How to dim a Meanwell ELN-60-48D...

[Skeptic_07]

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

If I can do it, anyone can.

If you says so, I seriously doubt that, though. You should give yourself more credit, DWZM!

I'll give it a shot though, I was planning on trying it anyway so why wait?!

[evilc66]

I have 2 and a Mega.

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Well, the design is done, it's in the queue for when Seeedstudio is back from vacation. . .

[vnguyen]

Hi DWZM,
I'm interested in build the controller using Arduino but don't know how to put them togeter with the screen and keyboard. Could you show me any link that have instruction or step by step on how putting them together. I'd love to learn but really noob in this!
Thanks!

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Your best bet for basic Arduino info is the Arduino website: arduino.cc

If you're asking about using an Arduino for a specific reef control function, do some searching on here - there are a few threads on the subject.

[vnguyen]

I'm just trying to figure out how to put the controller together so I can control the LED lights that I'm gonna build for dimming purpose.

[vnguyen]

Hi guys,
I was searching for the components to build the controller for the LED and came across this (don't know if I allow to post the link or not)
cgi.ebay.com/Arduino-Duemilanove-2009-USB-board-w-LCD-Keypad-Shield_W0QQitemZ280456942559QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414c8953df

I have a question, if I buy the package which include the LCD shield and the ardunio board, will I have and pins left to connect 4 meanwell P type drivers for it to control the light and also the time module (to keep the current time)?
Thanks!

[der_wille_zur_macht]

That's likely a counterfeit Duemilanove, since the seller isn't listed among the official dealers:

http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Buy

Up to you if you want to buy from them, but personally, it rubs me wrong.

So you want to control Meanwell drivers, AND have an LCD screen? Can you give a little more detail into the functions you want? The eBay listing you posted claims the included LCD uses the 4-bit parallel Arduino library (I'm assuming they mean LiquidCrystal). The default configuration of that library consumes pins 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, and 12. That means you'll have only three PWM pins left (6, 9, and 10).

Personally, I don't like the parallel configuration for LCDs, since it eats up so many pins. IMHO you would be better off using an interface board between the LCD and the Arduino to convert it to some serial communication method (SPI, I2C, etc.). I2C is my favorite because it leaves ALL the digital GPIO pins intact.

You should check out the "easy arduino controller" thread I started a few weeks ago:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1783536

It covers the sort of functionality you're looking for. Of course, right now, it's complete vaporware, still in development. But if you're building something more complex than just a simple controller to dim LEDs, you might want to jump on an established project (mine, or there are many others) rather than forge your own trail.

[vnguyen]

Hi DWZM,
I just want to build a simple controller to control the LED light (dim, on, off) with timer and few buttons to adjust/override . I'm reading on the arduino site but got confuse on how to simple connect the LCD to the board (so many wires) then I found that. According to them, the LCD will snap on the board w/o any soldering the wire. I'm also reading the thread that you started on building the easy driver as well but don't know how to help since I don't about the circuit (software only). Please let me know if you know of any thing or any link that show how to connect the LCD and time keeper module to the board. I don't mind reading/learning but it's much easier for me if they have step-by-step instructions to follow.
Thanks!

[Esquare]

Hello all,

At the risk of hijacking the thread and/or sounding stupid, I was under the impression the meanwells did not need a separate power supply.

I have only done a simple 3 emitter fixture for my fuge with a buckpuck and wallwart but have been so impressed with the quality of light that I am thinking about replacing my Aquatinics TX5 with Led. I would like to, however, be able to dim the white and blue separately via my AC 3 Pro if possible. This is what caught my attention with this thread but I have gotten lost already.

I have tried to follow the other LED threads but get lost when the talk turns to separate resistors and so forth. I am a somewhat accomplished DIY’er but have limited formal education with regards to electronics (am looking into an Electronics for Dummies book of some kind).

Long story short, can somebody please explain the setup of a dimmable array using a controller such as the AC 3 Pro?

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Originally Posted by vnguyen

Hi DWZM,
I just want to build a simple controller to control the LED light (dim, on, off) with timer and few buttons to adjust/override . I'm reading on the arduino site but got confuse on how to simple connect the LCD to the board (so many wires) then I found that. According to them, the LCD will snap on the board w/o any soldering the wire. I'm also reading the thread that you started on building the easy driver as well but don't know how to help since I don't about the circuit (software only). Please let me know if you know of any thing or any link that show how to connect the LCD and time keeper module to the board. I don't mind reading/learning but it's much easier for me if they have step-by-step instructions to follow.
Thanks!

