Evergrow/Reefbreeders LED 0-10v expansion dimming

[lnevo]

I disconnected the plug from the dimmer and shoved the wires in the front. I don't know how it would be with the dimmer still connected. I may have had some pictures of it when I did it, but I'll have to look. On another note, ReefRadiance is sending me new dimming kits for the retro upgrade.

[Sacohen]

Let me know how it works.

[AlanM]

Yes, VDIM+ and VDIM- are for the + and - pins of the 10v dimming module. The other two are the ones that are engaged when you turn the dimming knob all the way to dim which actually turns the lights off. Just short those two. I did like he did and shoved a piece of wire between those two pins.

[Sacohen]

Great thanks guys.

[lnevo]

I finally got the new dimming kit from ReefRadiance. This one is working great. They are working just like before except now with the cat-5 disconnected, I can still use the stock dimmers. The new one has the right connectors so it just plugs in inline.

[Sacohen]

Glad to hear this.
They still don't go to 0 do they?

[lnevo]

No. This is a limitation in the drivers but they are trying to see if they can make that feature work. Stay tuned on that.

[Sacohen]

Cool.

[CBRpilot]

No. This is a limitation in the drivers but they are trying to see if they can make that feature work. Stay tuned on that.

any update on this?

[lnevo]

No, and I wouldn't hold my breath

[Sacohen]

Well I connected everything today and didn't have good luck.
1st when the lights where connected to the dimming expansion module and on at 100% they were significantly dimmer than the 2nd set of lights that were not modified and on at approximately 80%.


Modded Light


Non Modded Light



In addition when I connected everything back to normal the light that was modified will not turn on at all now.

[Sacohen]

I got the lights working again. Apparently I didn't have the connectors pushed all the way in or when I pushed the wires into the connector they pushed the tabs out to far so when I plugged the connectors back into the rheostat they didn't make connection.

So I used a small flat head to push them back in to the connectors and then made sure the connectors were plugged all the way in and the lights work fine non modded now,

I don't know why the full output of the light is much dimmer modded then not modded.
I would say it is more 50% less.

[Sacohen]

I got it working.
I had the positive and negative reversed on the daylight channel.

Now I just need to work out my code for a nice east to west sunrise/sunset.

[Sacohen]

I guess my Evergrow Dimmable Full Spectrum D2120 120W LED Light For Reef saltwater aquarium are PWM, because I opened my dimming module to see what it was set on since I;ve changed it a coupe of times and there are no jumpers so it is set to PWM and it's working fine.

[lnevo]

Cool, sounds like you got most of the issues ironed out. Welcome to fun with RA and LED

[Sacohen]

Yeah. I just need to figure out how I want to do the ramps.
Also the 10% lower limit is a bummer.
The Actinics I think I'm going to overlap with the moonlights so it's a little smoother. I think you're doing that.
I'm not sure about the daylights I just I'm just going to live with it.

[lnevo]

Yeah I have a function to just use the moonlights for the last bit.

[paperdesk]

Sacohen, your story sounds just about like mine! Glad it's working!

[Sacohen]

They were stupid mistakes.

[paperdesk]

Haha, yes it's easy to say that looking back, but it's all part of the fun.

[lnevo]

Amazing how all those mistakes get forgotten when your doing the write-up

[Sacohen]

Does anyone know what type of connectors these lights use?
I want to find the female ends so i can just plug into the drivers.

I don't like just pushing wires and into the plugs.
I've had the connections come loose a couple of times.

Here are photos of the connector.






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[Ademster]

4 pin molex

[Sacohen]

I originally thought so too, but a molex connector is rounded and this isn't. Plus it has 2 of the corners cut off at a 45°

[lnevo]

Its smaller than a molex

[Sacohen]

Yes. Much smaller. Probably 1/2 the size. The picture 4 posts up show it's only 7/16th of an inch long.

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[paperdesk]

It's been long enough since I had mine open that I don't remember what it looked like. It's not this is it? http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-st ... 156/1.html

[Sacohen]

It might be.
Thanks.

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[cmc0619]

Does the other side have a couple of locking ridges in it? I bought https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/ ... -ND/683353 & https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/ ... -ND/527370 for my chinese light boxes and they're a perfect fit. https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/ ... ND/1651047 for the mating connector.

[Sacohen]

Thanks. I think these are the same thing.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/80pcs-XH2-54-4P-C ... ING_ACTIVE

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