• Welcome back Guest!

    MARSH is a private reefing group. Comments and suggestions are encouraged, but please keep them positive and constructive. Negative threads, posts, or attacks will be removed from view and reviewed by the staff. Continually disruptive, argumentative, or flagrant rule breakers may be suspended or banned.

DIY LEF lighting system (1 Viewer)

Users who are viewing this thread

Holyreefer

Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Location
North Texas
Hey guys I recently moved from WI to TX prior to me leaving I had a buddy build me a custom LED strip for both white-10K and blue actinics. My issue is I don't know enough about lighting to get them to communicate with my APEx.

Is there anyone out there that can help me either change the drivers or with the project all together?

The LEDs are supplement to my MH


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Clownfish Chris

Moved On
Joined
Nov 15, 2014
Messages
1,915
Reaction score
4
Location
Spring 77373
Hey guys I recently moved from WI to TX prior to me leaving I had a buddy build me a custom LED strip for both white-10K and blue actinics. My issue is I don't know enough about lighting to get them to communicate with my APEx.

Is there anyone out there that can help me either change the drivers or with the project all together?

The LEDs are supplement to my MH


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Do you want dimming or just on and off?
 
OP
OP
H

Holyreefer

Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Location
North Texas
The LEDs are going to have to be able to accept a 0-10 volt analog signal. Rather than reinvent the wheel, take a look at this article: http://www.rapidled.com/led-university-1/

I know the drivers are dimmable. It has a control that id like to remove so I can use my apex instead. Here are some pics
8c516615e5d28deaafcdf8f14a7d9457.jpg
1165ee5f1589e6739a75055563d4dd2f.jpg
e5e8b9602f66b7f457b10c2279e4bc75.jpg



The first pic is over the drivers (I believe)
2nd pic is the controller the guy who created them insisted on using vs the apex.
3rd-pic of led strips
Also note my MH fixtures above them


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

steveb

Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Board Member
Build Thread Contributor
Joined
Jun 24, 2009
Messages
11,953
Reaction score
2,856
Location
Spring
You'll need one of these to remove the storm/typhoon/bluefish/arduino controllers.. as they put out 5v PWM for dimming vs. the APEX 0-10v analog..


Aquarium Controller Interface Harness



apex-->Steve's LED Aquarium Controller-->Corallux LDD PWM driver(s)

which will do this:

0-10v analog input from APEX --> perform Analog2PWM Conversion--> 5v PWM output to LDD driver(s)
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
H

Holyreefer

Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Location
North Texas
You'll need one of these to remove the storm/typhoon/bluefish/arduino controllers.. as they put out 5v PWM for dimming vs. the APEX 0-10v analog..


Aquarium Controller Interface Harness



apex-->Steve's LED Aquarium Controller-->Corallux LDD PWM driver(s)

which will do this:

0-10v analog input from APEX --> perform Analog2PWM Conversion--> 5v PWM output to LDD driver(s)

How many will I need and how do you install them?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

steveb

Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Board Member
Build Thread Contributor
Joined
Jun 24, 2009
Messages
11,953
Reaction score
2,856
Location
Spring
They can be ordered in either 2 channel or 4 channel versions..

your driver boards look like they have:
3 - LDD-1000H
and
2 - LDD-700H

Assuming all 3 1000H's are for the same color and both 700H's are for the same color then you would only need 2 channels (although I would get the four anyway). You would then wire up all 3 LDD-1000H to 1st channel and both LDD-700H's to the 2nd channel.



From: Aquarium Controller Interface Harness
Driver 0-10V Interface Harness for Steve's LEDs Digital Drivers and Meanwell LDD drivers.
Can accept up to 4 inputs and has 4 outputs. Multiple drivers can be plugged up to a single output for multi-driver synchornization.

A Neptune Systems Apex Variable Speed Dimming Module has 4 - Channels.
This unit can accept any 0-10V analog signal, and create a proportional 5V PWM signal output, this can be for virtually any use, not limited to aquarium controllers!
 
OP
OP
H

Holyreefer

Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Location
North Texas
They can be ordered in either 2 channel or 4 channel versions..

your driver boards look like they have:
3 - LDD-1000H
and
2 - LDD-700H

Assuming all 3 1000H's are for the same color and both 700H's are for the same color then you would only need 2 channels (although I would get the four anyway). You would then wire up all 3 LDD-1000H to 1st channel and both LDD-700H's to the 2nd channel.

I have 2 different colors on the strips blue and white.
They both dim 0-100
Ok so just replace the drivers and wire them where they are now?
Also can I use the WXM module which I already have?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

steveb

Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Board Member
Build Thread Contributor
Joined
Jun 24, 2009
Messages
11,953
Reaction score
2,856
Location
Spring
I have 2 different colors on the strips blue and white.
They both dim 0-100

Perfect.. I would still get the four channel converter it only adds $5 to the cost...

Ok so just replace the drivers and wire them where they are now?

You would disconnect your controller and attach the 1st channel PWM output of the converter to white LDD drivers and the 2nd channel PWM output of the converter to the blue LDD drivers.

Steve's LED converter PWM output 1 --> (3)LDD1000H PWM inputs
Steve's LED converter PWN output 2 --> (2)LDD700H PWM inpus

Also can I use the WXM module which I already have?

Nope that is for radions and vortechs.



You need this: Two channel APEX 0-10v cable the RJ-45 end would plug into the APEX V1/V2 and the two ends would be attached to the Steve's LED converter 0-10v inputs.

