AliExpress A8SE Reef Light

[Kenmx10]

Are you able to set the light up and then turn off the WIFI? If its connecting to mobile devices I would be conserned about security issues otherwise.

 

[fuz]

What kind of battery is used?

 

[Dibi]

Are you able to set the light up and then turn off the WIFI? If its connecting to mobile devices I would be conserned about security issues otherwise.

same issue here. Wifi always on.

 

[RoanokeReef]

Are you able to set the light up and then turn off the WIFI? If its connecting to mobile devices I would be conserned about security issues otherwise.

You can connect directly to the fixture via WiFi for setup without giving it any credentials. You cannot turn off its broadcast though.

 

[ChiCity]

not exactly what you wanted but here’s my recent findings. Down below I wrote how I programmed it; a common problem for users and the biggest hurdle in my opinion:

Previously I ran Kessils for several years... Until they all magically died at the 2 year mark. I liked the look but they didn’t grow things well. I moved on to Radions which grow things really really well but create more of a T5 look (no shimmer). The A7 comes on around noon and runs into the evening so I get a late evening shimmer as the Radions power down on the AB+ schedule.

I purchased an A+ A7 online for less than alieexpress from “aquarium low cost” to add some accent lighting to my tank. It took about 30 days to arrive. I have another 2 on order and they’re taking a bit longer. The power supply died literally within the first 5 minutes so I upgraded it for now (The seller is sending me a new one).

It’s a Kessil A360x (more or less) and unless you have them side-by-side or have run Kessils you won’t know the difference. The light matrix isn’t as tight as the Kessil as others have stated online. Fortunately this is an easy fix by using one of the two included reflectors (90 degree and 55 degree) to redirect and focus the light. I think I paid $115 for the light and it comes with what Kessil charges $50 for in reflectors. The Kessil 35degree reflector also works on the A7 too to get a super tight beam for a clam or Anemone or to roast marshmallows.

It has a single 1/4-20 screw hole on top for mounting. I purchased a 1/4-20 x 1/2” carriage bolt at Lowe’s and an $11 swivel camera mount from Amazon and it slid easily on an RMS mount between my Radions. It can now be directed and locked in place. That thread size is common for mounts for cameras and things so mounting options are nearly limitless.

You will need the app to program it. The knobs don’t do anything meaningful. The problem? It’s in Chinese. They made an attempt at a US app but it’s broken as they forgot to make the “upload to device” button active. So…you HAVE to use the Chinese app.

How to program ANY OF THESE LIGHTS if you don’t speak Chinese: In the instruction manual is a QR code for the apps. DO NOT choose the one with English writing. Choose the Chinese one. Download it on a tablet. I assume most people own a tablet these days but if no, buy one on Amazon for $50 (You are still at less than 1/2 the cost of the kessil).

Download Google Translate on your phone and select Chinese (simplified) to English. Use the photo/live translate button. Hold your phone over the tablet with the app open. Voila! It converts everything on the tablet into English in real time as you use the app on the tablet. The app is just color sliders and setting intensity points on a timeline, saving your program, then uploading it to the device.

i’m a t5 guy for my main system…
and will always be because i love keeping acan’s colors true.
but i do run two smaller tanks with led.
this writeup will come in very handy whenever i decide to buy these chinese knockoffs
(which i am seriously considering thanks to this thread)

 

[fuz]

What kind of battery is used?

cr1220

 

[Poseidon Black Sea]

Are you able to set the light up and then turn off the WIFI? If its connecting to mobile devices I would be conserned about security issues otherwise.

I am not able to setup the light on my phone it works on other phones tho.

 

[fuz]

After replacing the battery, the time after power failure is retained

 

[Kenmx10]

I checked with a couple of the suppliers on Aliexpress and they said the A8 Pro comes with a generic driver and you can purchase the Mean Well driver for an extra $30. Did anyone receive a Mean Well driver with their fixture? Also do you feel it is worth the extra purchase? Thx

 

[Poseidon Black Sea]

I checked with a couple of the suppliers on Aliexpress and they said the A8 Pro comes with a generic driver and you can purchase the Mean Well driver for an extra $30. Did anyone receive a Mean Well driver with their fixture? Also do you feel it is worth the extra purchase? Thx

What is a mean well driver? what will it do

 

[Kenmx10]

Its the power supply that drives the unit.

 

[bradreef]

What is a mean well driver? what will it do

A known brand of power supply

 

[mini-fred]

Running a mixture of a8se and a8s s…
U definately want the meanwell brick, the generic a8se bricks just suck, they are unable to run the lights ar 100% or near that, and they get stupid hot. My meanwell equiped units dont get hot and dont have issues..

Although right now i again have 2 a8se with broken clusters … Also Those same lights are randomly forgetting their time

 

[Nightwatch-Swe]

Hello all,

Si i did the classic FAFO and here whats happened:
I found the fw update button in the dropdown menu and updated all 8pc XR30 blues.
All light now shows as red when i open the app (IOS) but i can access them.
One light "fell off" entirely, but i can access it if i directlink to it.
All 8 cant hold time (wintertime change) so they are running 1 hour fast, not a big deal.

Any suggestion to get that last light back into the app so that it shows up again?

FW lights:
Location 20240701

Server:
20240701
20230901

Picture of 7/8 lights:

 

[bradreef]

You can delete them from there and re add. Have you tried powering off on the light to see if they reconnect?

If it were me, I would power off the last light and restart to see if it came up on wifi. Then add it again.

 

[Nightwatch-Swe]

You can delete them from there and re add. Have you tried powering off on the light to see if they reconnect?

If it were me, I would power off the last light and restart to see if it came up on wifi. Then add it again.

Hey, yea they connect through wifi, the "problem" is that they turn up as red (offline?)
Got the 8th working now also, just needed one more factory-reset, also shows as red in app.

Wintertime still not working but thats a minor issue, guessing a diffrent EST would fix it.

Cosmetic i know with the red, but so used to see them green :)

 

[LordMarvolo]

Does anyone happen to know if the Radion XR30 Diffusers fit these lights? Considering ordering some for my 5x X30 Blue's.

 

[RoanokeReef]

Does anyone happen to know if the Radion XR30 Diffusers fit these lights? Considering ordering some for my 5x X30 Blue's.

They do.

 

[sith114]

Does someone disassemble this lamp and make photos of parts inside the case? ;P

 

[Kenmx10]

Does someone disassemble this lamp and make photos of parts inside the case? ;P

Here is a screen shot that I found online. It is definitely not the same as a genuine Radion fixture on the inside.