The ramp option within the profiles section of Fusion is most commonly used to control LED lighting with a variable volt output, which allows you to dim or shift color. For this episode, we'll be programming a pair of Kessil A360's to ramp up and down for dawn and dusk effects.
The Kessil's have two channels; light intensity and color. Both channels can be handled using the Kessil A360 control cable which you'll plug into the variable voltage port signified by the "v1/v2".
DUSK & DAWN INTENSITY: You will need to create 2 profiles; one to ramp up intensity, and one to ramp down. To begin, hit the "Profiles" tab in Fusion, select an unused profile.
Option: Name - Type in a name. Remember these names, you'll need them for configuring your variable voltage port. We named ours "KessilDawn" and "KessilDusk" respectively.
Option: Type - Change the type to "Ramp"
Option: Ramp Time - Enter how long (in minutes) you would like it to take to achieve your 'End Intensity'
Option: Start Intensity - Enter the intensity for your light to begin at.
If this is your ramp up/dawn profile, it's common to enter "0" for 0% here.
If this is your ramp down/dusk profile, it's common to enter "100" for 100% here.
Option: End Intensity - Enter the intensity for your light to end at.
If this is your ramp up/dawn profile, it's common to enter "100" for 100% here.
If this is your ramp down/dusk profile, it's common to enter "0" for 0% here.
Hit "Send to Apex" to program.
DUSK & DAWN COLOR: You will need to create 2 profiles; one to ramp up intensity, and one to ramp down. Follow these steps for each one:
Option: Name - Type in a name. Remember these names, you'll need them for configuring your variable voltage port. We named ours "KdawnColor" and "KduskColor" respectively.
Option: Type - Change the type to "Ramp"
Option: Ramp Time - Enter how long you would like it to take to achieve your 'End Intensity'
Option: Start Intensity - Enter the color intensity for your light to begin at.
Entering "0" or 0% will be as blue as it the light gets.
Entering "100" or 100% will be the least amount of blue as the light gets.
Option: End Intensity - Enter the color intensity for your light to end at. This will likely be the opposite of your "Start Intensity"
Once you have all four profiles created, you will need to tie the profiles to the variable speed "v1/v2" outlets that you plugged the Kessil A360 control cable into earlier.
Step 1: Begin by locating the variable voltage outlet labeled "varspd1" and click the settings gear next to it.
Option: Name - Enter a name for this output, we named ours "KessilPower".
Option: Control Type - Select 'advanced' and type in the follow three lines of code:
1: Set OFF
2: If Time 09:00 to 16:00 Then KessilDawn
3: If Time 16:00 to 18:00 Then KessilDusk
Notes: Change the times to match your preference, and change the profile names (KessilDawn and KessilDusk) to match what you've named yours.
Step 2: Locate the variable voltage port labeled "varspd2" and click the settings gear.
Option: Name - Enter a name for this output, we named ours "KessilColor".
Option: Control Type - Select 'advanced' and type in the follow three lines of code:
1: Set OFF
2: If Time 09:00 to 15:00 Then KdawnColor
3: If Time 16:00 to 18:00 Then KduskColor
Notes:
Change the times to match your preference, and change the profile names (KdawnColor and KduskColor) to match what you've named yours.
Set both "varspd1" and "varspd2" and you're done!
If you'd like additional controls, you can plug your Kessil powercord into the energy bar, and program the outlet in the output configuration tool:
Option: Control Type - Select 'Light'
Option: Fallback - Select 'Off' to turn the light off if the base unit ever get disconnects from the energy bar.
Option: On Time - Enter your desired on time.
Option: Off Time - Enter your desired off time.
Option: Shutdown Probe - Select the temp probe.
Option: Shutdown Value - Enter the temperature for the light to turn off if your tank is overheating for any reason.
Option: Hysteresis
Leave this at 30:00 which leaves the lights off for 30 minutes before turning back on.
On a final note, by the time you have seen this Neptune may have already implemented a new interface they're working on for the Kessil lights in Fusion which will make this process much easier. However what we did today can be used on any "ApexReady" light that uses a 12 volt variable voltage port to dim the lights.
If you have any questions about the Apex ramp profiles or any solid tips for your fellow reefers checkout the comments area down below!
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