, connect the probe
cables and then secure the probes in
the water to be measured.
CIRCULATING PUMP
1. A circulang pump provides a constant
ow of water to the sensors. The
circulang pump should be connected
to a constant power source.
Note: For aquarium use, a lter pump
head can be used to provide constant
water ow to the sensor assembly.
2. Connect a piece of tubing from
your circulang pump to one of
the inlets on the sensor assembly
(water can ow in either direcon
through the sampling assembly). The
sensor assembly has been designed
to mount on the side of the water
tank / reservoir or a wall. The return
side of the sensor assembly must be
posioned so that the water will go
back into the water tank / reservoir. A
second piece of tubing can be used.
Note: The inlet lter on the submersible
pump should be cleaned frequently to
ensure the sensor probes do not become
dirty.
DOSING PUMP
1. The dosing pump outlet tubing
must be posioned to allow the
pH adjustment liquid to enter the
water tank/reservoir. The pump is
self-priming and will transfer the
pH adjustment liquid from the pH
adjustment bole into the water tank/
reservoir. Select a suitable locaon to
secure the dosing pump.
Note: Ensure you are using the correct pH
adjustment (acid or alkali) based on your
needs.
2. Once the dosing pump is secured, and
the small tubing is securely connected
to the pump’s inlet and outlet, cut the
tubing to the correct length. The inlet
side of the tubing must reach into the
boom of the pH adjustment bole,
the outlet side is placed into the water
tank / reservoir.
3. The peristalc dosing
pump inlet must be
connected to the user’s
pH liquid adjustment
bole. The simplest
way to do this is to drill
or punch a small hole in
the screw cap of your
pH adjustment bole.
Then insert the small
diameter chemically
resistant tubing though the cap to the
boom of the pH adjustment bole.
4. To “prime” the pump, plug the pump’s
power supply cable into a source of
power and to the dosing pump. The
pump will operate and slowly the pH
adjustment liquid will be drawn up to
the pump and out of the outlet tubing.
Disconnect the dosing pump.




Using the sampling assembly
Not using the sampling assembly



6 www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SETTING DESCRIPTION FACTORY SETTING SETTING RANGE
PH setpoint 6.0 4.5 – 8.5
Dosing me 10 3 – 60 seconds
Mixing me 4 1 – 20 minutes
pH deadband 0.2 0.1 – 0.5
Select pH UP or
DOWN
User must select whether they
are going to be increasing or
decreasing pH.
Down Up or Down
Maximum # of
doses
User can set maximum number
of dosing cycles before an error
will be acvated.
40 25–120 *
Low pH limit User can select the lowest
allowable pH level. If the unit
measures the pH level to be
under this seng, the unit will
shut down and trigger an error.
4.5 3.5 – 7.0 pH
High pH limit User can select the highest
allowable pH level. If the unit
measures the pH level to be
over this seng, the unit will
shut down and trigger an error.
7.5 6.7 – 9.0 pH
Minimum pH
recorded
Records lowest measured
pH. Press Enter to reset the
recorded Min value.
Current value n/a
Maximum pH
recorded
Records lowest measured
pH. Press Enter to reset the
recorded Max value.
Current value n/a
Dose count Counts the number of dosing
cycles.
0n/a
Calibrate 7.0 See Calibrang the pH Sensor
for details.
7.0 Fixed at 7.0
Calibrate 4.0 See Calibrang the pH Sensor
for details.
4.0 Fixed at 4.0
F or C display User can select either C or F for
temperature display.
F C or F
*Note: If the pH level does not get to the pH set-point before the maximum dose count is reached,
an error will be acvated.
INSTALLATION, cont.
CONTROLLER
1. Connect the sensor interface cable to
the controller.
2. Connect the pH sensor probe cable to
the sensor interface cable.
3. Plug the controller into a source of
power away from water.
Note: Do not connect the dosing pump
yet.

MENUS
The sengs are listed below. When the
user touches the MENU buon, the LCD
will show the user the menu items. If the
user does not touch any buon for 15
seconds, the LCD will revert back to the
standard display.

7
www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
The 4 push buons on the unit are UP / DOWN / Menu / Enter.
• When the user presses the Menu buon, the rst menu item will be displayed.
• Using the UP or DOWN buons will scroll through the other menu items that can be
customized by the user.
• When the user wants to change a seng, press the Enter buon and the current
seng will be blinking on and o to indicate the seng can be changed.
• Use the UP or DOWN buons to change the seng.
• Press the Enter buon a second me to accept the new seng and store it in memory.
LCD DISPLAY OPERATION
When the unit rst powers up, there is a 1 minute “warm-up” period for the sensors
to stabilize. During the rst one minute of operaon, the LCD will display the current
measured readings.
T E M P 7 8. 5 FP H 6. 0
W A RM U P P H T E M P
Aer one minute (during normal operaon), LCD display will display the following screen:
T E M P 7 8. 5 FP H 6. 0
P H O O P RO B E S O K
During pH DOWN dosing, the screen will change to display the following (the me seng
will be shown on the right side of the LCD display and the mer will count down the
remaining me):
T E M P 7 8. 5 FP H 6. 0
P H D O W NT I M E 3 0
During pH UP dosing, the screen will change to display the following (the me seng
will be shown on the right side of the LCD display and the mer will count down the
remaining me):
T E M P 7 8. 5 FP H 6. 0
P H U P T I M E 3 0
During mixing, the screen will change to display the following (the me seng will be
shown on the right side of the LCD display and the mer will count down the remaining
me):
T E M P 7 8. 5 FP H 6. 0
M I X I NG T I M E 1 0 0 0

