kessil spectral controller
- Thread starter Orionxr78
- Start date
Received my controller today. Just set it up. It took about 3 minutes to figure out. Build quality is Excellent! Instructions leave a lot to be desired, but the controller is easy enough to figure out without instructions. It is about as big as an Iphone 5, backlit, heavy and piano black!
I will shoot pics in the morning. I set up the schedule, but won't see how it works until tomorrow morning when the schedule is set to run.
I will keep y'all posted.
I will shoot pics in the morning. I set up the schedule, but won't see how it works until tomorrow morning when the schedule is set to run.
I will keep y'all posted.
Alright Everyone, here is my humble review of the Kessil Spectral Contoller:
- EASY, EASY, EASY to program. The easiest controller I've dealt with! Much easier than an APEX or Digital Aquatics.
- Not as complex as the previously named controllers. Does not have nearly the fine tuning as the other controllers.
- Beautiful piece of hardware. You make the decision in the pics below.
- Heavy, well made piece of hardware. It feels expensive.
- Backlit display. Makes seeing the screen easy on the eyes.
- Screen Saver and then auto powers off the screen.
- Size is nice and small. @ the size of my HTC One or my Galaxy S5 phone.
- 2 ports to control 2 seperate lights. i.e. Display lights and refugium lights. I use 1 port and daisy chain my A360WE's. Both lights function the same.
- Magnetic Back for easy mounting. Comes with a seperate sleeve to mount to wood and then the magnetic backing can be used if no metal is present. In one of my pics below, the controller is magnetically attached to a metal bookcase next to my tank.
- Did I mention...EASY?
That is all I can think of for now. If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I would definitely purchase this again. I used my brother's APEX controller and I like the simplicity, size and look of this controller better. I HIGHLY recommend this controller. Just my $0.02.
The Box:
Out of the Box:
Backlit Screen:
Size Comparison to HTC One:
- EASY, EASY, EASY to program. The easiest controller I've dealt with! Much easier than an APEX or Digital Aquatics.
- Not as complex as the previously named controllers. Does not have nearly the fine tuning as the other controllers.
- Beautiful piece of hardware. You make the decision in the pics below.
- Heavy, well made piece of hardware. It feels expensive.
- Backlit display. Makes seeing the screen easy on the eyes.
- Screen Saver and then auto powers off the screen.
- Size is nice and small. @ the size of my HTC One or my Galaxy S5 phone.
- 2 ports to control 2 seperate lights. i.e. Display lights and refugium lights. I use 1 port and daisy chain my A360WE's. Both lights function the same.
- Magnetic Back for easy mounting. Comes with a seperate sleeve to mount to wood and then the magnetic backing can be used if no metal is present. In one of my pics below, the controller is magnetically attached to a metal bookcase next to my tank.
- Did I mention...EASY?
That is all I can think of for now. If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I would definitely purchase this again. I used my brother's APEX controller and I like the simplicity, size and look of this controller better. I HIGHLY recommend this controller. Just my $0.02.
The Box:
Out of the Box:
Backlit Screen:
Size Comparison to HTC One:
MikesReef83
New member
Thanks for the review. The controller looks very promising. It would be nice to see a video review.
Here is a video introduction which I watched that led me to purchasing the Kessil Controller.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm5aWc09LSk
Here is the write-up I first stumbled upon any information regarding the Kessil Controller.
http://************.com/2014/05/15/kessil-spectral-controller-play-nice-a360-leds/
I hope this helps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm5aWc09LSk
Here is the write-up I first stumbled upon any information regarding the Kessil Controller.
http://************.com/2014/05/15/kessil-spectral-controller-play-nice-a360-leds/
I hope this helps.
Golden Age
Member
Awesome, thanks for the review.
Are there any options for any sort of moonlighting?
Are there any options for any sort of moonlighting?
After a full day of having the A360WE's run through the schedule I input in to the controller; I would have to say the virgin run was a success!
It turned on 15 minutes ahead of schedule and ramped up to my setting, which surprised me a bit. It started ramping down 15 minutes before my scheduled shut off time. Nice not having to set that up.
It is really nice to have an actual percentage set versus just turning the knobs. Now it is down to a science. Here is the schedule I set:
8:00am - 50% color/10% intensity.
10:00am - 50% color/35% intensity.
Noon - 70% color/50% intensity.
1:00pm - 100% color/75% intensity.
4:00pm - 25% color/10% intensity.
4:15pm - Shut off.
This does not include the ramp up/down times. Even at 75% intensity, the gravel starts to brown. I lessened the time down to 3 hours of 75% intensity. I only use 100% when showing the tank.
