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View Full Version : Looking for LED dimmer/control solution



64physhy
09-14-2011, 06:11 PM
I recently converted my 28 gal JBJ Nano Cube HQI to LED, and am looking for a way to dim them. In the hood, I put 3 of the white/blue, one of the blue, and one of the blue/magenta lights in. http://www.ecoxotic.com/catalog/product/view/id/147/s/panorama-pro-module/category/17/

I want to be able to dim the blue and magenta some on one controller, and dim the 50/50 (white/blue) with the other controller.

Also, if there's a way to make it so they come on/off gradually to simulate sunrise and sunset, I want to do that, too.

Here's a dimmer I found, will it work to dim?
http://www.ecolightled.com/product/lc_ol_10dim/pwm_led_light_dimmer

RussM
09-14-2011, 11:09 PM
Panoramas are not dimmable by design. You'd have to do some serious hacking them to make them dimmable, and then you void any warranty.

That dimmer will only work with compatible PWM-capable constant-voltage drivers; almost all LED drivers used in LED tank lighting are constant-current models, not constant-voltage models.

If you are really serious about dimming, buy a dimmable DIY retrofit kit with 0-10V dimming control and a Neptune Apex or Digital Aquatics reef controller to control the lighting with, then sell the Panoramas.

Mario
09-15-2011, 07:49 AM
check this guy out....http://www.boostled.com/products/typhon-led-controller-kit

64physhy
09-15-2011, 05:44 PM
Maybe I'll just try recessing them further in the hood and see if that helps.

Seems like there's got to be some way without hacking the lights themselves. I don't mind hacking the driver, if that's what's needed.

64physhy
09-15-2011, 08:46 PM
Panoramas are not dimmable by design. You'd have to do some serious hacking them to make them dimmable, and then you void any warranty.

That dimmer will only work with compatible PWM-capable constant-voltage drivers; almost all LED drivers used in LED tank lighting are constant-current models, not constant-voltage models.

If you are really serious about dimming, buy a dimmable DIY retrofit kit with 0-10V dimming control and a Neptune Apex or Digital Aquatics reef controller to control the lighting with, then sell the Panoramas.

Wish I had known that before I dropped all this money on them. I don't think I'll switch the whole thing out now, I'd lose too much.

What if the transformer was plugged into a dimmer?