[jeffkrol]

Thanks for the reply Edub.

I have become less and less interested with the dynamic effects of the sat +. I'm currently talking to Build my LED about a system. As I am planning to use a controller I think I will be going with there "dutch" system. I really only want the ability to ramp the lights up and down.

One of my personal "knocks" on BML is their poor implementation of dimming, and being tied to the APEX i.e. expensive controller for automatic ramping functions..
0-10V dimming circuit.. instead of PWM dimming. There are ways to modify cheaper controllers to do this but............

 

[jeffkrol]

I plan on getting a apex lite or a reef keeper to control everything. If need be and budget doesn't allow, I have few arduinos laying around as well. I'm actually using one to control a relay box I made that controls CO2, airstone and the lights throughout the day.

I am open to other suggestion then the BML option. I am not committed yet.

Sent using these stoopid hooves..

I've played w/ using a Typhon (basic Adruno box) to do 10V dimming. It is not hard to convert the PWM to a variable 10V signal.. but it isn't what I would call elegant.. you need an opamp circuit and a >10v power tap.. There are plenty of diagrams for the circuit.. I WAS hoping to use the 10v PWM but the circuit is not designed as I would expect..
you can see my feeble attempt here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2318572


I actually got the passive circuit desgned only to find the PWM output was too weak to run the Meanwell circuit.. I got the voltage I wanted (by doubling the V of the 5V PWM out) but cutting amps in half was the final barrier..
anyways the opamp circuit was simple.. Even simpler was changing drivers........
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2318572

I increased Vout to 9.3 (I think) by changing diode types.. stll not enough amps fed to the Meanwell circuit..

Anyways the circuit that most use is like this.. IF you have a more elegant idea, let me know..

also:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2314368

Thanks for sharing that. Regarding the 10v side is definitely different looking on the oscilloscope, (not a clean square wave), but oddly, it works just fine on the 10V PWM drivers, so we never really looked into it.

Thanks!

 

[jeffkrol]

Just a quick thought, would a DC motor driver for the arduino work. Should be able to supply enough amps and the right voltage.

Sent using these stoopid hooves..


Sent using these stoopid hooves..

IF I understand this right.. Sure it it probably similar to what is inside the Apex for V1/V2 ect..
http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoMotorShieldR3#.UxVQc2fEGM0

Technically probably overkill though , the OPAMP circuit would be cheaper.. You still need another external power supply.

IF it had a "real" 10V PWM out on the Typhon a simple R/C circuit would have worked...