Adding a dimmer control to a Spectrum King SK600

lusidghost

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
I bought a second hand SK600 off of ebay for my veg room, but it didn't have a dimmer control. My ceiling is too low to run it at full power. I figured I could buy one and add it myself, but then I learned that you couldn't buy them from Spectrum King. I looked at the FAQ on their website and it said: "No! The manual dimmer option requires different drivers and parts. It is a factory installed unit. You can’t buy a product off the shelf and plug it into our lights to get dimming functionality. It just won’t work."

So I called the company asking if I could buy the dimmer and install it myself. The lady informed me that I would have to send it in so that they could install it. Along with a chunk of money for labor, the controller and the shipping of a heavy light.

I was an electrician for a period of time many moons ago, but I know nothing about LED drivers and such. Is there a way to do this myself with a different controller?
 
MustGro

MustGro

Well-Known Member
Looking at the pics https://allgreenhydroponics.com/products/spectrum-king-sk600-full-spectrum-led-grow-light
It looks like there's s driver up in the top of the unit. If it's a meanwell you can adjust the wattage using the Lo port. Just pull the black plug out and use a small phillips screwdriver to dial the wattage up or down. You'll need a device like a kill-a-watt to see what the wattage is though. The ports can be on the top or bottom of the driver depending on the model (HLG vs. ELG).
 
lusidghost

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
MustGro said:
Looking at the pics https://allgreenhydroponics.com/products/spectrum-king-sk600-full-spectrum-led-grow-light
It looks like there's s driver up in the top of the unit. If it's a meanwell you can adjust the wattage using the Lo port. Just pull the black plug out and use a small phillips screwdriver to dial the wattage up or down. You'll need a device like a kill-a-watt to see what the wattage is though. The ports can be on the top or bottom of the driver depending on the model (HLG vs. ELG).
Click to expand...
Thanks! That's extremely helpful!
 
MustGro

MustGro

Well-Known Member
1

1212ham

Well-Known Member
lusidghost said:
I bought a second hand SK600 off of ebay for my veg room, but it didn't have a dimmer control. My ceiling is too low to run it at full power. I figured I could buy one and add it myself, but then I learned that you couldn't buy them from Spectrum King. I looked at the FAQ on their website and it said: "No! The manual dimmer option requires different drivers and parts. It is a factory installed unit. You can’t buy a product off the shelf and plug it into our lights to get dimming functionality. It just won’t work."

So I called the company asking if I could buy the dimmer and install it myself. The lady informed me that I would have to send it in so that they could install it. Along with a chunk of money for labor, the controller and the shipping of a heavy light.

I was an electrician for a period of time many moons ago, but I know nothing about LED drivers and such. Is there a way to do this myself with a different controller?
Click to expand...
I'd guess since it's not a dimmable light they didn't use a dimmable driver. Get the brand and model number of the driver to look up and see if it has dimming capability. Based on the pictures, it's not a Meanwell.
 
lusidghost

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
1212ham said:
I'd guess since it's not a dimmable light they didn't use a dimmable driver. Get the brand and model number of the driver to look up and see if it has dimming capability. Based on the pictures, it's not a Meanwell.
Click to expand...
It is a dimming light. You have the option when you buy them, but I bought it second hand off of eBay because thought I could throw one in myself.
 
lusidghost

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
Alright, my schedule fell way behind and I'm finally getting ready to attempt this thing. I have to transplant my seedlings and then I'm going to start inspecting the light. I'll report back.
 
lusidghost

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
If anyone still cares, this is the driver. I imagine the “V” with the twisty arrow is “volt” and hides the screw. I have a killawatt meter. What should I set it to?
FE4000D1-40DC-43D9-9FEE-FB908ACD0AB8.jpeg
 
lusidghost

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
I realized that asking what watt to tune it to was a silly question. I turned it down to 420w. It seems like that will be enough of a relief and I can lower it if necessary. I have a little light meter that sucks, but I know its relative readings. I'll have to dig it up tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the help. Sorry I took so long to attempt it.
 
MustGro

MustGro

Well-Known Member
lusidghost said:
I realized that asking what watt to tune it to was a silly question. I turned it down to 420w. It seems like that will be enough of a relief and I can lower it if necessary. I have a little light meter that sucks, but I know its relative readings. I'll have to dig it up tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the help. Sorry I took so long to attempt it.
Click to expand...
Glad that worked for. I wonder why meanwell has two ports on some?
 
MustGro

MustGro

Well-Known Member
You can’t go by that link 100% @OSBuds. I bought those LEDs and wound up with an A/B driver that had no voltage port.
From the link you posted,
“ Mean Well “A” and “AB” type drivers are referred to as “constant voltage” drivers – even though (confusingly) they are really constant current drivers. Both drivers have a screwdriver adjustment dial under a waterproof rubber cap for both current (Io ADJ) and voltage (Vo ADJ).”
 

Attachments

cobshopgrow

cobshopgrow

Well-Known Member
yes, the nanimg convention is confusing.
theyre all CC drivers up to a certain point and when you have the option to push the voltage pedal (A or some AB) you can make it a CV driver when you push it to max basically.
(leaving the cc region in the datasheet this way).
 
1

1212ham

Well-Known Member
MustGro said:
You can’t go by that link 100% @OSBuds. I bought those LEDs and wound up with an A/B driver that had no voltage port.
From the link you posted,
“ Mean Well “A” and “AB” type drivers are referred to as “constant voltage” drivers – even though (confusingly) they are really constant current drivers. Both drivers have a screwdriver adjustment dial under a waterproof rubber cap for both current (Io ADJ) and voltage (Vo ADJ).”
Click to expand...
I think the 320 watt is the oddball, the only A/B without voltage adjustment. It confused the hell out of me when the A/B first came out and little was known. :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top