What kind of controller is this?

vai6921 · 08/27/2012, 08:54 PM

Hi,

I came across this video on youtube which has a guy controlling his diy leds with his phone. Does anyone know what he is using and how I would be able to do it?

Thanks here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgcN...eature=mh_lolz

Saltwatercoral2 · 08/27/2012, 08:57 PM

apex i believe

moondoggy4 · 08/27/2012, 09:09 PM

Can't tell, Why don't you ask him?

vai6921 · 08/27/2012, 09:17 PM

Thanks Saltwatercoral2, i will look into that.

@moondoggy4 i did ask him but i saw that he never replied to the other person that asked him over a month ago so i figured RC is full of knowledgeablepeople might as well ask

moondoggy4 · 08/27/2012, 09:35 PM

Yeah I looked at the video also, but forgot your avatar name. I would say a Apex or a Profilux can both do that.

moondoggy4 · 08/27/2012, 09:37 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2076354 this is for a Profilux

bugs713 · 08/27/2012, 10:10 PM

Looks like it says APEX in the video.

D-Nak · 08/28/2012, 10:02 AM

It's the AquaController app for use with an Apex. However, I don't think you can control dimming with the app -- which would be nice. As in, the app doesn't have sliders which will allow you to adjust dimming manually. Of course, if each channel is set up separately, as it is in the video, then the Apex can dim the lights via a program.

So, what you'd need aside from the lights is an Apex controller with web access, a VDM module (if you want dimming), an iPhone with the AquaController app, and a few hours of DIY projects as well as programming the Apex.

vai6921 · 08/29/2012, 08:12 PM

Thank you guys for pointing me in the right direction!

@D-Nak is this what I need?
http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOMI-vi.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/MarineDep...TEMOMI-vi.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOAC-vi.html

Dave Thebrewguy · 08/29/2012, 08:32 PM

I don't think he's actually "dimming" the LEDs, he seems to be turning different emitters on and off. If you take a look at the labels, there are quite a few channels and the controls only allow "on," "off" and "auto." I am working on setting up my Reef Angel the same way (as soon as I build the LEDs).
Apex is as good a guess as any, the Droid app for RA has a different appearance and I'm told tha iphone app looks like the Droid app.

OhYeah · 08/29/2012, 09:37 PM

It's an apex aquacontroller using the Apex iPhone app. He is not dimming the lights but turning on and off the different blues and whites that he has connected to the outlets.

vai6921 · 08/30/2012, 12:49 PM

So what would i need now if i wanted to set that up on my iphone/android/ipad?

Would these two things allow me to control my lights?

http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOMI-vi.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOAC-vi.html

OR do I only need the VDM with

http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOMI-vi.html

If someone can specifically tell me or help with links that would be great.

The exact product i need to have control of my lights and if dimming can be done. (Either dimming or control it via the controller like 10%, 40%, 100%).

D-Nak · 08/30/2012, 01:13 PM

Keep in mind that this won't be an easy process, and as others have mentioned, you won't have true dimming capabilities but separate buttons with presets (10%, 40%, 100%). If you want full control, an Apex can't do it, since as I mentioned, there aren't sliders to control variable input. Your best bet is to buy a fixture AI or Radion which has this type of software.

If you decide to go with an Apex, it's best to ask the technical questions (including which version to get depending on your applications) over at the Neptune Systems forum. There's a lot of helpful information there, and I frequented it when I set up my Apex.

FWIW, I use my Apex to control everything but my lights -- I use the Radion program for that. I have my Radions plugged into my Apex, only to shut them off if the temperature of my tank gets too high.

The problem with DIY LEDs is that it's relatively easy to build the lights, but controlling them via software is hard, everything from writing the program/app to developing the GUI. The time involved in something like that, unless you're a programmer, makes off the shelf systems with software included a lot more enticing.

tkeracer619 · 08/30/2012, 01:46 PM

Check out the Reef Angel controller. It can change intensity from the smart phone app.

It is open source so you can pretty much do anything and the community/owner will bend over backwards to help you out.

OhYeah · 08/30/2012, 07:04 PM

Vai... What light fixture do you have? Is it dimmable?

vai6921 · 08/30/2012, 07:21 PM

@D-Nak i think you are right but i love to DIY and figured i could get much more varied colors of Leds if i build it myself and then program it. I am no programmer by any means but would like to try unless it is something too sophisticated to even attempt.
Which would be my best bet to grow just about any coral in a standard 90 and can you provide me links to the items?

@tkeracer thanks I just sent them an email with the same questions...lets see if they can help

@ohyeah....currently i have 2x t5s which i just had from my old 55tank.
Also have 80 led system that i made from aquastyle (dimmable) BUT it uses maxwellen drivers.

I actually though i could just change the drivers to the meanwels (0-10v) and cal it a day?

