AI SOL led Mix-N-Match?
 

My plan is for SOL Blue leds over my 210 tank long term, but I just found out about a used SOL White for sale near me at a killer price. Would it be possible to use the White unit over a part of the tank that would benefit from a more 10-12k light, along with Blue units everywhere else?

How does the Apex control the LEDs under the new code. Basically a 'channel 1, 2, or 3' control, and it is the same LED for each number in each puck in the connected units? Meaning, for all the Blue units, the white LED is channel 1, the blue is channel 2, and the royal is channel 3?

If so, how would those controls compare on a White unit? I would assume that white = white, blue = blue, and white = royal, but I'm not sure if there is some sort of logic in there that would convert it and run the two white LEDs together at whatever the white channel was set to, and run the single blue at whatever the blue channel is set to, and ignore the royal channel?

Finally, and easy question...does the Apex VDM connect to the first AI module directly, or to the AI controller? Meaning, do I need to buy the AI controller at all, or is that obsolete if I hook the Apex right to the AI module?

I'm sorry if what I'm asking is confusing...if I'm not clear enough, please let me know.

Thanks!

Tim

I think this would be a better question to AI; it depends on how the AI-White command and AI-SOL Blue work; the VDM is just sending commands and it is possible that the white won't like the additional channel, or is may just ignore it, or it might control the 3rd white as if it was a blue; it all depends on the AI hardware. See if AI thinks mixing is a good idea.

Yes, the VDM connects to the 1st AI unit in the series; same as the AI controller.

If this is the case, could I buy two cables and control the Blue units with one cable, and White with another?

You would need 2 VDMs; 1 for the SOL-Blue and 1 for the White (and 1 cable for each). 1 VDM can control 1 AI unit.

I actually asked AI this question and they recommend against it. It defeats the purpose of the blue unit and you probaly would not be happy with the color spectrum difference. I'm using the AI controller and if I remember correctly he said it would work between the 2 units but don't hold me to that.

That matches what I thought they would say...

Just for future searches on this topic:

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Tim Payne, Mar-28 14:04 (CDT):
I'm planning to buy 3 SOL BLUE units for my tank in the coming months. I was just offered a chance to buy a slightly used SOL WHITE unit, so I'm wondering about the possibility of running them together. I plan to control them with an Aquacontroller Apex controller using their VDM module, but please don't let that muddy the question.
Can I just run them all inline together? If so, the controller, either AI or Apex, controls the LEDs in a simple channel scheme, right? For example, in the SOL BLUE, white may be channel 1, blue is channel 2, and royal is channel 3. Each puck (3 leds) passes the info onto the next, and from whole SOL units via the control cable, correct? So if I increase the power to channel 1, all the white LEDS across all the units increases to the new power output. In the case of one being a WHITE module, what happens? What channel controls the 'blue' led in that unit? I'd guess the 'white channel' and 'royal channel' would then control the two white LEDs, correct?
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Chris Clough, Mar-29 09:20 (CDT):
Hi Tim,
You can mix them together, but you will be unable to control the Sol White and Sol Blue channels independently from each other. Your assumption regarding how they would all control is correct.
If you decide to purchase the Sol White, and want to make it a Sol Blue, you can send it in for $200 and we can swap out for Sol Blue and reprogram. Not sure if that makes sense dollar wise, but it's an option.
Best regards,
-Chris

This was my response from AI support


Our customer support team personnel has replied to your support request #771007

Scott,

The controller will control the lights correctly however, I usually do not recommend mixing the lights as there will be a noticeable difference in color under the different lights.

Thanks,
Joe