I would like to be able to boost the current from the 0-10V Apex signal so I can control my moonlights. In other words I want to boost the current from ~10 mA from the signal port to say 600 mA to power the moonlight LEDs. Any premade boards or easy circuits? This is pretty much the last task for my DIY LED project.
Control Signal Converter/Booster
- Thread starter Maives
- Start date
schwaggs
New member
Yes, it is called a Meanwell LED driver 
You may not need to drive that many LEDs so a smaller Luxeon Buck-Puck might fit the bill. Check out the 3021 series specifically the 3021-A-E-700 (drives 700ma) or 3021-A-I-700 (drives 700 ma but has an adjustable drive current). They are available for ~$15 and come in various drive current versions.
http://www.luxdrive.com/luxdrive-products/buckpuck-3021-3023-led-driver/
Just make sure you get a dimable LED Driver
You may not need to drive that many LEDs so a smaller Luxeon Buck-Puck might fit the bill. Check out the 3021 series specifically the 3021-A-E-700 (drives 700ma) or 3021-A-I-700 (drives 700 ma but has an adjustable drive current). They are available for ~$15 and come in various drive current versions.
http://www.luxdrive.com/luxdrive-products/buckpuck-3021-3023-led-driver/
Just make sure you get a dimable LED Driver
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Yes, it is called a Meanwell LED driver
You may not need to drive that many LEDs so a smaller Luxeon Buck-Puck might fit the bill. Check out the 3021 series specifically the 3021-A-E-700 (drives 700ma) or 3021-A-I-700 (drives 700 ma but has an adjustable drive current). They are available for ~$15 and come in various drive current versions.
http://www.luxdrive.com/luxdrive-products/buckpuck-3021-3023-led-driver/
Just make sure you get a dimable LED Driver
So the 3021-A-E-700 will accept a 0-10V signal which will in turn control the voltage to the LEDs? Did not consider the Meanwell due to overkill and form factor. I think even the 350 mA is enough for moonlights.
I think what I really need is a 3021-D-E-350 which would allow me to supply 12VDC from a wall transformer and 0-10VDC from apex control. Yes, no?
BTW, I would need a voltage divider circuit to reduce the 0-10V Apex output to 0-5V output compatible with the Buck Puck.
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So I ordered a 3021-D-E-700 and wired it to a DC adaptor and my moonlights, with the Apex sending a control voltage (0-5V). However, the BuckPuck is behaving as a switch, either full voltage from the adaptor or zero voltage. The variable control voltage should result in variable DC voltage to the LED leads, but it does not. I think the 3021-D-E-700 is defective. Any ideas?
schwaggs
New member
Why are you using 0-5V? The datasheet for the buckpuck lists the control signal as 0-10V...
Because 4.2V to 10V is empty real estate, meaning after 4.2V the current remains zero. Reducing the range to 0 to 5V increases the sensitivity. In other words a 1% Apex change in intensity translates to a 0.1V (unaltered) or 0.05V (split voltage) change. If you don't need the sensitivity, then it really doesn't matter.
If you are interested in the solution to the problem, it can be found here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1951788
