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Unread 11/26/2010, 12:10 PM   #1
ryshark
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RampUP/DOWN % for DIY LEDs

What have you guys found is the best RampUP and RampDown times/%. It doesn't seem that the meanwell dimmable drivers and/or the LEDs work all the way down to the 0% range.
Yesterday was my first time using my DIY LEDs after hanging them over my tank. At RampUp of 60-min at 0-start intensity I got nothing for 10-minutes, then I switched the starting intensity to 10 and they turned on. As far as the RampDown, I wasn't all that impressed, I thought it was going to be a nice gradual dimming until the lights slowly went to complete darkness. Instead, I hardly saw any dimming and then when the RampDown was over, it went off. For RampDown, I used:
Ramp Time: 60
Start Intensity : 90
End Intensity: 0


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Unread 11/26/2010, 12:25 PM   #2
RussM
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For the Meanwell D-series drivers, the actual range for dimming control is 1-10VDC; control signal input level of <1VDC is considered to be OFF. Consequently, an Apex VarSpd port output in the range of 0-10% will result in the driven LEDs being off. It's my understanding that the actual cut-off point will vary depending on your particular setup.

What you describe sounds like normal & expected behavior.


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Unread 11/26/2010, 12:33 PM   #3
ryshark
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RussM View Post
For the Meanwell D-series drivers, the actual range for dimming control is 1-10VDC; control signal input level of <1VDC is considered to be OFF. Consequently, an Apex VarSpd port output in the range of 0-10% will result in the driven LEDs being off. It's my understanding that the actual cut-off point will vary depending on your particular setup.

What you describe sounds like normal & expected behavior.
Thanks Russ. I guess I will start with 10% then, on the RampUp. So for the RampDown "typically" 0% or 10% will both have the same result with the LEDs going off? I will play with that one, if it is different for everybodies setup.

I'm still interested to hear what #s work for others.


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Unread 11/27/2010, 11:38 PM   #4
ryshark
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I'm not seeing any change whatsoever with the RampUp or RampDown visually or with the amp output on the Apex (it stays the same during either Ramp cycle for changes as big as 10%-80% intensity)
The only way I see a change is if I make the LEDs constantly dimmed...for example by setting Ramp to
0-min
80-max
80-min
If I do that then I can see a change visually and on the amp output on the Apex. If I put in higher than 80 then it is brighter and shows higher amp, if I put less than 80 then I get the opposite as expected.
It is frustrating that my RampUp and RampDown do nothing but keep it at whatever level the ramp started at. Any suggestions would be appreciated. At first I thought I may have wired something wrong, but if that was the case then I don't think what I just described above would work. Thanks.


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Unread 11/28/2010, 09:43 AM   #5
HeneryH
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There are pins on the connector that provide opposite. Check the voltage with a multimeter.


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