Question before purchase

Thavngr98 · Post by **Thavngr98** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:30 pm

I'm very impressed with your controller and being the geek I am you had me at open source. I do have a question though. I have wingo grand slam lights, 3 of them to be exact. How can I find out if I can use the dimming function through your controller? If you need pictures let me know and I can email them. Here is a link http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/win ... eview.html I have the newer version. The light in the picture has 2 cables for each color. Mine only has one which then goes to a dimmer box where I have control of the different colors.

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:39 pm

You will need to contact the manufacturer of the fixture.
If the fixture can be dimmed with either PWM or Analog signals, you can use RA to control them.

Thavngr98 · Post by **Thavngr98** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:48 am

ok thanks

Thavngr98 · Post by **Thavngr98** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:37 am

I reached out to them and they told me that it "may" work if I update my driver to the Meanwell ELN-60-48 do you know if your controller will work with that driver?

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:52 am

Yes, this is the driver that most DIY have used so far.
There are 2 options for that driver
Meanwell ELN-60-48D - you will need the RA with Analog dimming signal.
Meanwell ELN-60-48P - you will need the RA with PWM dimming signal.
They both perform about the same. PWM is a newer technology and it is digital. Analog is older technology and has a slightly lower cutoff.

Thavngr98 · Post by **Thavngr98** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:21 am

ok I think I saw the difference on he order page

Thavngr98 · Post by **Thavngr98** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 9:48 am

Roberto what do you mean by "Analog has a slightly lower cuttoff"? Do you mean when the light turns on its dimmer then if it was PWM?

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:11 am

The meanwell P drivers (PWM) cutoff at about 15% and D drivers (Analog) cutoff at about 10%, although some have even managed to go all the way down to 5%.
Anything below the cutoff, the driver just start flickering or shuts off.

Thavngr98 · Post by **Thavngr98** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:48 am

So analog is better then pwm? Sorry for the rookie questions just don't know much about led lighting and drivers. And that statement is if my light can do analog

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:34 am

Just a little, but then it is also a matter of opinion.
I personally feel that digital (PWM) has better response and also digital is where all equipment will end up being at and analog will be a thing of the past, just like everything we have been seeing around us.
The dimming signal has nothing to do with the fixture. It's the driver that will handle the signal, regardless of the fixture. It could be something like yours or even a DIY fixture.

Thavngr98 · Post by **Thavngr98** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:16 pm

Thank you for all your help Roberto. I just ordered the unit (pwm) and wifi module.

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