Reef Brite Controller

[cincyjim]

I have two XHO All Blue LED Strips and the Reef Brite Dual Channel Controller Interface. I connected the RB Controller to my Apex but only one light comes on, the other light will not. I have the RB Controller plug into the Apex v1/v2 port. How do I get this connected correctly so both lights will come on? Also, my main goal is to have dawn to dusk use. I submitted a ticket with Neptune, they said they have no idea and don't know anything about Reef Brite. Reef Brite has not returned my call. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[cincyjim]

Bump... I really would like to get this to work. Please let me know if anyone has any experience with this. Greatly appreciated!

 

[Breadman03]

V1 and V2 are two separate channels. Do you have both programmed and set to auto?

 

[cincyjim]

I've tried them on Auto and On and only one light will come on. I can't figure how to get this work.

 

[Breadman03]

I've tried them on Auto and On and only one light will come on. I can't figure how to get this work.

Can you swap the cable so that you can see if one channel isn't working? An image search suggests that you can't, but it's worth asking.

Can you use a volt meter to test whether you are getting voltage for both channels? If you go to Neptune's documentation, the wiring pinout is currently listed on page 130 of the Comp. Ref. Manual. If you've got a spare Ethernet cable, you can at least verify that both channels are putting out voltage. Of course, you could also just test any other 0-10V device you might also be running.

At this point, I'd want to be able to isolate the issue to a device so that you can point your finger at the right people and have a specific issue for them to resolve.

 

[cincyjim]

You're right about the cable can't be switched out as it is connected internally to the controller. I'm not at home right now, so I will have to check tonight with a volt meter. Do you know if these have to be plugged into a specific outlet on the EB8? I have them plugged into outlets 1 and 2.

 

[Breadman03]

They should be able to go into either one just fine. You just have to make sure you plug it into the outputs that you programmed. I have a return pump plugged into one and after a few minutes of frustration discovered that it uses the V2 side of the output, not V1 as I had assumed.

 

[JWClark]

If you have two strips running through the controller the you must be using a splitter cable to connect the xhos to the dimmer. Switch the lights on this splitter to see if the opposite light now comes on and the other stays off.

I used to run two reefbrites through their dimmer on the apex and I seem to remember that the v1/v2 channels were split in the splitter cable, making one light on v1 and one light on v2. Think I had some issues too until I figured that out. Make sure v1 and v2 are programmed exactly alike.

 

[cincyjim]

Thanks for everyone's feedback and ideas. I still couldn't get this to work. I think the RB controller might be defective so I'm sending it back for a replacement. We'll see how it goes when I get the new one. I'll let everyone know how it goes either way.

 

[cincyjim]

JWClark, I'm not sure what you mean to use a splitter cable. I was using the dual RB controller which has two power inputs and outputs and has one Cat 5 cable that I plugged into the Apex v1/v2 port. How would I use a splitter cable?

 

[JWClark]

My bad, thought you were talking about their dimmer (assume they still have). Looked up the controller--this must be somewhat new. Looks like there is a single and a dual so I assume you are using the dual channel.

I ran mine with the reefbrite dimmer. It only had one plug for the LED so I had to use a two-way splitter to run both lights through the dimmer. The dimmer had a manual control and an auto for use w/ the apex and you had to be sure the switch was up in the back to control via the apex.

This is all useless for helping you with that controller though.

 

[cincyjim]

I see what you are saying. I'm hoping this next one will work and that RB will be back in the office to get some person to person help. Thanks!