BuildMyLED light compatability with RA?

Squishie89 · Post by **Squishie89** » Wed May 15, 2013 12:02 am

I am going to be possibly upgrading my light to a light from buildmyled.com and they have the option for manual dimming switch, I am wondering if this light is compatible with RA.

lnevo · Post by **lnevo** » Wed May 15, 2013 1:51 am

I believe it uses an analog dimming so as long as you get that model you should be fine.

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Wed May 15, 2013 1:26 pm

I'm looking at this page:
http://www.buildmyled.com/custom-reef-spectrum/
It says 0-10V dimming, so the analog dimming signal works for you.

Squishie89 · Post by **Squishie89** » Fri May 17, 2013 2:30 pm

So I do not need to get the manual dimmer addition?

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Fri May 17, 2013 5:30 pm

I don't think so. I think they are only meant for when you don't have a controller and want to dim manually.
You better ask the manufacturer to confirm.

rossbryant1956 · Post by **rossbryant1956** » Fri May 17, 2013 7:42 pm

Squishie, you have the PWM relay box, not the analog. Roberto, can I swap one of my analog boxes for her PWM with no consequences? Do we need any extra cables that may not have been standard with the unit?

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Fri May 17, 2013 8:09 pm

Yeah, you can swap them without any problems.

Squishie89 · Post by **Squishie89** » Mon May 20, 2013 7:56 pm

Okay so I bought 2 of the light fixtures. I bought- http://www.buildmyled.com/14000k-custom-reef-spectrum/ and http://www.buildmyled.com/super-actinic . What do I need to make these work with my controller? Is it an issue using 2 dimmable fixtures on one controller with 1 relay box? What is going on with this switch? Is this a simple re-upload the code and re-plug in everything?
I need help with the coding for the lights. I want the 14k light on from 2-10pm at 100% and I would like to use the sunrise and sunset effects as well with these lights. Or I am open to suggestions for the lighting.
I apologize for still being so new to this that I need so much help, I appreciate all the assistance.

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Mon May 20, 2013 8:39 pm

I don't see any problems with connecting 2 fixtures on the same box.
What kind of drivers do they use?

Squishie89 · Post by **Squishie89** » Mon May 20, 2013 8:59 pm

I could not find an answer so I asked. Will reply when I get an answer about that.

Squishie89 · Post by **Squishie89** » Tue May 21, 2013 4:21 pm

This is all I got as far as an answer, " The drivers need a 0-10V analog control signal to dim the lights."

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Tue May 21, 2013 4:28 pm

LOL... We already knew that.
I don't see any information on how to interface with the unit.

Squishie89 · Post by **Squishie89** » Tue May 21, 2013 4:34 pm

I will be happy to ask them whatever is needed, if you just tell me what to say/ask, I will relay it to them.

paulvisco · Post by **paulvisco** » Tue May 21, 2013 4:44 pm

From your link you posted

Product Features
- 0-10V Dimming Compatible Driver
- IP66 Waterproof Rating
- CE Safety Certification & RoHS Compliant
- Built-to-Order in the USA
- 3 Year Warranty
- Innovative 'T-Rail' for Unlimited Mounting Options
- Return within 30 Days for Full Refund
- System Includes:
LED fixture/power supply/8' cord/plug/mounting brackets

dbmet · Post by **dbmet** » Tue May 21, 2013 5:46 pm

Looks like you could take a stereo connector and cut the opposite ends off and connect to the Reef Angel..
Heres a link they sell for the Apex
http://www.buildmyled.com/apex-dimming-cable/

paulvisco · Post by **paulvisco** » Tue May 21, 2013 11:35 pm

guess the real question is where power and grnd go...

cgravelle · Post by **cgravelle** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:14 pm

I have been looking at the BuildMyLED lights and was wondering of you got these running without any issues? Did you end up having to make your own cable or were you able to find the right one? For example, I was just wondering of the Aqua Illumination cable on the orders page might actually work for the BuildMyLED lights.

rimai · Post by **rimai** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:29 pm

I think the manufacturer has them.
I sent them one RA and they have used it for their tests and I think they were going to make one cable

Squishie89 · Post by **Squishie89** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 7:13 pm

cgravelle wrote:I have been looking at the BuildMyLED lights and was wondering of you got these running without any issues? Did you end up having to make your own cable or were you able to find the right one? For example, I was just wondering of the Aqua Illumination cable on the orders page might actually work for the BuildMyLED lights.

They did make me a cable (and they told me they would be making them for sale). However, I have a digital outlet box, so I borrowed an analog box, still could not get it to work, probably would need to change my coding to analog instead of digital or something like that. (To go a bit further on what would not work; the light would connect to the wire and to the box, but it was really dim, as if stuck at a low setting, I have no idea if this is a coding problem or a wire problem or what kind of problem). I gave up. I bought 2 of the manual dimming switches for when I need to dim the lights due to new corals that need acclimating. As of now, I don't need my lights to slowly dim with all of those cool settings you can do.
I don't think the apex cable will work because there is no slot on the RA boxes for a connector like that.

Sacohen · Post by **Sacohen** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 8:35 pm

I was looking at these lights too and I think if you cut off the RJ-45 connector you can connect it to the screw down terminals of the RA dimming modules. I've tried contacting the guys at BuilidMyLed and did not get that great help.

I got one reply and that was after I called up and asked to speak to someone.
When they responded I wrote back with another question and never got a reply from them.

dedvalson · Post by **dedvalson** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:39 am

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to add in here.

My 180 reef is entirely lit by the BuildMyLED 3 channel lights and I love them. They get splashed on all the time and it doesn't bother them. I have the 6 channel dimming module controlling 6 different lighting channels and it works great. And yes, you can just cut off a simple audio connector and wire it into the dimming module, that is what I did.

These are great lights.

There was a period of time during which it was hard to get support from them. But they are through that now and have always provided excellent support to me.

Don

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