DIY LEDs - The write-up

[CJO]

Does anyone know if the controller for the Apex is capable of doing the same automated dimming for the LED's as the AI units as long as you are using dimming Meanwells?

Yes- I'm using my Apex unit to dim the LEDs. It took a bit of additional programming to be able to do it with the SUN command. I think I've finished debugging it. If it is working well today, I'll post a small write-up on the programming in the Neptune forum tomorrow.

CJ

 

[TheFishMan65]

I just talked with Anna at ETG tech. She told me that they have been purchased by Arrow (I think it was). They are having to change the way they handle small orders (less than 1000s pieces). Which is most of us. They are about to have a meeting on how small orders will be handled and she will email me later. I will post the response when I get it.

 

[hllywd]

Good price, not sure about the quality.

It doesn't specify which LEDs they're meant for, but they look like XR-E...

The price is right, and they fit pretty tight, no worries about them falling off. I have 96 - 70° on mine. IMO better all around than the ones I paid a buck each for. 2+ weeks for delivery to Ohio so you know...
Tim

 

[2 TAZ]

Yes the apex will simulate sunrise sunset dimming. The apex has up to 4 variable speed 0 to 10 Volt dimming ports each port is capable of sending 20 mA, each meanwell eln 40-68D uses 3mA. So each port can handle up to 6 mw. You do need to buy the variable speed cables in addition to the Apex, as the Apex dose not come with them.

 

[Reef_Matrix29]

Thank you swannking, CJO and 2 TAZ....now, can anyone point me in the right direction about how to do that and what all I need to buy? I'm ordering my Apex controller this week, ELN-D drivers as well, wasn't sure if I needed the VDM module and of course how to actually set it up with my current fixture.

 

[CJO]

Yes- I'm using my Apex unit to dim the LEDs. It took a bit of additional programming to be able to do it with the SUN command. I think I've finished debugging it. If it is working well today, I'll post a small write-up on the programming in the Neptune forum tomorrow.

CJ

Well, it looks like the beta firmware they have recently released makes programming it fairly trivial.

Thank you swannking, CJO and 2 TAZ....now, can anyone point me in the right direction about how to do that and what all I need to buy? I'm ordering my Apex controller this week, ELN-D drivers as well, wasn't sure if I needed the VDM module and of course how to actually set it up with my current fixture.

The only thing you need to purchase is the cable for the variable speed ports (or you can make your own).

CJ

 

[chrisfowler99]

I'm becoming a little bit concerned about directional lighting.

If I have 24 LEDs on a heatsink 10-12" wide about a foot above a tank that's 23" wide and 31" deep am I going to be causing a lot of extra shadows?

I'm wondering if I ought to be splitting the LEDs into two groups of 12: one near the front of the tank, angled slightly toward the back and one near the back angled slightly toward the front. Built correctly this would also allow for another set of 6-12 LEDs to be setup directly overhead for additional lighting, if needed.

I may have to try to draw something up in sketchup when I get home to be clearer.

 

[hllywd]

Thank you swannking, CJO and 2 TAZ....now, can anyone point me in the right direction about how to do that and what all I need to buy? I'm ordering my Apex controller this week, ELN-D drivers as well, wasn't sure if I needed the VDM module and of course how to actually set it up with my current fixture.

Keep in mind the Apex Lite doesn't have the variable speed ports. Also I believe the user guide has the cable diagram for making your own so a cheap ethernet cable with one end cut off, or a DIY piece of cat5 with a RJ45 on one end does the same as the more expensive Neptune cable.

The apex has up to 4 variable speed 0 to 10 Volt dimming ports each port is capable of sending 20 mA, each meanwell eln 40-68D uses 3mA.

That's the first time I've seen those numbers, and there has been a lot of discussion on the subject. Where are they from?

 

[Reef_Matrix29]

If I used a DIY cable, what wires to I connect to the ends of the dimmable meanwells from the cat5 cable? Also, do I need to go into the meanwell and adjust anything initially at all? I downloaded the newest Apex manual and have been reading it to get better understanding until my unit comes; but is there any other resource that you can point me to for background on using this controller and dimming?

