Hints & Tips on using the AI LED Controller

I NEED A QUICK PRIMER ON TIMERS.

Timers represent points in time within a 24 hour period (i.e. 8:00AM, 10:15 AM, 4:15 PM). A timer can change the brightness (intensity) of each color of LED's individually. Timers have a "ramp period" that defines how fast they set the new intensity. For example, setting a 60 minute ramp period means that it takes an hour for the intensity to change from one setting to the next. If the White LED's are at 0% intensity and the timer sets the whites to 90% brightness with a ramp of 120 minutes, it will take two hours for the lights to go from 0% to 90%.+

I HAVE MY WHITE LED'S SET TO 90%, BUT THE CONTROLLER ONLY SHOWS 60%...WHAT'S WRONG?

This is a very common problem. The answer...turn off the "lunar cycle." You only want to have the lunar setting on for a single timer, typically being the last timer of the day.  If you have 3 timers, put on timer 3. If you have 11 timers, put on 11th timer and so on. Don't use the lunar cycle unless all of your LED's are set below 10% intensity for that timer.

WHY IS IT THAT THERE ARE NO MOONLIGHTS?

Moonlights are easily simulated by setting the blues and/or Royal Blues to levels of 1%-3% intensities at night.

ISN'T THE LUNAR CYCLE THE SAME AS MOONLIGHTS?

INCORRECT. Lunar cycle increases/decreases your intensity settings based on the phases of the moon. As for moonlights, they can be simulated by setting very low intensities (1-3%) at night. If you have 1-3% settings at night AND lunar cycle is turned on, then you can expect 0% (no moon) to 6% (Full Moon) brightness at night.

Also, if the month/day/year are not set correctly in the Controller clock, lunar cycle will NOT work correctly. The lunar cycle corresponds with the ACTUAL cycles of the moon during the calendar year.

THE DASHES "-----" IN THE TIMERS MEAN THAT SPECIFIC LED IS TURNED OFF, RIGHT?

NO. This is 100% INCORRECT! What this means is that the intensity setting will remain constant throughout the rest of the timers, unless changed. For example, you want TIMER 1 to have all 3 LED's (W/B/RB) set to turn on at 9AM at 40% intensity, with a 15 minute ramp period. This is what your controller should read: (Sol Blue Model...sol white would only have white and blue).

TIMER 1: White 40%   Blue 40%   Royal Blue 40%

RAMP PERIOD: 15 min

LUNAR CYCLE: OFF

For the next timer you want to come on at 10 AM. You want the White to turn off and the Blue and Royal Blue both at 60%, with a 5 minute ramp period. Timer should read the following:

TIMER 2: White 0% *   Blue 60%    Royal Blue 60%

RAMP PERIOD: 5 min

LUNAR CYCLE: OFF

*Note that if you would have put White to ---, the setting would not have changed from its previous 40% setting in timer 1.

I HAVE A SOL BLUE MODULE AND IT WON'T LET ME CHOOSE ROYAL BLUE LEVELS AND DOESN'T SHOW UP!

Our controller is meant to be used on both the SOL BLUE or SOL WHITE. This is an easy fix. In the AUTO set up go to option #7 and select Sol Blue as the model. 

HOW DO I DELETE A TIMER?

Set the LED settings all to dashes (---). Press down on the knob and timer will read empty. It is okay to have empty timers in between active timers.

IS THERE A WAY THAT I CAN TEST MY TIMERS TO SEE IF THEY ARE WORKING, OTHER THAN WAITING HOURS FOR IT TO HAPPEN?

YES! Set the clock for one minute before the timer activates. For example, if you have a timer that kicks in at 1:00PM, set the actual time for 12:59PM and wait one minute to see the results. Be sure and set the clock back to real time when you are done.

Hopefully these FAQ's can help you out with any questions you may have in the future. If not make sure to contact us and we can further explain.

VIDEO ASSISTANCE

There are some easy to follow videos on setting up the AI controller to ne found here

 http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/video-tips-setting-your-aqua-illumination-controller