LED Help

[JD7.62]

Ive decided to get a DIY LED retrofit kit from Rapid LED. I want to get the dimmable kit but Im confused as to what all I need to get it running.

I need a controller correct? I know nothing about reef controllers, what should I look for? How do they work? Im pretty green when it comes to this stuff.

 

[Tschupe]

Don't get an RKL with a ALC comes with no instructions and there support blows. It was a nightmare to figure out how to hook it up. For me. Just my 2cents

 

[NemusMaximus]

You might get some better help if you posted your question in the lighting forum, not nano reefs. There are a lot of knowledgeable people who would like to help you over there.

 

[truebeliever71]

JD.. feel free to PM me. I have built several LED arrays for tanks ranging from just under 6 gallons to 120 gallons.

As for dimming, are you referring to full automation dimming or just controlling amount and color of the light? I personally have the RKL with the ALC and love it. With the new software it's quite intuitive and works great. If you want to just control the amount and blue-white ratio then you will need two 10k pots and a 10v (9v will work but you won't get full power) power supply.

 

[JD7.62]

PM sent, thanks.

 

[Hextall]

RapidLED sells lighting controllers that work with the meanwell "P" drivers. It is $75.

I'm in the process of building their kit for my biocube, and am using an Apex to control it. It's a significantly more expensive option, however it will control/monitor other things on your tank not just lighting. (~$500).

You can also build a manual dimming control box, $30 from RapidLED. But I don't really get the usability of this over automated controllers.

 

[aaron7405]

I did get the meanwells Dimmables make them work with and APEX JR without the dispaly (set it up from computer) add the VDM to control the balast. And you can do exact what the APEx lite or the more expensive does, the software and web based is the same. For a nano if you do not want to contro too many parameters JR is great and way less expensive than other controllers.

 

[Hextall]

Aaron, I just hooked up the exact same thing as you last night (although I have the apex lite, not the Jr... but bought the VDM). a couple questions if you don't mind.

Do you plug the drivers/ballasts into the energy bar? I just plugged them into a non-Apex power strip to test, and some of the LEDs don't completely shut off. But when I unplug the drivers (or if I had the outlet shut off on the energy bar), the LEDs would flash as if they are discharging current. Is this normal?

 

[aaron7405]

yes same thing happend to me, I ask around in rapid leds and they told me thst is some current left on the ballast.
I do think can be done something with some electronic stuff (a capacitor to hold that discharge maybe)but I am not electronic tipe of person.

I plug them to a non-apex PS and I leave them as is during the nigth they look like moonlight LOL.

aaron