Reef Angel Forum

Hi, I'm looking for information and can't find the answer. Does Reef Angel works with Meanwell ELN-60-48D drivers.
I have 4 drives and would like to controll them separatelly (if possible).
What do I need to be able to dimm these drivers with with Reef Angel controller (these are D model, not P)?

Thanks.

So, looks like I will have make something to be able to dimm meanwells D type
Not sure if I will be able to do it right i I have make something myself...

I read some other forums about meanwels and found different information. Some people are saying that P and D drives are interchangable (with some minor diffs). But I do not know if this is true.

Is anyone using RA with meanell drivers type D?

How RA works with PWM channel? If I get RA with 0-10V converter, I should be able to control dimming by changing output between 0 and 10 V. But I'm not sure how PWM affects it. Can I just set PWM to 255 (max) and dimm LEDs by changing voltage?
Or I got it totally wrong?

Sorry, I'm not very technical when it comes to electronics.

The other user is stating the same thing of his drivers. He's used PWM and analog and saw no difference.
I sent an email to manufacturer too, inquiring about it.

That is great. Hope to here what manufacturer has to say. I don't want to damage drivers if they are not suppose to be used with PWM.

I was also readind other posts and found some notes about PWM extension module for RA. It looks interesting as I would like to control 4 drivers independently. But there is no information on the site about that extension.

I'll let you know what they say.
The PWM Expansion hasn't been officially release yet, even though there are more than a dozen out there already.
http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=134

Any update?

Oh, sorry... I got a response and forgot to post.
They said it would work but they do no recommend.
I guess for legal reasons they can't recommend anyway.

I'm currently running Meanwell D drivers from RA controller.
They do work. But this is somehting I noticed. My LED light start at 2% of PWM output. I can see gradual difference as PWM output increases up to 20% but anything past that I can't tell any difference in light output.

Not sure if this is how it should be. I have to buy device to test output on PWM exist.

Did you use any RC components to smooth down the signal or hooked up straight up?

Nothing is used, just output from RA controller.

I using meanwell D too. You need to set the lumens of the led to the right level while the pwn is set on 100%. I set my led lumens to 900 which is the ideal for my led setup.

You will need to open the Meanwell driver and adjust it from there.

Do you see the difference between 100% and 90%?

I adjusted drivers and still do not see visual difference in LED output after 30%.

I checked PWM output from RA Controller. It ranges from 0 to about 9.7 V (0-100%).
I set drivers to output 750mA at 100% PWM.

I will try to check driver output on 10% PWM increment tonight. Is there anything else I have to check or adjust on drivers?

Thanks.

Although I do not have experience with the D type, I do have with the P.
With P, any difference above 70% is not visible to me, although I do know that the string is running stronger, because I measured the current through the LEDs and it does go up.
I think we may need to work on an RC filter.
PM if you need help.

You should build a digital to analog converter, this is one of the thing holding me back to get RA.

It's available in the web store now

finaly

what is the best D or P????

and with PWM-to-Analog Lead Wire????

thank you

rimai wrote:It's available in the web store now

Thta was fast, RA is going to be my controller as soon as my tank is up and running, great work.

In my opinion, I think PWM is much better technology than analog, so I vote "P" , but the driver itself basically work just the same.

rimai wrote:In my opinion, I think PWM is much better technology than analog, so I vote "P" , but the driver itself basically work just the same.

Why is the P superior to the D? I have heard that the D drivers have a lower amperage cut off than the P's which gives you more dimming capability...I am just getting ready to purchase my LED set up and will be using a RA to run my sunris/sunset feature eventually after I save the money to purchase the controller. With the analog to PWN wire, is it now as simple as soldering the wires and plugging the drivers into the PWM ports on the controller?

Advise please...this stuff still kind of goes over my head!

Well, PWM is a digital technology compared to analog that has been around for so long.
The same way that you see everything going digital and abandoning the analog technology, I also believe the same applies to dimming signals.
Just my opinion and if you still feel that the analog is for you, the PWM-to-Analog lead wires can be used for "D" version drivers.

rimai wrote:Well, PWM is a digital technology compared to analog that has been around for so long.
The same way that you see everything going digital and abandoning the analog technology, I also believe the same applies to dimming signals.
Just my opinion and if you still feel that the analog is for you, the PWM-to-Analog lead wires can be used for "D" version drivers.

My worry is that I need to be able to dim my drivers in the interim while I save for my RA. The only way I know to do this is with a complicated ardino DIY'ed controller...

08trdoffroad wrote:
My worry is that I need to be able to dim my drivers in the interim while I save for my RA. The only way I know to do this is with a complicated ardino DIY'ed controller...

use the SVR2 to adjust dimming while u wait for ur reefngel.
then when u get ur RA, just readjust SVR2.

cain wrote:

08trdoffroad wrote:
My worry is that I need to be able to dim my drivers in the interim while I save for my RA. The only way I know to do this is with a complicated ardino DIY'ed controller...

use the SVR2 to adjust dimming while u wait for ur reefngel.
then when u get ur RA, just readjust SVR2.

Will the drivers ever light the LED's without the dimmer circuit/wires being complete?

Yes, just use a 9V battery or a power supply.

So you're talking a 10 v wall wart?

That works too

Would one of the 10v power supply from Rapid LED work?

yeah

So I just wire the 10v supply up to the dimmer wires to feed the the voltage at 100% and adjust the SVR2 to dim until I get my RA?