Is all 0-10v the same?

[Eye H8 Empty V]

Is 0-10v control just that? Controlling voltage?

If so can a 0-10v output intended for a DC controllable pump also control dimming lights?

For instance, if I have an Aquatic Life DX18 dimmable T5 fixture hooked up to a CoralVue Hydros Wave Engine via the 0-10v breakout cable can I use that to control the fixture?

Thanks!

 

[Biglew11]

Yes. A 0-10v devise use the 0-10v input to adjust speed or brightness. 0v being low, or slow 10v being high, or fast. It doesn't matter what produces the 0-10v signal. One of the things that makes the 0-10v protocall so universal.

 

[KenO]

I have a GHL P4. I have 2 Maxspect 250’s with the icecap controllers. I have them connected to 2 of my illumination channels. The cool thing is I can utilize the cloud feature. So if my speed is set to 10Vdc or 100%, the cloud feature is set to lower the speed a maximum of 20%. Since the cloud feature is random, it automatically changes the pump speed for me.

 

[TheHarold]

Is 0-10v control just that? Controlling voltage?

If so can a 0-10v output intended for a DC controllable pump also control dimming lights?

For instance, if I have an Aquatic Life DX18 dimmable T5 fixture hooked up to a CoralVue Hydros Wave Engine via the 0-10v breakout cable can I use that to control the fixture?

Thanks!

Yup, it’s kind of a universal method of control. 0-10v = 0-100% output.

There are some weird limitations, like you may be unable to fully turn “off” your aquatic life fixture- they may have a minimum brightness.

Re: WaveEngine, assuming you can set a schedule you like, yeah, it’s the same. I don’t know if you can set a long schedule like that.

 

[n2585722]

The 0-10v is the same but a controller ment to drive a pump for wave purposes may not be able to control your lights on a long ramp that last for hours instead of minutes. The controller I have uses different functions for lighting and wave pumps. The same output can be used for either you just have to select the right function. I am not sure the WaveEngine will do that. Coralvue is coming out with the Control 4 and Control 2. Those will probably do what you want. I know the Control 4 will have 0-10v inputs and outputs. Not sure on Control 2.

 

[blasterman]

yep. In theory if you run a lot of devices off a single 1-10 volt supply eventually you will run out of drivable current, but that takes a lot.

 

[TheHarold]

yep. In theory if you run a lot of devices off a single 1-10 volt supply eventually you will run out of drivable current, but that takes a lot.

Not really. It’s not a driving current at all; it’s just a few mah for signaling. You don’t “run” any device off of the signal voltage.

The device using 0-10v imput has another power source- it’s just using 0-10v to determine what output.

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

The 0-10v is the same but a controller ment to drive a pump for wave purposes may not be able to control your lights on a long ramp that last for hours instead of minutes. The controller I have uses different functions for lighting and wave pumps. The same output can be used for either you just have to select the right function. I am not sure the WaveEngine will do that. Coralvue is coming out with the Control 4 and Control 2. Those will probably do what you want. I know the Control 4 will have 0-10v inputs and outputs. Not sure on Control 2.

This is a temporary solution until the Control4 is released. Thanks!

 

[Eye H8 Empty V]

Thanks for the great replies everyone!

 

[Biglew11]

yep. In theory if you run a lot of devices off a single 1-10 volt supply eventually you will run out of drivable current, but that takes a lot.

Not really. It’s not a driving current at all; it’s just a few mah for signaling. You don’t “run” any device off of the signal voltage.

The device using 0-10v imput has another power source- it’s just using 0-10v to determine what output.

Actually what blasterman posted is correct. Even though the device you are controlling has it's own power supply the 0-10v signal still has a limited current that it can produce. It will however take a whole lot of devices on the same control signal to make it not work. Enough that for our usages it is almost unlimited.

 

[TheHarold]

Actually what blasterman posted is correct. Even though the device you are controlling has it's own power supply the 0-10v signal still has a limited current that it can produce. It will however take a whole lot of devices on the same control signal to make it not work. Enough that for our usages it is almost unlimited.

True, I initially thought when he meant "run a lot of devices" he meant power them. A few mah used per device does add up eventually given the low output of the 0-10v port, it just doesn't really occur in our practical use of a few devices for an aquarium.

Ive seen like 10 kessil fixtures daisy chained with no issue.