Hydrofarm Autopilot PX2 User manual

INSTRUCTIONS
APDPX2
PX2 ADVANCED LIGHTING CONTROLLER

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The Autopilot PX2 Advanced Lighng Controller provides precision photoperiod control of
up to 512 xtures in two independently controlled zones, all from one centralized locaon.
Designed to work with any controllable Phantom or Core HID xtures, as well as PHOTOBIO
and Phantom LED xtures, the PX2 can control 512 digital HID xtures (256 per zone), or
25–100 analog LED xtures (depending on installaon dierences). The PX2 oers the exibility
to operate both zones analog or digital, or one zone analog and the other digital. With this
versale, dual-zone conguraon, growers can ...
• Optimize spectral treatments by checkerboarding lighting technologies within the same
environment (e.g., HPS with CMH, LED with CMH)
• Save power by checker boarding identical fixtures while reducing output to one of the zones
during the light cycle within the same environment
• Alternate rows and zones within the same environment
• Enhance uniformity by independent control over perimeter versus interior of the
environment
Powerful features, precise and independent controls
The PX2 provides independent control of the following features in each of its dual zones:
• Photoperiod timing to control light and dark cycles
• Photosynthetic photon flux control to precisely schedule the PPF being emitted from fixtures
during the light cycle (wattage or percentage)
• Auto-dimming when temperature exceeds set points
• Emergency auto-shutdown of lights upon user-defined over-temperature events
• Configurable restrike delay times to eliminate lamp-damaging hot starts
• Sunrise/sunset simulation settings to provide a gradual ramp-up and down at both ends of
your photoperiod
• Built-in battery backup
Two dedicated temperature sensors, one for each zone
These sensors provide real-me data for automated temperature-based dimming, as well as
a high temperature shutdown feature that protects your garden. The PX2 eliminates inrush
current and replaces tradional lighng contactors, reducing infrastructure investment.
Updated locking signal and data cables
All cables are shielded from electromagnec interference to ensure uncompromising signal
reliability and communicaon.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
The Autopilot PX2 Advanced Lighting Controller (APDPX2) includes:
1 – Autopilot PX2 w/locking mini 3P IP65 female connectors 1 – 5' 100V–240V, 50/60 Hz
2 – 50' white temperature probes power adapter
2 – 20' locking mini 3P M-RJ 6P white RF shielded data cable
(for controllable Phantoms with a USB port)
2 – Mounng screws
2 – 20' locking mini 3P M-2P white RF shielded data cable
(for PHOTOBIO xtures with an LLT connector)
1 – Instrucons
SPECIFICATIONS
TECHNICAL PARAMETERS
Voltage HID 100–240V Qty of zones can be controlled Max 2
Frequency 50/60Hz Qty of HID xtures can be controlled Max 256 x 1 zone
Power source
for controller 5V/2A Qty of LED xtures can be controlled
Max 25–50 x 1
zone (depending
on driver)
OVERVIEW

3
INSTALLING THE PX2
1. Securely wall mount the PX2 at eye level outside the
growing environment, using the provided screws
and mounng holes.
2. Plug the power adapter into an outlet and connect
the other end to the PX2 power supply port (A – see
image above). Ensure threaded connecon is ght.
3. Plug the temperature probes into the corresponding
ports (B, D) and run your probe cables their full
length up to and across the ceiling, toward the
center of the grow space. Suspend the probes above
the plant canopy. Take care not to stress or damage
the probe cables when securing them to walls and
ceilings.
4. Connect the zone signal cables (C, E).
IMPORTANT: A bare probe receiving direct light from a xture can cause premature dimming
and/or inaccurate temperature readings. When seng up the temperature probes, shield them
from exposure to direct light.
INSTALLATION
4" (99.8 mm)
1
3
2
456
1 SET buon
2 Turn the page
3 Cursor Right
4 Increase
5 Decrease
6 Menu/
Conrm/Save
APower supply port
BTemperature probe
port Zone A
CSignal port Zone A
DTemperature probe
port Zone B
ESignal port Zone B
OVERVIEW
Mounng holes
C EDB
A
1" (27.1 mm)
5" (127.5 mm)