 

[TheFishMan65]

ETG will still do small buys just contact Anna. Here is there latest prices:

XRE WHT Q5 10pcs $5.50 ... 50-100 pcs $5.20 ... 101-300 pcs $5.00 ... 301-500 pcs $4.85 ... 1000 pcs $4.25
XRE ROY... 10pcs $4.85 ... 50-100 pcs $4.50 ... 101-300 pcs $4.05 ... 301-500 pcs $3.85 ... 1000 pcs $3.05
XPG R5.... 10pcs $6.00 ... 50-100 pcs $5.85 ... 101-300 pcs $5.20 ... 301-500 pcs $4.80 ... 1000 pcs $4.35
XPE ROY .. 10pcs $4.50 ... 50-100 pcs $4.25 ... 101-300 pcs $4.05 ... 301-500 pcs $3.85 ... 1000 pcs $3.50

XRE LENSES: 40, 60 and 80 degrees TY series
10-100 pieces $1.00ea ... 101-300 pieces $.90ea .... 301-750 pieces $.85ea ... 751-1000 pieces $.82ea

XP LENSES, 40 and 60 degrees ETG-LL series
10-100 pieces $1.20ea ... 101-300 pieces $1.10ea ... 301-750 pieces $1.05ea ... 751-1000 pieces $.95ea

 

[Meus]

Are three leds ok for a 2.5 with ricordeas as the only coral?
(two blue, one white)
Can I hook all of them to one power source?
Is there a heatsink small enough, or will I have to DIY it?

 

[TheFishMan65]

You could hook them all up to the same power supply. 2.5 gallons I think it would supply plenty of light.

 

[chrisfowler99]

Am I right in assuming those ETG prices are on 20mm star boards?

 

[TheFishMan65]

Price were quoted for mounted. Last time I got 20mm edge to edge not point to point. So yes.

 

[kcress]

Are three leds ok for a 2.5 with ricordeas as the only coral?
(two blue, one white)
Can I hook all of them to one power source?
Is there a heatsink small enough, or will I have to DIY it?

Certainly will work - BUT - you can't use the usual Meanwell 60-48 people are using here as it can't drive strings that short.

There's no reason you can't use any old power supply with enough umph and an adjustable power resistor.

 

[hllywd]

If I used a DIY cable, what wires to I connect to the ends of the dimmable meanwells from the cat5 cable? Also, do I need to go into the meanwell and adjust anything initially at all? I downloaded the newest Apex manual and have been reading it to get better understanding until my unit comes; but is there any other resource that you can point me to for background on using this controller and dimming?

I don't have an Apex yet, still using the ACIII, but I have researched it a little and the DIY cable diagram was either in the manual, or I found it on the Neptune forum here on RC, I don't remember. There are four active pins for each output, the document I saw mapped the pins so you could easily DIY the cables. You still have to set your drive current on the ELN driver the same way it's been discussed in this thread previously. The only difference is that you'll be using the controller rather than some other input on the dimming leads.
Tim

 

[hllywd]

http://reeftech.webs.com/Apex New User Guide.pdf

Try pages 54 and 55.

Tim

 

[2 TAZ]

That's the first time I've seen those numbers, and there has been a lot of discussion on the subject. Where are they from?

The apex sending out up to 20mA is from Neptune and the meanwell 48-60D using 3mA through the dimming wires is from rapid led who got it from meanwell. I just finished my first build and checked it all out before ordering the LEDs. Th apex works good for dimming via the variable speed cable. The cable from Neptune comes with 4 wires, you only use 2, the red and black, the red being negative.

 

[Reef_Matrix29]

Thanks Tim, I just downloaded it and am reading now...there goes my day at work.

 

[Reef_Matrix29]

One question about the dimmable drivers, to make sure I'm understanding correctly so far...if I am currently running my LEDs at 350mA, I would equate that to 35% of the drivers potential. So once I setup the ramp profile on the Apex, I would enter a max of 35% to to maintain approximately the same "intensity" that I currently have with my manually adjusted ELN 60's? No need to go into the driver box and adjust anything at all?