8 www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

The user can manually test the dosing system by pressing Enter TWO TIMES. Aer
pressing Enter the rst me, the display will read: Press Enter to test dosing.
Pressing Enter will force the dosing pump to acvate. The dosing mer and the mixing
mer will cycle one me. When the test is complete, the unit resumes normal operaon.
ERROR RESETTING
If an error needs to be reset, holding the Enter buon for 3 seconds will reset any fault.

There are several error condions that the unit will monitor. If an error is detected, the
unit will alert the user to a problem. If there is an error detected, the backlit LCD display
will be ashing on and o and the output to the dosing pump will be disabled.
PH SENSOR READING “FROZEN” FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS
If the sensor reading does not change by at least 0.01 pH in a 60-hour period, there could
be something wrong with the sensor, or the sensor input. The user should check the
calibraon and funcon of the pH sensor.
T E M P 7 8. 5 FP H 6. 0
P H S E NS O RL O C K
TEMP SENSOR READING “FROZEN” FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS
If the sensor reading does not vary by at least .5 degree F in a 48 hour period, there could
be something wrong with the temp sensor, or the sensor input.
ERRORP H 6. T
T E M P S E NS O RL O C K
IF PH READING IS BELOW THE MINIMUM SETTING
If the unit reads a pH level below the minimum pH seng selected by the user, there
could be something wrong with the sensor, the unit itself, the strength of the pH
adjustment or even an empty reservoir. The user should check the calibraon and
funcon of the pH sensor.
T E M P 7 8. 5 FERROR
P H L O W L I M I T

9
www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
IF PH READING IS ABOVE THE MAXIMUM SETTING
If the unit reads a pH level above the maximum pH seng selected by the user, there
could be something wrong with the sensor, the unit itself, the strength of the pH
adjustment or even an empty reservoir. The user should check the calibraon and
funcon of the pH sensor.
T E M P 7 8. 5 FERROR
P H H I G H L I M I T
OPPOSITE REACTION TO DOSING DOWN
If pH dosing down, but the measured pH goes up, verify the correct pH adjustment liquid
is being used. The user can also check the calibraon and funcon of the pH sensor.
T E M P 7 8. 5 FERROR
P H D O S E U P ?
OPPOSITE REACTION TO DOSING UP
If pH dosing up, but the measured pH goes down, verify the correct pH adjustment liquid
is being used. The user can also check the calibraon and funcon of the pH sensor.
T E M P 7 8. 5 FERROR
P H D O S E D O W N?
EXCEEDED MAX DOSES
Aer several dosing cycles, the unit should detect the pH level is now at the user’s pH
seng. If it takes too many doses to get the pH level to the desired seng, there is likely
a problem. It could be a problem with the pH sensor or possibly the dosing pump is not
operang correctly. This error may be caused by the pH adjustment bole being empty.
The dosing me or the maximum number of doses seng may need to be increased.
T E M P 7 8. 5 FERROR
M A X D O S E L I M I T
SENSOR OR CONNECTION PROBLEMS
If there is a problem with the sensor interface, sensor connecon or the sensors
themselves, one of 2 errors will be displayed.
If the sensor interface is disconnected aer the unit has been operang for some me,
the LCD will read:
ERRORERROR
S E NS O RC O M FA I L

10 www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
If the pH sensor is disconnected, or the pH sensor is faulty, the LCD will read:
ERRORERROR
P H S E NS O R F A I L
CURRENT OVERLOAD
If the unit detects excessive current (greater than 4.5 amps) the current overload error
will be displayed.
Acon: The output will be disabled unl the unit is disconnected from the electric supply
to reset the error. When the error occurs the unit will read:
ERRORERROR
O V E RL O A D
FACTORY SETTINGS RESET
The unit comes pre-programmed with
standard sengs that can be modied
easily by the user.
DESCRIPTION
FACTORY
SETTING
pH setpoint 6.0 pH
Dosing me 10 seconds
Mixing me 4 minutes
pH deadband 0.2 pH
Select pH UP or DOWN Down
Maximum # of Doses 40
Low pH limit 4.5 pH
High pH limit 7.5 pH
Minimum pH recorded Current value
Maximum pH recorded Current value
Dose count 0
Temp Mode (C or F) F
Calibrate 7.0 7.0 pH
Calibrate 4.0 4.0 pH
Note: The factory sengs can be recalled and
the unit returned to factory sengs at any
me by pressing and holding the Menu and UP
buons for 3 seconds, then press Enter.
CALIBRATING THE pH SENSOR
The APCEPH1 uses a high quality pH
sensor, but all pH sensors can go out of
calibraon due to debris accumulang
on the sensor surface or other factors.
The APCEPH1 has a simple process to
recalibrate the pH sensor.
The temperature sensor NEVER requires
calibraon.
Note: It is crical to FIRST calibrate the pH
sensor to 7.0 pH. Aer Cal 7.0 is complete, you
can calibrate to 4.0 pH.
1. Shut o water circulang pump.
Remove the pH sensor from the pH
sampling assembly.
2. Rinse the p of the pH sensor
with clean water to remove any
accumulated dirt or debris.
3. Shake or wipe excess water from the
sensor.
4. Place both the temp and pH sensor
p into a satchel or cup of fresh
7.0 calibraon soluon. Agitate the
soluon to ensure the sensor reads the
calibraon soluon correctly.
5. To start the 7.0 calibraon, press and
hold the ENTER and UP push buons
for 3 seconds.

