Help: Steve's LEDs + RKE ALC = Dim Glow When Off

EuroDriver · 12/05/2013, 11:49 AM

I need a little help here with my LED array that keeps 1 set of strings dimly lit when the lights ramp down to 0. It appears that the last string to ramp down stays dimly lit with a dim glow, although it's usually my blues. First, here's a little background:

My display tank is a Biocube 29. I installed an LED retrofit kit from RapidLed (this one: http://www.rapidled.com/solderless-c...-retrofit-kit/). I'm running
11 NW Cree XP-G
1 Cyan Phillips Rebel ES
12 Royal Blue Rebel ES

I am controlling the light cycles and dimming via the ALC module on a reefkeeper (RKE).

I wasn't particularly satisfied with the performance of the Mean Well Drivers (ELN-60-48D). Specifically, because they don't turn on until the dimming signal reaches ~1v and because when fully ramped down, they would retain a dim glow. If I put the drivers on a timer, when the timer would turn them off, they would briefly ramp to full intensity and expel a strong flash at the moment they turned off. So in hopes of having a smooth ramping system, I ordered the driver components used in Steve's LEDs' retrofit kit, which consists of:
2x Double-Dimming LED Drivers @ 1,000mA
(http://shop.stevesleds.com/The-Doubl...ble-Driver.htm)
1x Aquarium Controller Interface
(http://shop.stevesleds.com/Aquarium-...rs-harness.htm) and
1x Switching Power Supply - 200w, 25v @ 8.3A
(http://shop.stevesleds.com/Switching...wer-Supply.htm)

I was under the impression that this setup allowed for dimming down to 0 (i.e, lights completely off when ramping reaches 0) but as I mentioned, when both strings reach 0, one string (usually the blues on driver #2) remain lit with a dim glow. Sometimes but not always, if I turn the potentiometer knob all the way down and back up, they turn off. this doesn't seem to work consistently though. This driver kit was not exactly cheap (compared to the meanwells), and I'm a little disappointed in my inability to have it consistently turn completely off (although I consider it a much better system than the meanwells).

My immediate solution was to put the power supply on a timer via the RKE which works well to turn all the strings completely off. It's not a perfect solution though, because in the mornings, I have my whites turn on an hour before the blues, and during that hour, the blues are glowing.

I'd like to know if any of you that are using the Stevesleds drivers are experiencing this issue or have experienced it. Also, if anyone has found a solution to this.

All input and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

12/05/2013, 11:49 AM	#1
EuroDriver Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 108	Help: Steve's LEDs + RKE ALC = Dim Glow When Off I need a little help here with my LED array that keeps 1 set of strings dimly lit when the lights ramp down to 0. It appears that the last string to ramp down stays dimly lit with a dim glow, although it's usually my blues. First, here's a little background: My display tank is a Biocube 29. I installed an LED retrofit kit from RapidLed (this one: http://www.rapidled.com/solderless-c...-retrofit-kit/). I'm running 11 NW Cree XP-G 1 Cyan Phillips Rebel ES 12 Royal Blue Rebel ES I am controlling the light cycles and dimming via the ALC module on a reefkeeper (RKE). I wasn't particularly satisfied with the performance of the Mean Well Drivers (ELN-60-48D). Specifically, because they don't turn on until the dimming signal reaches ~1v and because when fully ramped down, they would retain a dim glow. If I put the drivers on a timer, when the timer would turn them off, they would briefly ramp to full intensity and expel a strong flash at the moment they turned off. So in hopes of having a smooth ramping system, I ordered the driver components used in Steve's LEDs' retrofit kit, which consists of: 2x Double-Dimming LED Drivers @ 1,000mA (http://shop.stevesleds.com/The-Doubl...ble-Driver.htm) 1x Aquarium Controller Interface (http://shop.stevesleds.com/Aquarium-...rs-harness.htm) and 1x Switching Power Supply - 200w, 25v @ 8.3A (http://shop.stevesleds.com/Switching...wer-Supply.htm) I was under the impression that this setup allowed for dimming down to 0 (i.e, lights completely off when ramping reaches 0) but as I mentioned, when both strings reach 0, one string (usually the blues on driver #2) remain lit with a dim glow. Sometimes but not always, if I turn the potentiometer knob all the way down and back up, they turn off. this doesn't seem to work consistently though. This driver kit was not exactly cheap (compared to the meanwells), and I'm a little disappointed in my inability to have it consistently turn completely off (although I consider it a much better system than the meanwells). My immediate solution was to put the power supply on a timer via the RKE which works well to turn all the strings completely off. It's not a perfect solution though, because in the mornings, I have my whites turn on an hour before the blues, and during that hour, the blues are glowing. I'd like to know if any of you that are using the Stevesleds drivers are experiencing this issue or have experienced it. Also, if anyone has found a solution to this. All input and suggestions are greatly appreciated.