Need Help Hooking Up LEDs and ACL to RKE

[AUFishGuy]

So I am setting up my new RKE. I got 2 upgraded DM-165m leds and an ACL from Reef Radiance. I am confused on how to hook all this up. The ACL game with one hookup for the ports on the bottom, which there are 6 . 2 of 3 different types. Each light has 1 bus port. How do I hook up both lights to the ACL, which of course has 2 bus ports, and the ACL to the rest of the line of modules and pcl4s?

I'm sure I will need some tips on programming but I feel that I need to figure how to hook everything up first.

TIA

[AUFishGuy]

Bump

[DaveMorris]

The ALC module connects to your RKE using the regular bus cables just like any other module. It doesn't matter what order things are connected in. On the ALC, it has two Lunar ports for connecting DA lunar pods, two serial ports for connecting some fixtures that utilize serial communication for control, and two 0v-10v control ports. The fixtures you have will connect to the 0v-10v ports. One is for the blue channel and the other is for the white channel. You will need to make a cable that splits the connection of the two ALC ports between the two fixtures. the ALC module should not have a problem with driving two light fixtures. You should double-check with RR on the pinout for the fixtures you have. On my RR Prostar fixtures, the connector on it is a RJ45 connector and the two channels are controlled by pins 1 and 2. Pins 5 and 6 are the respective grounds. These hook directly to the ports on the ALC. You can get programming examples on the DA support forum.

[AUFishGuy]

Thanks for the reply but I am still confused on a few things. On the lights I only see bus ports. With that said how do I connect them to the 0v-10v? Also what do you mean I need to make a cable? After spending that much money a cable isn't supplied? How do I make it? Sorry but I know nothing about any of this stuff

[n2585722]

Those are NOT buss ports on your light fixtures. They are RJ45 connectors but not buss ports. If you look closely the buss connectors on the RKE are 6 conductor. I think you lighting is 8 conductor if it is truely RJ45. You need to contact Reef Radiance to find out if they have a cable available to hook the ALC to your lights

[AUFishGuy]

Originally Posted by n2585722

Those are NOT buss ports on your light fixtures. They are RJ45 connectors but not buss ports. If you look closely the buss connectors on the RKE are 6 conductor. I think you lighting is 8 conductor if it is truely RJ45. You need to contact Reef Radiance to find out if they have a cable available to hook the ALC to your lights

You are right, they aren't bus cables. They are bigger but that confuses me even more. I see nothing other than the port on the lights that those cables could be connected to and still see no way of connecting the lights the 0v-10v hookups. Or any hookups on the bottom of the ALC for that matter. I am so lost with all of this. Is this simple and I am just too dumb to understand?

I've contacted Rick at Reef Radiance but it is the weekend, I'm sure I will hear back from him soon. He has always been very helpful.

[AUFishGuy]

Attached are some pictures of everything I have as far as cables and lights. Just for reference. Really need to get this up and running in the next day.

[DaveMorris]

This is the cable that you will need:


Since you have two lights, you will need to add two RJ45 sockets together. You would use the blue CAT5 cable thats in your photo to connect between the custom cable and the light fixture. If you are not comfortable making the cable yourself, talk to Charles at Reef Radiance and ask him to make one for you. I am sure he will.

In my photo, the two black Molex connectors hook up to the 0v-10v ports on the ALC. You can also make the necessary cable pretty easy. The black and red cable that came with your ALC can be used to do it.

1. Cut the red and black cable in half
2. Connect the red wires of each cable to pins 1 and 2 of two RJ45 sockets (available at Frys)
3. Connect the black wires to pins 5 and 6 of the RJ45 sockets
4. Connect one cable to the "A" port on the ALC and connect the other cable to port "B".
5. Connect each socket to each light with a standard CAT5 cable

That should be it. Hopefully I haven't confused you more.

[AUFishGuy]

Thanks Dave for the detailed reply. I guess this makes sense. I have a friend who may be able to help me with making that.

Another question for you. Each light has 2 power cords. Will all 4 cords need to go into their own socket on one of the PCL4s? If so the lights will take up one of the PCL4s by themselves. Just making sure I understand everything here. Thanks again

[DaveMorris]

The power chords can be plugged in anywhere you want. You can use a power strip and connect them to a single outlet on the PC4 or use two of them which would probably be better. I would use channel 1 or 4 since they are rated higher than 2 and 3. If you plug them into a PC4 channel, I would program that channel to come on slightly before you have the timers programmed for your lights to ramp up via the ALC. It will be two separate functions, first supplying power to the fixtures and second, telling the channels in the fixtures to start ramping up.

If you need help getting the cable made, PM me your address and I will throw one together and send it to you. I have the bits to do it and it is pretty easy for me since I make this kind of stuff all the time.

[AUFishGuy]

Originally Posted by DaveMorris

The power chords can be plugged in anywhere you want. You can use a power strip and connect them to a single outlet on the PC4 or use two of them which would probably be better. I would use channel 1 or 4 since they are rated higher than 2 and 3. If you plug them into a PC4 channel, I would program that channel to come on slightly before you have the timers programmed for your lights to ramp up via the ALC. It will be two separate functions, first supplying power to the fixtures and second, telling the channels in the fixtures to start ramping up.

If you need help getting the cable made, PM me your address and I will throw one together and send it to you. I have the bits to do it and it is pretty easy for me since I make this kind of stuff all the time.

Thanks a lot Dave. I sent you a PM