Controller for Dimmable Flos.

[francis skibicki]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of a Controller that will work with dimmable flos. The flo ballast in question is 0-10v (I dont know the other technical though) I guess it does work with Apex.

This particular project is not for a reef tank, so an Apex to control one flo bulb is a huge waste. Is there a cheaper 0-10v controller that will allow Sunrise/Sunset ramping, and storm features? (Multiple ramping per day, Scheduled)

This setup is for a reptile cage, that will be using AI Primes as its main lighting/grow lighting, however the USB must be flo, and I want it to match what the AIs are doing as close as possible.

 

[oreo54]

The "cheaper" controllers generally use 5V PWM ..
An add on board can convert that to 0-10V analog...
Not sure how you would synch random rain storms though..

StormX plus converter boards come to mind..

 

[francis skibicki]

The "cheaper" controllers generally use 5V PWM ..
An add on board can convert that to 0-10V analog...
Not sure how you would synch random rain storms though..

StormX plus converter boards come to mind..

Not random, rainstorms scheduled. 100% probality on the AI.

The thing is with the rain storm, it's a chameleon Viv, so it will actually be a rainstorm lol. They need misting/rain 3 times a day.

The storm controller, I was looking at. However from what I read on their listings it will only reproduce storms and lighting from somehwere in the world. That won't work for me, I need scheduled. Can they be scheduled?

Really doesn't even need to storm for this controller, just needs to turn the light off, Preferably dimming to off, and theb dimming to back on.

 

[oreo54]

Did a brief check of a number of controllers (storm, Hurricane,Bluefish mini) none fit your criteria..

Matter of fact few that use the "point" approach of the AI's..which has been an issue in the past..

I do know you could take a TC-420 and modify it to do 5V PWM.
The Chinese program has "point set" points like the AI..
This is the TC-421..wireless version:

This is the hack:

allows you to tap the 5V PWM .. which you would then convert to 0-10v analog..
it's simpler than it sounds...

More complicated would be to look into the ReefPi project..

 

[francis skibicki]

Did a brief check of a number of controllers (storm, Hurricane,Bluefish mini) none fit your criteria..

Matter of fact few that use the "point" approach of the AI's..which has been an issue in the past..

I do know you could take a TC-420 and modify it to do 5V PWM.
The Chinese program has "point set" points like the AI..
This is the TC-421..wireless version:

This is the hack:

allows you to tap the 5V PWM .. which you would then convert to 0-10v analog..
it's simpler than it sounds...

More complicated would be to look into the ReefPi project..

Works for me, do you have a guide on how to do the conversion to 10v?

Do I need the wifi version? I won't need to wifi in for nothing, only change settings maybes 2 times year.

 

[oreo54]

First.. "theory"..
AND an example only:
https://www.amazon.com/KNACRO-volta...ocphy=1028224&hvtargid=pla-348384112696&psc=1

PWM out of the TC-420 is like 500Hz/5V. the above states 1kHz.. There are others out there..
This should work..
Note I know it can be done and has been done BUT not exactly anything I've ever needed..so please look at this as SOLID theory..
https://www.stevesleds.com/Aquarium-Controller-Interface-Harness_p_183.html

Non-WIFI requires a Win box and usb port..I know kind of self explanatory but in this day and age..needs to be mentioned..
Err.. not sure what the WIFI needs to transfer files (which is all you really do)

 

[francis skibicki]

First.. "theory"..
AND an example only:
https://www.amazon.com/KNACRO-volta...ocphy=1028224&hvtargid=pla-348384112696&psc=1

PWM out of the TC-420 is like 500Hz/5V. the above states 1kHz.. There are others out there..
This should work..
Note I know it can be done and has been done BUT not exactly anything I've ever needed..so please look at this as SOLID theory..
https://www.stevesleds.com/Aquarium-Controller-Interface-Harness_p_183.html

Non-WIFI requires a Win box and usb port..I know kind of self explanatory but in this day and age..needs to be mentioned..
Err.. not sure what the WIFI needs to transfer files (which is all you really do)

Wait so I am confused, I would have to make a board like that?

Not sure I trust myself doing all that lol.

Any idea is the Bluefish does what I need already? Software wise?

I ask because, your second link says it coverts 0-10V on Meanwell LDDs to digital, so my assumption is then that the meanwells are anaglog, and the Bluefish mini says only for those.

EDIT: Nevermind only the wifi one has 0-10v, and then it doesn't have scheduled storms . I don't really need scheduled storms as much as just scheduled off periods. Preferably ones that do it via ramping.

 

[oreo54]

Sorry site pulled some of my images (maybe they just load slow,,not sure)..and no you don't have to build the converter boards..
TC-420(1) is the only cheap controller I know of that can do "split" photoperiods..
Multiple off and on periods..

so it's really the only starting unit..
Sorry about the Steves thing.. was in a hurry..

More like this..
https://www.rapidled.com/10v-analog-converter-for-coralux-storm-controller/

Many hints..
https://www.plantedtank.net/forums/10-lighting/1250129-tc420-control-analog-0-10v-dc.html

Actually one can "smooth" the 10V PWM using a 10V power supply and an R/C circuit (easy to build and some calculators are available..as stated, just a resistor and a capacitor..)
no adding wires..
http://sim.okawa-denshi.jp/en/CRlowkeisan.htm

 

[francis skibicki]

Sorry site pulled some of my images (maybe they just load slow,,not sure)..and no you don't have to build the converter boards..
TC-420(1) is the only cheap controller I know of that can do "split" photoperiods..
Multiple off and on periods..

so it's really the only starting unit..
Sorry about the Steves thing.. was in a hurry..

More like this..
https://www.rapidled.com/10v-analog-converter-for-coralux-storm-controller/

Many hints..
https://www.plantedtank.net/forums/10-lighting/1250129-tc420-control-analog-0-10v-dc.html

Actually one can "smooth" the 10V PWM using a 10V power supply and an R/C circuit (easy to build and some calculators are available..as stated, just a resistor and a capacitor..)
no adding wires..
http://sim.okawa-denshi.jp/en/CRlowkeisan.htm

I seen those threads.

And the smoothing, I will look deeper into it. And yes, the 420/421 look fine. The 421 is actually inferior lol, it apparently can only dim over 30 min periods, where the 420 can do so by the minute.

I am curious which the AI can do? Do you have any idea?