Cheap dimming (voltage) solution for Meanwell "D" models?

[DC5]

I think I am still going to put my Meanwells in an enclosure, in case I ever sell the setup. It will look clean and reduce clutter I think.

 

I have narrowed my list of parts, so I should be up and running within a week or so.

[reeftrinh]

if you go to the local flee market you are sure to find all types of wall warts. i found a few 9v supplies for $1 each =)

[redfishsc]

Yes but 95% of the ones I've found are NOT "regulated" and are utterly useless for the Meanwell unless you spend the time and frustration to solder up a voltage regulator.

 

If you use a "blind" 9v without checking the actual voltage output you are likely to have one that throws off way more than 9v, and the Meanwell is not designed to handle anything over 10.5v.

[redfishsc]

I found out today (using the same 9v regulated supply that I have) that you can set a Meanwell to run XPG's at 1500mA, but it will move your minimum dim setting way up to around 250mA, which is still fairly bright but probably fine for a reef.

[Stuginski]

Nice thread refishsc!!!!

 

This will turn my life much more simple...tomorrow i´ll search for a good and stable 9v power supply! I think that guitar pedals uses a very accurate 9V power supply source..I don´t know why but apparently the oscillation in this voltage aparently could cause strange noise.....so if I can´t find in any eletrical store ...I will search in guitar shops!!!! The amparage output of this power supply is important in this case???

 

Hails from Brazil

 

D

[redfishsc]

No, the amperage output isn't a big deal. The dimmer on these Meanwells does not draw much at all. I'm not sure they make a power supply plug-in that's too small.

 

 

I think they draw, if I recall correctly, about 3 mA. I supposed I could check mine with a multimeter next time I have it running just to see.

[Stuginski]

Thank you Red....

 

Do you know if this guitar pedals power supply could work? Somebody tried something like this?

 

Hails from Brazil

 

D.

[redfishsc]

Could you post a link to the one you're talking about?

[Stuginski]

Hi Red...

 

I don´t know if this link can help but....

 

http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-144...-para-pedal-_JM

 

of couser it is in Portuguese...my natural language...

 

In summary the text says that this power supply produces a regulate 9V voltage with 0.350mA without variation...

 

 

Hails from Brazil

 

 

D.

[therman]

That sounds like it should work then. "without variation" is the key. As long as you have that you're golden. If in doubt hook it up to a multimeter or take it to a shop that has one to check the output voltage.

 

Good luck!

Tim

 

Hi Red...

 

I don´t know if this link can help but....

 

http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-144...-para-pedal-_JM

 

of couser it is in Portuguese...my natural language...

 

In summary the text says that this power supply produces a regulate 9V voltage with 0.350mA without variation...

 

 

Hails from Brazil

 

 

D.

[Stuginski]

Thank´s therman....

 

I know that this is a basic question but: How can I ground the third leg of the 10k pot?

 

Best regards

 

D.

[Sailfish]

Would this pot work: http://cgi.ebay.com/Guitar-Pot-B10K-10K-3p...ab#ht_717wt_911 ?

 

It is meant to be used on guitars, amplifiers and stuff like that, but it should work for this to, wouldn`t it?

[redfishsc]

I don't see why not.....-- 10K ohms is the same regardless of how you look at it. Aside from the knurled knob it looks like any other 10K pot.

[Sailfish]

I don't see why not.....-- 10K ohms is the same regardless of how you look at it. Aside from the knurled knob it looks like any other 10K pot.

 

Ok, then I`ll order some

Plus I`m going to get a 9V wall wart

 

Can`t you feel it baby? I`m on a role!

[redfishsc]

How does this look for an LM317 circuit? I can't find the LM317 but I think this will work

 

[DC5]

I posted this in another thread, but it be more appropriate here:

 

Is it normal for the pot to not fire the LEDs until I turn if half way? They shut off like a light switch if I go all the way down as well. I set the meter to V, 200 level, and touched the red lead to the first LED + and the black to the last LED neg, and got 35.5, so I hope I did that correctly as well for vf. This was on the blue XR-E string.

[therman]

Hmm...not sure about that. Mine don't turn all the way off with the pot. What is the current at with the pot turned all the way up?

[redfishsc]

Both of mine will turn all the way off with the pot. Strangely, I recall my first array (the blue XRE) would NOT dim all the way down with the pot on it's lowest setting, but it does now. I rarely dim them so I'm not sure when it "broke in".

[DC5]

I haven't tested the current yet, I need to wire in the meter in series on one string to do that right?

[redfishsc]

I haven't tested the current yet, I need to wire in the meter in series on one string to do that right?

 

 

Yes, in series.

[vresor]

Hey DC, you've got the "extra" leg of the pot wired back to the negative side of the power supply, right? That was my issue.

[DC5]

Hey DC, you've got the "extra" leg of the pot wired back to the negative side of the power supply, right? That was my issue.

 

Yep, that is how I wired it.

[vresor]

Hmmm, I've noticed that there is a pronounced time lag in the output of the LEDs when I adjust a potentiometer, but it definitely uses the whole range.

[DC5]

So, to wire in my meter to test mA, can I just take the negative wire off the last LED, tie it to meter positive, and then tie meter negative to the driver ground (where the last LED would have gone)?

[noobwithatank]

so forgive me if im wrong but from reading this post.. and looking over the pictures. for doing this to 3 meanwell D's ive need

 

3 10k's Will 3 of these work?

1 wall wart One posted at start of thread.

 

If im wrong please correct me and tell me why.

thanks