Easy and cheap way to control Orphek LED bars

[TX_REEF]

I want to share this product recommendation for anyone looking to control light fixtures that either don’t have controllers/apps, or have controllers or apps that are purchased separately and too expensive.

I suspected that my Orphek LED bar (OR3, linked below) was too powerful and causing my LPS to not fully open. Orphek has a controller option, but it’s fairly expensive in my opinion, and apparently isn’t compatible with my size LED bar.

I decided to DIY a solution, and ordered a Kasa dimmable smart outlet. It ended up working perfectly! Highly recommend this product to anyone looking to control and/or dim a “non controllable” LED fixture. Kasa app is easy to use and this particular product allows dimming, ramp up and down, and scheduling.

Orphek LED bar: https://amzn.to/3upyvbs
Kasa smart dimming outlet: https://amzn.to/3SMhce1

DISCLAIMER:

• All OR3 60 & 120 models ARE dimmable so will work with this device
• Normal OR3 90 & 150 models are NOT dimmable so WILL NOT work with this device

 

[CBonito]

Yeah. Orphek's bars are pretty PARful alright. On a shallow tank they MUST be dimmed. Cool that the outlet worked.

 

[Yooper Reef]

I love my atlantik but please tell me why an OR3 bar does not have a built in wireless controller and an AI blade does at a fraction of the size. I want to add 2 bars to my setup but there’s no reasonable way to do it

 

[CBonito]

I love my atlantik but please tell me why an OR3 bar does not have a built in wireless controller and an AI blade does at a fraction of the size. I want to add 2 bars to my setup but there’s no reasonable way to do it

Because they have the optional controller that's EXTRA!!!!:D

Or listen to Mr. TX_Reef who said "the heck with that!"

 

[Island Goby]

I want to share this product recommendation for anyone looking to control light fixtures that either don’t have controllers/apps, or have controllers or apps that are purchased separately and too expensive.

I suspected that my Orphek LED bar (OR3, linked below) was too powerful and causing my LPS to not fully open. Orphek has a controller option, but it’s fairly expensive in my opinion, and apparently isn’t compatible with my size LED bar.

I decided to DIY a solution, and ordered a Kasa dimmable smart outlet. It ended up working perfectly! Highly recommend this product to anyone looking to control and/or dim a “non controllable” LED fixture. Kasa app is easy to use and this particular product allows dimming, ramp up and down, and scheduling.

Orphek LED bar: https://amzn.to/3upyvbs
Kasa smart dimming outlet: https://amzn.to/3SMhce1

Just ordered the Kasa dimming outlet...hope it will be the answer for me as well...appreciate your sharing this

 

[agoralyx]

Wanted to thank you for this thread. Ordered these and they work like a charm!

 

[fish farmer]

I love my atlantik but please tell me why an OR3 bar does not have a built in wireless controller and an AI blade does at a fraction of the size. I want to add 2 bars to my setup but there’s no reasonable way to do it

I was looking at a single Orphek bar. No dimmable option turned me off, I was replacing an old dimmable BML fixture. I don't need remote control, just a plug in dial or push pad.

I went with Reef Breeders.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Those of you who have used this successfully, what size bars are you using it on?

 

[TX_REEF]

Those of you who have used this successfully, what size bars are you using it on?

I use it on the 90.

 

[padilla95624]

The dimmer is rated for 4amps and the fixture is 450mA. Could this be an issue if you use it on an OR3 120 at 900mA?

 

[Fishyj]

900ma converted to amps would only be .9 amps. It should work. https://www.unitconverters.net/current/milliamps-to-amps.htm

 

[Nate Chalk]

I clocked these at 6-8 inches above water line in 18 inches of water , 200 par

 

[SEvolution]

I do have 4 bars so do I have to get a separate kasa for each bar or plug all of them in one?

 

[TX_REEF]

I do have 4 bars so do I have to get a separate kasa for each bar or plug all of them in one?

I am not an electrician and this is not professional advice, but assuming you want them all on the same setting I’d probably just have them all run off the same dimmer with an outlet extender. You should check the power rating for the dimmer though to be sure.

 

[huttoreefer]

Thanks for your wonderful info.

I sent an email to Orphek asking upgrading kit for my OR3 90 long ago, total cost is $180. The cost is even more than the light itself which to me is so rediculous.

 

[TX_REEF]

Thanks for your wonderful info.

I sent an email to Orphek asking upgrading kit for my OR3 90 long ago, total cost is $180. The cost is even more than the light itself which to me is so rediculous.

my pleasure, I'm glad to help

 

[myclang]

I'm looking at getting this. I'm curious if anyone is still using this method and how well it's held up? My fear is under-volting the driver would put a lot of stress on it, causing premature failure of the light.

 

[TX_REEF]

I'm looking at getting this. I'm curious if anyone is still using this method and how well it's held up? My fear is under-volting the driver would put a lot of stress on it, causing premature failure of the light.

I've been running my OR3 like this since the beginning of this year, no issues to speak of so far.

 

[myclang]

I've been running my OR3 like this since the beginning of this year, no issues to speak of so far.

Great! It's a really cheap option that I'm willing to try. Just didn't want to risk burning my OR3 150 out of causing flickering or any other issues.

 

[Nate Chalk]

I have a single smart outlet and a power strip with all of them plugged in. Cost me $5