Anyone use Aquasurf to dim LED's?

reeftank21 · 05/10/2010, 10:23 PM

I want to use the aquasurf to dim my LED's. I'm not looking to have them "ramp" 0 to 100 but rather have a couple different degrees such as 50% 75% and 100%. I believe I can use the variable outputs and wire them into a dimmable buckpuck.

anyone have any info on this. I use an AC3. What would the programming be?

thanks in advance

aquamanic · 05/11/2010, 08:01 AM

The only profile the AquaSurf supports is the 'PUMP' profile. You would have to use that and the intensity variable for your dimming percentage. I think your real challenge is going to be the duration - you're limited to using the oscillate variable.

reeftank21 · 05/11/2010, 09:30 AM

Do you know what the maximum time is? I see that it might be only 1 minute. Is there a way to just turn the pump(Led) on at a certain intensity for several hours?

aquamanic · 05/11/2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Is there a way to just turn the pump(Led) on at a certain intensity for several hours?

Like I said, I think your problem is going to be the duration. The RAMP profile option available in the Apex provides for that. Maybe someone else that knows more about the AC3 than I do can chime in?

clp · 05/11/2010, 10:17 AM

If you just want a few discrete levels then you could set up a couple of profiles that have both the min and max intensity set to the same value. This way the on and off times in the profile wouldn't matter. Something like this:

If Time > 8:00 Then LT1 PF1
If Time > 8:30 Then LT1 PF2
If Time > 9:00 Then LT1 ON
If Time > 20:00 Then LT1 PF2
If Time > 21:30 Then LT1 PF1
If Time > 22:00 Then LT1 OFF
Pmp Mode sd for PF1
Pmp Int 030/30 for PF1
Pmp OSC 10/10/00 for PF1
Pmp Mode sd for PF2
Pmp Int 070/70 for PF2
Pmp OSC 10/10/00 for PF2

Curt

reeftank21 · 05/11/2010, 03:48 PM

Thanks Curt.
That is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm waiting on my Tunze "Y" adapter to come in tomorrow and then I will try it out.
Thanks again

swannking · 07/12/2010, 09:25 AM

How many aquasurf module can you run with AC3, b/c I need one for my Tunzes and one for dimming the leds?

kenargo · 07/12/2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swannking

How many aquasurf module can you run with AC3, b/c I need one for my Tunzes and one for dimming the leds?

I suspect you are limited by timer names (each AquaSurf uses 4 timers); the AC3 is limited to 24 timers total.

swannking · 07/20/2010, 08:41 AM

So, I got these info from meanwell and Curt.

Q: Can you tell me the max. output current is from the aquasurf to the tunze
controller? I was thinking of using it to dim the LED project that I am
working on. I have the AC3.

A: It must be less than 20mA.

Q; What is the minimal current needed from a 10VDC dimming circuit to control the driver?

A: The minimum current is 20mA.

So, if I understand it correctly, I can only control one meanwell driver per outlet from the aquasurf. I was hoping that I could run the output signal from a single aquasurf outlet to multiple (5) meanwell in parallel.

schwaggs · 07/21/2010, 06:23 AM

I'm not sure much risk you are willing to take with your controller and drivers or how handy you are with electronics but a simple transitor buffer circuit can fix your problem. See this Wiki page for more info. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_amplifier

swannking · 07/21/2010, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schwaggs

I'm not sure much risk you are willing to take with your controller and drivers or how handy you are with electronics but a simple transitor buffer circuit can fix your problem. See this Wiki page for more info. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_amplifier

I am somewhat handy with electronics but not a guru to understand how to make my own current buffer after reading your link. Is there any after-market circuit that I can get? An audio amplifier like a MP3 amp will not work right?

jfl14609 · 04/10/2011, 05:35 AM

did you ever end up getting this to work?

swannking · 04/20/2011, 06:07 PM

Yes. It has been running for almost a year.

jfl14609 · 04/21/2011, 04:39 AM

Any info on exactly how you did it?

swannking · 04/21/2011, 04:39 PM

Basically, the aquasurf puts out a voltage depends on the power percentage set by the programming which can range from 0V to 9V. I use that output voltage as the dimming signal for the meanwell. I forgot exactly which wire goes with what but once you cut the signal cord which comes with the aquasurf, you can figure out which wire is the + and - with the voltmeter and wire it to your MW.

jfl14609 · 04/22/2011, 04:59 AM

do you think this would work with meanwell drivers

swannking · 04/22/2011, 07:18 AM

Yes, that's what I use. The dimmable ones using the analog voltage input not the PWM.

jfl14609 · 04/05/2012, 04:43 AM

I actually have the pwm version but right now its running in the same potentiometers as my d series did. If my mind serves me correctly pwm can use the same as d series but nit vice versa. did you use the same program that curt put up top or is it tweaked

