What controller works with Aquatic life hybrid dimmable dx18

[Robg139]

Just bought the aquatic life dx18 dimmable and want to match my AI hydra light schedule but do not have a controller. I read it needs. 0-10v controller and I would rather not spend the money on an apex. Is there any cheaper option on how to dim the T5s to match my AI lighting schedule. Any other controllers ?

 

[oreo54]

Just bought the aquatic life dx18 dimmable and want to match my AI hydra light schedule but do not have a controller. I read it needs. 0-10v controller and I would rather not spend the money on an apex. Is there any cheaper option on how to dim the T5s to match my AI lighting schedule. Any other controllers ?

Sort of, but takes some work and some err "skill" in understanding Chinese stuff and some electronics.
From stuff like this

0-10v Dimmer Din Rail Auto Led Lighting System Smart Home Technology - Buy Smart Home Technology,0-10v Dimmer,Auto Led Lighting System Product on Alibaba.com

0-10v Dimmer Din Rail Auto Led Lighting System Smart Home Technology - Buy Smart Home Technology,0-10v Dimmer,Auto Led Lighting System Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

to cheap 5v pwm controllers plus 0-10v converter boards.
From converted tc-420s to bluefishes there are all sorts of prices.

HurricaneX Digital LED Controller-843546835

www.stevesleds.com

10V PWM Converter (5V PWM into 3-in-1 10V PWM)-357981357

www.stevesleds.com

Full bluefish does both,

Bluefish LED CONTROLLER | BLUEFISH Aquarium LED Controller

Control your lighting from your phone or tablet! Bluefish LED controller is an app-enabled (Android/iOS), Wi-Fi connected device that can control a multitude of lighting products. With Bluefish, you can even control many LED products that do not have dimming interfaces or dimmable drivers...

aquarium-led-controller.com

Q. Can I mix lighting types? PWM and 0-10V?


A. Yes, each channel is independently configurable to be either 0-5V analog, 0-10V analog, 5V PWM, or 10V PWM.

 

[Robg139]

Awesome thankyou I will definitely look into it. As I know very little about lighting and lighting configuration.

 

[Robg139]

So basically the bluefish I wouldn’t need to upgrade the analog ? It would be compatible stock? I also heard something about the Kessil spectral x since it’s a 0-10v controller, but some of the reviews where that the t5s didn’t react as much as toned down or up.

 

[oreo54]

So basically the bluefish I wouldn’t need to upgrade the analog ? It would be compatible stock? I also heard something about the Kessil spectral x since it’s a 0-10v controller, but some of the reviews where that the t5s didn’t react as much as toned down or up.

Yea I probably shouldn't be so caviler about 10v analog. I tried it briefly and abandoned it soon after..It is one of those "mistakes" that became an industry standard as far as I'm concerned.

I was leaning to a Profile mini based on this thread till I realized the quoted price of $139.99 (Oct. 2019) is now $269.90.

ProfiLux Mini Wi-Fi Head Unit – GHL USA

www.aquariumcomputer.com

DX18 Hybrid Dimming controllers

I just did a bunch of testing with the Kessil controller and heres the thing. It sorta works and sorta doesn't. 1. The HEP ballast uses a sinking 0-10v setup. The ballast provides the 10v and its up to the controller to reduce that voltage to something between 0-10v. 2. Kessil...

www.reef2reef.com

Much will probably depend on how the orig driver is designed..
Normally one can only effectively dim to like 10% (or greater) then use a timer to shut the driver off from the mains.