What do I need for dimmable T5s?

[bdare]

Hello all,

Currently I'm running a bunch of Kessils which are controlled by the Kessil controller. If I'd like to use the Profilux 4e to controll dimming of the T5's do I need any additional GHL hardware?

Thanks,
Ben

 

[porter_painter]

You have two choices for dimming t5s with GHL -

1. through the 0-10v port and a dimmer card PL-0556 card
2. through the Dali card PL-0600

Either option requires a suitable dimmable t5 ballast. GHL sell these in various sizes and both options.

I have previously used the Dali version as it allows multiple ballasts to be controlled daisy chained via a single wire from the GHL - and it also kept the L ports free for other uses. (I bought Dali ballasts from eBay and diyed my own light)

Hope that helps

 

[bdare]

What about the S-Port & L-Port Breakout Box? According to the site it can control lights (and looks a little better). Says it comes with 2 RJ12 cables which I'm assuming would connect to the 0-10V ports on the back of the controller?

As for the ballast, I bought the dimmable T5 retrofit kit from Bulk Reef. Comes with a dimmable ballast.

 

[Ditto]

I did a video on using the breakout box to control a kessil light via the 1-10 volt port and the S Port and L Port breakout box.



I am currently testing and soon will be doing a video on using the s port and l port breakout box.l on T5 dimmable ballast.

 

[bdare]

I did a video on using the breakout box to control a kessil light via the 1-10 volt port and the S Port and L Port breakout box.



I am currently testing and soon will be doing a video on using the s port and l port breakout box.

Great video! Thanks!!

 

[porter_painter]

What about the S-Port & L-Port Breakout Box? According to the site it can control lights (and looks a little better). Says it comes with 2 RJ12 cables which I'm assuming would connect to the 0-10V ports on the back of the controller?

As for the ballast, I bought the dimmable T5 retrofit kit from Bulk Reef. Comes with a dimmable ballast.

Yes, sorry I forgot about the breakout box as an option. I imagine the only downside is that it doesn’t turn your ballast off with dimmed to 0 like the other options...but not a big issue.

 

[Ditto]

That is true what I am doing is placing them on a power bar and will turn on the power bar 15 minutes before and turn off 15 minutes after. This will at least turn the ballast off when it at 0.

 

[bdare]

That is true what I am doing is placing them on a power bar and will turn on the power bar 15 minutes before and turn off 15 minutes after. This will at least turn the ballast off when it at 0.

Thought about that. For now I think I will just roll with the dim to zero option. My power bar is full. Since, at the moment, I don't foresee adding anything else to the tank I don't want to buy a full power bar for one outlet.

 

[bdare]

Ok guys.... I need some help. I'm finally trying to hook this up but struggling.

I'm trying to dim some T5s. The ballast has 2 ports for dimming (-)Dimming and (+) Control.

I then connected the (+) Control wire on the ballast to the 12V port 1 on the S&L box. I connected the (-)Dimming wire to the port 2 on the break out box 1-10v port.

The RJ45 cable is in the L1/L2 port on the controller.

As soon as I plug everything in the T5's go out. I've gone into both 1-10v interface area of GHL Connect as Illiumination Channels and turned all the lights intensity to 100 and nothing happens.

 

[vangvace]

@bdare any chance you can post a picture of the breakout box with the cover off? I think the wires might not be making a good connection inside the box and I know I had difficulty with the terminal block

 

[bdare]

Well.... I've made a little progress. I moved the wire from port 1 on the breakout box to port 4 (relay). Now the lights come on and I can definitely dim them. That's the great news. The bad news is even when I put intensity and color to zero, the lights stay on. I was really hoping they would turn off when dimming hit 0% intensity.

 

[vangvace]

Do they turn off at 100% intensity?

 

[bdare]

Do they turn off at 100% intensity?

No. They shine bright

 

[vangvace]

I wonder if you should be connecting (-)Dimming to (3) GND and (+) Control to the (2) 1-10V, but to be honest I am just guessing. It is annoying that I couldn't quickly find instructions for the ballast BRS sells online to assist.

 

[bdare]

 

[bdare]

nteresting... I might have to try switching some wires around. I got the dimming to work by connecting the following

Ballast......................Breakout box
(-) Dimming -----> 1-10v interface
(+) Control -----> Relay 1

Problem is... the lights dim, but don't turn off at 0%

 

[Ditto]

On the 1-10v port when you have the brightness set to 0 does it show voltage? Or is it also reading 0?

 

[bdare]

On the 1-10v port when you have the brightness set to 0 does it show voltage? Or is it also reading 0?

Controller says 0 in the 1-10 v section. I also changed the min value to 0 from 1.

 

[LC8Sumi]

You should connect the “Dimming control” (that’s the way its meant to be read and not seperatly) (-) to gnd on the breakout box and (+) to one of the 1-10v terminals. And then the breakoutbox to one of the L-ports (Yellow) on the Profilux

do not reverse the polarity or connect anything to 12V or the breakout to the s-port, as that will likely destroy the ballast and or profilux

here is a 3 channel example, with both of the L channels (well 4 actually but via 2 cables) connected to the profilux

On the bottom two L port breakouts, white is (+) for channel 1, red is (+) for channel 2, and the blues are the (-), so ground, and thus can be tied together.

on the top part the black/white white (+) is channel 4 and the black wire is the corresponding (-), so ground.

 

[bdare]

I ended up getting the dimming to work, but removed the S&L break out box because it does not turn the lights OFF.