Diy automatic moonlight dimmer?

Cory · Jan 10, 2016

Im thinking it would be awesome if i could attatch a 3watt blue led to my kessil led. Then have it turn on when the kessil led turns off, creating a moonlight/ complete the dimming of the kessil led to 0%. If you have a kessil led, you know it doesnt dim to 0%, but just abruptly shuts off at 10% or so, still pretty bright. A lot of my fish scatter being scared. I wonder if we could just plug the led into the kessil spectral controller as it has two plugs, and i only have one kessil. Then the kessil controller can dim the 3w led to zero.

So id like to build this led moonlight/ dimmer. How can i do it?

Dtackett · Jan 10, 2016

Cory said:
Im thinking it would be awesome if i could attatch a 3watt blue led to my kessil led. Then have it turn on when the kessil led turns off, creating a moonlight/ complete the dimming of the kessil led to 0%. If you have a kessil led, you know it doesnt dim to 0%, but just abruptly shuts off at 10% or so, still pretty bright. A lot of my fish scatter being scared. I wonder if we could just plug the led into the kessil spectral controller as it has two plugs, and i only have one kessil. Then the kessil controller can dim the 3w led to zero.

So id like to build this led moonlight/ dimmer. How can i do it?

you could run a 3 led moonlight setup with a very dim low wattage led. you would need a driver, leds, and a heatsink. you would have to make it pretty though.

Cory · Jan 10, 2016

Would that create the additional dawning that im looking for?

This one:
http://m.instructables.com/id/Automatic-Dimming-Nightlight/

I thought could work good, but it needs to turn on when the kessil goes off. Was thinking of using a night light sensor in that circuit instead of a push button.

Cory · Jan 11, 2016

Anyone know how to do this?

Cory · Jan 16, 2016

Where are all the electrical engineers!

TheEngineer · Jan 16, 2016

I'm doing something like this right now. Total parts are about $20. I made a bracket to act as the heat sink and mount. Need to make it longer, the Kessil blocked it. It uses a simple driver that will be controlled by the daisy chain output (in theory) of the Kessil.

TheEngineer · Jan 16, 2016

I don't know why the forum keeps putting the pic twice. I tried to delete it but it comes back.

TheEngineer · Jan 16, 2016

Here it is attached for a test fit.

Eckolancer · Jan 16, 2016

Following along on this. I heard someone made a ring of LEDs that goes around the metal where the current LEDs are. http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/hardware/kessil-moonlight-options-38776/#.Vpo6tuxOKJI

TheEngineer · Jan 16, 2016

That ring is cool. No optics so the bleed is going to be terrible.

Cory · Jan 16, 2016

icecool2 said:
I'm doing something like this right now. Total parts are about $20. I made a bracket to act as the heat sink and mount. Need to make it longer, the Kessil blocked it. It uses a simple driver that will be controlled by the daisy chain output (in theory) of the Kessil.

Really cool! Pretty much what i wanted to do!

Cory · Jan 16, 2016

Whats the next step? If your successful ill copy your example

TheEngineer · Jan 16, 2016

I made a new bracket this afternoon. The paint is drying. I will try and test fit it tomorrow and run the LED to check coverage. I have a 3 UV LED puck and 40 degree optics. The coverage looked good to me just holding it up.

I'll make a full DIY thread for it once it is done and include parts.

Cory · Jan 16, 2016

Sounds good. Can you post a link to the driver/ leds your using?

I wonder what color led would be the same color as the k

TheEngineer · Jan 17, 2016

This driver. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OVCBOO4/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_Qf4MwbZRS5RCK

Cory · Jan 19, 2016

Seems like a good driver it even dims to 0%.

You make any progress?

TheEngineer · Jan 19, 2016

Cory said:
Seems like a good driver it even dims to 0%.

You make any progress?

Meanwell makes top quality drivers IME. The only one I've found that I like better is Recom. I used them on my first DIY build and loved them.

Ha! Actually, yes I did make some progress. I remade the bracket over the weekend and secured the LED to it. I'm travelling today, but I plan to get it temporarily mounted over the tank tomorrow so I can see if this bracket is better.

ReeferBob · Jan 19, 2016

My reefkeeper elite has the moonlight controller which dims to 0 and runs the moonlights via actual phases of the moon. This is considered critical to breeding coral. If you can't get the DIY to work, perhaps check it out. It isn't too expensive.