"I think that 19v is the input for powering the actual LED's, they require more power, the ballast supplies a separate wire to control dimming which would connect to the controller along with a common ground."
Agreed, 19.5V is the input for powering the actual LED's. I watched several videos on youtube of the GrowBeam and of the TMC Controller...didn't find a separate control wire. Then I had a light-bulb above my head moment: I realized USB connectors have something like 4? wires in them. So the control wire is probably just "hidden".
Then! I had another light-bulb moment and realized it's extremely likely only 2 wires are used in the USB connection (for power) because I had seen and read about an adapter you plug into your lights or controller if either are the "older" version. The older version cables are 2 wire only connections. Here's a picture: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/...supply.jpg (the adapters are at the bottom =P).
So I'm very convinced at the moment that the setup is: Power supply/transformer > Controller > LED's. I strongly believe the LED's draw 100% of their power from the controller up to 19.5 volts and that the power is turned on/off at varying frequencies for PWM dimming.
In any case it sounds like you believe the robo-tank could be setup to control the lights via PWM without the TMC controller huh? That's great news, I barely got my wife to "be ok" with the $400 for the TMC controller and then the $500 (ish) for the robo-tank...no way she'd let me get both haha.
Also no worries on the late response. I expect no/very late responses when dealing with forums/emails/etc haha. Certainly appreciate how promptly you've been responding. ^^
Agreed, 19.5V is the input for powering the actual LED's. I watched several videos on youtube of the GrowBeam and of the TMC Controller...didn't find a separate control wire. Then I had a light-bulb above my head moment: I realized USB connectors have something like 4? wires in them. So the control wire is probably just "hidden".
Then! I had another light-bulb moment and realized it's extremely likely only 2 wires are used in the USB connection (for power) because I had seen and read about an adapter you plug into your lights or controller if either are the "older" version. The older version cables are 2 wire only connections. Here's a picture: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/...supply.jpg (the adapters are at the bottom =P).
So I'm very convinced at the moment that the setup is: Power supply/transformer > Controller > LED's. I strongly believe the LED's draw 100% of their power from the controller up to 19.5 volts and that the power is turned on/off at varying frequencies for PWM dimming.
In any case it sounds like you believe the robo-tank could be setup to control the lights via PWM without the TMC controller huh? That's great news, I barely got my wife to "be ok" with the $400 for the TMC controller and then the $500 (ish) for the robo-tank...no way she'd let me get both haha.
Also no worries on the late response. I expect no/very late responses when dealing with forums/emails/etc haha. Certainly appreciate how promptly you've been responding. ^^
