Please Contribute To Schematics for ON /Off Switches for Veggie / Flower Channels..

[RainerRocks]

Some of us starting this DIY for LED panels pretty much have the idea down on how to figure
out how many LED's you can put on a driver and wire them up to a power supply .


That being said I have no clue (and other DIY'ers) on how to wire a switch into panel to be able to control and shut on/off each channel independently of each other.

For those of us who want to move onto the next step of implementing an on/off switch any help would be appreciated. As of now I can only cut the power by pulling the plug which will shut down both channels.

For me I have 2 channels and can Dim each channel independently but I can't shut off a one or both channels via a switch because I don't know how to wire this.

I'm thinking it has to be maybe a relay (?) spliced in before the dimmer then wired to a toggle/rocker switch ?

Seriously..I have no clue and wouldn't try to do this this without some serious know how being it's electricity and it's dangerous if not done correctly. So I'll wait for replies before ever trying this myself and guessing.


Can anyone draw something on how it's done or what parts are needed to accomplish this ?

Thanks

 

[RainerRocks]

Well I went looking at switches..toggles ..push button and rockers and they had all these
letters describing them and I hadn't a clue what they meant.

So I went to youtube and found this video explaining what the letters mean which by the way is crucial to know for your type of switch.

It's a series on all types of switches and very informative for us who don't have a clue about them. I did learn that I need SPST switches for my toggle switch.

If you don't know what SPST means (I didn't) I advise you to watch these videos. These videos make it so easy
to understand switches and how they work and will give you the info to know which one you need for your set-up.


Just stay with it you will learn some info..only about 5-7 minutes long so be sure to watch them in order. Half way thru the 2nd video I knew which type of switch I needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i94ztd5D7VM

OK I got that part out of the way...what's next ?

 

[RainerRocks]

I'm a worry wart about fires....

After watching this video in the series I think I will go with a sealed switch. Doesn't cost much and I rather be safe than sorry considering we have these panels running many hours where there's water and humidity .

Notice at 7:24 it's a small sealed switch for smaller projects like ours.

Be sure to watch the whole video for live examples .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaAqklrFKgM

 

[Scotch089]

Thank you Rainer, though I didn't catch four? Gonna recheck.

 

[RainerRocks]

I wish someone would chime in and explain where do you wire the switch to..before the power supply or before dimmer and what else needs
to be wired into a panel to get it up and working.

I'm sure it's not that hard but then again I haven't a clue and will not do it until I know for sure ..lol

All my supplies for my DIY build are in the mail and on their way so I wish I knew how to do
this so I could order the parts

 

[mc130p]

I would use a switch and a relay on the power supply input voltage.

 

[match box]

Hi RR are you looking to put a switch in to the wire or do you want to have a box that the others plug into. If you want to put a switch in to the wire cut the wire where you want and strip the cover off the wire the switch will have screws to hold the wire you will want to have the white go to white and so on. You will want to use 3 wire cord so there should be white, green and black. I don't know if this helps or not. I can give more info if ya want a box that everything can plug into.

 

[RainerRocks]

Hi RR are you looking to put a switch in to the wire or do you want to have a box that the others plug into. If you want to put a switch in to the wire cut the wire where you want and strip the cover off the wire the switch will have screws to hold the wire you will want to have the white go to white and so on. You will want to use 3 wire cord so there should be white, green and black. I don't know if this helps or not. I can give more info if ya want a box that everything can plug into.

Hi MB

My power supply ..driver/dimmer .. led's and heatsinks on on their way.

I will have 2 channels that I can dim independently of each other.The only way to shut the power off is to pull the plug
and that will be a pain due to where the wall socket is.


Everything will have a metal enclosure with 2 holes on front panel for the 2 dimmer knobs. I want to have
2 switches (also on front panel ) one for each channel so I can shut off the power for each channel.

So if I buy 2 switches for each channel and connect the wire to the switches where do I wire it to ?

mc130p (previous poster) said I also need a relay .How do I wire the switch and relay in this system ?


There's only one plug that goes from the power supply to wall which controls the entire panel. I don't want 2 plugs so I don't want to touch that part.

Just 2 on/off switches that will be on the front panel that will control each dimmer channel
so I can shut either one off or on when I want.


I hope I'm making sense
.

Thanks

 

[heckler73]

Either there is some bizarre complexity in this problem I am failing to see, or this is just a simple issue.

Take the HOT wire (usually BLACK) and attach to one pole on the switch, and then run the other pole of your SPST switch to the HOT input of your driver.

You don't need relays, you don't need caps, you don't need anything special unless you are trying to debounce the switch for digital purposes (which you are not).
Although, you may want to invest in some decent connectors (and the associated crimping tool), so you don't need to use a soldering iron in case you need to replace it.



It's only a switch...not a PWM-controlled MOSFET dimmer.
By the way, what is this driver you are using?

 

[ya bongo]

The real problem here is, we have two dimmable Drivers on one PCB.

And now try to separate them for the two switches!
I see no way to do this.

yabo

 

[RainerRocks]

Either there is some bizarre complexity in this problem I am failing to see, or this is just a simple issue.

Take the HOT wire (usually BLACK) and attach to one pole on the switch, and then run the other pole of your SPST switch to the HOT input of your driver.

