0-10V output functionaity

[kenbennedy]

I want to use 0-10V output #1 to send inputs to my ICDPC. I have successfully created an output signal trigger feed mode on the ICDPD when the Control 4 enters Feed Mode. That much works. I tried to create another output using 0-10V #1 to send 3V to the ICDPC, but it appears I cannot create a second output voltage using the black wire/0-10V #1. Is this true? I confirmed that the 3v and 5V outputs are only on mutually exclusive schedules and would not run at the same time, but that still did not allow me to do add another voltage out. The ICDPC only has one 0-10V input, so I cant use another cable. I want to use the one cable to send 0V, 3V and 5V at various times from the Control 4 to ICDPC. Is this possible? Do I have to fabricate a Y harness and combine two output cables?

As a last resort I could create matching schedules on both the Control and ICDPC, but I prefer to have the ICDPC follow the modes of the control.

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Danny]

I don't think you can assign an output port to two different output setups. Once used on one it will not be available on another to use if that is what you are trying to do.

 

[kenbennedy]

Is there any way to change the voltage between three different levels, rather than only two different levels based on the Control mode? I want the output cable to vary between (for example) 0V, 3V, 5V based on the Control mode.

 

[JeffB418]

Unfortunately with the current options, you can't output more than 2 voltages on a single 0-10V output (other than a variable lighting schedule, but that doesnt help you here). The reason is because 1) you cant assign multiple "outputs" to the same 0-10V output channel, and 2) you can't use a combiner either to combine 0-10V outputs either. So you will only be able to do 0V (off) and 3V (on), or 0V (off) and 5V (on), or 3V (off) and 5V (on). I ran into this limitation as well and brought it up to @Don and @Carlos so hopefully one day there will be a solution to do multiple voltage outputs based on case for 0-10V outputs. This is one thing I have found that I can do easily with Apex coding but not possible with Hydros. With Apex its easy since you can just list as many IF xxxx then (output voltage) statements on a VDM output, which allows you to control the VDM ports to discrete voltage outputs based on stacked conditionals. Would love to see a new output that allows you to do the same thing but with Hydros.

 

[kenbennedy]

Thanks for the insight.

Does anyone smarter than me have an opinion on using a Y harness to combine two output cables? If I wire them in parallel, I should be able to use two different outputs/voltages and trigger the ICDPC, right?

 

[JeffB418]

Thanks for the insight.

Does anyone smarter than me have an opinion on using a Y harness to combine two output cables? If I wire them in parallel, I should be able to use two different outputs/voltages and trigger the ICDPC, right?

Its possible but you cant just tie multiple outputs together without risking damage to the Hydros. You'd need diodes to prevent voltage/current from being back driven on unused channels.

 

[kenbennedy]

Good call, thanks. That math is beyond my skillset (or learning it is beyond what I want to do ). I'll just try to deal by having matching schedules for feeding time on both the Control and ICDPC.

Its possible but you cant just tie multiple outputs together without risking damage to the Hydros. You'd need diodes to prevent voltage/current from being back driven on unused channels.