Autopilot Digital PX2 Controller

The Autopilot Digital PX2 Controller from Hydrofarm manages all the lighting in a room from a single point, distributed across two independent zones. Each zone can work in analogue mode (0-10 V for LED) or digital (RS485), or one of each, and supports up to 256 digital HID ballasts or between 25 and 50 LED drivers, depending on the model.

What it controls in each zone

• Photoperiod: on and off times.
• Scheduled power: up to six changes per light cycle, in watts or percentage.
• Sunrise and sunset: ramp from 0 to 30 minutes when switching on and off.
• Temperature: reduces power when exceeding your set limit and switches off lights if the emergency limit is reached, with a 15 m probe per zone.
• Restart delay: 0 to 30 minutes, to avoid hot-starting HID lamps (minimum 15 minutes for HID; LED can be 0).
• Integrated backup battery.

With two zones you can alternate technologies in the same room, such as LED with CMH or HPS with CMH, reduce the power of one of them to save energy, or treat the perimeter and centre of the crop separately. According to Hydrofarm, it also eliminates current spikes at start-up and replaces traditional lighting contactors.

Compatibility: check before buying

Hydrofarm designs the PX2 for its own equipment: controllable Phantom and Core HID ballasts and PHOTOBIO and Phantom LED luminaires. For other LED dimmable by 0-10 V it includes a generic mode (UNI-LED), but whether it works depends on the dimming input and connector of each light. Before buying, consult us with your luminaire model.

If your lights are from another brand, the most straightforward option is usually the controller from their own manufacturer, such as Lumatek's Control Panel Plus 2.0 or Gavita's Master Controller, which you'll find in lighting accessories.

Installation

The Autopilot PX2 is wall-mounted at eye level and outside the grow room. The probes are hung above the plants, towards the centre of the space and protected from direct light: an illuminated probe gives false readings and causes the unit to regulate prematurely. Data cables must be kept separate from power cables and not coiled in tight loops.

Autopilot Digital PX2 Controller Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: Hydrofarm (Autopilot brand)
• Reference: APDPX2
• Zones: 2, independent
• HID capacity: up to 512 digital ballasts (256 per zone)
• LED capacity: up to 100 drivers (25-50 per zone, depending on the driver)
• Signal: analogue 0-10 V (LED) or 0-11.5 V (HID), or digital RS485
• Programming: photoperiod and up to 6 power changes per zone (W or %)
• Sunrise and sunset: 0-30 min
• Restart delay: 0-30 min
• Thermal protection: power regulation and shutdown by temperature, with 2 probes
• Power supply: 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.3 A (5 V DC adapter and 2 A)
• Dimensions: 127.5 x 99.8 x 27.1 mm
• Weight: 0.9 kg
• Manufacturer warranty: 3 years
• Includes: controller, power adapter, 2 temperature probes of 15 m, 2 data cables of 6 m for Phantom, 2 data cables of 6 m for PHOTOBIO, mounting screws and instructions