Calling AI Sol blue users

[spsrookie]

A buddy of mine bought 3 used AI sold for his 180.

We spaced them out two feet apart, however the data cables don't want to reach. Can I just get any cord with same.jacks?

Also, any word on how to set them up? No instructions, I know each light gets its own power cord, but how do you link them together? I see each one has two "data" ports. Where does controller go?/

Thanks

[Reefstarter2]

the controller goes in the first port then in series to each light . I think he will need at least 1 more if not 2 to cover that tank just my opinion

[spsrookie]

First port? Legs say he has three, in a row, from left to right, there's one controller plug, what does that go to? The first on the left? Or does it not.matter?

And if it is first one, you take one data cable and go from one to two..them a data cable from 2nd light to third? Does it matter which port?

[DDon]

You can use standard 3.5mm audio cables to connect the lights together

As far as setting them up, the middle port is for the power supply with data ports on the left and right. On the 2 I have over my son's 50 cube, I have the controller plugged into the left data port with an audio/stereo cable running from the right port of the light connected to the controller to the left data port of the the second light. You can continue to link lights in the same sequence.
I don't believe it matters whether the controller connects to the left or right data port as neither is designated input or output, but I would continue in the same sequence you start with.

Dale

[spsrookie]

Ok, does it.matter how I order them as far as first, middle, last?

I know you said controller goes in left data port, does.it matter which light it.gets plugged into?

Beside all that I have already asked about, anything else I should know?

Thank you

[DDon]

It doesn't matter which light you hook the controller to.

Is this going to be fish only or a reef?
The stock lenses on these lights are a mix of 40 and 70 degree lenses. With just 3 lights, you will have issues getting sufficient coverage on a 180. You can replace the 40s with 70s which can help some with spread and hotspots, but coverage will still be difficult if you are doing corals. If fish only, just mount them high to get the coverage to light the tank.

[spsrookie]

Reef.
No sps, just soft stuff. I wouldn't have bought these lights myself, I told him that, but he did it anyhow.

It's replacing a maxspext 300 watt light (48 inch) he got these to spread across 72 inches better. One unit is brand.new, the other two are usedz, about 4 years old. Again, I personally wouldn't have gotten them, I am more t5 or halide myself.

To summarize set up,(I am going there to set them up, hour drive don't want to whole day of it)

1. Mount lights, plug in AC power cords to light modules, not into wall just yet.

2. Plug controller into any one of the modules. After that, take two data cables, link first and second via data ports, and then use second cable to link two and three together.

3. Plug lights (3 plugs) in, and use.controller to set intensity.

[K.C.]

Originally Posted by spsrookie

Reef.
No sps, just soft stuff. I wouldn't have bought these lights myself, I told him that, but he did it anyhow.

I'd say he made a wise purchase. Sol Blues have proven to be true workhorses and are still great lights by any measure. They're far more dependable than the models that replaced them and they'll grow any coral you like.

Here's last years TOTM from March. Using nothing but Sol Blues and doing an impressive job with them.

[clearaquariums]

sounds like you set it up correctly in your last post spsrookie hope its all working good .....those lights are great