05/10/2010, 10:23 PM	#1
reeftank21 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 215	Anyone use Aquasurf to dim LED's? I want to use the aquasurf to dim my LED's. I'm not looking to have them "ramp" 0 to 100 but rather have a couple different degrees such as 50% 75% and 100%. I believe I can use the variable outputs and wire them into a dimmable buckpuck. anyone have any info on this. I use an AC3. What would the programming be? thanks in advance __________________ What a mess. Current Tank Info: 240 gallon mixed reef

05/11/2010, 08:01 AM	#2
aquamanic WHO DAT?? Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 5,709	The only profile the AquaSurf supports is the 'PUMP' profile. You would have to use that and the intensity variable for your dimming percentage. I think your real challenge is going to be the duration - you're limited to using the oscillate variable. __________________ I don't work for Neptune. Please put all questions into forum posts and not PM's. Visit the Neptune Community Forums for the latest Neptune updates - forum.neptunesystems.com

05/11/2010, 09:30 AM	#3
reeftank21 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 215	Do you know what the maximum time is? I see that it might be only 1 minute. Is there a way to just turn the pump(Led) on at a certain intensity for several hours? __________________ What a mess. Current Tank Info: 240 gallon mixed reef

05/11/2010, 03:48 PM	#6
reeftank21 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 215	Thanks Curt. That is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm waiting on my Tunze "Y" adapter to come in tomorrow and then I will try it out. Thanks again __________________ What a mess. Current Tank Info: 240 gallon mixed reef

04/05/2012, 04:43 AM	#18
jfl14609 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brockport, ny Posts: 4,940	I actually have the pwm version but right now its running in the same potentiometers as my d series did. If my mind serves me correctly pwm can use the same as d series but nit vice versa. did you use the same program that curt put up top or is it tweaked __________________ Everyone watch carefully someone is about to say something really funny! Current Tank Info: 210 gallon reef

05/11/2010, 10:17 AM	#5
clp RC Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 4,311	If you just want a few discrete levels then you could set up a couple of profiles that have both the min and max intensity set to the same value. This way the on and off times in the profile wouldn't matter. Something like this: If Time > 8:00 Then LT1 PF1 If Time > 8:30 Then LT1 PF2 If Time > 9:00 Then LT1 ON If Time > 20:00 Then LT1 PF2 If Time > 21:30 Then LT1 PF1 If Time > 22:00 Then LT1 OFF Pmp Mode sd for PF1 Pmp Int 030/30 for PF1 Pmp OSC 10/10/00 for PF1 Pmp Mode sd for PF2 Pmp Int 070/70 for PF2 Pmp OSC 10/10/00 for PF2 Curt

07/12/2010, 09:25 AM	#7
swannking Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 304	How many aquasurf module can you run with AC3, b/c I need one for my Tunzes and one for dimming the leds?

07/20/2010, 08:41 AM	#9
swannking Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 304	So, I got these info from meanwell and Curt. Q: Can you tell me the max. output current is from the aquasurf to the tunze controller? I was thinking of using it to dim the LED project that I am working on. I have the AC3. A: It must be less than 20mA. Q; What is the minimal current needed from a 10VDC dimming circuit to control the driver? A: The minimum current is 20mA. So, if I understand it correctly, I can only control one meanwell driver per outlet from the aquasurf. I was hoping that I could run the output signal from a single aquasurf outlet to multiple (5) meanwell in parallel.

07/21/2010, 06:23 AM	#10
schwaggs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Atlanta Posts: 976	I'm not sure much risk you are willing to take with your controller and drivers or how handy you are with electronics but a simple transitor buffer circuit can fix your problem. See this Wiki page for more info. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_amplifier

04/10/2011, 05:35 AM	#12
jfl14609 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brockport, ny Posts: 4,940	did you ever end up getting this to work?

04/20/2011, 06:07 PM	#13
swannking Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 304	Yes. It has been running for almost a year.

04/21/2011, 04:39 AM	#14
jfl14609 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brockport, ny Posts: 4,940	Any info on exactly how you did it?

04/21/2011, 04:39 PM	#15
swannking Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 304	Basically, the aquasurf puts out a voltage depends on the power percentage set by the programming which can range from 0V to 9V. I use that output voltage as the dimming signal for the meanwell. I forgot exactly which wire goes with what but once you cut the signal cord which comes with the aquasurf, you can figure out which wire is the + and - with the voltmeter and wire it to your MW.

04/22/2011, 04:59 AM	#16
jfl14609 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brockport, ny Posts: 4,940	do you think this would work with meanwell drivers

04/22/2011, 07:18 AM	#17
swannking Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 304	Yes, that's what I use. The dimmable ones using the analog voltage input not the PWM.

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