reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
HI all, wondering if my APEX will control dimming functions on LED fixtures and if so which fixture/s would it control, or could I DIY a fixture to be controlled from my APEX?
LED's and The APEX?
- Thread starter reefboarder
- Start date
reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
How would you find out which of these a particular unit uses? can you get DIY supplys to build one using 0-10 vdc?
reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
I figured it out. HeneryH, thank you very much for the info!
reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
New question.
So if I had 8 drivers would I need a new EB8 to have the vfd space? I only have 6 currently.
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So if I had 8 drivers would I need a new EB8 to have the vfd space? I only have 6 currently.
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reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
Correction I have only four, so how would I get the added spots?
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peiloy3196
New member
It depends on if you are trying to turn each driver off individually. If not they should be able to be on one outlet, once their amperage do not total to more than the outlet is rated for.
Two things though.
1) thats a lot of drivers. Depending on the model of the drivers you may have inrush issues. What is the model number of your drivers?
2) if the drivers dim to off then you will not need to use any eb8 outlets.
Edit: Just to clarify dimming is done through the variable speed ports on the apex base unit and not through the outlets on the eb8.
Two things though.
1) thats a lot of drivers. Depending on the model of the drivers you may have inrush issues. What is the model number of your drivers?
2) if the drivers dim to off then you will not need to use any eb8 outlets.
Edit: Just to clarify dimming is done through the variable speed ports on the apex base unit and not through the outlets on the eb8.
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reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
Thanks for the reply. I don't have anything yet and am building to suit my wants/needs.
This thread is for me to figure out what I need, to do what I want.
For reference I have a 120g 48x24x24 and I'm running 2x250w metal halides and 4x65w pc actinics.
I want to run LEDs and am thinking that I'm going to get 2x 48 led retro kits which would be a total of 8 drivers. If there is a better way I'm totally interested as I haven't bought anything this Is still in planning.
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This thread is for me to figure out what I need, to do what I want.
For reference I have a 120g 48x24x24 and I'm running 2x250w metal halides and 4x65w pc actinics.
I want to run LEDs and am thinking that I'm going to get 2x 48 led retro kits which would be a total of 8 drivers. If there is a better way I'm totally interested as I haven't bought anything this Is still in planning.
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peiloy3196
New member
I have not done my LED build yet but from everything I have read and assuming that you are using the ELN drivers for this build, they may have issues with harmonics and inrush when you use that many together. For that many LED's look at the HLG series driver from Meanwell. You will have to do parallel strings on these drivers.
Look at these threads:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1960731&highlight=eln+inrush
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1921614&highlight=eln+inrush
Also check out the DIY LED thread.
Look at these threads:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1960731&highlight=eln+inrush
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1921614&highlight=eln+inrush
Also check out the DIY LED thread.
ecomdesign
New member
The VDM module is only needed with the apex lite. If you buy the apex non-lite version it has 4 0-10v ports on it. I use 1 port to dim my blues, 1 port to dim my whites and the remaining 2 ports to control both of my Tunzes. I program my LEDs to dim down to zero, so I don't need to plug the 110v from the drivers into the eb8 which saves space on the eb8. Instead I plug them directly into the wall. Same for my Tunze.
jeffreylam1132
New member
Sent you a pm, ecomdesign.
Ecomdesign,
I am think about buying the Apex controller to control my different 3 LED drivers which accept 0-10v PWM signal. How do you exact hook up the 0-10v ports to the led drivers? Is there a special cable, module, or harness that is require to do this? Also does that affect the lifespan of your led drivers and power supplies leaving it on but dimmed to 0 volt?
Thanks
I am think about buying the Apex controller to control my different 3 LED drivers which accept 0-10v PWM signal. How do you exact hook up the 0-10v ports to the led drivers? Is there a special cable, module, or harness that is require to do this? Also does that affect the lifespan of your led drivers and power supplies leaving it on but dimmed to 0 volt?
Thanks
reefboarder
Intelligent Donkey
+1
Also I am looking at the HLG line of meanwell drivers and they are 1~10v so that would rule out dimming them to zero correct? Would also mean the need for using an outlet on the EB8?
FWIW I appreciate all the input from everyone I am not the most advanced DIY'r so this is a tremendous help on my path towards LED. Hopefully I will be ready to do a build thread soon and plan to describe steps all the way to apex control so people will have more info on it.
mixer911
New member
You can either buy the Apex variable speed cable made for the apex or you can make your own with an ethernet cable. each output has 2 sets of 0-10v outputs.
Correct you cannot dim to 0%. They do not turn until 10% and turn off at 10%. You do not have to use an EB8 outlet. You can use a standard outlet, but having and EB8 outlet lets you turn off the driver when it is not in use.
It is a little confusing at first when hooking up the drivers because they need to be adjusted tothe correct mAh output. BUt once you understand what is going on it is simple. Just make sure you test the 0-10v output on the apex because some people have had issues with the built in outputs actually putting out more than 10v and frying leds and requiring you to send the apex in for repair. There have been no issues with the VDM module yet. just an FYI..
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HeneryH
Henery Hawk
Be clear on the difference between a pwm pattern using 0 and 10v for the binary voltages and a 0-10v analog range. Thd apex outputs 0 to 10 volts ie 2v, 4v, 5v etc.
So the apex output an analog 0-10 volt dc signal, rather than a 0-10 volt digital PWM signal? I guess I have to check my driver specifications. Thanks HeneryH.
Just FYI, my drivers, power supply, and heat sinks are actually from stevesleds, but all of the leds were bought from led group buy . com (no spaces all one word). Lowest prices if you can wait..Whole setup with 42 leds (RB and NW at ~2:1 RATIO and few CB) up and running over my 90 gallon reef for ~$470. Awesome color rendition!!! Much nicer than my Metal halides and T8 actinics combo. Chiller is running a lot less after I switch to leds. Must have leds if you live in Texas during the summer. 100F high today. I'll post some pics of my led build shortly.
Just FYI, my drivers, power supply, and heat sinks are actually from stevesleds, but all of the leds were bought from led group buy . com (no spaces all one word). Lowest prices if you can wait..Whole setup with 42 leds (RB and NW at ~2:1 RATIO and few CB) up and running over my 90 gallon reef for ~$470. Awesome color rendition!!! Much nicer than my Metal halides and T8 actinics combo. Chiller is running a lot less after I switch to leds. Must have leds if you live in Texas during the summer. 100F high today. I'll post some pics of my led build shortly.
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kayl
Active member
You might want to remove the led group buying website that you listed to avoid getting an infraction from the mods :beer:
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