TheReefNinja
Imagination superfreak
Ok so I got the Arduino environment all set up. Does this tell you errors in your code like some other dev environments?
Woohoo I got my first piece of the project!...The DS1307 RTC...yep that's right I now have a clock....LOL
excellent info here Katchuppoy!
One question, can this controller make LEDs undergo softstart or softstop?
I saw your post on another thread, and I believe the answer is the same.
If you are using a non-dimmable driver then the answer is "no"
this setup is designed for dimmable drivers.
let me ask you this? You dont like the on and off of your setup? Define soft start? like 1 minute ramp up? 30 seconds? 5 seconds?
Tell me...
I have nothing against dimmiable drivers. Since I had a constant current driver, I figured there may be a way out here. Looks like I may have to go with dimable driver.
My LEDs come on instantly and go off instantly. All of them are run using a single driver. Kind of photoshock if you will!
Soft start could be anywhere between 5 min to 30 min. 30 mins is better.
A transistor inline with your Leds connected to the PWM should allow you to dim and control the LEDS, the PWM causes the transistor to OPEN and CLOSE (turn off and on) rapidly so the faster your pulse (higher frequency) the brighter your LEDs should be the slower the pulse (lower frequency) the dimmer they should get. I havent tried it, but in theory this should work, if i'm wrong I hope someone will chime in. Im awaiting the delivery of my LEDs and heatsinks so I can get my tank up and running.
EDIT: PS Subscribed to this cant wait to start up my project and hopefully I can help contribute and we can build this up more.
A transistor inline with your Leds connected to the PWM should allow you to dim and control the LEDS, the PWM causes the transistor to OPEN and CLOSE (turn off and on) rapidly so the faster your pulse (higher frequency) the brighter your LEDs should be the slower the pulse (lower frequency) the dimmer they should get. I havent tried it, but in theory this should work, if i'm wrong I hope someone will chime in. Im awaiting the delivery of my LEDs and heatsinks so I can get my tank up and running.
EDIT: PS Subscribed to this cant wait to start up my project and hopefully I can help contribute and we can build this up more.
PWM is a square wave and can be measured in Hz therefore it is a frequency. But yes we are on the same page.
IMHO a very bad idea. When the transistor opens the lines the constant current driver will output maximum voltage to try and get the current up. Snce the sting is open it can't increase the current and keeps raising the voltage. When the transistor is then turned on maximum voltage will briefly be applied to the string until the driver can get the current back under control. So for a very small time you will possibly be over driving your LEDs.
If you were to do the transistor thing do what someone above (kcress?) posted and shunt the current around the LEDs.
IMHO a very bad idea. When the transistor opens the lines the constant current driver will output maximum voltage to try and get the current up. Snce the sting is open it can't increase the current and keeps raising the voltage. When the transistor is then turned on maximum voltage will briefly be applied to the string until the driver can get the current back under control. So for a very small time you will possibly be over driving your LEDs.
If you were to do the transistor thing do what someone above (kcress?) posted and shunt the current around the LEDs.
Tagging along, would love to have a solution to the 5v PWM signal converted to 10vdc analog for the meanwell D drivers.