BML lights with Kessil controller

[Staisman]

I have two fixtures of BuildmyLed lights, one is full spectrum and another one is super actinic light. So I start looking for the light controller for the right price. Because I wasn't not ready to buy Neptune from Apex I wanted something simple under $100 just to control the lights.
I found not many choices: DIM4 is nice but I wanted something looking finished, Bluefish is nice too but way overpriced, BML controller is still in kind of beta stage and doesn't look that good also people reported a lot of software bugs. Then Kessil announced his own slick looking controller and surprisingly good priced. Also Kessil uses 0-10V interface to dim the lights and that's exactly what I need.
So after 30 min of figuring out wiring I went and bought two mono audio connectors in radioshack, splice the cable that came with controller on one end, soldered black and red wire to the mono connector and whoa-la everything is working.
I think it is best option out there right now. For $99 you get 4 channels (two per connector) color display, sensor buttons and slick design. Very pleased.


Here is some pics.

[Bpb]

Very cool DIY job

[Staisman]

Thanks, I didn't try to do DIY but want to let people know it's possible, if anyone has questions shoot me and I will help. I was looking for the information like this before I bought it but could't find anything, so I had to play Russian roulette

[toothybugs]

Well this just made my day, my missus decided she was going to buy me a pair of BML XBs for our anniversary this past weekend when she saw the clowns playing in the anemones at the LFS. Not complaining, my MH-T5 system is ancient and beat up so needless to say she made me rather happy with that!

This will help out quite a bit. Thanks for doing this write up.

[Staisman]

Your welcome. Make sure to leave stereo jack on the BML side and Mono goes into the controller.
If you want to use all 4 channels, Since Kessil has two channels on each port, you can use Stereo jack and do the spliter like on this picture.

[Cara@BML]

Wow, nice setup...thanks for posting this, Staisman! Would you mind my saving this diagram in case others ask about how to do this? I'll point them towards this post as well.

Thanks,

Cara

[wildman926]

Can you do a wiring diagram for your initial cable? Thank you.

[Staisman]

Originally Posted by Cara@BML

Wow, nice setup...thanks for posting this, Staisman! Would you mind my saving this diagram in case others ask about how to do this? I'll point them towards this post as well.

Thanks,

Cara

Your welcome Cara and no problem. I hope in the future you will come up with cable for this controller. One problem though, I think because of the specifics of the controller it works opposite as intended, meaning 100% = 10% dimming and 10% on the controller is full brightness. It is not really bother me so i left it as is.

[Staisman]

Originally Posted by wildman926

Can you do a wiring diagram for your initial cable? Thank you.

Here you go.


Coloring doesn't really matter, as soon as you don't use ground which usually comes without insulation. Since I am using mono jack here, by switching wires you define what will control your lights on the controller, Color or Density tab.

[wildman926]

Thank you very much!

[Staisman]

I bought another MC 20KXB strip from BML and I am going to connect all 3 fixtures into this controller.

[Staisman]

OK so for MC BML users here is diagram how to connect their lights to the Kessil controller.



I managed to connect my all 3 fixtures to this controller. I combined blue channel on the MC light with my Super Actinic since they are the same color.

[Cara@BML]

That's a great idea combining the Super Actinic with the all-actinic MC 20KK channel...how does it look? Is it dim enough for "moonglow" once the other channels are off?

That's funny on the percentages being reversed--think of it as percentage dimmed rather than percentage brightness! Thanks for posting these, great to have multiple controller options to recommend!

Cheers,

Cara

[Staisman]

Originally Posted by Cara@BML

That's a great idea combining the Super Actinic with the all-actinic MC 20KK channel...how does it look? Is it dim enough for "moonglow" once the other channels are off?

That's funny on the percentages being reversed--think of it as percentage dimmed rather than percentage brightness! Thanks for posting these, great to have multiple controller options to recommend!

Cheers,

Cara

Hi Cara, the revers only works on the non XB lights old version, MC works perfectly fine 0 is off and 100% is full brightness.

[stingeragent]

Is there anyway to rig this up to a spectral controller that is already running 2 kessils? I'm wanting to get a bml light strip, keep my 2 kessils, and use the same controller for all 3. Is that possible?

[Staisman]

Originally Posted by stingeragent

Is there anyway to rig this up to a spectral controller that is already running 2 kessils? I'm wanting to get a bml light strip, keep my 2 kessils, and use the same controller for all 3. Is that possible?

Your each kessil needs 2 ports, one for Intensity and another one for the Color so with 2 Kessils you are using all 4 ports. You have none left for the BML unless u combine BML and kessils.

[stingeragent]

Is that possible? I know you can daisy chain your kessils to 1 port on the controller and still leave the other open. Could I daisy chain my current 2 kessils to output 1 on the controller, and then use the other for the BML lights?

[Staisman]

Originally Posted by stingeragent

Is that possible? I know you can daisy chain your kessils to 1 port on the controller and still leave the other open. Could I daisy chain my current 2 kessils to output 1 on the controller, and then use the other for the BML lights?

Yes it is, you can buy spliter at any RadioShak and put both Kessils on the same port. And use second port for controlling BML light. Do you have MC BML light? Or single channel?

[stingeragent]

I haven't got the light yet, as I have still been debating it. When I saw your post and being able to control it with what I already have made the decision easier provided I can make it work. I wasn't planning on getting the MC light, just the XB. I can go with either one though if it's necessary for it to work along with my kessils.

[Staisman]

Originally Posted by stingeragent

I haven't got the light yet, as I have still been debating it. When I saw your post and being able to control it with what I already have made the decision easier provided I can make it work. I wasn't planning on getting the MC light, just the XB. I can go with either one though if it's necessary for it to work along with my kessils.

MC requires 3 ports to control all 3 channels. You gonna have only two. So I think XB light will be fine for you. One problem with XB thou it won't turn itself OFF when you set to 0% (min 10%) on the controller and you gonna need a timer.