diy controller

[turbo21]

I am also a christmas light fanatic and have ahuge christmas display that is totally computerized. i was just thinking that i could use my controllers to run my tank, i could write sequences that control the puimps (like a wavmaker) and control the lights with dimming.

i have not tried it yet, what do you guys think.

here is my house www.steelcitychristmas.com

and here are the controllers i use www.lightorama.com

bob

[TheFishMan65]

Do you only have control over 120v for dimming? That won't work for fluorescent or LEDs - not sure about MH. It also seems very expensive. Have you looked at any of the Arduino builds?

[turbo21]

i actually have 12 of their boards right now for my xmas lights. and i have purchased their diy kits which are about $100 for the kit, you just add your own board. each circuit can handle up to 8 amps per channel or 40 amps per board. you can dim 120 volts no problem.

why couldn't you dim fluorescent bulbs?

[TheFishMan65]

Fluorescent bulbs have a ballast. They don't dim like incandescent. I don't think MH will either sine they have a ballast - not sure on this one. Ballast don't like large changes in voltage as I understand it. Sorry don't know the exact reason.