Day 2 is tomorrow. So far I love this little controller.
It turned on 15 minutes ahead of schedule and ramped up to my setting, which surprised me a bit. It started ramping down 15 minutes before my scheduled shut off time. Nice not having to set that up.
It is really nice to have an actual percentage set versus just turning the knobs. Now it is down to a science. Here is the schedule I set:
8:00am - 50% color/10% intensity.
10:00am - 50% color/35% intensity.
Noon - 70% color/50% intensity.
1:00pm - 100% color/75% intensity.
4:00pm - 25% color/10% intensity.
4:15pm - Shut off.
This does not include the ramp up/down times. Even at 75% intensity, the gravel starts to brown. I lessened the time down to 3 hours of 75% intensity. I only use 100% when showing the tank.
Day 2 is tomorrow. So far I love this little controller.
firemountain
New member
Great review!! Few questions for you...
Is the mounting magnet sturdy??
Also.....I am buying the standard Apex unit in the upcoming months. So in my situation, is buying the Kessil controller a waste of $100 bucks, and be better spent putting that $$$ towards the Apex unit?
Is the mounting magnet sturdy??
Also.....I am buying the standard Apex unit in the upcoming months. So in my situation, is buying the Kessil controller a waste of $100 bucks, and be better spent putting that $$$ towards the Apex unit?
Last edited:
IMHO, the magnet is sturdy enough. If there is slack in the cords, the controller is going nowhere. If the cord is tight, it will pull the controller until enough slack is achieved.
As far as the Apex vs the Kessil controller, it all depends on what you want to accomplish with the controller. For me, the Apex is way too intricate and detailed for what I wanted to do. I wanted simplicity, coral propagation, and a good display light. I did not need all the bells and whistles of the Apex. My brother let me use his Apex for a few days and while it was "All That and a Bag of Chips", I did not need it. I saved myself $400.00 and I am really happy and satisfied with the Kessil controller. It is a gorgeous piece of equipment and looks good displayed with the tank.
This is just my honest opinion.
firemountain
New member
Gotcha...thanks. I am just looking to see the cost effectiveness, and if I can get buy without the Apex. Unfortunately in my case and the need of buying an auto fish feeder in the future, and an energy bar (or another type of multi plug outlet) due to lack of plug space....the higher cost the Apex goes down. Keep us posted on the Kessil controller as time progresses.
Thanks again
Day 2 update.
- The ramp up/down time is 10 minutes, not 15 as I initially stated.
- Start up was business as usual.
Firemountain, in my humble opinion, save yourself the "coin". $400 is not chump change. You can install more plugs for that kind of cash! I use the Eheim Auto Fish Feeder and love that piece too. It saves my fish on long weekends!
- The ramp up/down time is 10 minutes, not 15 as I initially stated.
- Start up was business as usual.
Firemountain, in my humble opinion, save yourself the "coin". $400 is not chump change. You can install more plugs for that kind of cash! I use the Eheim Auto Fish Feeder and love that piece too. It saves my fish on long weekends!
Looking like I get mine tomorrow(tues). I am curious about the ramp time as well. Also when you say it goes down to 5 percent, do you find this dimmer than just dialing in manually. I find that the color all the way blue and the intensity at just the point of the lights turning off, is still pretty bright. Can't wait to get this hooked up. I have been doing the ramping up and down and everything manually. One other thing though. Should be still be using a timer to completely turn off the lights of the control takes care of it all.
reefermad619
New member
Is the ramping smooth? I've seen lights ramp up and down and it's in big steps. So for example, does it go from 10% to 30% in 2steps. So 10, 20, 30. Or is it smoother than that? Like 1,2,3,4,5... ? I'd like not to see the light take dramatic steps to dim.
i haven't played with the controller enough yet to know if there is an option to change the ramp up/down. I just got back in to town. I will play with it and let you guys know.
As far as the percentage ramp up/down, it is pretty subtle. I can watch the percentage move up/down in single percentage points on the display.
I will play with it tomorrow morning and get you guys a review.
As far as the percentage ramp up/down, it is pretty subtle. I can watch the percentage move up/down in single percentage points on the display.
I will play with it tomorrow morning and get you guys a review.
Yes, I could never get the lights to dim as much as the controller can using the knobs. I would slowly turn the knobs and at @ 5-10% on the eyeball meter, the light would shut down. Using the controller, the light can go dimmer and the display actually reads the percentage of color and intensity. It was just a guessing game with the knobs.
Don't get me wrong, at the lowest setting, it ain't no moonlight, but good enough for me before total darkness. My corals seem to like it. I like not having to mess with the knobs!
