My FC-E6500 is stoopid, how do I make it smarter?
- Thread starter Vandenberg
- Start date
I have been using the Mars FCE-4800 a while now, using the 0-10v control feature it has. That signal comes from a controller. If Mars is making a controller, great! If the controller can be accessed via a wi-fi connection to the internet, then all sorts of possibilities arise.
If they are going to make their lights unreliable, and expensive by building wifi control into the driver, I say it is a bad move. Bluetooth between control boxes is a great idea to avoid wires. Bluetooth to control the dimming would be OK, but they would lose commonality and interchangability.
Right now the Mars light is modular, and the part that needs replacing is all that has to be shipped if an issue arises. In case folks have not noticed, shipping is a huge cost and hassle these days. My ROI-e680 is one unit, with unreliable driver components built-in. I have had one bar go bad by it staying on, and the whole light had to be replaced. To avoid that, now they send out a controlled relay box that shuts down the light when the control signal is 0 volts.
If they are going to make their lights unreliable, and expensive by building wifi control into the driver, I say it is a bad move. Bluetooth between control boxes is a great idea to avoid wires. Bluetooth to control the dimming would be OK, but they would lose commonality and interchangability.
Right now the Mars light is modular, and the part that needs replacing is all that has to be shipped if an issue arises. In case folks have not noticed, shipping is a huge cost and hassle these days. My ROI-e680 is one unit, with unreliable driver components built-in. I have had one bar go bad by it staying on, and the whole light had to be replaced. To avoid that, now they send out a controlled relay box that shuts down the light when the control signal is 0 volts.
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If they are integrating the fan control somehow (AC Infinity), then the fans can be reduced with the lights going off at night by the controller. AC Infinity does not have a timer and two settings.
Vandenberg
Well-known member
These are going to be interesting to work with. 
Smart app controlled. Sweet.
The new generation FC and FC-E Commercial bar light lines are scheduled to be the first to go Smart later this year from what I understand. This Bluetooth Dimmer Box has been hard to track down so far. Flash Sale supposedly on web site but won't load into cart. I'm on a wishlist so far, I wish I had it.
Smart APP Control ON/OFF And Dimming: Enjoy mobile access to your LED grow lights with WIFI or Bluetooth. Easily turn your grow lights ON/OFF, and adjust their brightness with only a few clicks.
Precise Configuration & Automatic Dimming: Precisely pre-configuring the light intensity down to the month/day/hour/minute to achieve dynamic lighting levels and simulated sunrise and sunset and induce natural photoperiod in plants.
The dimming schedules will run automatically after pre-setting to support complete growth from seed to harvest. Several planting schedules have been pre-set up for reference.
Enable Wireless Control Over Multiple Lights: Simultaneous switching and dimming of multiple grow lights without extra cords. Different lighting groups are also available for independent management when you have separate rooms.
Smart app controlled. Sweet. The new generation FC and FC-E Commercial bar light lines are scheduled to be the first to go Smart later this year from what I understand. This Bluetooth Dimmer Box has been hard to track down so far. Flash Sale supposedly on web site but won't load into cart. I'm on a wishlist so far, I wish I had it.
MARS HYDRO SMART GROW SYSTEM BLUETOOTH WIFI DIMMER BOX
Retrofit From Manual To Smart Mobile Control: Simply replace your old dimmer box with a new smart one and your running Mars Hydro lights can take on smart control capabilities and be incorporated into a smart grow system!Smart APP Control ON/OFF And Dimming: Enjoy mobile access to your LED grow lights with WIFI or Bluetooth. Easily turn your grow lights ON/OFF, and adjust their brightness with only a few clicks.
Precise Configuration & Automatic Dimming: Precisely pre-configuring the light intensity down to the month/day/hour/minute to achieve dynamic lighting levels and simulated sunrise and sunset and induce natural photoperiod in plants.
The dimming schedules will run automatically after pre-setting to support complete growth from seed to harvest. Several planting schedules have been pre-set up for reference.
Enable Wireless Control Over Multiple Lights: Simultaneous switching and dimming of multiple grow lights without extra cords. Different lighting groups are also available for independent management when you have separate rooms.
