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View Full Version : Reef Radiance and ALC setup Help!


marco j
01/26/2015, 01:36 PM
Hello everyone,

I'm really hoping there is another Reef Radiance customer out there who can help me here. I have been unable to program my 165m Reef Radiance led fixtures to ramp on/off with the Digital Aquatics Reef Keeper ALC module. I have tried every hook up combination I could find online but to no avail. This includes having a timer set on the RK and having the fixtures plugged into separate outlets from the PC4 and ran with the ALC under Advanced Lighting using Dim A & B whites only. I have also tried having the units plugged into the PC4 and controlled by the timers on the PC4 under Light (other) and using the ALC to control Dim A & B as well. These use the 0-10v connection on the ALC. Could it be possible that the ALC needs to be first on the bus connection?

Reef Radiance models (three total)- http://reefradiance.com/dm-165m.html

One connection I've tried -
http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=8325&sid=ecef99875d7fa3fa8df412c4bf717dd2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHMS8jT36ZU

Reef Radiance has not been of much help to me and does not return emails or phone calls very promptly. Also no instructions came with the lights so I am flying blind here.

Please help me get everything on track here. Thank you all in advance!

marco j
01/26/2015, 04:22 PM
C'mon someone out there has to have the low down on how to get these up and running?!

pwreef
01/26/2015, 09:48 PM
So have you measured the output voltage on the dim pins of the ALC? Does it vary the way you want? ALC programming is very tricky even with the Windows program. I had it working before using Inventronics drivers. You have to verify with multimiter. THis way you will know if its your lights or the ALC that is the problem.

marco j
01/26/2015, 11:27 PM
So have you measured the output voltage on the dim pins of the ALC? Does it vary the way you want? ALC programming is very tricky even with the Windows program. I had it working before using Inventronics drivers. You have to verify with multimiter. THis way you will know if its your lights or the ALC that is the problem.

Thank you for responding.

I have not tried this and am not sure how to either. Is this something I can pick up at an Ace or HD to perform the test?

pwreef
01/27/2015, 05:57 AM
You can buy at HD:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-Digital-Multimeter-MAS830B/202353293
Then this:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+use+multimeter
Good luck!

marco j
01/27/2015, 07:55 AM
Thanks PW!!

n2585722
01/27/2015, 10:33 AM
If you are the one that posted on the DA forum? I posted instructions on doing the test on the ALC there.

marco j
01/27/2015, 10:49 AM
If you are the one that posted on the DA forum? I posted instructions on doing the test on the ALC there.

Thank you good sir! :)

marco j
01/27/2015, 05:06 PM
If the ALC is functioning as it should which of these options should I be programming into the ALC?

Option 1
Dim A
Whites (no blue settings)
Dim B
Whites (no blue settings)

Option2
Dim A
Whites (no blue settings)
Dim B
Blues (no white settings)

Option 3
Dim A
Whites AND Blue settings
Dim B
No settings

Option 4
Dim A
Whites AND Blue settings
Dim B
Whites and Blue settings

marco j
01/27/2015, 05:43 PM
Called Reef Radiance again today. I spoke with Rick the owner again and he said he could not help me learn how to use a product he didn't sell me??? Remember I purchased the ALC from him along with the fixtures. He continued on and on about how the ALC is a mindless item and has nothing to do with the programming. I asked for help on how to check if I had a problem with a light or with the ALC and he told me "this is not rocket science" which I then replied and asked him to not speak to me like I was stupid. He then proceeded to tell me I was getting "mean" and hung up on me. Mind you there was no profanity or insults said. I would highly advise everyone to steer clear of this company.

n2585722
01/27/2015, 07:04 PM
How is it going? All of the RKE/RKL modules except for the HUB have a microcontroller and firmware. Was the information on the DA forum any help?

marco j
01/27/2015, 11:50 PM
How is it going? All of the RKE/RKL modules except for the HUB have a microcontroller and firmware. Was the information on the DA forum any help?

I wasn't able to stop and get a multimeter after work so that's the plan for tomorrow. I tried every combination of settings to get the lights to ramp but nothing worked. I was told by the owner of Reef Radiance that he cannot help me in any way with a product that he did not sell me even though I purchased the ALC through them. Needless to say I am ****ed off. I can't believe a company would treat their customer in such a way.