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SYSTEM SETTINGS
The Systems Sengs screen is where the
controller’s overall seng are dened for
both zones.
1. Press to cycle to the
SYSTEM SETTING menu.
2. Press to highlight the value you
want to change. Press or
to select the correct seng,
then press to conrm.
Value Opons
Temperature unit F or C
Power unit % or W
Hour format 12H or 24H mode
Time Hours/Minutes (AM/PM will adjust automacally)
Date Month/Day/Year
Reset Resets to factory default sengs
3. Repeat step 2 to set all values.
4. Press to save the sengs.
ANALOG/DIGITAL SETUP
Before starng the display setup, you
must complete the Analog/Digital setup.
1. Using a pen or other small object,
press the recessed SET buon 1to
cycle through the following opons.
1
ANALOG AND DIGITAL SETUP:
Zone A = Analog
Zone B = Digital
DIGITAL SETUP:
Each zone can support a maximum of 256 HID digital
(RS-Protocol) xtures.
ANALOG SETUP:
Each zone can support a maximum of 50 HID xtures (without repeater)
or 500 xtures with repeater bus, based on specied connecon way.
Each zone can support 25–50 LED xtures.
INSTRUCTIONS

5
ZONE A SETUP
Presssto cycle through the following
opons: Zone A Setup; Zone A Output
Schedule; Zone B Setup; Zone B Output
Schedule; and System Seng.
NOTE: All sengs must be saved by
pressing for the controller to operate.
Pressing twice will take you back to the
ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS home screen.
45 seconds of inacvity will automacally
revert to home screen.
1. Press and enter the ZONE A menu.
2. Press to cursor through the values and highlight the value you want to change.
Press or to select the correct seng, then press to conrm.
Ensure zone Status is set to “OFF” prior to the inial me OUTPUT SCHEDULE programming
on Zone setup.
Value Descripon
Type Type of lights installed in ZONE A (or B): 1000W MH, 1000W HPS, 1000W CMH, 945W CMH,
750W MH, 750W HPS, 630W CMH, 600W X 2 HPS, 600W X 2 MH, 600W MH, 600W-HPS,
400W-MH, 400W-HPS, 315W X 2 CMH, 315W CMH, 250W MH, 250W HPS, 680W LED, 600W
LED, 480W LED, 440W LED, 330W LED, 320W LED, 240W LED, UNI-LED (0–10V LEDs not listed)
Status Indicates current xture waage or percentage according to photo period mer (OUTPUT
SCHEDULE). User can manually override mer to adjust output if needed and the W or % will
be followed by “OVRD”. Fixtures will revert to mer schedule once next output me/seng
is reached. Example: If manual override is adjusted from 100% down to 60% at 7:45 PM, the
display will be “Status: 60% OVRD” and will remain unl the next “OUTPUT” signal is sent by
the controller. If “OUTPUT” at 8:00 PM is scheduled to send 100% signal, the xture will revert
to mer schedule.
Dim The temperature limit at which the lights will auto-dim.
Stop The temperature limit at which the lights will auto-shutdown.
Delay (0–30 min) Hot start prevenon to allow HID lamps adequate me to cool to prevent lamp
damage. For HID, minimum seng should be 15 min. For LED, seng can be 0 min.
R/S (0–30 min) The me lights will take to gradually reach full power (R=sunrise) or turn o
(S=sunset). Longer is more gradual. This seng will aect the OUTPUT SCHEDULE. See page 6
for more details.
3. Repeat step 2 to set all values.
4. Press to save the sengs.
5. Repeat steps for ZONE B.
INSTRUCTIONS

AC EDB F G
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ZONE A OUTPUT SCHEDULE
The PX2 lets you precisely schedule up to six
med output sengs from the xtures during
the light cycle (by waage or percentage).
Checkmarks in front of the six med output
sengs provide the ability to disable or enable.
CHECK = Enabled.
1. Press and enter the ZONE A OUTPUT
SCHEDULE menu.
2. Press to cursor through the me and
output sengs.
3. Press or to adjust, then press buon to conrm.
4. Repeat steps 2–3 to set all values.
5. Press buon to save the sengs.
6. Repeat steps for ZONE B.
IMPORTANT ZONE OUTPUT SCHEDULE NOTES
• Output adjustments ONLY take eect according to OUTPUT SCHEDULE and clock seng.
• Enabling more OUTPUT SCHEDULE sengs is advisable for greater exibility.
• Sunrise and sunset (R/S) me seng can impact OUTPUT SCHEDULE. Ensure these two
sengs do not conict. Example: If R/S is set to 10 minutes, the ming between OUTPUT
SCHEDULE signals should be set no less than 10 minutes.
INSTRUCTIONS
Indicator Meaning
A, C
LED on green: Normal status. Screen display: NML
LED on yellow: Over-temperature dimming protecon. Screen display: DIM
LED ashes red: Over-temperature lamp-o protecon or temperature exceeds 80°C.
Screen display: SOS
LED ashes yellow: Temperature control line is not inserted. Screen display: NO PROBE
B, D
LED LIGHT ON: Lamp on. LED LIGHT OFF: Lamp o.
E
If the ANALOG indicator is on, the controller outputs 0–10V signals for LED, 0–11.5V for HID.
F
If the DIGITAL indicator is on, the controller outputs RS485 signals.
E, F
The ANALOG and DIGITAL indicators are both on.
ZONE A is the analog signal output, and ZONE B is the digital signal output.
G
The output signal mode can be switched by clicking the SET buon with a pen.
LED INDICATORS

