Installation Guide and Product Application for the

DimLux DUO Power Ballast and Maxi Controller 3.2

Installation The Maxi Controller and the Power Ballast can be placed either inside or outside an area which is to be lit. The Power Ballast can be delivered together with a pre-mounted cable and a terminal connection. The ballasts with pre-mounted cables are very suitable for installation in an area which is to be illuminated, and the ballasts with a terminal connection are very suitable for installation in a separate technical space.

Power Ballast Maxi Controller

Installation The Power Ballast can be either hung up or placed on the floor. During installation ensure that the connections can be easily reached with an appropriate screwdriver. The base of the ballast has a number of installation holes. Do not cover the ballasts which could affect the cooling of the housing. If the ballasts are installed in a cabinet, make sure that there is sufficient ventilation. If the ballast becomes too hot, it switches off automatically. (>70°C) At the back of the Maxi Controller there are 2 installation holes. Ensure that there is at least 5cm space around the Maxi Controller to make it possible to install a number of sensors. Connecting The DimLux Power Ballast can be delivered with a terminal connection or with a pre-mounted cable. In the case of ballasts with a pre-mounted cable, the cable with the “INPUT” label needs to be connected to a constant power source of 230 volts (a wall socket). The Maxi Controller controls the time circuits. So a relay board is not required. A fuse automaton of the correct value does need to be installed. Also make sure that the connections are well earthed to prevent malfunctions because of the high frequency. On the other side of the ballast there is a cable with the “output” label. This cable needs to be connected to the lamp/lighting fixture. In the case of the ballasts with a terminal connection, cables need to be connected between power supply and ballast and between ballast and lamp/lighting fixture. Make sure that here too there is proper earthing.

Ballast with

cable Ballast with screw terminal A connection has to be made between the controller and the ballast so that they can communicate with each other. This connection can best be made with speaker wire (red / black) of about 0.7 mm2. On the side of the Maxi Controller there is a green plug marked + 1,2,3,4. There are also 2 minus (-) signs.

Plug controller Each number represents a group of ballasts. Up to 40 ballasts can be connected to each group. So, with the Maxi Controller 4 x 40 ballasts can be linked up. The ballast has a connection with the label REM(ote) + and -. Up to 40 ballasts can now be connected by connecting the speaker cable to channel 1+ and by connecting the (–) channel to the green plug on the side of the Maxi Controller. The other end of the speaker wire is then connected to the rem + and the rem (-) connection of the first ballast.

Connection controller Connection (cable) ballast Connection (terminal) ballast The second ballast is then connected to the rem + and rem (-) of the first ballast, the third ballast to the rem + and rem (-) of the second ballast, etc., up to 40 ballasts. Of course, one can also connect fewer ballasts.

Connecting red/black speaker wire to the ballasts From the green plug on the side of the Maxi Controller, a further 40 ballasts can now be connected to channel 2 + and minus (-) in the same way. The same applies to channel 3 and channel 4. The number of ballasts can best be distributed across the 4 channels. In a case of a room temperature alarm, half the lights will go off. These are the lights which are connected to the even channels (2 and 4). The easiest way is to number the light fixtures as displayed and to connect the even numbers to the corresponding ballast which is controlled by an even number on the controller. The same can then be done with the odd numbers. This is not essential but does make the system complete.

Numbering the light fixtures

Starting with the Maxi Controller 3.2 with software 2.16 and higher, channels 3 and 4 can also be used for other purposes, such as controlling heating and/or a humidifier. If not more than 80 ballasts are used with this version and one wants to use the extra functions, channels 3 and 4 may not be used for connecting ballasts.

Product Application Starting up Because the Power Ballasts can also be used without the Maxi Controller and can also operate with a switchboard including a relay and timer, one needs to ensure when starting up using the Maxi Controller for the first time that the controller and the ballasts are able to communicate with each other. The controller has to recognise the ballasts. By making sure with the first start-up that the Maxi Controller is first connected to 230 volts and that only after this the ballasts are connected to 230 volts, the controller will automatically recognise the ballasts. This procedure is important for the system will not work otherwise. If one is operating with an ordinary switchboard with relay and timer, the rem + and (-) cables need not be connected. The ballast then works like any other ballast.

