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Thread: Variable light intensity other than moonlights

  1. #1
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    Variable light intensity other than moonlights

    Hello,

    I have an LSM that drives 3 moonlight LEDs and it works perfectly.

    I'm curious, can use the lunar intensity data from the LSM to drive the intensity of other lights?

    Assume I add a VDM to drive a Kessil A160 on another tank. Can I reference a variable in a profile that matches the lunar intensity from the LSM to set the intensity of the A160?

  2. #2
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    I got a reply from support: "Hi Robert,

    The LSM can only send that data to the LED light attached to that module, it can not translate to any other outputs."

    So, no I can't use the LSM... Or can I???? Maybe time for some Arduino experimentation.

  3. #3
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    Since the LSM only drives LEDs, the intensity will be governed by current, not voltage. Additionally, to get that current generated, the module will need a minimum resistance load to create the minimum required voltage drop for the current control circuitry to work. Therefore, you will need a LSM with two LEDs connected and a current sensor in-line with the LEDs. Your Aruino board would then have to read the current and perform its actions. It is a lot of work to get this far.

    But once you got this far, you could then have the Arduino operate one or several of the analog switches on the Apex and have the Apex takeover from there. So in the end, the Apex is still doing the work but you are using the Arduino to obtain the moon dimming parameters and feed it back to the Apex via the switches.

    I am just curious, what are you trying to accomplish? Is the goal to run the Kessil A160 under a moonlight profile?

    Personally, I have hyda26's and they are just too powerful to run as moonlights, so for my moon statement, I just run the V, RB, B and G at 1% each with no dimming. Still too bright but give a great color spectrum range.

  4. #4
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    That would be pretty much what I'm looking to do, drive a 160WE (replacing a MH fixture) as the primary light for a 29 gallon nano reef and a moonlight (if possible). I've seen lots of posts about how this might or might not work so I'm not convinced of the approach. I also don't have the Kessil light yet.

    I currently have the LSM with three attached moonlight LEDs.

  5. #5
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    I think the problem you will run into is the Kessil is very bright (great light btw) and I cant see running the moon light at anything above 1% or 2%. That was my finding with the hdyras.

    What you will like about the Kessils better than the LSM is that the spectrum coverage is wider and more realistic where the LSM is very monochrome and artificial.

  6. #6
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Kessils cannot be dimmed below ~14%. They are not useable for moonlighting.
    Please do not send me PMs with technical questions or requesting assistance - use the forums for Apex help. PM me ONLY if the matter is of a private or personal nature. Thanks.

  7. #7
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    Is that true of the 160's too or just the 360's and higher?

  8. #8
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bobdrum View Post
    Is that true of the 160's too or just the 360's and higher?
    A80, A160, & A360 all cannot be dimmed to very low levels.
    Please do not send me PMs with technical questions or requesting assistance - use the forums for Apex help. PM me ONLY if the matter is of a private or personal nature. Thanks.

  9. #9
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    Thank you. I'll be looking into other moonlight options then, including keeping what I have.

  10. #10
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    I have an aquatic life halo. It dims to 1% and has 2 channels like the kessil (in fact, I'm using the kessil cable to connect to the apex). It was on sale at petco recently for $209. I don't know if this light is really as good as a kessil, but for moonlighting alone it may be worth it for some.

  11. #11
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    Update:
    I bought a Halo and control cable. The light is programmed to mimic sun rise, steady state, and set as well as moonlight. The blue channel of the Halo serves as the moonlight **AND** it adjusts to the lunar intensity specified in the season table automagically, not sure how though as support's reply stated:
    Quote Originally Posted by bobdrum View Post
    I got a reply from support: "Hi Robert,

    The LSM can only send that data to the LED light attached to that module, it can not translate to any other outputs."
    Note: I don't handle moonrise or set since the Halo blue channel flashes randomly below 2%. HaloWCH is base_Var1 and HaloBCH is base_Var2

    Here's the relevant controller programming:
    Name: WhiteSunr
    Ramp time: 5
    Start Int: 0
    End Int: 70

    Name: BlueSunr
    Ramp time: 5
    Start Int: 0
    End Int: 100

    Name: WhiteSunset
    Ramp time: 5
    Start Int: 70
    End Int: 0

    Name: BlueSunset
    Ramp time: 5
    Start Int: 100
    End Int: 0

    Name: BlueMoonlt
    Ramp time: 1
    Start Int: 2
    End Int: 2

    Name: BlueDaylt
    Ramp time: 1
    Start Int: 100
    End Int: 100

    Name: WtDaylt
    Ramp time: 1
    Start Int: 70
    End Int: 70

    Name: BluMoonrise
    Ramp time: 5
    Start Int: 0
    End Int: 2

    Name: BluMoonset
    Ramp time: 5
    Start Int: 2
    End Int: 0
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    VIRTUAL OUTLETS
    Name: Sunrise_A1
    Set OFF
    If Sun 000/000 Then ON
    If Sun 005/000 Then OFF

    Name: Sunset_A2
    Set OFF
    If Sun 000/000 Then ON
    If Sun 000/-005 Then OFF

    Name: Moonrise_A3
    Set OFF
    If Moon 000/000 Then ON
    If Sun 000/000 Then OFF
    If Moon 005/000 Then OFF

    Name: Moonset_A4
    If Moon 000/000 Then ON
    If Sun 000/000 Then OFF
    If Moon 000/-005 Then OFF
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    LIGHT OUTLETS
    Name: Halo_pwr_4_2
    Fallback OFF
    Set OFF
    If Sun 000/000 Then ON
    If Moon 000/000 Then ON
    If Temp > RT+1.0 Then OFF
    Min Time 002:00 Then OFF

    Name: HaloWCH
    Set OFF
    If Sun 000/000 Then WtDaylt
    If Outlet Sunrise_A1 = ON Then WhiteSunr
    If Outlet Sunset_A2 = ON Then WhiteSunset

    Name: HaloBCH
    If Moon 000/000 Then BlueMoonlt
    If Sun 000/000 Then BlueDaylt
    If Outlet Sunrise_A1 = ON Then BlueSunr
    If Outlet Sunset_A2 = ON Then BlueSunset

  12. #12
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    Sorry to necropost but there isn't much out there for the Halo's. Do you still have them and how do how do you like them?

    Sent from my SM-T817V using Tapatalk

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