11
www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
6. When the Calibrate 7.0 screen is
displayed, press the Enter buon to
start the calibraon process. Aer
calibraon, the unit will display the
message 7.0 Calibraon Complete.
7. If the user wants to calibrate to 4.0,
repeat the process above using the
4.0 calibraon soluon and start the
Calibrate 4.0 funcon using the ENTER
and DOWN pushbuons for 3 seconds.
8. When the Calibrate 4.0 screen is
displayed, press the Enter buon to
start the calibraon process. Aer
calibraon, the unit will display the
message 4.0 Calibraon Complete.
Note: If the unit displays a Calibraon error,
check to make sure the calibraon soluon you
are using is correct. Re-start the calibraon
process from the beginning with 7.0 pH.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The LCD lighted display is blinking on

All errors detected by the unit will cause
the unit to go into “safe-mode” and
disable the pH funcon. Refer to the Error
codes and Troubleshoong secon of the
instrucons.
Note: All errors are reset by pressing and
holding the Enter buon for 3 seconds. When
the error has been reset, the display will stop
ashing and the unit will return to normal
operaon.
The pH seems to be unstable and needs
constant adjustment.
All water soluons will experience pH
changes, but if excessive aeraon or
certain biologically acve nutrients are
used, the pH changes could be more
dramac. Using the APCEPH1SK sampling
assembly and the submersible mixing
pump that comes with the APCEPH1SK
will provide adequate mixing of the water
without over-aeraon.

12 www.hydrofarm.com
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
LIMITED WARRANTY
Hydrofarm, Inc. doing business as Hydrofarm, Inc. (collecvely
HYDROFARM) warrants that for a period of three years from the
date of purchase, this product will be free from defects in material
and workmanship. HYDROFARM, at its opon, will repair or replace
this product or any component of the product found to be defecve
during the warranty period. Replacement will be made with a new or remanufactured
product or component. If the product is no longer available, replacement may be made
with a similar product of equal or greater value. This is your exclusive warranty. DO NOT
aempt to repair or adjust any electrical or mechanical malfuncons on this product.
Doing so will void this warranty and may cause serious injury/death/damage.
This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of the inial retail
purchase and it not transferable. Keep the original sales receipt. Proof of purchase is
required to obtain warranty performance. HYDROFARM dealers, distributors, service
centers and retail outlets selling HYDROFARM products do not have any right to alter,
modify or in any way change the terms and condions of this warranty.
This warranty does not cover normal wear of parts or damage resulng from the
following: negligent use or misuse of the product, use on improper voltage or current,
use contrary to the operang instrucons, use contrary to any and all applicable local,
state, provincial or federal laws, disassembly, repair or alteraon by anyone other than
HYDROFARM or an HYDROFARM authorized service center. Future, the warranty does
not cover: Acts of God, such as re, ood, hurricanes, tornadoes, nor Acts of War or Acts
of Terrorism.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITS ON HYDROFARM’S LIABILITY?
HYDROFARM shall not be liable for any incidental or consequenal damages cause by the
breach of any express, implied or statutory warranty or condion.
Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, any implied warranty or condion of
merchantability or tness for a parcular purpose is limited in duraon to the duraon of
the above warranty.
HYDROFARM disclaims all other warranes, condions or representaons, express,
implied, statutory or otherwise.
HYDROFARM shall not be liable for any damages of any kind resulng from the
purchase, use or misuse of, or inability to use the product including incidental, special,
consequenal or similar damages or losses of prots, or for any breach of contract,
fundamental or otherwise, or for any claim brought against the purchaser by any other
party.
Some provinces, states or jurisdicons do not allow exclusion or limitaons on how long
an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitaons or exclusion may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary
from province to province, state to state or jurisdicon on jurisdicon.
This warranty is oered by HYDROFARM,INC., If you have any other problem or claim
in connecon with this product, please write our Consumer Service Headquarters,
HYDROFARM,INC.
Copyright 2013 Hydrofarm, Inc. All rights reserved.
Distributed by Hydrofarm, Inc. | Made in China
WARRANTY AND LIABILITY
*6 months
for pH probe
*