DragonLIGHT Controller

Perfect Flats. Every Time. Any Telescope.

The DragonLIGHT Controller is a network-enabled flat panel controller that gives you precise, repeatable brightness control for calibration frames-without the hassle of chasing sky flats or the expense of commercial panels. Use it with our LED panels for direct illumination, or pair it with simple 12V LED lights to illuminate a white surface for large aperture telescopes. Either way, you get software-integrated, automated flat frames that just work.

Why This Controller?

Sky flats sound great in theory-free light source, even illumination. In practice? You're racing the dawn, watching your histogram, hoping the brightness stays consistent long enough to capture a usable set. And if clouds roll in or you sleep through your alarm, you're out of luck.

Commercial flat panel solutions solve the consistency problem, but they create another one: cost. A motorized flip-flat for a small refractor runs a few hundred dollars. Scale up to a large aperture telescope and you're looking at several thousand dollars-if a commercial solution even exists for your setup.

The DragonLIGHT takes a different approach. Instead of building an integrated panel-and-controller for every telescope size, we built a smart controller that works with any dimmable 12V LED light source. Use our LED panel for direct illumination on smaller scopes. For large apertures-we've tested up to 0.7 meters-mount inexpensive LED lights (even RV puck lights work great) to illuminate a flat white surface. Point your telescope at the surface, and you've got a light box that scales to any aperture without scaling the price.

And here's the real advantage for multi-telescope setups: mount one light source on your observatory wall, and every telescope can use it. One controller, one light, multiple scopes. Compare that to buying a separate flip-flat for each instrument.

We've had dozens of DragonLIGHT controllers running for two years now-in backyard observatories, remote imaging sites, and at Howling Coyote Remote Observatory in New Mexico. They're taking consistent flats night after night while their owners sleep.

Key Benefits

Works With Any 12V LED Source

This is the core flexibility of the DragonLIGHT. Our LED panels work great for direct illumination on smaller telescopes. But if you're running a 0.5m or larger scope, direct panels get expensive fast. Instead, use inexpensive 12V LED strip lights or RV puck lights to illuminate a white surface-the "light box" approach scales to any aperture. The controller doesn't care what's connected; it just provides precise PWM dimming at 20kHz for whatever 12V LED source you choose.

256-Level Precision Dimming

Fine-grained brightness control means you can dial in exactly the ADU values your imaging software expects. The DragonLIGHT works seamlessly with dynamic exposure and dynamic brightness algorithms in N.I.N.A., SGP, and other imaging platforms-the software adjusts brightness and exposure automatically to hit your target ADU. No more manual tweaking between filter changes.

Network Control Without a PC

Like our DragonLAIR controller, the DragonLIGHT is a standalone network device with built-in WiFi and Ethernet. Access the mobile-friendly web interface from your phone to check status or adjust brightness manually. Or let your imaging software handle everything through ASCOM Alpaca or INDI-the controller responds to commands over your network without a dedicated PC.

One Controller, Multiple Telescopes

This is where the DragonLIGHT really shines for observatory owners with multiple setups. Mount your light source on the wall (or ceiling), and every telescope in the building can use it. You're not buying a flip-flat for each scope-you're buying one controller and one light source that serves your entire operation.

Built for Observatory Environments

The DragonLIGHT operates from 10°F to 105°F, handling the temperature swings of an unheated roll-off roof. The 5A output capacity handles everything from a small LED panel to a full array of puck lights. And because this is observatory equipment, we've kept the design simple and reliable-no unnecessary complexity to fail.

What's Included

• DragonLIGHT Controller
• WiFi Antenna
• Ethernet Cable (6ft)
• DIN Rail Clip

Technical Specifications

Integration/Compatibility

Imaging Software:

The DragonLIGHT works with all major imaging and automation platforms through the standard ASCOM CoverCalibrator interface:

• N.I.N.A.
• Sequence Generator Pro
• Voyager
• TheSkyX
• KStars/Ekos
• Any ASCOM Alpaca or INDI-compatible software

Dynamic brightness and dynamic exposure algorithms work out of the box-your imaging software communicates directly with the controller to adjust brightness as needed for each filter.

Light Sources:

The controller works with any dimmable 12V LED source:

• DDA LED Panels - Purpose-built for direct illumination
• LED Strip Lights - Affordable option for bounce lighting setups
• RV Puck Lights - Inexpensive, widely available, great for illuminating flat surfaces
• Any 12V LED - If it's dimmable and runs on 12V, it works

API Access:

The full OpenAPI specification is available for custom integrations. Build your own control interface, integrate with observatory automation systems, or add flat panel control to your custom software.

Installation/Setup Reality Check

Setup takes 15-30 minutes. Connect power, connect your LED source, join the controller's access point to configure WiFi, and you're ready to take flats.

Tools needed: Screwdriver. Additional tools may be needed depending on how you mount your light source.

Skill level: If you can hang a picture, you can install this.

Connections: The controller uses Anderson PowerPole connectors for both power input and LED output. If you're using your own light source, you'll need cables with PowerPoles to connect.

Network setup: The DragonLIGHT creates its own access point on first boot. Connect with your phone or laptop, configure your WiFi network through the web interface, and the controller joins your network automatically.

What You Need to Provide

From Dark Dragons Astronomy (sold separately):

• LED Light Panel - For direct illumination setups (includes power supply and cables)

You'll also need:

• 12V Power Supply - Sized for your LED load (up to 5A max)
• 12V LED Light Source - Our panel, RV puck lights, LED strips, or your own solution
• Cables with Anderson PowerPoles - For connecting power and lights to the controller
• Mounting Hardware - For your light source
• White Surface - For bounce/reflected light setups (foam board, painted wall, etc.)
• Diffuser Material - If needed for direct illumination to even out hotspots

Real-World Performance

The DragonLIGHT has been in the field for two years, with dozens of units running in backyard observatories and remote imaging sites. Several are installed at Howling Coyote Remote Observatory in New Mexico, where they're taking calibration frames on professional imaging rigs night after night.

The largest aperture we've tested is 0.7 meters-a customer's personal observatory using bounce lighting off a white surface. At that scale, commercial flat panels either don't exist or cost thousands of dollars. The DragonLIGHT and a few RV puck lights handled it for a fraction of the price.

One of our customers contributed over 75 hours of LRGBHa integration on the center of Andromeda to the Deep Sky Collective's famous "Kilohour" project-1,056 hours of collaborative imaging from 22 photographers that produced one of the most detailed amateur images of M31 ever created, including the faint OIII arc discovered just two years prior. They used a DragonLIGHT to calibrate their 75 hours of data of the galaxy's core. When your calibration frames need to hold up alongside data destined for a project that resolved individual stars in a galaxy 2.5 million light-years away, the DragonLIGHT delivers.

Stop Chasing Sky Flats

Your calibration frames shouldn't depend on waking up before dawn and hoping the clouds cooperate. The DragonLIGHT Controller gives you consistent, repeatable, software-controlled flat frames-on any telescope, at any time, without breaking the bank.

Use our LED panels for a plug-and-play solution, or build your own light source for large apertures. Either way, the DragonLIGHT provides the network connectivity, precision dimming, and software integration to automate your flat frame workflow completely.

For permanent observatories and remote imaging setups, this is flat frame automation done right.

Need help? Join our Discord community for installation guides, troubleshooting, and direct support.