You don't need relays, you don't need caps, you don't need anything special unless you are trying to debounce the switch for digital purposes (which you are not).
Although, you may want to invest in some decent connectors (and the associated crimping tool), so you don't need to use a soldering iron in case you need to replace it.

View attachment 2635353

It's only a switch...not a PWM-controlled MOSFET dimmer.
By the way, what is this driver you are using?

Where ? Before my ac/dc power supply..after my ac/dc power supply ..after driver..before driver ?

Electricity is dangerous and want to be sure before I kill myself...this type of stuff needs to be done correctly and
I wouldn't feel safe trying to do this unless I'm 100% sure


Driver/Dimmer
http://makersled.com/?p=802


Sold here
http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/makersdriver-professional-grade-dimmable-led-driver/

Thanks

 

[RainerRocks]

So the only way would be to install 1 on/off switch that would control both dimmers on and off ?

Feel like pulling my hair out of my head lol

The real problem here is, we have two dimmable Drivers on one PCB.
View attachment 2635387
And now try to separate them for the two switches!
I see no way to do this.

yabo

 

[heckler73]

Where ? Before my ac/dc power supply..after my ac/dc power supply ..after driver..before driver ?

Driver/Dimmer
http://makersled.com/?p=802

Thanks

Okay, now that I see what you are working with, let me get this straight:
Are you trying to turn off BOTH channels on that dimmable driver at once? If so, put the switch inline with the POSITIVE supply voltage (coming out of the Power Supply to the driver).
If you are trying to interrupt each channel, individually, put the switches (since you'll need two) inline with the positive outputs.



Unless someone has a better idea.

 

[mc130p]

I'm going to recommend a great book: The Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill. This book will answer all of your questions on relays, switching, and circuit design.

 

[Sativa Dragon]

Power takes the path of least resistance, to accomplish what you want, you must do a bit of reading, easiest way I can think for your purpose is to creat all the circuits you require within the fixture, then put an isolator switch in the veg circuits and cut them out during flower and vice versa for veg. I can elaborate if you like I am not an electrical genius but I have thought about your challenge in depth.

Peace

 

[Scotch089]

Power takes the path of least resistance, to accomplish what you want, you must do a bit of reading, easiest way I can think for your purpose is to creat all the circuits you require within the fixture, then put an isolator switch in the veg circuits and cut them out during flower and vice versa for veg. I can elaborate if you like I am not an electrical genius but I have thought about your challenge in depth.

Peace

I would be interested in what you have to say Dragon, basically we are wanting to mimic what Hydro Hut, and Area 51 has done with their seperate channels..

Rsquared- I tore apart one of my Hydroponic Hut 180's that contains the same concept we are trying to achieve, I may sneak out and get some better pictures of the wiring diagram if you would like? I may be using it to model my DIYs off of down the road

 

[Sativa Dragon]

Ya mon, send me some pics of what you have, thing is I am a Machinest Mechanic/DIY adventurer, Trust me though it can be figured out there are certain laws that have to be followed in order to succeed. What is required is a guy who knows intergrated circuits. I could do it with arduino, anything else would take a long time but Iwould succeed.

Peace

 

[dochickory]

Okay, now that I see what you are working with, let me get this straight:
Are you trying to turn off BOTH channels on that dimmable driver at once? If so, put the switch inline with the POSITIVE supply voltage (coming out of the Power Supply to the driver).
If you are trying to interrupt each channel, individually, put the switches (since you'll need two) inline with the positive outputs.



View attachment 2635557View attachment 2635558

Unless someone has a better idea.

how about interrupt the ground w/ the switch to the chosen led, I've been dying to find someone to build panels w/individual controlled diodes, any mix, any time and furthermore control all this with an app. native and/or mobile, there should be an app for that!, I don't know much about this, but I'm asking questions and getting involved, here's a link http://www.ledgrow.eu/diy.html worth lookiing at I'm talking to Hans about different panels now.

 

[mc130p]

how about interrupt the ground w/ the switch to the chosen led, I've been dying to find someone to build panels w/individual controlled diodes, any mix, any time and furthermore control all this with an app. native and/or mobile, there should be an app for that!, I don't know much about this, but I'm asking questions and getting involved, here's a link http://www.ledgrow.eu/diy.html worth lookiing at I'm talking to Hans about different panels now.

I would look at the schematics for programmable LED signs. Then you can implement the same circuit and power different lights.

Also, while interrupting the ground will kill the circuit, if you are grounded and in contact with the circuit through some part of the case or something, if it was used as a ground for the circuit, you could get shocked. Turning the switch to off should remove the voltage from the circuit.

 

[heckler73]

how about interrupt the ground w/ the switch to the chosen led, I've been dying to find someone to build panels w/individual controlled diodes, any mix, any time and furthermore control all this with an app. native and/or mobile, there should be an app for that!, I don't know much about this, but I'm asking questions and getting involved, here's a link http://www.ledgrow.eu/diy.html worth lookiing at I'm talking to Hans about different panels now.

I am working on the assumption these driver channels share a common ground. If the interrupt is on the negative terminal, then that leaves the positive side still HOT. Any bridging between it and the ground of the other channel, and it'll turn on (while dumping that extra current into the other channel's ground).
By putting the interrupt/switch into the positive line, this eliminates the problem with shorts (not that it is necessarily a problem here anyway).

It's just a "murphy's law" precaution.
There is no special reason from a general function perspective.