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The Maxi Controller The Maxi Controller can control both 400 watt and 600 watt lights. For this the controller needs to be opened by unscrewing the 4 screws at the back.

A so-called jumper is located bottom right on the circuit board. This is a bridge connecting the 2 contacts. When the bridge is pushed over the middle contact and the left contact, the controller turns on 600 watt lights. When the bridge is pushed over the middle contact and the right contact, the controller turns on 400 watt lights.

Sensors 4 sensors can be connected to the Maxi Controller. - Temperature sensor This sensor measures the temperature in the area (AT). The sensor needs to be hung up at plant height and needs to be shielded from the light’s radiation with a cover. With the help of this sensor the lights can be dimmed according to temperature. This sensor is also necessary for the calculating the VPD and possibly for turning on a heater. Connect this sensor to the controller’s “temp” slot.

400watt/600watt

Temperature sensor (AT)

- Humidity sensor This sensor measures the relative humidity. This sensor also needs to be hung up at plant height and must be shielded against the light’s radiation. The sensor is necessary when calculating the VPD and possibly to turn on a humidifier. Connect the sensor to the controller’s “RH” slot.

Relative humidity sensor

- Plant temperature camera The plant temperature camera measures the temperature of plants (PT). The difference in temperature between the temperature of the room (AT) and the temperature of the plant (PT) indicates the evaporation from the plant. The plant temperature camera is necessary to calculate the VPD and is also used to dim the light if the plant is becoming too hot. If the plant becomes too hot in relation to the room temperature, this indicates that evaporation has slowed down. By timely dimming of the lights in accordance with this difference in temperature, continuous photosynthesis will take place and the stomata will not close completely. This also prevents the plant’s wilting or burning. If the plant receives little to no water because of an external cause, the difference between plant temperature and room temperature will also be less. The plant temperature will even be higher than the room temperature. This happens especially in the case of buffer-less mediums such as NFT, aeroponics and clay granules. The plant temperature camera needs to be connected to the “INFRARED” slot on the controller. Place the camera at an angle of 45o, aimed at the plant under a light. At a distance of 40 cm the camera will measure an area with a diameter of 40cm; at 80 cm distance with a diameter of 80 cm, etc.

Plant temperature camera (PT)

- CO2 sensor Using the CO2 sensor, the CO2 value near the plant can be read out from a distance and if necessary CO2 can be dosed by the sensor. If the CO2 sensor is used together with the PT camera and the temperature sensor, the sensor will not dose any more CO2 if the plant temperature is too high. There is a light cell in the CO2 sensor which measures whether the plant is in the day cycle. During the night cycle no CO2 is dosed. The sensor must be hung at the height of the plant in a place where the light can fall on the light cell. The sensor itself needs to be connected to a wall socket and the cable with data plug must be connected to the “CO2” slot on the controller. A CO2 generator or a pressure-reducing valve with a valve for cold CO2 can then be connected to the power point in the sensor.

CO2 sensor

The keys The OFF/MODUS key. With this key the DimLux Ballasts are automatically or manually switched on and off. By repeatedly pressing this key, the following options can be selected:

Lights are OFF: In this position, the DimLux Ballasts are continuously off (24 hours/day). The controller can be operated as usual. By first pressing the OFF/MODUS key and then the + key, the OFF function becomes immediately active; this is a quick choice key. Lights are continuously ON: In this position the DimLux Ballasts are continuously off (24 hours/day). By first pressing the OFF/MODUS key and then the – key, the ON function becomes immediately active; this is a quick choice key. Lights controlled by TIMER: In this position the DimLux Ballasts go on and off based on the times which have been put into the TIMER ON/OFF. Lights controlled by COUNTDOWN: In this position the DimLux Ballasts go on and off based on the times which have been put into the COUNTDOWN ON/OFF.

The ESCAPE key. If you are in a menu and want to get out of it, press this key once. By repeatedly pressing this key, you switch between the main screen, the CO2 screen and the sensor screen. The SET key. If you want to access the menu of a screen, press this key. Using the + and – keys you can make your way through the menu. If you want to set something, you do so by pressing SET once more. The screens The main screen; In the main screen you will find all information about DimLux illumination and its status.

