AliExpress A8SE Reef Light

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Was cleaning up some wires this weekend, unplugged the lights and they lost their time. I had recently updated the app to make a change, so I wonder if this is an update issue as before, I didn't have this issue.
 
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RoanokeReef said:
Was cleaning up some wires this weekend, unplugged the lights and they lost their time. I had recently updated the app to make a change, so I wonder if this is an update issue as before, I didn't have this issue.
Click to expand...
was losing time before the last app update
 
Orito said:
was losing time before the last app update
Click to expand...
Not sure what update as I hadn't updated in a while. It was however working, going to remove the app sometime this week and reinstall without the updates to see if that makes a difference.

I moved them to a UPS so not a huge issue, just curious if an update is what broke it.
 
I have 2 A8S units and have no issues power cycling the lights, the settings still hold. I'm using the chinese version of the app so maybe it is more up to date (FYI, the english version is last updated in 2022, whereas it's 2023 for the chinese version)
 
Tidal Gardens
mercurialchen said:
I have 2 A8S units and have no issues power cycling the lights, the settings still hold. I'm using the chinese version of the app so maybe it is more up to date (FYI, the english version is last updated in 2022, whereas it's 2023 for the chinese version)
Click to expand...
Whats the chinese vs english version? I have the app but I only see one version.
 
mercurialchen said:
I have 2 A8S units and have no issues power cycling the lights, the settings still hold. I'm using the chinese version of the app so maybe it is more up to date (FYI, the english version is last updated in 2022, whereas it's 2023 for the chinese version)
Click to expand...
I use the Chinese also, I was referring to the "update packs" that load when opening the app not the actual app.
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
If a lot of people struggle with the app due to misleading translation of the english version, I will try to post a guide on the functions of the chinese version
 
RoanokeReef said:
The Pros have an extra control channel, Cree LEDs (maybe) and more related to the Gen6 to where the A8SE combines the extra channel control and is more related to the Gen5. The blue spectrum is basically the same between the two. The mounts will work but you will need to widen the holes on the plastic mount as the screws are a different diameter.

Edit - If you check this thread someone had posted a breakdown of the difference of all of the variants. But if you're worried only about spectrum all are basically the same except the X30 Blue which has more blue LEDs.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I got the lights, they look great from what I can see, im going to purchase a XR30 RMS mount, how do i widen the holes on the plastic safely to make the screws fit?

Cheers
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
LordMarvolo said:
I've bitten the bullet and ordered 5x of the updated X30 Blue's with CREE Led's and Meanwell PSU's. Will feed back when I eventually receive them over here in the UK!
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Just to add to this, whilst I haven't received my lights yet, it looks like the listing has been updated to "X30 Blue+" (note the '+') now to reflect the change to CREE LED's, however it also references having new "5G" connectivity. Interesting... Once I receive them, hopefully in the next few days, I'll report back as to whether the setup experience is any better, test cutting power to them to see if the time changes, and give this "5G" connectivity a go to see if it actually works out of the box.
 
Sorry for delay. Instructions for update -
1. Press and hold the middle button for 5 seconds (This part he said was important)
2. Setup WiFi again
3. Click the Menu Icon (Top Right)
4. Tap Firmware Update

I can confirm with mine unplugging them and plugging them back in they kept the time.
 
Question, what does it mean if the color of the buttons (power, up, down button) on top of the light are a solid light green color?
 
Tidal Gardens
Now one light the buttons are illuminated to a solid blue, while the other is still a solid green. Any ideas what this means?
 
Matt1997 said:
Well here is my 6 month review.

I have had the light running on my sps only tank (6 months old) since January of this year. I bought it for $250 USD shipped with a North American power supply. It is as close to a radion as you will ever see. The fans are the same, the lens cover is the same, the housing is near identical with the main difference being the cord runs through the back of this light. The LED count, color and type is the same. I have dissembled my radion G5s to compare components and the only striking difference is the radions run a 10 channel system controlling all colors of leds while the A8 runs 6 and the radion uses Bluetooth connectivity while the A8 uses wifi (will touch more on this).

I currently have the light running beside two g5 XR30 blues and 95% of people would not be able to tell the difference. The color blends perfectly and the par is actually slightly higher than that produced by the radions. The A8 runs a warmer color overall and more closely resembles the pro version of the radion but with minor tweaks in color you can produce the “radion blue” look with very similar par results. With the light set to full intensity I was pushing well over 800 par in the upper parts of the tank. I currently have it set to about 75% blue channels and 20-30% whites and reds and am achieving 600+ par at the top 6” and 150-250 on the bottom 24” down.

Upon first setup I initially struggled with programming the light as it is in Chinese and the English app was not functional at the time. With the help of Google translate and some back and fourth with the supplier I managed to get the Chinese app working while they made improvements to the English app (which is now fully functional). After setup I took the time to create a manual for the light that I provided to the supplier with illustrations on how to program the Chinese app if you only know English. Feel free to reach out and I will provide the document.

As for the connection. I have found it more reliable than the radions Mobius. I have come home many times to my radions being out of schedule, changing times, and only running red/green/individual channels. In all my time with the A8 I only lost connectivity twice. The first time the power went out and the light was running 1h behind schedule until I opened the app and set to current time. The other time the light must have completely lost connectivity and reset to the default 5% on all channels until I reconnected.

Now does it grow coral? Absolutely and oddly enough all my most vivid pieces are underneath the A8.

I have been so impressed with this light that I put my radion G5s up for sale. I figured for the price I sell my G5s for I can purchase about 10 of these lights as they give a discount on 10 units. In all aspects I see that as a win.
Click to expand...
Would I be able to get this document? No matter what I try cannot seem to get this thing to save a schedule.
 
BRS
Is there another way to factory reset? While trying to get the app to hold time&schedule the light now when plugged in will turn on for a minute then Goes dark and no longer shows up on my phone in wifi for direct connect. The buttons are flashing blue trying to find wifi I believe. When I hold the middle button to rest like it says in the quickstart guide it does nothing. Don't know how I'm supposed to connect now.
 

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