Analog Dimmers on a PWM Reef Angel

Zechenia · Post by **Zechenia** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:51 am

Hi,

I believe I have a PWM reef angel (I believe, since I didn't see an analog sticker). I have someone offering a great deal on a rapid LED kit that they decided not to put together, however the drivers are analog.

Would the dimming still work. Would I be unhappy I didn't go with a PWM dimming kit, even if I'd have to pay the price for new? I'm totally unversed in LEDs, but am planning on going with them in my new tank build!

Thanks!

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:55 am

Yes, the dimming would still work even on an analog driver, but the dimming may not be linear.
It is going to be more like a log function.
You can always send the relay box back to change dimming signal if you wish.

Zechenia · Post by **Zechenia** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:41 am

Ok, potentially really dumb question...

I am planning on picking up an expansion relay box. Is it possible to have an analog expansion and a PWM normal one?

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:58 pm

The dimming signal on the expansion relay box is disabled and you can´t use it.
But, you can order the expansion relay box and I can send you an analog signal relay box that you can swap with the current one you have now and use it as expansion one.
The signal is determined by the relay box itself and they both look the same and work the same.
Did you follow what I tried to say?

Zechenia · Post by **Zechenia** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:20 pm

rimai wrote:The dimming signal on the expansion relay box is disabled and you can´t use it.
But, you can order the expansion relay box and I can send you an analog signal relay box that you can swap with the current one you have now and use it as expansion one.
The signal is determined by the relay box itself and they both look the same and work the same.
Did you follow what I tried to say?

Yup, makes sense.

Ended up going with a PWM kit instead. Thanksgiving deals ended up making it too hard to say no to

Is the dimming port wire something I can find (under a different name...) locally?

lnevo · Post by **lnevo** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:15 pm

Why are the dimmers on expansion relay disabled...is it possible? Is hardware required.or is code the problem? I wouldn't mind being able to add more ra moonlights

While on the subject..what is the dc looking port for on the expansion relay exp module?

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:27 pm

USB cable only carries 4 wires (VCC, GND, SDA, SCL).
The main relay box has many more wires to be used on the svga cable, but a dimmable moonlight hub is in the works.

Zechenia · Post by **Zechenia** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:31 pm

Hey Rimai,

is the dimming port wire a commonly available part that I can find someplace locally?

Shipping sucks on such a small item

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:32 pm

Yes, try your local electronics store. They may carry it.

Zechenia · Post by **Zechenia** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:38 pm

rimai wrote:Yes, try your local electronics store. They may carry it.

Do you know what the part would be called (I'm assuming dimming port wire is a reef angel term

)

And THANK YOU for all the help

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 3:45 pm

Polarized 2 pin connector 0.1" pitch

00Warpig00 · Post by **00Warpig00** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 11:51 am

lnevo wrote:Why are the dimmers on expansion relay disabled...is it possible? Is hardware required.or is code the problem? I wouldn't mind being able to add more ra moonlights

While on the subject..what is the dc looking port for on the expansion relay exp module?

Roberto can correct me if I'm wrong here...

I ordered the analog unit. It came with the analog relay box. I also ordered an expansion relay kit. It comes with the PWM relay box.

You can swap them. You can use the Analog or the PWM connected directly to the RA with the SVGA cable and either will work as it was intended but you cannot use those ports on both of them hooked up to the same RA controller at the same time. One or the other, NOT both! So adding a relay expansion box does NOT get you two extra ports.

I have my Primary expansion box (Analog) secured at my Display Tank and when I code/test my controller I take the controller over to my expansion relay box (PWM) that sits by my computer and Quarantine tanks and plug it in to that relay box with the SVGA cable. The two ports work on both boxes so the actual box is not modified to not work (unless Roberto made changes since I received my expansion) it is just not possible to make the two extra ports work on whichever box is hooked up to the Expansion module if BOTH are hooked up in the same system.

Nick

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 12:00 pm

Yes, you are correct,
It's not a limitation of the box itself.
All boxes (analog or PWM type) are ready to output the dimming signals, as long as they are hooked up to the head unit by the svga cable.

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