By pressing the + or (-) key in this screen, one manually changes the output of the Power Ballast. By changing the set output, one dims the lights manually up to a minimum of 35%. The power consumption by the lights changes correspondingly. By pressing the SET key in this screen, the parameters can be adjusted. By pressing the + or (-) key in the menu, one moves through the menu. Setting the clock

1) The first item in the menu is the setting of the current time. This is the basis of all switches that can be made. By pressing SET once in this item, the hours can be set using the + and (-) key. By pressing the SET key once more, the minutes can be set. By pressing the SET key again, the set time is saved. Setting the timer

2) The second item in this menu is the on/off time for the lights. This allows the times to be set when the lights go on and off. By pressing SET in this item, using the + and (-) key one can set the hour that the lights go on. By pressing SET once more, the minutes can be set when the lights go on. The hour of the time that the lights go off is set by pressing the SET key once more, the minutes by again pressing the SET key. When the on/off times have been correctly set, this is confirmed by pressing the SET key once more.

Countdown setting 3) This is the setting of the countdown mode. When, using the MODUS button, lights controlled by countdown have been selected, the light-on and light-off times can be set. In this mode, times can be set which are not possible with an ordinary timer. It is an asynchronous timer. The lights can be switched, for example, 10 hours on > 10 hours off > 10 hours on >10 hours off, etc. This can reduce the total cultivation by 2 weeks.

Sunrise and sunset 4) In this item, a sunrise and/or a sunset can be simulated. The sunrise time can be set in steps of 10 minutes from 0 up to 300 minutes. By pressing the SET key and using the arrow keys to select the minutes the rise time can be set. For example, if a rise time of 60 minutes has been selected, the light will come on at 35% and 60 minutes later will illumine at 100%. By again pressing the SET key, the sunset can be simulated. Here, too, the time can be set by using the arrow keys. Again, confirm the setting using the SET key.

Temperature protection 5) In this item, 3 room temperature protections can be set, namely, L (low), H (high) and S (shutdown). By pressing the SET key once, the L temperature limit can be changed by using

the arrow keys. If this temperature is exceeded, the lights will go dim in order to keep the room temperature at the desired level. The lights do not dim lower than 35%. By again pressing SET, the H (high) temperature protection can be set by using the arrow keys. When the lights have been dimmed to the maximum and the temperature which has been set in H is still exceeded, all ballasts which are connected to an even channel of the Maxi Controller will turn off. If SET is pressed again, the S (shutdown) temperature can be set. If the L function and the H function are active and the temperature becomes higher than the temperature set at S, all lights go out. Confirm by using the SET key. It is important to keep at least 2 degrees between the temperature limits to ensure steady operation of the system.

Fine adjustment of room temperature sensor 7) This is the fine adjustment of the temperature sensor. By adjusting this, the sensor can be adjusted equal to other temperature sensors in the area. If this sensor already positions at a value other than 0 from the factory, it has been factory calibrated. When using the plant temperature camera it is advisable to adjust the area temperature sensor to the plant

temperature camera. At a constant operating temperature of 28℃, this is done by aiming the plant temperature

camera in the shade at the silver coloured end of the sensor. The PT must indicate about the same value as the AT in

the sensor screen. If the AT differs by more than half a degree, this can best be adjusted in this menu.

Lumen boost/Overdrive 8) With this setting the light output of the lamp is increased. By pressing SET, the boost function (overdrive) can be set to on or off with the arrow key. With a 230 volt ballast the wattage is increased by 60 watt using a 600 watt lamp (total of 660 watt). In the case of a 400 watt lamp this is 90 watt (total of 490 watt). If 400 volt ballasts are used with a 600 watt lamp, the boost is + 90watt so that the output of the lamp becomes 690 watt. This has almost no adverse effect on the ageing of the lamp.

Power failure 9) With this function in the continue position, the lights simply go on again after a power cut when the power is restored. If this is set on the hold position, the escape key must be pressed

after a power cut to enable the lights to turn on again. By pressing the SET key, a choice can be made by using the arrow key.

Backlight LCD screen 10) If the function is in the ON position, the display lights up continuously as blue. If the function is in the AUTO OFF position, the backlight goes out after 20 seconds and comes on again after pressing a key.

