Easy and cheap way to control Orphek LED bars

TX_REEF

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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
 

CBonito

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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

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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
 

fish farmer

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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.
 

SEvolution

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

TX_REEF

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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

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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.
 

myclang

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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.
 
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TX_REEF

TX_REEF

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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.
 

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