Apollo Reef LED SolarBlast Dimable Lights

[markak]

These lights only work with a controller. My question is can they be hacked or re wired to work with out a controller? I have 2 and I no longer have a reef tank or the controller that ran them, and would like to use them as grow lights to grow plants. Will this work?

 

[redfishbluefish]

I have older Apollos that came with pots to manually dim. I believe the "newer" Solarblasts came with Meanwell dimmable drivers (I think ELN-60-48D). If you're a DIY'er, you could simply build two pots and attach them to the fixtures. I think Rapid LED makes this kit....let me look.

As far as using them for plant growth, I think you could find inexpensive fixtures that would do a better job. If you decide to use the Apollo's, take off the lenses (they easily pull straight off), and mount them high.

EDIT TO ADD:

I found a picture of the dimmer on Rapid LED's site, but when I click on it, it only shows me some of the parts. Contact Rapid and see what they say.....and this assumes you have the "D" model Meanwell drivers.

EDIT TO ADD #2:

Well, I can't find their kit, but I found their instructions for their kit. Simply buy a project box and the parts and build your own. Hope this helps.

 

[markak]

I have older Apollos that came with pots to manually dim. I believe the "newer" Solarblasts came with Meanwell dimmable drivers (I think ELN-60-48D). If you're a DIY'er, you could simply build two pots and attach them to the fixtures. I think Rapid LED makes this kit....let me look.

As far as using them for plant growth, I think you could find inexpensive fixtures that would do a better job. If you decide to use the Apollo's, take off the lenses (they easily pull straight off), and mount them high.

Yes they are Meanwell drivers. What is a pot? I am a DIY guy. I will take off the lenses before I hang them. I figured I have the light why not put them to use in my other hobby.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Sorry, pot is short for a potentiometer.....a little device with a knob you manually turn to turn things up and down.....in this case, the intensity of the lights.

 

[markak]

Ok thanks

 

[markak]

Sorry, pot is short for a potentiometer.....a little device with a knob you manually turn to turn things up and down.....in this case, the intensity of the lights.

Is this the only way to get them to work? I really don't need to dim them, can I just remove or rearrange some wires to run directly off the drivers?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Good question....a little over my head, but I'd guess you could. A potentiometer is simply a variable resistor. I would think you could "jump" the two connections that would otherwise be going to the pot. You just need to figure out what wires are what. Trace back the wires coming out of each drive to the plug connection for the controller and try jumping them.

If you wish, you could put a switch in here to turn them on and off.

 

[markak]

Good question....a little over my head, but I'd guess you could. A potentiometer is simply a variable resistor. I would think you could "jump" the two connections that would otherwise be going to the pot. You just need to figure out what wires are what. Trace back the wires coming out of each drive to the plug connection for the controller and try jumping them.

If you wish, you could put a switch in here to turn them on and off.

Right now they have a switch for each color and the blue night leds. Three in total.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Then just jump the "control" leads.

 

[markak]

Then just jump the "control" leads.

Sorry, what are the control leads?

 

[redfishbluefish]

The wires that go to the phone jack looking plug......that's were the controller would plug in if you had one.

With the fixture opened up, you should see two drivers (white rectangular boxes) on either side. One of these boxes is for blue, the other for the white LEDs.....they should be the same.....Meanwells. Look for the wires coming out of the box to the phone jack plug. You will want to jump these wires so that the drivers are no longer dimmable. Do both boxes, and you should be fine....100 percent ON.

 

[markak]

The wires that go to the phone jack looking plug......that's were the controller would plug in if you had one.

With the fixture opened up, you should see two drivers (white rectangular boxes) on either side. One of these boxes is for blue, the other for the white LEDs.....they should be the same.....Meanwells. Look for the wires coming out of the box to the phone jack plug. You will want to jump these wires so that the drivers are no longer dimmable. Do both boxes, and you should be fine....100 percent ON.

When you say jump phone jack wires you mean wire them together? Thanks will give that a try.

 

[markak]

When you say jump phone jack wires you mean wire them together? Thanks will give that a try.

I have 3 sets of wires coming out of each driver. (black and red) One set says Dc in, the other one says AC out, the last one is coming out of the side of the driver says nothing, it is going to the Ethernet jack I disconnected it and cut off the connector coming from the driver and spliced them together. Still the lights won't come on. Anything I'm doing wrong? Any other ideas?