Half the lights off 11) In this item, by pressing SET, and using the arrow keys, one can choose between all lights on (half force off) or half the lights on (half force on). So, the lights/ballasts which are connected to the even channels of the Maxi Controller go off in the case of half force on. Half force can be used if the light is on in 2 areas at the same time but the power supply for this is not sufficient. (2x 18/6 hours)

Extra function for channels 3 and 4 12) If not more than 80 ballasts are connected to 1 Maxi Controller, channels 1 and 2 of the installation are sufficient. Channels 3 and 4 are therefore surplus and can be used for other purposes in this submenu. By pressing the SET key, one can leaf through the submenu with the help of the arrow key. As a function for channels 3 and 4 one can choose between:

- Normal. Channels 3 and 4 are used to control ballasts. - 3/4 invert. Channels 3 and 4 control ballasts if channels 1 and 2 do not control any

ballasts (dual room).

- CH4 heater Channel 4 can control a heater with the help of a SSR (extra acc.).

- CH4 relay Channel 4 can control a relay together with the light (e.g. TL or LED)

with the help of a SSR (extra acc.).

- CH3 RH Channel 3 can control a humidifier with the help of a SSR (extra acc.).

- CH3 RH, CH4 Heat Channel 3 can control a humidifier and channel 4 a heater with

the help of 2 SSR (extra acc).

A SSR is a Solid State Relay. This is a special relay which can switch large currents and which can be controlled by using the Maxi Controller. A SSR has no moving parts and is therefore very reliable and super quiet. Any adjustments made need to be repeatedly confirmed by pressing the SET key.

Heater thermostat 13) If channel 4 in item 12 controls a heater, the temperature can be set in this item at which the heater has to turn on. Press SET and set the temperature by using the arrow keys. The heater will be active only in the night position.

Humidistat 14) If channel 3 in item 12 controls a humidifier, the humidity can be set in this item at which the humidifier has to turn on. Press SET and set the humidity (RH%) by using the arrow keys. The humidifier will be active only in the day position.

The CO2 screen By pressing the ESCAPE key once on the main screen, the CO2 screen appears.

The top line in the screen represents the actual CO2 value in the area. The bottom line represents the value set by the user. The values in this screen can be changed by pressing the + or (-) key. For example, if the value is set on 800 ppm, then the CO2 sensor which is hanging in the area will receive a signal to dose CO2 until the value in the area is 800 ppm. So, above the 800 ppm no CO2 is added, but under the 800 ppm CO2 will be added. By pressing the SET key once, the settings menu can be opened with regard to CO2 dosing.

Start dosing time In the first item of the menu, one can select to slow down the CO2 dosing in steps of 10 minutes from the time at which the lights go on. The light goes on but CO2 is dosed only after the number of minutes that has been set in this item has been passed. With this option one prevents unnecessary CO2 being dosed while the plant’s photosynthesis is not yet completely in process. By pressing SET the minutes can be changed by pressing the +(-) key. Confirm by using SET.

Stop dosing time This item is the same as the previous item; however, here the minutes are set when the CO2 dosing has to stop before the light goes off. It makes little sense to add CO2 when the light is going off within a few minutes. So, it is possible to deal very efficiently with CO2 by using these 2 functions. By setting the settings at 0 minutes, this function has been switched off.

Modulation Modulation is the next item in the CO2 menu. If too large a burner is being used in too small an area, peak values will occur because the CO2 burner is producing too much CO2 in comparison. By setting the modulation at a lower position, for example by a setting at 50%, the burner will go on for 10 seconds and go off for 10 seconds. If the correct burner has been selected or if one is operating with cold CO2, it is best to leave the value at 100%.

Calibrating the sensor The next item is the calibration of the sensor. The CO2 sensor of the DimLux system itself can be calibrated. So, the sensor does not have to be sent back to the manufacturer to be calibrated. At ground level, the CO2 value of the outside air is about 400 ppm. By placing the sensor in the outside air for more than 10 minutes by using an extension cord, it is possible to check whether the sensor is indicating the correct value. If the display gives a value other than 400 ppm, this can be corrected by pressing SET and adjusting the value up or down by using the + or (-) key. If the display gives an outside value of 500 ppm, for example, the value must be adjusted by selecting -100 in the menu.

