Sample Program for Kessil A360W

[daveincs]

Since there wasnt one on here I thought I'd post a basic starting program for Kessil A360W's. This ramps up at sunrise and gradually brings the color spectrum & intensity up to mid-day. Then it stays at 10K for a few hours and eventually ramps down. It's a decent place to start and tweak from there. Please post any suggestions.

Intensity

Profile Name: Int_Sunr (sunrise)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 240
Start intensity: 0
End intensity: 70

Profile Name: Int_Dayl (mid-day)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 1
Start intensity: 70
End intensity: 70

Profile Name: Int_Nigh (sunset)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 180
Start intensity: 70
End intensity: 0


Var spd outlets

LEDColor (light spectrum ramp)
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then ColorSun
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then ColorDay
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then ColorNig

LEDInten (dimming)
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then Int_Dayl
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then Int_Nigh


Please comment

[RussM]

Looks like a great start! Can you post your color spectrum profiles too please? And tell us about how the color spectrum changes from 0v input to 10v input... what's the color mix at 0%, 50%, and 100%, for example?

[daveincs]

The Kessil doesn't let you adjust the color mix. The range from 0v-10v goes from actinic to 10K. It is pretty blue till about 50-60%, then you can see the white taking over. Corals start opening around 50%. 100% is pretty bright, I am running (2) A360W in a 120 gallon. So I am working up to the 100% mark.

[OceanAV]

What happens if you omit day profile and leave the rest as is:

LEDInten (dimming)
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then Int_Nigh

[RussM]

What happens if you omit day profile and leave the rest as is:

LEDInten (dimming)
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then Int_Nigh

The light will shut off between 1PM and 5PM due to the Set OFF

If the program is like this:

If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 13:00 to 17:00 Then ON
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then Int_Nigh

Then the light would be on at full intensity from 1PM to 5PM

The OP's program:

Set OFF

If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then Int_Dayl
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then Int_Nigh

Allows the use of a profile during midday to set a steady intensity level (70% in his case)

[OceanAV]

The light will shut off between 1PM and 5PM due to the Set OFF

If the program is like this:

If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 13:00 to 17:00 Then ON
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then Int_Nigh

Then the light would be on at full intensity from 1PM to 5PM

The OP's program:

Set OFF

If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then Int_Dayl
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then Int_Nigh

Allows the use of a profile during midday to set a steady intensity level (70% in his case)

Thanks.

[Terence]

If you want to keep the same color all day and just ramp the intensity, find the value for the color you like by playing with the profiles. Let's say its 70% as in this example. Then, you could simply use:

LEDColor (light spectrum ramp)
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 20:00 Then ColorDay

Keep the intensity programming the same and the color will be maintained through whole sunrise/sunset time periods.

[Terence]

Oh, and you can go to my other thread where I showed how to set up the virtual outlets so you could have one touch change to the color and intensity. This is nice when you want to demo your tank in different "looks" when people come over to see your corals.

[Stewbacca]

Is the VDM module required to do this with the Kessil 360?

[aquamanic]

No, only if you have a Jr. or a Lite - it uses the variable speed ports standard on the full Apex.

[Stewbacca]

perfect, Thanks! I just got my Apex and im trying to figure everything out. I thought i remember the kessil rep say i only needed the cable but couldnt remember. Kinda went crazy at the LFS for my first tank.

I do have another question.... since the Kessil can be controlled via the virtual outlets could the light its self be plugged into a wall outlet or is it better to leave it on the energy bar so it temp it can shut off if temps get too high?

[daveincs]

You can just plug them into the wall. Best part with LED no heat from lamps. You make a virtual outlet and have that turn off with temp. I'm just saying cuz both my 8 outlet strips are full.

[petzer]

What are you profiles for the ColorDay, ColorSun, etc.

[alexmit]

Since there wasnt one on here I thought I'd post a basic starting program for Kessil A360W's. This ramps up at sunrise and gradually brings the color spectrum & intensity up to mid-day. Then it stays at 10K for a few hours and eventually ramps down. It's a decent place to start and tweak from there. Please post any suggestions.

Intensity

Profile Name: Int_Sunr (sunrise)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 240
Start intensity: 0
End intensity: 70

Profile Name: Int_Dayl (mid-day)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 1
Start intensity: 70
End intensity: 70

Profile Name: Int_Nigh (sunset)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 180
Start intensity: 70
End intensity: 0


Var spd outlets

LEDColor (light spectrum ramp)
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then ColorSun
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then ColorDay
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then ColorNig

LEDInten (dimming)
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then Int_Dayl
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then Int_Nigh


Please comment

Are you running 2 separate controller cables to the Apex, or is it a single cable then you bridge the 2 A360 units?