7
CUSTOMIZING YOUR LIGHTING LAYOUT
PROBLEM CHECK SOLUTIONS
Screen does not work aer
connecng power supply
Check if the power supply/
adapter/controller works
normally
Unplug DC connector from the
controller momentarily then
reconnect taking care to ensure
the connector is fully inserted
and ghtened
Controller does not control xtures
Check if the signal cable is
connected well and is fully
inserted/locked; check pin
condion
Reconnect the signal cable and
go xture by xture to idenfy
communicaon loss point
Controller does not show
temperature aer connecng with
temperature probe
Check if the temperature
probe is inserted fully
Disconnect and reconnect the
temperature probe
Fixture status is dierent from the
power set by controller
Check if the xture is under
sunrise and sunset mode or
if the temperature is under
temperature protecon mode
Adjust the me of sunrise and
sunset or reset the temperature
limits
When connecng several xtures,
the rst several xtures work
normally, while the following
xtures funcon abnormally
Check if the signal cable is
connected well, or if the
pins of the connectors are
damaged, or the LED status
on xtures
Reconnect the signal cable, or
replace any damaged xture
Fixtures fail to turn o
Check xture quanty per
zone. Too many xtures will
cause residual voltage in the
cable system.
Reduce number of xtures per
zone
TROUBLESHOOTING
See pages 8–23 for data link cable guides that show you how to customize your lighng setup
with the same or mulple lighng technologies within the same environment.
LED Fixtures ............................................................8
HID Fixtures
Phantom with USB .................................................10
Core 2.0 ..........................................................12
Mulple Lighng Technologies
LED + Dual CMH ...................................................14
LED + DE HPS ......................................................15
Dual Zone DE HPS ..................................................16
DE HPS + Dual CMH ................................................20
DE HPS + DE MH ...................................................22

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CABLE GUIDE

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CABLE GUIDE

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CABLE GUIDE
Advanced Digital & Analog Lighting Controller (APDPX2)
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to AC power cable. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
RJ Data
Link Cable
RJ12
T-Connector
RJ12 to USB
RJ Data Link Cable RJ12 T-Connector RJ12 to RJ12 RJ12 to USB
LEGEND: HPS, MH & CMH
ZONE A Controls up to 256 HID fixtures. ZONE B Controls up to 256 HID fixtures.
PHANTOM with USB
HID Fixtures
Note: Zone A and Zone B can be set up in one room, or in two separate rooms.

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CABLE GUIDE
Advanced Digital & Analog Lighting Controller (APDPX2)
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to AC power cable. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
RJ Data
Link Cable
RJ12
T-Connector
RJ12 to USB
RJ Data Link Cable RJ12 T-Connector RJ12 to RJ12 RJ12 to USB
LEGEND: HPS, MH & CMH
ZONE A Controls up to 256 HID fixtures. ZONE B Controls up to 256 HID fixtures.
PHANTOM with USB
HID Fixtures
Note: Zone A and Zone B can be set up in one room, or in two separate rooms.

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CABLE GUIDE
Advanced Digital & Analog Lighting Controller (APDPX2)
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to AC power cable. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
CORE 2.0 DIMMABLE
Data Link Cable CHC223108W Wieland Harness* Junction Box Input Output
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
LEGEND: Core 2.0 Dimmable
* Wieland Harness: CHW363000W, CHW863000W, CHW843010W, CHW863015W, CHW873000W, CHW883020W, CHW883021W, CHW883025W, CHW883030W
ZONE A Controls up to 256 HID fixtures. ZONE B Controls up to 256 HID fixtures.
HID Fixtures
Wieland
Harness
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to Wieland harness. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
Note: Zone A and Zone B can be set up in one room, or in two separate rooms.
RJ Data
Link Cable

13
CABLE GUIDE
Advanced Digital & Analog Lighting Controller (APDPX2)
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to AC power cable. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
CORE 2.0 DIMMABLE
Data Link Cable CHC223108W Wieland Harness* Junction Box Input Output
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
LEGEND: Core 2.0 Dimmable
* Wieland Harness: CHW363000W, CHW863000W, CHW843010W, CHW863015W, CHW873000W, CHW883020W, CHW883021W, CHW883025W, CHW883030W
ZONE A Controls up to 256 HID fixtures. ZONE B Controls up to 256 HID fixtures.
HID Fixtures
Wieland
Harness
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to Wieland harness. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
Note: Zone A and Zone B can be set up in one room, or in two separate rooms.
RJ Data
Link Cable

