Quanta Helix Apex Control

[GrimReefersDad]

To all that know what they are doing!

I have 5 total Quanta Helix light bars. (they are awesome and Luca is super helpful)

Two Reef Bright and 3 Mesa Blue.

Each one of the 2 0-10v RJ45's should support 2 devices independently from what I have gathered from their website.

That gives me a total of 4 controllable 0-10v inputs.

However, when programming the lights, each of the two light types(Blue and white) will follow their own schedule which makes me only need two total controls if those controls each can send the required signal to multiple lights at the same time.

Can the Dimming control input wires to the light bars be combined based on polarity and connected to the same RJ45 effectively controlling them with the same signal?

Sorry, I do not know enough to know if that creates a load that cannot be handled by either unit.

 

[oreo54]

To all that know what they are doing!

I have 5 total Quanta Helix light bars. (they are awesome and Luca is super helpful)

Two Reef Bright and 3 Mesa Blue.

Each one of the 2 0-10v RJ45's should support 2 devices independently from what I have gathered from their website.

That gives me a total of 4 controllable 0-10v inputs.

However, when programming the lights, each of the two light types(Blue and white) will follow their own schedule which makes me only need two total controls if those controls each can send the required signal to multiple lights at the same time.

Can the Dimming control input wires to the light bars be combined based on polarity and connected to the same RJ45 effectively controlling them with the same signal?

Sorry, I do not know enough to know if that creates a load that cannot be handled by either unit.

Surprise nobody answered yet..
Anyway this is more of a fyi than what you can actually do.

From reading and some experience with Meanwell 0-10v analog dimming the key may be the amount of current your controller has available on its dimming circuit.

Soo 2 on one dim output is a "maybe" based on the controller design and Meanwells design.
I know, kind of obvious huh..

I don"t believe you can harm anything by trying 2 on 1. I do know that one can blow the dim circuit on "some" Meanwells if you exceed 10v.

You can consult our overlord..
Last bit is what I was referring to. I do not believe the Meanwell will "pull" current (is that correct?) but needs a minimum available from the controller. That amount increases with the voltage increase.
JUST AS I understand it.. YMMV..

AI Overview




Yes, you can connect multiple Mean Well drivers to a single 10V controller by using a parallel wiring method for the dimming wires. Connect all the positive dimming terminals from the drivers to the positive output of the 10V controller, and connect all the negative dimming terminals to the negative output. You will need to ensure the dimmer can handle the combined current load and check the specifications for the maximum number of drivers allowed, as overloaded dimmers may not work correctly or could be damaged.



Wiring

• Parallel dimming: Connect the "DIM+" or equivalent positive dimming wire from each driver to the "DIM+" terminal of the 10V controller.
• Parallel dimming: Connect the "DIM-" or equivalent negative dimming wire from each driver to the "DIM-" terminal of the 10V controller.
• AC input: Connect the AC power input to each driver according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Important considerations

• Dimmer current capacity: The dimmer's current rating is crucial. For a dimmer that uses a fuse, calculate the total input current of all drivers and ensure it is less than the fuse rating. The maximum number of drivers is limited by this current draw, not just the 0-10V standard.
• Dimmer performance: If you exceed the dimmer's capacity, the lights may not dim correctly, or the dimmer could fail. Some dimmers may not be able to turn the lights off completely if multiple drivers create too much load.

• Number of drivers: The maximum number of drivers you can connect depends on the dimmer's power rating and the individual drivers' input current. You may need a larger dimmer or to split the drivers across multiple circuits for large installations.

A bit more on one Meanwell..

 

[GrimReefersDad]

Surprise nobody answered yet..
Anyway this is more of a fyi than what you can actually do.

From reading and some experience with Meanwell 0-10v analog dimming the key may be the amount of current your controller has available on its dimming circuit.

Soo 2 on one dim output is a "maybe" based on the controller design and Meanwells design.
I know, kind of obvious huh..

I don"t believe you can harm anything by trying 2 on 1. I do know that one can blow the dim circuit on "some" Meanwells if you exceed 10v.

You can consult our overlord..
Last bit is what I was referring to. I do not believe the Meanwell will "pull" current (is that correct?) but needs a minimum available from the controller. That amount increases with the voltage increase.
JUST AS I understand it.. YMMV..

AI Overview




Yes, you can connect multiple Mean Well drivers to a single 10V controller by using a parallel wiring method for the dimming wires. Connect all the positive dimming terminals from the drivers to the positive output of the 10V controller, and connect all the negative dimming terminals to the negative output. You will need to ensure the dimmer can handle the combined current load and check the specifications for the maximum number of drivers allowed, as overloaded dimmers may not work correctly or could be damaged.



Wiring

• Parallel dimming: Connect the "DIM+" or equivalent positive dimming wire from each driver to the "DIM+" terminal of the 10V controller.
• Parallel dimming: Connect the "DIM-" or equivalent negative dimming wire from each driver to the "DIM-" terminal of the 10V controller.
• AC input: Connect the AC power input to each driver according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Important considerations

• Dimmer current capacity: The dimmer's current rating is crucial. For a dimmer that uses a fuse, calculate the total input current of all drivers and ensure it is less than the fuse rating. The maximum number of drivers is limited by this current draw, not just the 0-10V standard.
• Dimmer performance: If you exceed the dimmer's capacity, the lights may not dim correctly, or the dimmer could fail. Some dimmers may not be able to turn the lights off completely if multiple drivers create too much load.

• Number of drivers: The maximum number of drivers you can connect depends on the dimmer's power rating and the individual drivers' input current. You may need a larger dimmer or to split the drivers across multiple circuits for large installations.

A bit more on one Meanwell..

Thanks. Also through research I found that the Apex could handle 3 on one circuit and 2 on the other as you can have around a 10 watt draw and they pull about 2 each to power the meanwell's ability to dim. haha, I just now have to find that cable! I did order one from BRS as i could not find a local fish store that had it. Thanks for your help!

 

[oreo54]

Thanks. Also through research I found that the Apex could handle 3 on one circuit and 2 on the other as you can have around a 10 watt draw and they pull about 2 each to power the meanwell's ability to dim. haha, I just now have to find that cable! I did order one from BRS as i could not find a local fish store that had it. Thanks for your help!

yea"IF" I understand my findings that current draw you listed is quite high. Again I'm NOT an electrical "guru" by any means.
But 10mA (@10v) is much smaller than the 200mA .. ;)

Note that at VEXT = 10 V you will have about 9.3 mA through D1 and R1. You need to ensure that your DAC can supply that much current.

For people smarter than me..
https://www.mouser.com/pdfdocs/meanwell-1-10V-Dimming-Control-For-LPF-HLG-and-HLN-series.pdf

The control device must be capable of sinking a DC current
flow from the driver. The maximum amount under any
condition is 500 microamps (uA) per driver

.5mA each

Source ..sink stuff is sort of confusing to me.

 

[PaulErik]

No problem wiring the (0-10v) dim wires from the power supplies in parallel. I have 6 Meanwells on one apex 0-10v channel. Each driver I have is rated 100 uA typical.