[petzer]

these are my profile codes

Intensity

Profile Name: Int_Sunr (sunrise)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 60
Start intensity: 0
End intensity: 55

Profile Name: Int_Dayl (mid-day)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 1
Start intensity: 55
End intensity: 55

Profile Name: Int_Nigh (sunset)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 60
Start intensity: 55
End intensity: 0


Profile Name: ColorDay (DayTime)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 1
Start intensity: 40
End intensity: 40


Profile Name: ColorRise (sunrise)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 60
Start intensity: 60
End intensity: 40


Profile Name: ColorSet (sunset)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 60
Start intensity: 40
End intensity: 20

Var spd outlets

LEDColor (light spectrum ramp)
Set OFF
If Time 14:00 to 15:00 Then ColorRise
If Time 15:01 to 22:00 Then ColorDay
If Time 22:01 to 23:00 Then ColorSet

LEDInten (dimming)
Set OFF
If Time 14:00 to 15:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 15:01 to 22:00 Then Int_Dayl
If Time 22:01 to 23:00 Then Int_Nigh

So when it is Sunrise the Color is more white. Daytime its blueishwhite. then sunset is alot more blue. My intensity is set to have a max of 55. My color intensity settings are set at different intensities at different times of the day. My question is the Intensity part. Does the Color and Dimming Intensity have different meanings?

[Stewbacca]

what is the lowest usable intensity setting with the kessil? I asked Kessil if i could use the A360 as a moonlight without extending the photo period and they said i could but i feel like a can get the light dimmer manually than the lowest setting of 14 that i have been able to get it down to with the apex? I know that the VDM is not needed but would the VDM give finer control of the light allowing more precise intensity and color settings?

[RussM]

The only difference between the VarSpd outlets in the full Apex and those in the VDM is that the varspd ports in the VDM support the 'weather' profile. The varspd ports on the base module do not.

[RussM]

What happens if you go below 14%?

[Stewbacca]

The light just turns off. The kessil rep said they changed to digital controllers instead of pots like the older lights so the light stays off until intensity is at 10%. But when controlled by the apex it only goes as low as 14.

[RussM]

Even at 10%, I'm fairly sure that it would be way too bright for use as moonlight. With an AI Sol (a 70w fixture), 2-3 % is about right for moonlights... and the A360 is an even higher-power source. I use 3% max with my Acan Prism. It sounds like you need to find an alternate way of doing moonlights.

[Stewbacca]

I was afraid of that... i keep my tank topless most of the time so ill need to figure out a way to mount them without being an eyesore... do you know if the LED strings available from Neptune are fairly water resistant?

[johnwin84]

Oh, and you can go to my other thread where I showed how to set up the virtual outlets so you could have one touch change to the color and intensity. This is nice when you want to demo your tank in different "looks" when people come over to see your corals.

can you link me to the thread? i was not able to find it.
thanks

[shockhollywood]

Since there wasnt one on here I thought I'd post a basic starting program for Kessil A360W's. This ramps up at sunrise and gradually brings the color spectrum & intensity up to mid-day. Then it stays at 10K for a few hours and eventually ramps down. It's a decent place to start and tweak from there. Please post any suggestions.

Intensity

Profile Name: Int_Sunr (sunrise)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 240
Start intensity: 0
End intensity: 70

Profile Name: Int_Dayl (mid-day)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 1
Start intensity: 70
End intensity: 70

Profile Name: Int_Nigh (sunset)
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 180
Start intensity: 70
End intensity: 0


Var spd outlets

LEDColor (light spectrum ramp)
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then ColorSun
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then ColorDay
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then ColorNig

LEDInten (dimming)
Set OFF
If Time 09:00 to 13:00 Then Int_Sunr
If Time 13:01 to 17:00 Then Int_Dayl
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then Int_Nigh


Please comment

HOW DO I GET MY KESSIL A360N LED LIGHTD TO RAMP UP AND DOWN!!! sorry I just have been trying to get it all right and its not working for me. I have the best apex you can get so it should be working and I have seen that everyone has something there doing in the control section of this where you can get it to work but im so lost. please help me....do you have to type all of that in the the advanced part of the apex outlet part or is there something that says ramp uo and down cause I don't see and thing like that?

[shockhollywood]

I don't have a RAMP type in my control type.....what am I missing? ps:i have the best apex you can get so it came with everything I needed just not the kessil cable.

[RussM]

You need to customize the profiles first, including giving them meaningful names, such as those profile names used in the example here. Then, you type in (or copy/paste from here) the actual program text, which you can do after you change the control type for each applicable outlet to Advanced.