Dimmer for LED?

[OOtzie]

Just installed rapidled.com's Nanokit and those lights are damn bright, any coral I had is opening only 50% from what they were doing pre-LED. Where can I find the appropriate adjustable dimmer for that kit?

 

[regal]

I assume you have the non-dimmable driver i.e. the current cannot be changed otherwise you would have to provide a 10V to the dimming circuit to get any light. You have the meanwell drivers right?

 

[OOtzie]

I assume you have the non-dimmable driver i.e. the current cannot be changed otherwise you would have to provide a 10V to the dimming circuit to get any light. You have the meanwell drivers right?

correct I have the Mean Well LPC-35-700W driver

 

[regal]

In that case, the easiest if not the only option is to use less LEDS in the setup.

 

[OOtzie]

there is no adapter or anything along those lines; I can't just install something it has to be a special ballast?

 

[ming]

you can install layers of window screen between your tank and the LED's
but if you wanted the LED's to be dimmer, yes, you would need a dimmable ballast

 

[OOtzie]

no big deal I just took out 2

 

[Chraddam]

I have been searching for a similar solution. I would like to have the led's come barely on at the beginning of the day and take about 30 minutes to come on fully. Then, at the end of the day have them gradually dim until they shut off. I have them on timers now, and I don't really like to shock my tanks with light. I have been looking for electric dimmers with timers and have had no luck!!! One would think there would be one out there, or maybe it's time to look into making one...

 

[CDANN76]

I have been searching for a similar solution. I would like to have the led's come barely on at the beginning of the day and take about 30 minutes to come on fully. Then, at the end of the day have them gradually dim until they shut off. I have them on timers now, and I don't really like to shock my tanks with light. I have been looking for electric dimmers with timers and have had no luck!!! One would think there would be one out there, or maybe it's time to look into making one...

you could go with a cheap controller like the reef angel(kinda need to know how to write lines of code) or the digital aquatics reef keeper lite w/ALC adapter(easy to use)..these will allow you to set a ramp up time..but both are fairly cheap for what you get and what they can do for you..

 

[Chraddam]

http://www.digitalaquatics.com/saltwater/ALC

Will this work with the powerbrite strips? I have 4 of them. What do you think??

 

[ming]

http://www.digitalaquatics.com/saltwater/ALC

Will this work with the powerbrite strips? I have 4 of them. What do you think??

Even though the dimmers exist, it wouldn't work unless your LED's have a dimmable ballast. The powerbrite strips are not dimmable. If your DIY your own LED without a dimmable ballast, it also won't work. You would need to DIY your LED with a dimmable ballast with the Reefkeeper and buy the ALC add-on and you have yourself a working dimmable setup. There are plenty of other ways you can dim but the point is you need a dimmable ballast first.