reef-pi :: An opensource reef tank controller based on Raspberry Pi.

[oreo54]

I already try it.. max freq with the PCA9685 is 1.5KHz. I've tried frequencies from 100Hz to 1KHz with no luck..

Ok.. sort of gets to a driver (on light) signal (pca) mismatch.
I dont know how or why but it is leaning in that direction.
I dont think ther is anything wrong w/ the pi or the light. They just don't like each other in that way..

20KHz is "motor" pwm frequency. Not usually used for aquarium lights afaict.

 

[Simonv92]

Right now I'm checking the differences between the 2 driver circuit...
I only have some minor diferrences in the under voltage lockout protection resistor divider.
I can try to feed my driver with a 20KHz signal and see what happen..
I don't know why I have such a big "jump" in intensity from 0% to 1%...

 

[oreo54]

Right now I'm checking the differences between the 2 driver circuit...
I only have some minor diferrences in the under voltage lockout protection resistor divider.
I can try to feed my driver with a 20KHz signal and see what happen..
I don't know why I have such a big "jump" in intensity from 0% to 1%...

How are you judging the "moonlight" pwm level?
Like its 1%?

Also the gnc could be 16bit

 

[Simonv92]

How are you judging the "moonlight" pwm level?
Like its 1%?

Also the gnc could be 16bit

I found that value in the manual somewhere if I remember...
And also from the scope measurements it says that is 1% duty cycle..
Maybe it could be a 16bit PWM.. it is powered by an STM32 and it could be 16bit..

 

[oreo54]

I found that value in the manual somewhere if I remember...
And also from the scope measurements it says that is 1% duty cycle..
Maybe it could be a 16bit PWM.. it is powered by an STM32 and it could be 16bit..

Can you dim to 0.5%

 

[Simonv92]

Can you dim to 0.5%

I don't think I can... I can only set the % with 1 increment..

 

[oreo54]

I don't think I can... I can only set the % with 1 increment..

Maybe switch output boards.if one can

Adafruit 12-Channel 16-bit PWM LED Driver - SPI Interface

For all of you out there who want to control 12 channels of PWM, we salute you! We also would like you to check out this breakout board for the TLC59711 PWM driver chip. This chip can ...

www.adafruit.com

yea its a driver but..
something like this..

16-Channel 16-Bit PWM Servo Motor Driver Module Shield Expander Extension Expansion Board HAT for RPI Raspberry Pi PICO W H WH RP2040 Accessories​

• Note: Raspberry Pi PICO board is NOT included.
• The standard RaspberryPi Pico interface is only applicable to Raspberry Pi Pico W/H/WH.
• Up to 16 channels of servo/PWM output, 16-bit resolution for each channel. Onboard 5V voltage regulator chip, output current can reach 3A, can be connected to battery power supply through VIN terminal.
• The test code is in the WIKI English manual. waveshare.com/wiki/Pico-Servo-Driver

Waveshare Wiki

www.waveshare.com

 

[elysics]

Thank both for the comments.
The original driver uses the same driver (LM3409HV)
On the original I've meauser with the oscilloscope a 5V 20KHz PWM signal on the control pin.
On my driver I've setup the frequency output of the PCA9685 at 1KHz and I'm feeding the signal directly into the dim pin.
I'm using the latest version (6.0) of Reef-Pi

First image is the PWM signal on the original AirLink set to "moon light":

Second is the signal coming out of the PCA9685 with Reef-Pi set to 1%:

Online datasheet says that driver can handle analog voltage, so maybe try that. Smooth down the output of the pwm with a low pass filter, possibly an op amp for stability

You could hook up a sensitive lab power supply first to try out how well it works driver side. Refer to the datasheets example circuit for analog control

 

[Simonv92]

@oreo54 I'll do some research, thank you! @elysics do you have any schematic for the low pass with opamp? thank you!

 

[Simonv92]

Another maybe stupid question..
Using the “fixed” profile in the Light tab how can I set the led channel to be on all day? Start and End time are not clear to me…
Thank you!

 

[elysics]

@oreo54 I'll do some research, thank you! @elysics do you have any schematic for the low pass with opamp? thank you!

I just looked in my post history to find a schematic, a year ago you actually posted one yourself here lol

Mind the pin and analog Input voltage the driver datasheet calls for though

 

[oreo54]

@oreo54 I'll do some research, thank you! @elysics do you have any schematic for the low pass with opamp? thank you!

See the 4 types of possible "dim"..

Dimming Techniques for Switched-Mode LED Drivers

Rich Rosen, National Semiconductor Introduction The exponential growth of LED lighting has ushered in a vast selection of integrated circuit devices to provide controlled power to LEDs. No longer acceptable to an energy-conscious world, switched-mode LED drivers have long since

www.radiolocman.com

@oreo54 I'll do some research, thank you! @elysics do you have any schematic for the low pass with opamp? thank you!

I've never thought "analog" dimming works well on the low side..

Apply a voltage between 0 - 1.24V

Note behavior at origin:

 

[oreo54]

Followup to the "pico" board mentioned above..

Pico Servo Driver - Waveshare Wiki

www.waveshare.com

Haven't found an equivalent for other R Pi boards though.
Kind of odd it is so specific. Adapters?
Like I mentioned.. out of my pay grade..

 

[Simonv92]

I'm now thinking about converting the PWM from the PCA9586 into analog, then feed a tiny micro which will do analog to 16bit PWM.
I've done a test with an arduino UNO and a simple sketch and it works with 16bit PWM, I have the very dim intensity..
It's not the best way to do that but at least it works..

 

[Simonv92]

Maybe the best way to do that is to find an I2C 16bit expander and write a driver for it..
But software side I need some help

 

[yury88]

Thank both for the comments.
The original driver uses the same driver (LM3409HV)
On the original I've meauser with the oscilloscope a 5V 20KHz PWM signal on the control pin.
On my driver I've setup the frequency output of the PCA9685 at 1KHz and I'm feeding the signal directly into the dim pin.
I'm using the latest version (6.0) of Reef-Pi

First image is the PWM signal on the original AirLink set to "moon light":

Second is the signal coming out of the PCA9685 with Reef-Pi set to 1%:

Its same, but maybe you are recognize higher frequency as "dimmed"
Why you are not just setting up value lover that 1%?
Its 12bit I2c driver and can go as low as 0.024%

 

[Simonv92]

Its same, but maybe you are recognize higher frequency as "dimmed"
Why you are not just setting up value lover that 1%?
Its 12bit I2c driver and can go as low as 0.024%

How can I do that in Reef-Pi? The light tab allows me to dim from 1 to 100%
There’s an option to have the raw pwm value from 0 to 4096?

 

[yury88]

How can I do that in Reef-Pi? The light tab allows me to dim from 1 to 100%
There’s an option to have the raw pwm value from 0 to 4096?

I'm kinda give up on reef-pi and move over to Home Assistant.
But you can manually enter value to input field. I just checked it on virtual machine with reef-pi and its working:

 

[Simonv92]

I'm kinda give up on reef-pi and move over to Home Assistant.
But you can manually enter value to input field. I just checked it on virtual machine with reef-pi and its working:

I’ll give it a try this evening.. does it work also for interval mode? The one you can choose the intensity for each hour?
Thank you!!

 

[yury88]

I’ll give it a try this evening.. does it work also for interval mode? The one you can choose the intensity for each hour?
Thank you!!

Checked, no its not
So its UI problem and nothing you can do with that.