Apex Controller and DIY LED lights trouble

R

rvales

New member
I am using Meanwell eln-60-48d connected to a APEX AquaController. The Lights turn on but constantly go from bright to dim then back to bright. Has anyone experience the same issue?
 
Not sure if its an Apex problem or a driver problem Here is one way to find out. Disconnect the driver dimming wires and connect them to either a 9v battery or a 10vdc powersupply. it all is good then it could be either an Apex hardware issue or a programming issue. If it is a Apex issue then I suggest you post this in the Apex forum on this site. That is where I go when I have Apex issues. If you like you can PM me with a copy of your lighting profiles and outlet code, and although I am in no means an expert I run eln-60-48d driver with my Apex
 
I never did any programming besides the date and time and used the default for the outlets, because I just wanted to test the lights. I am not certain what settings I should use for the outlets. I will post a copy of the profile when I get home a little later today. Thank you for the quick response.
 
If you havent done programing you might want to check what it is set at. Those are set up for pumps it may be making a wave pattern. There is alot programing you can do if you look around that will get you what you want. My apex was set up like that as well when I first got it and had to trun the dimming ports off and set up the program for sun up and down
 
I changed it from pump to lights and that fixed the error for a liitle while. Now non of the varaible ports work. I tried to reset the whole unit using network>init>all but the ports flash on and off, but do not activate the lights anymore. I think this unit is defective.
 
Although possible there could be a problem try this. Go to the varriable speed port of your lights. switch the program to advance remove the code that there and enter this code

Fallback On
Set On

Update the outlet and the lights should work... Once you get that working you can create profiles. then place the profiles in to you code. Below is a copy of mine

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 16:00 to 16:30 Then BlueAiu
If Time 16:30 to 23:30 Then Fullblue
If Time 23:30 to 23:59 Then BlueAid
If Outlet Weather = ON Then Weather
If Temp > 82.0 Then OFF
 
Last edited:
The V1/V2 ports do not function.
I tried a Self Test and it passed.
I tried System>Init Memory>Init All , but that did not resolve the issue.
I tried downloading the latest bios update and installed it with the flash utility. It went through successfully, but that did not resolve the issue either.
I think the unit is defective.
 
How do you know the variable ports are not working? You may have fried your lights. The 48Ds can put out almost 2 amps in the right circumstances and if your Apex was set at max settings then its possible you cooked your LEDs. Need to know more about your LED setup.

How many LEDs? Multiple strings? What kind of LEDs? Did you make your own cables or buy Neptunes? Did you use fuses in the strings? Did you create profiles and program the Apex like instructed earlier?
 
You need to explain alittle more. I don't think that programming will work. How is your lights hooked up to your APEX? You need a 0-10v for dimming control. You have the drivers plugged into the EB, and then you will need a dimming cable to run to the Variable speed ports to control dimming.

Check this manual, scroll down to the programming for ramping up and down.

http://reeftech.webs.com/Apex%20New%20User%20Guide.pdf
 
So you need to create a profile for each ramp up, ramp down, blue, and white.

All the EB is doing is turning the power on. You need the profiles to dim. Did you adjust the meanwell's internal trim pot before you plugged them in?
 
rvales said:
The LEDs are fine I tried with a 9v battery and they light fine and they also work in the The V3/V4 ports.
Click to expand...

how did you get them to work in the v3/v4 ports? have you tried the same code on the v1/v2 another thing look to see if the green light on the port turns on. If it does you have power on the dimming port.
 
I set it back to factory and I did the same exact thing I did for port V3/V4 for Ports V1/V2 the lights are green on all the ports, but the voltages read the follwing V1 = 0, V2 = .30, V3 = 10.14 and V4 = 10.14 .
 
I am running 12 3v LED's in series and paralel to the 12 is another 12 in series for a total of 24 per meanwell eln-60-48d drivers. I will have total of 180 lights when complete.
 
what programming have you done on the apex looks to me like v1 and v2 are off and v 3 and v 4 are on 100%
can you post your programming for the outlets
 
Looks like all you need is to setup Profiles for your ramping up and down. Read the manual that is the link above.

Both your dimming ports are putting out a full 10v. That's 100%. All you need is to setup up ramp rates to bring that voltage down to dim down and voltage up to dim up.
 
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