Aquaray© Dimming Module

[stevew@reefdreams]

Here is a Pic of the new Led dimming module:

http://www.reefdreams.co.uk/Images/LEDControl1.jpg

This should be available in the next 2 weeks. I'll finalise the pricing tomorrow.

This unit goes between the power supply and a single LED strip, it then connects to a Low voltage port on the Profilux.

Steve

[gtb]

do these work with the 'ProfiLux II Light' aswell?

[stevew@reefdreams]

They will work with any Profilux that has a spare 1-10v port and channel.

The Light has two ports and 4 channels, so you should be ok depending on what else you are running.

Steve

[rattters]

Steve, how would you go about connecting multiple Aquarays to the Profilux.

I presume you would need 1 of these units for each strip and daisy chain them together??

Mark

[stevew@reefdreams]

1 Low Voltage Port on the Profilux (e.g L1/L2) = 2 Channels
Using a splitter (e.g YL2-1) you can utilise both channels.
Multiple Dimming modules using YL2-1 splitters can be connected to one port but you will only have two lighting channels to control them so half will dim with one channel and the other half dim on the other channel.

Does that make sense?

Steve

[rattters]

1 Low Voltage Port on the Profilux (e.g L1/L2) = 2 Channels
Using a splitter (e.g YL2-1) you can utilise both channels.
Multiple Dimming modules using YL2-1 splitters can be connected to one port but you will only have two lighting channels to control them so half will dim with one channel and the other half dim on the other channel.

Does that make sense?

Steve

Thanks Steve

I think so:D

So if I have a Profilux II ex with a storm/light tube on L1-2 can it still be achieved using a different 'L' port?

Cheers

[stevew@reefdreams]

Thanks Steve

I think so:D

So if I have a Profilux II ex with a storm/light tube on L1-2 can it still be achieved using a different 'L' port?

Cheers

I have tried to clarify this in a separate post: http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2574924#post2574924

Hopefully that will help.

Steve

[rattters]

Excellent, thanks Steve:thumbsup:

[SimonS]

Is this going to be the only option or is there going to be another to suit Duo's (or more)?

For those of us with multiple Aquarays (I have 6 at the moment but will be going for more) I don't think that we need to control every one separately. It would be good to have a interface box that would take 4 or maybe 6 aquarays and control them together. Even better if it was able to handle less than the max so you could add the lights as you could afford them.

[rattters]

Is this going to be the only option or is there going to be another to suit Duo's (or more)?

For those of us with multiple Aquarays (I have 6 at the moment but will be going for more) I don't think that we need to control every one separately. It would be good to have a interface box that would take 4 or maybe 6 aquarays and control them together. Even better if it was able to handle less than the max so you could add the lights as you could afford them.

I'll be interested to see the answer to this as well:)

Any prices yet Steve?

[unprincipled]

I'll be interested to see the answer to this as well:)

Any prices yet Steve?

Me too, I've got 17 of the blighters and realistically I need to be able to dim 5 of them. Crucially, though, I would want them to all do the same thing so I would like to use as few L ports as possible. As well as that I have pretty much run out of space too.

[stevew@reefdreams]

Is this going to be the only option or is there going to be another to suit Duo's (or more)?

For those of us with multiple Aquarays (I have 6 at the moment but will be going for more) I don't think that we need to control every one separately. It would be good to have a interface box that would take 4 or maybe 6 aquarays and control them together. Even better if it was able to handle less than the max so you could add the lights as you could afford them.


They are going to retail for £34.99.

Due to the way the Aquarays have a separate power supply for each strip, I think it would be unlikely that a multiple unit would be manufactured, as it would need multiples of the same circuit board just mounted in a larger box. I can't really see a great cost saving available there to make it worthwhile. I will suggest it to the manufacturer though.

Steve

[SimonS]

Thanks for the info Steve.

I realise that you can only pass on the news from Germany but I think that GHL have really missed an opportunity with this product. Think about it this way - how many reefers have only one Aquaray strip? My guess is way less than 10%

I very much doubt that anyone with multiple Aquarays is going to purchase these interfaces at this price. While I do not doubt that £34.99 is a fair price for an interface I would expect that the actual cost of a slightly larger box and the necessary components to interface with 6 strips (3 Duo's) could be produced for less than double this price (£59.99?).
This member of the buying public would pay a premium of £10 per strip to control his Aquarays but not £35. At that price I will continue to use a B&Q timer.

[stevew@reefdreams]

Thanks for the info Steve.

I realise that you can only pass on the news from Germany but I think that GHL have really missed an opportunity with this product. Think about it this way - how many reefers have only one Aquaray strip? My guess is way less than 10%

I very much doubt that anyone with multiple Aquarays is going to purchase these interfaces at this price. While I do not doubt that £34.99 is a fair price for an interface I would expect that the actual cost of a slightly larger box and the necessary components to interface with 6 strips (3 Duo's) could be produced for less than double this price (£59.99?).
This member of the buying public would pay a premium of £10 per strip to control his Aquarays but not £35. At that price I will continue to use a B&Q timer.

Hi Simon,

Actually I think GHL have done a good job in getting a solution to market, many controllers are still trying to get any form of dimming control working and released after years of promise, let alone with a relatively new LED product.

It is the original design of the aquarays that is very limiting, you buy a duo and 2 power supplies.... hmm that makes any sort of dual control limited without replacing the power supplies.

So for each power supply you would still need exactly the same circuitry, you cannot simply and a few extra connectors. A box is the least of the problems, it's the duplication of the control gear for each power supply that is the costly factor.

On a general note though, I really do not think you need to dim every strip. Once an ambient level of light has been created there really isn't a great advantage in dimming subsequent lights.

There are definite advantages to being able to gradually increase and then decrease light from/to darkness. But once fish have been woken to a level of light additional lights turning on really does not bother the fish too much and is really not that noticeable on low output lights like the aquarays.

Some fish such as wrasses and the more timid clowns are far less likely to spook with a gradual increase/decrease from/to darkness but changes in intensity are really not going to have a great beneficial effect.

Just my opinion.

Steve

[stretchlong]

Are the Aquaray Dimming modules out yet?

Gav :)

[stevew@reefdreams]

We should be receiving our order in the next couple of days, apologies to those who have been waiting for the couple of items that we haven't had in stock.

http://www.reefdreams.co.uk/Images/AquarayDim.jpg

[shutterpunk]

Ill add another vote for controlling multiple modules! :-)
Make it happen Steve!

[stevew@reefdreams]

They are a bit flat out at the moment with the new P3, but I'll see what they can do when they have got on top of it.

Steve
P.S Glad you have finally found us over here :wave: