Does a Kessil X controller work with an A160 alone?

vessxpress1 · Mar 1, 2020

Ok, well I must be an idiot because I can't figure out what's happening here. The kessil X controller was supposed to be compatible with the A160s. I plug in my new A160 and it works like it's supposed to. I plug in the Kessil X to the appropriate port on the A160 and the light goes dead and the controller does not turn on. Does the Kessil X controller have to run off a new 360X, THEN to the A160 or what? It'd be nice if they advertised this if so.

Gareth elliott · Mar 1, 2020

@Crabs McJones i cant think of anyone else that has run kessils off top of my head. I have the fuge light but run off the old controler not the x.

W1ngz · Mar 1, 2020

Are you using the right port/cable?
I got the following from here.

One Controller, Two Ports - Backward Compatible
Each controller is equipped with one K-Link port and one 0-10V output port. The K-Link port allows users to connect to the new A360X, while the 0-10V port is for Kessil’s 0-10V light fixture.

vessxpress1 · Mar 1, 2020

I only have an A160. There's 2 ports on it and it shows to plug into the right one on that. If I plug controller into right one it turns off. If plugged into left one it stays on and controller still does nothing. The controller itself only has a single 0-10v and a single K-link that goes out. There's no K-link port on the light fixture itself.

W1ngz · Mar 1, 2020

If it's in the correct port (different connectors so it doesn't seem possible to get them wrong) and both devices go dead then one of the three are bad. You can check the cable if you have a multimeter and make sure all three points on it only have continuity to one point on the other end.

After that process of elimination, but you'll need either another kessil or controller to do that.

Crabs McJones · Mar 1, 2020

Pics? The x controller is suppose to be backwards compatible

vessxpress1 · Mar 1, 2020

W1ngz said:
If it's in the correct port (different connectors so it doesn't seem possible to get them wrong) and both devices go dead then one of the three are bad. You can check the cable if you have a multimeter and make sure all three points on it only have continuity to one point on the other end.

After that process of elimination, but you'll need either another kessil or controller to do that.

May be. Both of these are new out of the box though. I just peeled the plastic off the face of the controller and cut the seal on the A160 box yesterday afternoon.

W1ngz · Mar 1, 2020

vessxpress1 said:
May be. Both of these are new out of the box though. I just peeled the plastic off the face of the controller and cut the seal on the A160 box yesterday afternoon.

If you bought it local maybe the store will help you with the testing to see which device is bad.

ca1ore · Mar 1, 2020

Don’t think any of the devices are broken. The x controller draws its power through the k link connection to an X light. Without that it won’t work. Don’t recall if there’s a way to power the x controller via a wall wart. I control both x lights and the older ones with my x controller, but if I remove the k link cord everything goes black. So, yes the x controller IS backwards compatible, but only sort of because you have to be running at least one x light for the controller to have power.

vessxpress1 · Mar 1, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
Pics? The x controller is suppose to be backwards compatible

W1ngz · Mar 1, 2020

Alternative
Plug the Micro USB Cable to the Micro-USB port and to a 5V/1A USB power adapter. (USB power adapter not included)

rusty hannon · Mar 1, 2020

vessxpress1 said:
Ok, well I must be an idiot because I can't figure out what's happening here. The kessil X controller was supposed to be compatible with the A160s. I plug in my new A160 and it works like it's supposed to. I plug in the Kessil X to the appropriate port on the A160 and the light goes dead and the controller does not turn on. Does the Kessil X controller have to run off a new 360X, THEN to the A160 or what? It'd be nice if they advertised this if so.

The kessil a160 definitely works w the new controler.i did have to get the 10v cord separate my but I'm running that very setup n it's been awesome.R

W1ngz · Mar 1, 2020

You need to power the controller...

All the directions are here. https://www.kessil.com/products/accessories_SpectralControllerX.php

ca1ore · Mar 1, 2020

vessxpress1 said:
It'd be nice if they advertised this if so.

Clarity of the Kessil instructions leaves A LOT to be desired. Particularly the controllers that are routinely a hair pulling experience.

rusty hannon · Mar 1, 2020

vessxpress1 said:

If I may I plugged n the light plugged n the 10 v cord where you can daise cord them and your done the controller runs off the light s power but as I said I had to buy the other cord n it was 20$ at marine Depot .R

vessxpress1 · Mar 1, 2020

W1ngz said:
You need to power the controller...

All the directions are here. https://www.kessil.com/products/accessories_SpectralControllerX.php

This is nuts. The light came with several different cables. Silly me for thinking the 0-10v cable that came with it and plugs into the controller would be adequate! lol I guess I'll search for and buy another wire. What a PITA!

I'm getting a little grumpy these days due to starting from scratch and having to purchase a hundred different things just to get going again before I've even thought about buying a frag. I've got a $5 float valve holding up progress atm and the light works without the wire so I suppose I need to chill out.

W1ngz · Mar 1, 2020

From what I'm seeing it already comes with the micro USB cable, you just need a wall USB plug from a phone or something. The specs say 1A so just make sure it's not the older little 500ma iphone cubes.