08/27/2012, 08:54 PM	#1
vai6921 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 283	What kind of controller is this? Hi, I came across this video on youtube which has a guy controlling his diy leds with his phone. Does anyone know what he is using and how I would be able to do it? Thanks here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgcN...eature=mh_lolz

08/27/2012, 10:10 PM	#7
bugs713 In-A-Gadda-Divita! Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Apache Junction, AZ - USA Posts: 2,345	Looks like it says APEX in the video. __________________ O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O

08/28/2012, 10:02 AM	#8
D-Nak Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,797	It's the AquaController app for use with an Apex. However, I don't think you can control dimming with the app -- which would be nice. As in, the app doesn't have sliders which will allow you to adjust dimming manually. Of course, if each channel is set up separately, as it is in the video, then the Apex can dim the lights via a program. So, what you'd need aside from the lights is an Apex controller with web access, a VDM module (if you want dimming), an iPhone with the AquaController app, and a few hours of DIY projects as well as programming the Apex. __________________ Tank info: 120 gallon 48x30x20 high DT. Clownfish breeding rack in full swing: C-Quest Onyx, Bali Aquarich P1 Picasso + Rod's Onyx, wild percula + Rod's Onyx.

08/30/2012, 01:13 PM	#13
D-Nak Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,797	Keep in mind that this won't be an easy process, and as others have mentioned, you won't have true dimming capabilities but separate buttons with presets (10%, 40%, 100%). If you want full control, an Apex can't do it, since as I mentioned, there aren't sliders to control variable input. Your best bet is to buy a fixture AI or Radion which has this type of software. If you decide to go with an Apex, it's best to ask the technical questions (including which version to get depending on your applications) over at the Neptune Systems forum. There's a lot of helpful information there, and I frequented it when I set up my Apex. FWIW, I use my Apex to control everything but my lights -- I use the Radion program for that. I have my Radions plugged into my Apex, only to shut them off if the temperature of my tank gets too high. The problem with DIY LEDs is that it's relatively easy to build the lights, but controlling them via software is hard, everything from writing the program/app to developing the GUI. The time involved in something like that, unless you're a programmer, makes off the shelf systems with software included a lot more enticing. __________________ Tank info: 120 gallon 48x30x20 high DT. Clownfish breeding rack in full swing: C-Quest Onyx, Bali Aquarich P1 Picasso + Rod's Onyx, wild percula + Rod's Onyx.

08/30/2012, 01:46 PM	#14
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Check out the Reef Angel controller. It can change intensity from the smart phone app. It is open source so you can pretty much do anything and the community/owner will bend over backwards to help you out. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

08/27/2012, 08:57 PM	#2
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	apex i believe

08/27/2012, 09:09 PM	#3
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Can't tell, Why don't you ask him?

08/27/2012, 09:17 PM	#4
vai6921 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 283	Thanks Saltwatercoral2, i will look into that. @moondoggy4 i did ask him but i saw that he never replied to the other person that asked him over a month ago so i figured RC is full of knowledgeablepeople might as well ask

08/27/2012, 09:35 PM	#5
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Yeah I looked at the video also, but forgot your avatar name. I would say a Apex or a Profilux can both do that.

08/27/2012, 09:37 PM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2076354 this is for a Profilux

08/29/2012, 08:12 PM	#9
vai6921 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 283	Thank you guys for pointing me in the right direction! @D-Nak is this what I need? http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOMI-vi.html http://www.marinedepot.com/MarineDep...TEMOMI-vi.html http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOAC-vi.html

08/29/2012, 08:32 PM	#10
Dave Thebrewguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 489	I don't think he's actually "dimming" the LEDs, he seems to be turning different emitters on and off. If you take a look at the labels, there are quite a few channels and the controls only allow "on," "off" and "auto." I am working on setting up my Reef Angel the same way (as soon as I build the LEDs). Apex is as good a guess as any, the Droid app for RA has a different appearance and I'm told tha iphone app looks like the Droid app.

08/29/2012, 09:37 PM	#11
OhYeah Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 74	It's an apex aquacontroller using the Apex iPhone app. He is not dimming the lights but turning on and off the different blues and whites that he has connected to the outlets.

08/30/2012, 12:49 PM	#12
vai6921 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 283	So what would i need now if i wanted to set that up on my iphone/android/ipad? Would these two things allow me to control my lights? http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOMI-vi.html http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOAC-vi.html OR do I only need the VDM with http://www.marinedepot.com/Neptune_S...TEMOMI-vi.html If someone can specifically tell me or help with links that would be great. The exact product i need to have control of my lights and if dimming can be done. (Either dimming or control it via the controller like 10%, 40%, 100%).

08/30/2012, 07:04 PM	#15
OhYeah Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 74	Vai... What light fixture do you have? Is it dimmable?

08/30/2012, 07:21 PM	#16
vai6921 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 283	@D-Nak i think you are right but i love to DIY and figured i could get much more varied colors of Leds if i build it myself and then program it. I am no programmer by any means but would like to try unless it is something too sophisticated to even attempt. Which would be my best bet to grow just about any coral in a standard 90 and can you provide me links to the items? @tkeracer thanks I just sent them an email with the same questions...lets see if they can help @ohyeah....currently i have 2x t5s which i just had from my old 55tank. Also have 80 led system that i made from aquastyle (dimmable) BUT it uses maxwellen drivers. I actually though i could just change the drivers to the meanwels (0-10v) and cal it a day?