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The bluetooth dimmer box might be in stock about 2 months later. At this stage, we are sending some influencers to test the new dimmer box. We will hear their suggestions and make some adjustment.
Mars Hydro Smart Grow System Bluetooth Wifi Dimmer Box
It's time to iterate to the age of intelligence. Equip your running Mars Hydro LED grow lights with new smart growing system by only changing the dimmer. Daily Flash Sale: Only 5 units at UTC-7PM Note: The new Bluetooth dimmer can only be used for FC and FCE led grow lights. Other Mars lights...
www.mars-hydro.com
Vandenberg
Well-known member
Are these available yet as of February 2023?
I have some very interested friends with various captive bred lizards and with them light cycle manipulation results in various exotic critters for sale in the winter and early spring before their competition are ready to produce theirs with natural light cycles available to them only in the spring and summer.
Perhaps you Mars folks maybe able to target a fresh untapped specialty lighting market over at a place like King snake dottercom which is a large reptile and supply classified ads site.
The simulated sunrise and sunset feature in this LED lighting Gizmo would turn a few heads your way over there, they light up whole rooms too.
Vandenberg
I have some very interested friends with various captive bred lizards and with them light cycle manipulation results in various exotic critters for sale in the winter and early spring before their competition are ready to produce theirs with natural light cycles available to them only in the spring and summer.
Perhaps you Mars folks maybe able to target a fresh untapped specialty lighting market over at a place like King snake dottercom which is a large reptile and supply classified ads site.
The simulated sunrise and sunset feature in this LED lighting Gizmo would turn a few heads your way over there, they light up whole rooms too.
Vandenberg
The blue tooth version FCE lights have been available in the USA warehouse.Are these available yet as of February 2023?
I have some very interested friends with various captive bred lizards and with them light cycle manipulation results in various exotic critters for sale in the winter and early spring before their competition are ready to produce theirs with natural light cycles available to them only in the spring and summer.
Perhaps you Mars folks maybe able to target a fresh untapped specialty lighting market over at a place like King snake dottercom which is a large reptile and supply classified ads site.
The simulated sunrise and sunset feature in this LED lighting Gizmo would turn a few heads your way over there, they light up whole rooms too.
Vandenberg
Mars Hydro Smart Grow System Smart FC-E6500 Bridgelux 730W Commercial LED Grow Light
Mars Hydro Smart Grow System: Smart LED grow lights that support mobile control and programming via Mars Hydro APP. More integrated smart products are to be involved soon. Professional LED Grow Light Performance: Mars Hydro smart FC-E6500 is a 730-watt led grow light that provides 2.8 μmol/j...
www.mars-hydro.com
Vandenberg
Well-known member
I already own the fce-6500 unit.
I am still attempting to upgrade my 2022 unit here in 2023 with the MARS HYDRO SMART GROW SYSTEM BLUETOOTH WIFI DIMMER BOX.
Is this Retrofit dimmer box available to purchase here in the USA as of today to be specific.
Does the U.S. Warehouse stock this WiFi dimmer box?
Or is it not available?
Does artificial intelligence respond to these posts or is it real intelligence?
Vandenberg
I am still attempting to upgrade my 2022 unit here in 2023 with the MARS HYDRO SMART GROW SYSTEM BLUETOOTH WIFI DIMMER BOX.
Is this Retrofit dimmer box available to purchase here in the USA as of today to be specific.
Does the U.S. Warehouse stock this WiFi dimmer box?
Or is it not available?
Does artificial intelligence respond to these posts or is it real intelligence?
Vandenberg
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haha, honestly, i want to be an artificial intelligence. we didn't stock the dimmer box since it is hard to retrofit the dimmer box.I already own the fce-6500 unit.
I am still attempting to upgrade my 2022 unit here in 2023 with the MARS HYDRO SMART GROW SYSTEM BLUETOOTH WIFI DIMMER BOX.
Is this Retrofit dimmer box available to purchase here in the USA as of today to be specific.
Does the U.S. Warehouse stock this WiFi dimmer box?
Or is it not available?
Does artificial intelligence respond to these posts or is it real intelligence?
Vandenberg