I have the Apex classic and it can control up to 4 channels (so could use up to 2 of the above cables).. I have never attempted to program the unit for dimming so can't help much there but there are several APEX masters on the site.. I would probably create a separate thread asking how to program apex to dim leads off the variable speed ports v1/v2. Its probably on the APEX site too..

APEX V1-->Steve's LED converter 0-10v input 1
APEX V2-->Steve's LED converter 0-10v input 2
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
H

Holyreefer

Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Location
North Texas
Perfect.. I would still get the four channel converter it only adds $5 to the cost...



You would disconnect your controller and attach the 1st channel PWM output of the converter to white LDD drivers and the 2nd channel PWM output of the converter to the blue LDD drivers.

Steve's LED converter PWM output 1 --> (3)LDD1000H PWM inputs
Steve's LED converter PWN output 2 --> (2)LDD700H PWM inpus



Nope that is for radions and vortechs.



You need this: Two channel APEX 0-10v cable the RJ-45 end would plug into the APEX V1/V2 and the two ends would be attached to the Steve's LED converter 0-10v inputs.

I have the Apex classic and it can control up to 4 channels (so could use up to 2 of the above cables).. I have never attempted to program the unit for dimming so can't help much there but there are several APEX masters on the site.. I would probably create a separate thread asking how to program apex to dim leads off the variable speed ports v1/v2. Its probably on the APEX site too..

APEX V1-->Steve's LED converter 0-10v input 1
APEX V2-->Steve's LED converter 0-10v input 2

Wow great information.
I am going to purchase the drivers today and once they come I will update the post. In hopes I'll be able to show the hook up

Ok so i need 5 drivers total with the additional $5.00 4channel ?
Do I need the moplex plugs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
H

Holyreefer

Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Location
North Texas
Perfect.. I would still get the four channel converter it only adds $5 to the cost...



You would disconnect your controller and attach the 1st channel PWM output of the converter to white LDD drivers and the 2nd channel PWM output of the converter to the blue LDD drivers.

Steve's LED converter PWM output 1 --> (3)LDD1000H PWM inputs
Steve's LED converter PWN output 2 --> (2)LDD700H PWM inpus



Nope that is for radions and vortechs.



You need this: Two channel APEX 0-10v cable the RJ-45 end would plug into the APEX V1/V2 and the two ends would be attached to the Steve's LED converter 0-10v inputs.

I have the Apex classic and it can control up to 4 channels (so could use up to 2 of the above cables).. I have never attempted to program the unit for dimming so can't help much there but there are several APEX masters on the site.. I would probably create a separate thread asking how to program apex to dim leads off the variable speed ports v1/v2. Its probably on the APEX site too..

APEX V1-->Steve's LED converter 0-10v input 1
APEX V2-->Steve's LED converter 0-10v input 2

Holyreefer ping ReefKeeper82 when you get ready to program your Apex...

Ok guys I finally got the LED converters how do I go about hooking them up & separating this so the apex can control it?

I found this article and it shows only the one steves led board being used. How do i hook up the 5 that I have?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
H

Holyreefer

Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Location
North Texas
6e33da9d134f9339b0bf8ed95e61d38c.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So I found this but don't understand why I need 5 of these if I'm going to be keeping the same old drivers

Based on this it looks like I will only need one am I correct?


243dcd865a65c5f3d7eeedf40139bda1.png
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
H

Holyreefer

Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Location
North Texas
You only need one converter. Two channel or four channel so you have some expansion capability.

So I purchased to many of the Steve led adapters? I only need one for the set of drivers I have? Sorry I'm lost I'm not the most experienced with custom lighting

I'm asking-will I continue to use the same drivers and light setup but the Steve led aqua interface allows me to control the custom led setup to operate through the apex? Is that correct ? If so I will only have to rewire the power cord (red/black) and the 4 main outputs like explained on the pic I posted before

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

steveb

Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Board Member
Build Thread Contributor
Joined
Jun 24, 2009
Messages
11,953
Reaction score
2,856
Location
Spring
So I purchased to many of the Steve led adapters? I only need one for the set of drivers I have?

yes

I'm asking-will I continue to use the same drivers and light setup but the Steve led aqua interface allows me to control the custom led setup to operate through the apex? Is that correct ? If so I will only have to rewire the power cord (red/black) and the 4 main outputs like explained on the pic I posted before

Yes that appears to be the case based on all of the pictures you have posted.

APEX V1-->Steve's LED converter 0-10v input 1
APEX V2-->Steve's LED converter 0-10v input 2

Steve's LED converter PWM output 1 --> (3)LDD1000H PWM inputs
Steve's LED converter PWN output 2 --> (2)LDD700H PWM inpus

you would connect all 3 - LDD-1000H inputs to one channel of the steves led aqua interface and
all 2 - LDD-700H to channel 2.

This assumes the power supply you have meets the requirements of the Steve's LED converter.

from
http://www.stevesleds.info/downloads/Steves%20LEDs%20Aquarium%20Controller%20Interface%20882016.pdf

steves led converter.jpg

Might be worth pinging them just to verify...

https://www.stevesleds.com/crm.asp?action=contactus
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
H

Holyreefer

Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2017
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Location
North Texas
Hey Holyreefer did you have time to get this going?

I'm looking at it now.
I get the powersupply and the inputs
It's the outputs that I get lost .
I will be returning 4 of the 5 adapters purchased today

I'm putting the inputs and the power supply on the adapter now and will post pics. Can you help me with the output? How would I get all of those cords into this little connector?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Top