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CABLE GUIDE
Advanced Digital & Analog Lighting Controller (APDPX2)
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to AC power cable. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
RJ12 to USB
Data
Link Cable
RJ12
T-Connector
ZONE A Controls 25–50 LED xtures. ZONE B Controls up to 256 HID xtures.
Data Link Cable RJ12 T-Connector RJ12 to RJ12 RJ12 to USB
LEGEND: HPS, MH & CMH
LEGEND: LED Fixtures
PTB Link Cable PHOTO•LOC Cable
PTBCC8850W
Male end Female end
1Attach WHITE end on
the longer trunk of the cable to the ORANGE end on the shorter trunk of the previous cable.
PTB
Link Cable
2Attach ORANGE end
on the branch of the the cable to the white connector on xture.
PHOTO•LOC 0–10V Control Cable 8' Trunk + 5' Branch PTBCC8850W (sold separately) For use with PHOTOBIO•TX, T and MX.
Drawing is not to scale.
*
PHOTOBIO•TX shown; cable guide also applies to
PHOTOBIO•T and MX. Fixtures not shown to scale.
LED* + DUAL CMH
Checkerboard

15
CABLE GUIDE
Advanced Digital & Analog Lighting Controller (APDPX2)
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to AC power cable. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
RJ12 to USB
Data
Link Cable
RJ12
T-Connector
ZONE A Controls 25–50 LED xtures. ZONE B Controls up to 256 HID xtures.
Data Link Cable RJ12 T-Connector RJ12 to RJ12 RJ12 to USB
LEGEND: HPS, MH & CMH
LEGEND: LED Fixtures
PTB Link Cable PHOTO•LOC Cable
PTBCC8850W
Male end Female end
1Attach WHITE end on
the longer trunk of the cable to the ORANGE end on the shorter trunk of the previous cable.
PTB
Link Cable
2Attach ORANGE end
on the branch of the the cable to the white connector on xture.
PHOTO•LOC 0–10V Control Cable 8' Trunk + 5' Branch PTBCC8850W (sold separately) For use with PHOTOBIO•TX, T and MX.
Drawing is not to scale.
*
PHOTOBIO•TX shown; cable guide also applies to
PHOTOBIO•T and MX. Fixtures not shown to scale.
LED* + DUAL CMH
Checkerboard

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CABLE GUIDE

17
CABLE GUIDE

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CABLE GUIDE
Advanced Digital & Analog Lighting Controller (APDPX2)
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to AC power cable. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
RJ Data
Link Cable
RJ12
T-Connector
RJ12 to USB
RJ Data Link Cable RJ12 T-Connector RJ12 to RJ12 RJ12 to USB
LEGEND: HPS, MH & CMH
ZONE A Controls up to 256 HID fixtures. ZONE B Controls up to 256 HID fixtures.
DUAL ZONE DE HPS
Checkerboard
100%
OUTPUT
60%
OUTPUT

19
CABLE GUIDE
Advanced Digital & Analog Lighting Controller (APDPX2)
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to AC power cable. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
RJ Data
Link Cable
RJ12
T-Connector
RJ12 to USB
RJ Data Link Cable RJ12 T-Connector RJ12 to RJ12 RJ12 to USB
LEGEND: HPS, MH & CMH
ZONE A Controls up to 256 HID fixtures. ZONE B Controls up to 256 HID fixtures.
DUAL ZONE DE HPS
Checkerboard
100%
OUTPUT
60%
OUTPUT

Hydrofarm.com 20
CABLE GUIDE
Advanced Digital & Analog Lighting Controller (APDPX2)
Fixtures are not shown to scale.
IMPORTANT: Do not attach data link cables to AC power cable. Always keep low voltage data cables and high voltage AC power harness as far as possible from each other for stable signal transmission. Avoid coiling data cables as well as AC harnesses in tight coils. Excess cable should be managed by creating long loops as opposed to tight coils.
RJ Data
Link Cable
RJ12
T-Connector
RJ12 to USB
RJ Data Link Cable RJ12 T-Connector RJ12 to RJ12 RJ12 to USB
LEGEND: HPS, MH & CMH
ZONE A Controls up to 256 HID fixtures. ZONE B Controls up to 256 HID fixtures.
DE HPS + DUAL CMH
Checkerboard