PMW Dimming Controller for LED - Local Source?

[gcfiend]

Anyone know of a store that carries a PMW Dimming Controller locally?

I currently have my ApolloReef LED (looks like the company sold to China) hooked up to my APEX and now my APEX needs servicing. Unfortunately the lights require a dimmer controller of some type and I think a PMW Dimming Controller should do the trick (someone correct my assumption if this isn't correct).

Need to locate a PMW Dimming Controller so my lights stays on while my Apex is out for service.

Let me know if you know of a electronic store that might carry this! or if you have one you want to part with, hit me up!!

 

[jener8tionx]

If you just need the lights on, you don't need pwm. You an just apply the DC voltage at a constant rate. I think Apex does 10v pwm, so you ust need any 10v power source. Amperage won't matter because the draw is almost negligible. Don't forget to ground the power supply to the light.

 

[ademster]

pwm drivers are not designed to have a constant voltage applied to them. as for local source good luck.

 

[ademster]

you will also need to know if it is 0-10vdc pwm or 0-5vdc pwm

Mine are 0-5 but I have a custom build.

 

[gcfiend]

For a quick test I hooked up a 9v power supply and it is keeping the lights on (thanks jener8tionx!). I believe the drivers are 0-10vdc pwm.

9v is actually too much for my tank, I need to run them at 50% or I'll cook my corals. So in theory, a 5v Power supply should do the trick, yes?

This will be temporary hook up until I get my Apex back.

Adam, What's the risk of having constant voltage for 7 days? Chance of it frying up my drivers you think?

 

[kjonulak]

Having built many custom led light fixtures. Most PWM drivers will work just fine with a constant DC voltage. I run mine both ways. 5Vdc will give you 50% power output. Each 1Vdc level corresponds to 10% level. So 1Vdc is 10%, 2Vdc is 20%, etc.

 

[gcfiend]

Having built many custom led light fixtures. Most PWM drivers will work just fine with a constant DC voltage. I run mine both ways. 5Vdc will give you 50% power output. Each 1Vdc level corresponds to 10% level. So 1Vdc is 10%, 2Vdc is 20%, etc.

Perfect. Thanks Ken!

 

[frogg21]

a couple resistors will make a voltage divider and cut your 9v to 4.5.
I know nothing about ApolloReef but I've never seen 1-10v in pwm. 1-10v has always meant analog dc obviously much easier to rig up than pwm. I could be wrong, but I don't think your lights are pwm dimmed.

 

[kjonulak]

I typically use MeanWell LED drivers. If you look at the following specs doc, these LED drivers can be dimmed using either a 0-10Vdc signal, a 10Vdc PWM signal or even a simple resistive input such as a potentiometer. I have also used MeanWell LED drivers that were listed as just PWM dimmed and put a 0-10Vdc signal and dimmed them.

https://www.trcelectronics.com/ecomm/pdf/lpf16d.pdf

 

[gcfiend]

Just to double check, I did find a review of my unit where they dismantled it to show the internal components.

Based on model Mean Well ELN-60-48D and quick google it appears to be 1-10v dimmable.

Let me know if I'm reading that wrong. Otherwise, thanks everyone for your input and doublecheck. Better safe than sorry. Glad we have such well informed hobbyists out there!

 

[evolved]

The D is a direct current; you actually don't want a pwm if avoidable.

 

[kjonulak]

The D is a direct current; you actually don't want a pwm if avoidable.

Why? I've used both. Additionally some of the led drivers I use can be controlled with a DC voltage, PWM signal or resistive.

 

[kjonulak]

Just to double check, I did find a review of my unit where they dismantled it to show the internal components.

Based on model Mean Well ELN-60-48D and quick google it appears to be 1-10v dimmable.

Let me know if I'm reading that wrong. Otherwise, thanks everyone for your input and doublecheck. Better safe than sorry. Glad we have such well informed hobbyists out there!

Yes the "D" model is 0-10Vdc controlled. The "P" version of the same led driver is the PWM controlled driver. I have used the "P" version with both 0-10Vdc or PWM control signal.

The ELN series of led drivers from MeanWell is my favorite led driver. That supply is built like a tank. The first led light fixture I built in 2009 ran for 12 hours a day until I moved in December 2014. The led light is packed away in the garage at my rental. I'm sure if I pulled it out of the box it would turn on and run just fine.

 

[gcfiend]

The D is a direct current; you actually don't want a pwm if avoidable.

Even better news for me. Couldn't find a local store that carried a PWM. Got a 4w power supply from Goodwill for .99, spliced up a Cat5 cable and I'm good to go!

Need my APEX back cause all this manually turning lights on is PITA. #FirstWorldProblems

(Need to find out what I did with all my timers....)

Thanx Hunter!

 

[gcfiend]

Yes the "D" model is 0-10Vdc controlled. The "P" version of the same led driver is the PWM controlled driver. I have used the "P" version with both 0-10Vdc or PWM control signal.

The ELN series of led drivers from MeanWell is my favorite led driver. That supply is built like a tank. The first led light fixture I built in 2009 ran for 12 hours a day until I moved in December 2014. The led light is packed away in the garage at my rental. I'm sure if I pulled it out of the box it would turn on and run just fine.

Thanks for the insight Ken! I have to admit I have not had a single issue with the lights. Ugly as hell, but functional