How do I fit a dimmer to a led ?

Star Dog · Oct 19, 2022

Boatguy said:
Easiest way would be to check the lights voltage and amp draw during operation, and buy a dimmable driver.

The driver is dimmable in 20% increments i want 0-100%
I've got a controller coming now so its not important, however I still want to find out if a dimmer could've been wired to a rj14 lead/input, it looks like it can but idk?

Boatguy · Oct 19, 2022

Star Dog said:
The driver is dimmable in 20% increments i want 0-100%
I've got a controller coming now so its not important, however I still want to find out if a dimmer could've been wired to a rj14 lead/input, it looks like it can but idk?

Rj14 is 4 wire, 2 positives, two negatives. If i were to guess it would be 10v out of the driver and the reduced volts back via the other two.

Star Dog · Oct 19, 2022

Boatguy said:
Rj14 is 4 wire, 2 positives, two negatives. If i were to guess it would be 10v out of the driver and the reduced volts back via the other two.

That's helpful.. The 2 dimmer wires spilt into 4 wires on that little circuit board.

Boatguy · Oct 19, 2022

Star Dog said:
That's helpful.. The 2 dimmer wires spilt into 4 wires on that little circuit board.

Its just a guess. Sucks that the manufacturer doesnt supply the info you're looking for

Star Dog · Oct 20, 2022

Disclaimer..
idk anything about electronics you'd be crazy to listen to me, double check with a qualified electrician
:-)

Should anyone need full control in future it's a simple fix, cut the plug off and connect red and black.

It works in every configuration it's should including turning the light up/down and off through the Rj14 port whilst the light was in series/daisy mode.

I sort of knew it work i just wanted to put it to the test, curiosity, the need to know.

Star Dog · Oct 20, 2022

FirstCavApache64 said:
I hope you find a solution, I'm in the exact same boat. Being able to control the power from 0-100 would be a huge help.

There's a solution.

FirstCavApache64 · Oct 20, 2022

Star Dog said:
There's a solution.

I need like a plug and play solution. Soldering wires with shaky hands is super frustrating and messy. Let me know what you decide to try.

Star Dog · Oct 20, 2022

FirstCavApache64 said:
I need like a plug and play solution. Soldering wires with shaky hands is super frustrating and messy. Let me know what you decide to try.

I've got plans for a controller but if i wasn't I'd be happy to stick with post #25.

I can relate to unsteady hands soldering and fly tying are challenging these days.

FirstCavApache64 · Oct 20, 2022

Star Dog said:
I've got plans for a controller but if i wasn't I'd be happy to stick with post #25.

I can relate to unsteady hands soldering and fly tying are challenging these days.

Thanks, for some reason the page loaded with that post showing already viewed but I had missed it. Looks simple to configure, I'll have to check it out.
I couldn't tie flies when I had good eyes and good hands lol. I did a half decent deer hair popper for bass but I was a kid back then. Now it's corn on the hook and lazy fishing for carp and big catfish.

Star Dog · Oct 20, 2022

FirstCavApache64 said:
Thanks, for some reason the page loaded with that post showing already viewed but I had missed it. Looks simple to configure, I'll have to check it out.
I couldn't tie flies when I had good eyes and good hands lol. I did a half decent deer hair popper for bass but I was a kid back then. Now it's corn on the hook and lazy fishing for carp and big catfish.

I didnt think you'd seen it, the page would load where I quoted your reply, i should've tagged you in the post.

It's straightforward but if you need any help give me a shout.

Getting old blows!
I hate being a young man trapped in some auld cunts body :mrgreen:

FirstCavApache64 · Oct 20, 2022

I'm not old really in years as much as the miles have been rough lol. I'm in my mid 50s but feel 70 lol. Thanks for the tip on the dimmer, I cooked my plants good this round. I'll have a benchmark from now on though so I think I'll be good. Being able to dial in the exact ppfd with the dimmer helps me not have to raise or lower the lights as much and is a big help.

growflux · Oct 26, 2022

Here ya go. Read more here: https://growflux.com/blogs/compatibility/all-about-rj-style-connectors-for-0-10v-dimming

Star Dog · Oct 26, 2022

growflux said:
View attachment 5217985
Here ya go. Read more here: https://growflux.com/blogs/compatibility/all-about-rj-style-connectors-for-0-10v-dimming

Thanks for that buddy, i managed to work it out with help from the others.

I worked out both should dim it but wasn't wanting to push my luck, however in the link it recommended wiring the two, if I've read it correctly its only for redundancy?

Note that there are two pins for dim+ and dim- respectively. We recommend always wiring all four positions, this way if only two positions are connected inside your light

growflux · Oct 26, 2022

Correct - we have seen some lights that only have pins 2 and 3 or pins 4 and 5 wired. This connector follows an informal standard that is not codified in any way, so for us its best to be consistent and wire all 4 positions so our customers don't have compatibility issues.

farmingfisherman · Oct 26, 2022

lusidghost said:
I'm not an expert, but some of the drivers have a screw that can be manually adjusted. I turned one of my lights down by doing so.

That's how my HLG 260s work, little stopper on top with a small Phillips head screw under it. Not the most convenient but works great in combination with a wattage meter.

Star Dog · Oct 26, 2022

growflux said:
Correct - we have seen some lights that only have pins 2 and 3 or pins 4 and 5 wired. This connector follows an informal standard that is not codified in any way, so for us its best to be consistent and wire all 4 positions so our customers don't have compatibility issues.

I've no doubt you know this if you work with lights, a single wire is a pain to get a fix on, i ended up wrapping the copper around the sleeve to give me something to fix.

In future I'll know i can solder both - and + together should i need it.

So you work with lighting then, if you don't mind me asking in what capacity is your work?

There's a couple of members here that build and supply grow lights.

Cheers!

CWF · Oct 26, 2022

I was curious about the dimming interface; this old EE learned something. Good info.

growflux · Oct 26, 2022

We offer cloud enabled controls for horticultural lighting. You can buy our plug and play controllers directly at growflux.com. Use discount code riu10 for 10% off your first order.

You can also buy our integrated controls from brands like HLG:

1212ham · Oct 27, 2022

CWF said:
I was curious about the dimming interface; this old EE learned something. Good info.

Any idea how connecting an external controller disables or overrides built in dimming? Are there RJ jacks with a switch, like switched headphone jacks?

Star Dog · Oct 27, 2022

1212ham said:
Any idea how connecting an external controller disables or overrides built in dimming? Are there RJ jacks with a switch, like switched headphone jacks?

When you plug the controller into the rj socket in ext/daisy mode it takes control/overrides the light, for example if you turn it down/off using a controller when you unplug the rj cable it'll come on full power.

Does that make sense?

How do I fit a dimmer to a led ?

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