Problem is, very few people want to do EXACTLY the same thing with an Arduino so there is very little in terms of end-to-end step by step directions. I'd suggest you tackle the project in steps. First, get the RTC working. It's pretty easy now that there's a library for it. Then, get the LCD working - just showing the time, or something. Then, get the keypad working, so you can push buttons and make the LCD change, or whatever. THEN you can worry about dimming the LEDs, which is really the easiest part of your plan!

Originally Posted by Esquare

Hello all,

At the risk of hijacking the thread and/or sounding stupid, I was under the impression the meanwells did not need a separate power supply.

The dimmable mean well drivers require a signal on the dim circuit. They DO NOT require a power supply to drive the LEDs. Many people choose to use a "power supply" to generate the signal for the dim circuit, but the internal power supply is what actually provides juice to your LED array.

If you have a controller with 10v analog output, you just need to connect that signal to the dim circuit on your ELN D-type driver(s) and you're all set.

[Esquare]

Thanks der wille

[akindbro4u]

Guess I found the right place. Will be tagging along. nice work der_wille_zur_macht.

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Ordered the PCB for the "ELN shield" tonight, and parts to build a few. I'll let people know when I have some results to report.

[Chemistry Guy]

First of all, I just want to thank DWZM for all his help. He's walked me through a lot via PM and emails.

Also, I'd be willing to test your ELN shield. I'm happy to solder it together myself if the parts are easy to get. I have the ELN-P drivers and have had a rough time trying to figure out how to amplify the 5V PWM to 10V PWM. I've been using the arduino for a while, so I'm fairly familiar with it. However I think I've fried the bootloader somehow, so I've ordered new chips and am waiting on those to reboot my arduino.

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I try to always have a bootloaded ATMega laying around. Too many failures during prototyping to get by without one!

Also why I prototype (breadboard at least) with an RBBB instead of an "expensive" Duemilanove. The most I can fry is a $12 kit and since it's all easy-to-assemble through hole stuff, you can usually repair them in minutes.

Though I will need one or two testers since I don't have any meanwells to play with, so I'll probably take you up on that offer. I ordered 5 boards and enough parts to build two myself, so I'll send a board your way when they get here.

[Skeptic_07]

I will gladly give one a try.

[akindbro4u]

So is this shield to control pwm? Some how I got lost. Got my new batch of Duemilanoves today. nothing like having a fresh start to play with, or two. LOL. I want to get started on my lighting build, but not sure if I am going ELN-d, or P. Der am I correct in my understanding that you prefer the pwm over analog?

[der_wille_zur_macht]

The shield is to convert the Arduino's 5v PWM signal to a 10v PWM signal.

PWM vs analog really depends on how you intend to control it. If you'll be using a micro like the arduino, the PWM probably makes more sense. If you're using a commercial reef controller (profilux, etc) you probably want the analog version. Though as noted in this thread there's some speculation that there isn't much difference between the two flavors of ELN.

[akindbro4u]

Great, then I will be ordering the pwm version. Should have them in a few days. Can't wait. Thank you for all you help.

[Skeptic_07]

Check out this link to a 0-10v digital potentiometer. It uses a voltage regulator, a low voltage digital pot controlled by some ic w/ buttons that we can get rid of and a rail-to-rail op-amp to output 0-10v. all of those above parts are available on digikey, i checked, but they are all surface mount.

Could I use an lm317, WMS7141 (digital pot), and NJU7014 rail-to-rail op amp to output 0-10v? those are all thru hole making it a little more do-able plus i already have some lm317s..what do you guys think?

I also already have a few lm358 op amps but i don't know if i can use those, their specs are different than the one they are using in that top link. Plus I've actually been trying to dim eln-60-48d by doubling the arduino output using one of them but it doesn't seem to be working.

[evilc66]

If it's a genuine analog output, then it could be a fun chip to experiment with. I was a little disapointed to not see output charts in the datasheet to see what the signal looked like.

[Skeptic_07]

What chip were you referring to?

[evilc66]

Sorry, the WMS7170010P digital pot.

[Skeptic_07]

Originally Posted by evilc66

If it's a genuine analog output, then it could be a fun chip to experiment with. I was a little disapointed to not see output charts in the datasheet to see what the signal looked like.

after doing some more reading about this electronic type of stuffs.. even if it is not true analog output, couldn't I do a filter between the pot and the amp? like this? yes?

edit: wait a minute.. Couldn't I just filter the PWM signal from the arduino and then run it through an op amp to double the voltage? no need for the digital pot.