Reefkeeper Lite and LED's

[Stusdesktop]

I'm looking at doing some changes to a 40g tank that we have running.

The plan is to do a dimmable LED build for light replacement and to grab a (stage 3) Reefkeeper lite.

Specifically this LED kit - http://www.aquastyleonline.com/produ...mable-Kit.html
And this RKL package - http://www.store.digitalaquatics.com...hp?pid113.html

My question is will it be possible to use the RKL to control the dimming on the lighting to get a dawn and dusk effect with the LEDS ramping up and down over set periods. Do I need to buy specific modules for the RKL, will it work with all LED drivers or just some ?

Thanks in advance

Stu

[pwreef]

1. To control a dimmable driver you need the RK ALC module:
http://www.store.digitalaquatics.com...hp?pid119.html
You can add this module to any RK head unit with just one power strip. You don't need the lab to control the lights.
2. Those drivers from Aquastyle will not work with ALC. You need either dimmable Meanwells or Inventronics. I use the latter with ALC, they work well.
Good luck.

[Stusdesktop]

Thanks for the info, kind of what I thought with those drivers but one can always ask.

Stu

[Reefer710]

do the LED's really out perform HID lights? depends on the tank size?

[zangmann]

Does the ALC dim the LEDs down all the way?

The controller I use only seems to dim something like 30-40%. The output sent is 0V, but they don't cut all the way out.

[James77]

You still need to switch off the outlet to comletely shut them off, that is true with the Apex dimming ports as well. I was using meanwell drivers, Im not sure if another manufacturer would be different.

[James77]

Originally Posted by Reefer710

do the LED's really out perform HID lights? depends on the tank size?

They can, yes. But halides can outperform LEDs as well. It depends on the quality of equipment and what sized tank it is over. You will see LED fixture makers claim "beats 250w halide", which is an extremely broad statement. A lumenbright and a 150w halide can light a 36"x36" tank, and to do that with LEDs wuld take a similar wattage. So a good LED system can easily beat a cheap halide setup, and vice versa. FOr some the costs of the electric and added heat make LEDs a better choice over hlaides. For some, the added heat of halides means that much less heaters run, and the extra electric adds to only a couple dollars a month.

[pwreef]

ALC will go from 0V to 10V for 0% and 100% accordingly. What your driver does with that input is another story. The Inventronics drivers I use do not shut off completely at 0V, so I use outlets on the RK power bar to shut them off.

[DaveMorris]

All of the 0v - 10v drivers I have seen have the same issue of not turning completely off even when the control voltage is at 0v. Most of those drivers are meant for setting an initial level and leaving it there and then using a different switch to turn the LED's on and off.

[rysher]

try researching reefangel, it's a controller that can control both the meanwell D and P driver.

it's $220, you dont need to buy any other module to control your LED, sunrise/sunset or lunar cycle. comes with temp probe, ph probe and flaot switches for the ATO.
the reefangel can ceept 3 temp sensors, so u can put 1 in your sump, and 1 on the LED heatsink and use it to tunr on the fan on the heatsink, you can control the fan base on how hot the heatsink gets using pwm signal.

[bigbear4x43]

Sorry for chimming in anyone know how to program reefkeeper to come on and off and back on an off on each socket on pc 4

[n2585722]

Originally Posted by bigbear4x43

Sorry for chimming in anyone know how to program reefkeeper to come on and off and back on an off on each socket on pc 4

Sounds like you need to use the multi-timer function, but would need more details to be sure.