How is everyone controlling the DIY led set ups

[Cjscott]

Just wanted to see how everyone was controlling the DIY LED set ups. I currently have non dimmable drivers plugged into my RKL but would like to upgrade to dimmable drivers. What are you using?

 

[ReefLEDLights]

When using the RKM ALC for 1-10vdc dimming I would avoid the meanwell drivers if you planning to dim more than one. Inventronics, Hyperon or Thomas Research Class of Drivers work better with the Reef Keeper.

Bill

 

[DaveWF]

I'm using my Apex controller and VDM module with Meanwell dimmable drivers. I couldn't be happier with them.

 

[Cjscott]

But I heard that you can't just turn you lights on with the ALC, like if you wanted to turn them on in the morning for some reason.

 

[ReefLEDLights]

The Meanwell Drivers default to off when there is no control voltage. You would have to command the ALC to turn on as well as power up the outlet.

If you use the Inventronics or Hyperon driver its lowest setting is 13-20% so all you have to do is power up the outlet.

Bill

 

[Dave A]

I used Mean Well LDD series drivers, they're controlled by my Reef Angel with a dimming expansion module (PWM version for these drivers). This combination allows me to have a very realistic sunrise/sunset because the drivers can come on at just 1% and then follow a parabola instead of a simple slope. I couldn't be happier with the result.

 

[fragmatic]

If these previous did not address your question. With Meanwell drivers you provide 0 to 10 VDC to the two dimmer input wires and the driver dims the output accordingly. If you have no controler, you use a 10 VDC power supply like many of us have lying around from a phone or old printer and a 10K Ω pot (10k Ω volume control) to divide the voltage and provide an adjustable 0-10 VDC to those same wires.

 

[Dave A]

If these previous did not address your question. With Meanwell drivers you provide 0 to 10 VDC to the two dimmer input wires and the driver dims the output accordingly. If you have no controler, you use a 10 VDC power supply like many of us have lying around from a phone or old printer and a 10K Ω pot (10k Ω volume control) to divide the voltage and provide an adjustable 0-10 VDC to those same wires.

Well, sometimes this is correct....

This does not apply to all Mean Well drivers, only a few models can be controlled in this manner. Mean Well also makes PWM drivers ( like my LDDs or the ELN-60-48P that I currently have on my nano), non-dimmable drivers, drivers that are controlled by resistance (without a wall wort) or drivers with "3 way" dimming (PWM, analog or resistance).
Other manufacturers also make drivers that can use each of these types of dimming. Therefore, it is not really correct to say that "with Mean Well drivers you do X," it may be correct with some drivers but it is not true of all Mean Well drivers.