Next Project - lighting

[Phasma2128]

On to my next upgrade. I installed a new Garmin 8616xsv mfd. I’ve been reading about digital switching. I think I have a decent handle on it. I was looking at the Czone system. It seems to have the functions I’m looking for and the price is right. I plan to integrate the switching into the Garmin mfd. via the new N2k network. Primarily I am looking to control a significant amount of lights on the boat. I am installing a new 12vdc bus, rewiring sockets and replacing with multi color dimmable LED bulbs. I am also adding courtesy lights, deck lights, spreader lights and underwater lights.

My question is where do multi-color dimmable LED lights get the control signal to change colors and dim? I’ve only seen LED bulbs with two wires. The Czone control box only has a single B+ wire for light control. The grounds are hardwired to a common ground bus. Does a dimmable LED bulb dim by varying the supply voltage? Are colors changed by pulsing the supply voltage until the desired color is lit?

 

[Cricket]

Wow, very ambitious project.
Are you referring to changing out halogen bi-pin bulbs for led replacements or putting in new led fixtures? Some of the fixtures have a 3rd wire for control, all of ours only have 2 wires.
We had a tough time getting dimmable single color led fixtures to play nice, went through a bunch of different dimmer and switch combinations before getting to a flicker free solution.
That was using Quick led fixtures in the cabins and Imtra led fixtures in the salon.
Have some exterior Lumitec multi color dimmable fixtures which utilize toggling the on-off switch until you get the right color and or brightness. Sometimes it's PIA, but it works.
Same for our Lumitec underwater lights.

Good luck with the project, hopefully you can figure out all of the hurdles for the rest of us.

 

[Boatsb]

Switching is one chore. Color control is a separate one. Garmin has an interface but it is not the actual device controlling the lights. Thats a function of DMX or other protocols.


I sell theatrical television and digital cinema lights along with sell and install vessel lights.

Dimming is not a simple drop in voltage at an LED element. It's a PWM function that some units translate from voltage.


I'm a big Imtra fan as they support their products well. I sell a ton of their fixtures and don't bother putting the cheesy led conversions with the cob or board elements.

PM or email me if you're interested in designing a system.

 

[metama]

RGB dimming futures typically get there control from a control box. In stage lighting it is a dmx controller. Phillips has there own controller. You will find that a number of marine led controller will have prebuilt czone and nema2000 setting. It becomes a compatible game. But led on there own have very different dimming. It’s not typically 2 wire. It’s 4-5 wire.

 

[Phasma2128]

[SUB]thanks metama. When wiring this I will use a multi conductor cable when wiring these[/SUB]

 

[Pascal]

Why would you want to use your nav MFD to control lights on the boat. I don’t see the point. Nothing works best that regular switch and dimmers. Why adding a new layer of complexity?

The 116 footer I run has a Lutron system for 90% of the lights. Sounds wonderful, right? Except that every couple of month the damn thing decides to shut down for no reason and won’t restart for 5 or 10 minutes. I ve net seen regular switch do that.

 

[Phasma2128]

Because I am a tech kind of guy and want to. The Czone has a bypass capability in the event of a system failure

 

[Eddieclemons]

Didn't we recently discuss the findings of a large yacht fire that started from a candle due to an malfunctioning lighting control system.

 

[Phasma2128]

Fine! I will boat in the dark….lol

 

[Timeless72]

We are in end stages of a total refit. New wiring with czone and Garmin. Exactly what you describe below aside from multicolor lights. I'll post pics when done. Super cool system. I did insist on redundancy for concerns listed below.

 

[Phasma2128]

We are in end stages of a total refit. New wiring with czone and Garmin. Exactly what you describe below aside from multicolor lights. I'll post pics when done. Super cool system. I did insist on redundancy for concerns listed below.

I look forward to seeing what you have done

 

[Timeless72]

I look forward to seeing what you have done

Look for finished pics late winter. I really liked the features and touchscreen in each area. We pulled so much weight in wire and old systems. Less the better. Wife is worried she won't know how to use it. I'm ok with that.

 

[Phasma2128]

I shudder at those photos. What a mess! Worth it though.

There is something so sweet about looking out on a harbor with a large Hatteras anchored out and lit up at dark.

 

[dottieshusband]

This type thing is really out of my wheelhouse, but when installing my valence and under bed LED lighting, I did learn the multicolor lights are not capable of putting out the lumens per foot of single color light strips. And as mentioned, to be dimmable, they take a specific power source, and power matching to the max consumption of the strip. I used COBB strips in 4000k color. In one case, I exceeded 80% of the power sources output, and later had to change to a larger power source because of an oscillating dimming situation.

 

[oscarvan]

It's a matter of priorities. Features, ease of control, more "tools" in the interior mood setting artist palette...... the world is a stage and so is my boat/house/RV. Versus reliability and repairability.

Cars adopted systems a long time ago and seem to have it figured out pretty well. Most RV's coming out today have various ethernet control systems for lights/slides/awnings/HVAC etc. and I hear of more people sitting there in the dark with their lifeless control pads in their hands than I care to remember.

RV we just found sitting on the lot didn't have the option. Just plain ol' $7 on Amazon make or break switches. Click on. Click off. If there's a problem a multi meter will tell you tout suite what the problem is.

Some locations I use standalone remotes/dimmers that plug between lamp and outlet. I can remove and bypass them in seconds.

I too have worked on DMX stage lighting.......

Yes, it's all very cool. No thanks.

 

[Scarlett]

Surveyed a pretty new Riviera which are built in Australia. It had a C-Zone system that ran everything on the boat.I was trying to test the stove but could not find how to turn it on, after 3 people looked through the C-Zone system we finally found it to be the cooker. I’ll take regular breakers, thank you.