Adding a dimmer control to a Spectrum King SK600

[lusidghost]

I bought a second hand SK600 off of ebay for my veg room, but it didn't have a dimmer control. My ceiling is too low to run it at full power. I figured I could buy one and add it myself, but then I learned that you couldn't buy them from Spectrum King. I looked at the FAQ on their website and it said: "No! The manual dimmer option requires different drivers and parts. It is a factory installed unit. You can’t buy a product off the shelf and plug it into our lights to get dimming functionality. It just won’t work."

So I called the company asking if I could buy the dimmer and install it myself. The lady informed me that I would have to send it in so that they could install it. Along with a chunk of money for labor, the controller and the shipping of a heavy light.

I was an electrician for a period of time many moons ago, but I know nothing about LED drivers and such. Is there a way to do this myself with a different controller?

 

[MustGro]

Looking at the pics https://allgreenhydroponics.com/products/spectrum-king-sk600-full-spectrum-led-grow-light
It looks like there's s driver up in the top of the unit. If it's a meanwell you can adjust the wattage using the Lo port. Just pull the black plug out and use a small phillips screwdriver to dial the wattage up or down. You'll need a device like a kill-a-watt to see what the wattage is though. The ports can be on the top or bottom of the driver depending on the model (HLG vs. ELG).

 

[lusidghost]

Looking at the pics https://allgreenhydroponics.com/products/spectrum-king-sk600-full-spectrum-led-grow-light
It looks like there's s driver up in the top of the unit. If it's a meanwell you can adjust the wattage using the Lo port. Just pull the black plug out and use a small phillips screwdriver to dial the wattage up or down. You'll need a device like a kill-a-watt to see what the wattage is though. The ports can be on the top or bottom of the driver depending on the model (HLG vs. ELG).

Thanks! That's extremely helpful!

 

[MustGro]

Thanks! That's extremely helpful!

Here's a link that might explain some of it better https://growlightsaustralia.com/drivers/
The adjusting section is at the end.

 

[lusidghost]

Here's a link that might explain some of it better https://growlightsaustralia.com/drivers/
The adjusting section is at the end.

I have a couple of weeks before I pop seeds, so I haven't gotten around to this yet. But it seems super easy and will save me a lot of money. I have a kill-a-watt meter around here somewhere. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[MustGro]

I have a couple of weeks before I pop seeds, so I haven't gotten around to this yet. But it seems super easy and will save me a lot of money. I have a kill-a-watt meter around here somewhere. I'll let you know how it goes.

I made this thread from that article I linked you to. I think it's worth limiting the voltage also. https://www.rollitup.org/t/limiting-the-voltage-on-meanwell-drivers.1057751/

 

[1212ham]

I bought a second hand SK600 off of ebay for my veg room, but it didn't have a dimmer control. My ceiling is too low to run it at full power. I figured I could buy one and add it myself, but then I learned that you couldn't buy them from Spectrum King. I looked at the FAQ on their website and it said: "No! The manual dimmer option requires different drivers and parts. It is a factory installed unit. You can’t buy a product off the shelf and plug it into our lights to get dimming functionality. It just won’t work."

So I called the company asking if I could buy the dimmer and install it myself. The lady informed me that I would have to send it in so that they could install it. Along with a chunk of money for labor, the controller and the shipping of a heavy light.

I was an electrician for a period of time many moons ago, but I know nothing about LED drivers and such. Is there a way to do this myself with a different controller?

I'd guess since it's not a dimmable light they didn't use a dimmable driver. Get the brand and model number of the driver to look up and see if it has dimming capability. Based on the pictures, it's not a Meanwell.

 

[lusidghost]

I'd guess since it's not a dimmable light they didn't use a dimmable driver. Get the brand and model number of the driver to look up and see if it has dimming capability. Based on the pictures, it's not a Meanwell.

It is a dimming light. You have the option when you buy them, but I bought it second hand off of eBay because thought I could throw one in myself.

 

[1212ham]

It is a dimming light. You have the option when you buy them, but I bought it second hand off of eBay because thought I could throw one in myself.

I can probably tell you what's needed if you post the driver's model number.

 

[lusidghost]

Alright, my schedule fell way behind and I'm finally getting ready to attempt this thing. I have to transplant my seedlings and then I'm going to start inspecting the light. I'll report back.

 

[lusidghost]

If anyone still cares, this is the driver. I imagine the “V” with the twisty arrow is “volt” and hides the screw. I have a killawatt meter. What should I set it to?

 

[lusidghost]

I realized that asking what watt to tune it to was a silly question. I turned it down to 420w. It seems like that will be enough of a relief and I can lower it if necessary. I have a little light meter that sucks, but I know its relative readings. I'll have to dig it up tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the help. Sorry I took so long to attempt it.

 

[MustGro]

I realized that asking what watt to tune it to was a silly question. I turned it down to 420w. It seems like that will be enough of a relief and I can lower it if necessary. I have a little light meter that sucks, but I know its relative readings. I'll have to dig it up tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the help. Sorry I took so long to attempt it.

Glad that worked for. I wonder why meanwell has two ports on some?

 

[OSBuds]

Glad that worked for. I wonder why meanwell has two ports on some?

All About Drivers - Grow Lights Australia

Grow Lights Australia is an official Mean Well driver reseller. We have the best prices on Mean Well drivers with full Australian warranty.

growlightsaustralia.com

 

[lusidghost]

Up and running. It turns out 420w was perfect because I had to lower it a decent bit, but it still has a nice footprint.

 

[MustGro]

You can’t go by that link 100% @OSBuds. I bought those LEDs and wound up with an A/B driver that had no voltage port.
From the link you posted,
“ Mean Well “A” and “AB” type drivers are referred to as “constant voltage” drivers – even though (confusingly) they are really constant current drivers. Both drivers have a screwdriver adjustment dial under a waterproof rubber cap for both current (Io ADJ) and voltage (Vo ADJ).”

 

[cobshopgrow]

yes, the nanimg convention is confusing.
theyre all CC drivers up to a certain point and when you have the option to push the voltage pedal (A or some AB) you can make it a CV driver when you push it to max basically.
(leaving the cc region in the datasheet this way).

 

[1212ham]

You can’t go by that link 100% @OSBuds. I bought those LEDs and wound up with an A/B driver that had no voltage port.
From the link you posted,
“ Mean Well “A” and “AB” type drivers are referred to as “constant voltage” drivers – even though (confusingly) they are really constant current drivers. Both drivers have a screwdriver adjustment dial under a waterproof rubber cap for both current (Io ADJ) and voltage (Vo ADJ).”

I think the 320 watt is the oddball, the only A/B without voltage adjustment. It confused the hell out of me when the A/B first came out and little was known.