At least 6 seconds of dose time If one is operating with a CO2 generator, it may be important for the flame in the generator to burn for at least 6 seconds in order to prevent incomplete combustion. If the flame always burns for only 1 second, undesirable gases may be released. By extending this time, the CO2 value may be exceeded but the situation will be somewhat more comfortable.

The sensor screen. This screen indicates all the data from the climate sensors, namely, relative humidity (RH%), room temperature (AT), and plant temperature (PT).

The sensor screen In this screen, one can also see the VPD (vapour pressure deficit). This is the evaporation pressure and indicates what the potential evaporation is. (The controller can calculate this value only if the room temperature sensor as well as the plant temperature camera and the relative humidity sensor are connected.)

Delta-T In this screen, by using the arrow keys, one can select the actual plant temperature (PT) or the difference between the room temperature (AT) and the plant temperature. This is indicated as delta-T (DT). Behind this screen there is a settings menu. By pressing the SET key once, one can go through the menu by using the + and (-) keys. By pressing the SET key again, values can be changed.

Start dimming The first item says: PT>AT start dimming. By monitoring the plant temperature and the air temperature in the sensor screen, one can determine the temperature difference between these 2 values during the day period. During the day this difference should be about the same or it could gradually go up a little. If, in the event of a climatic error (too high concentration of CO2 or too little water), the difference becomes too great, the DimLux can start to dim and stop the CO2 dosing. To find out what value should be set to dim the lights based on plant temperature, the dT of a full-grown plant (beginning to flower) needs to be watched during the first few hours of the day.

If during the first few hours the dT is about -3℃, a margin of 2℃ may be maintained and -1℃ must be entered at START DIMMING. This margin is an average; in case of a lower margin one intervenes earlier but then the system also becomes more sensitive to unnecessary dimming. If something has changed that causes the plant temperature to change, ensure that the dT is checked again during the first hours of the day and that the START DIMMING setting is adjusted again. The plant temperature increases when: the CO2 value goes up; the humidity increases; the height of the lamp is lowered; ventilation is poor; or the air temperature increases. A higher air temperature does not affect the dT alone because the dT increases gradually with the air temperature. The setting can be changed from off>-5,-4,-3,-2,-1,0, to +5 degrees.

Shutdown PT > AT SHUT DOWN If the plant temperature keeps rising despite the dimming, the tripping temperature can be set. This value would have to lie at least 2℃ above the START DIMMING value to ensure calmer operation. It is also possible to select a higher value. So, if -1 is selected for START DIMMING, at least +1 must be selected for the SHUTDOWN. If the tripping temperature is exceeded the controller will switch the lights off and the lights will remain off until the next day. This is because if the plant temperature keeps going up in relation to the air temperature something must be wrong with the plant’s evaporation. There is no point then in switching the lights on again that same day while the problem has not been resolved; the plant is probably much too dry.

Calibration of PT camera The next item in this menu is the offset of the camera. Here the plant temperature can be calibrated. If the PT camera at 28o is aimed at the room temperature sensor, it is important that they both indicate the same temperature. Press SET and adjust any deviation by using the + and (-) keys until the deviation is no more than 0.5o between the AT and the PT. (see also chapter 7 of the main screen menu)

Calibration of RH% sensor The RH% sensor can also be calibrated. In the next item, in any case of deviation, the sensor for the relative humidity can be adjusted by pressing SET and adjusting the value by using the + and (-) keys until this is correct. The Power Ballast The Power Ballast has a built-in diagnostic system with the help of 2 LEDs. There is a red and a green LED on the ballast. If there is a fault in the system, one can see from the status of the LEDs what the fault is. Status HTP LVP HVP SHORT OPEN ON STANDBY NR Red on flashing on flashing flashing off off on Green on flashing flashing off on on flashing off HTP = High temperature protection> The ballast is too hot and switches off. LVP = Low voltage protection> The power supply voltage is too low (<0volt). HVP = High voltage protection> The power supply voltage is too high. Short = Short-circuit> Short circuit between the ballast and the lamp; check the wiring and the

fitting. Open = Open contact>There is a break between the ballast and the lamp or the lamp is defective. O = The ballasts are on. Standby = The ballast stands on standby and the lamp is off. NR = No Remote. The ballasts are operating without Maxi Controller or there is no connection

between controller and ballast.