DIY LED Lightning. (1 Viewer)

[ReefWatcher]

I am gathering/researching on how to build LED lights for SPS corals.Do you have any info?Please post it here.Thanks.

 

[crvz]

what have you seen so far? I like this build thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1826521

 

[ReefWatcher]

LED

what have you seen so far? I like this build thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1826521

Wow!!!That's a serious one.I'll keep looking and somehow post it here too.In case I will be able to build one......I'll post it here too.

 

[crvz]

That's pretty much the standard if you're looking for an LED build that will perform as well as metal halide. The cost is about probably about 20% higher than a retrofit metal halide system, but with a considerably longer bulb life. There's a generic DIY thread on RC as well, but it's kind of hard to mine through all the data in that thread (it's multiple splits and probably 5000 total posts).

 

[RGH69]

I started to do my own LED Build. After a lot of research I decided that my desire to DIY was outweighed by my desire to have a quality light with lower risk. Cost saving is not a real reason to me because the system I went with costs about the same. I purchased a system from a company in Thailand that I could retrofit into my BC29 hood. They make the product below that has 48 high power LEDs.

They also customze for you so I chose 24 cool white, 12 warm white and 12 roal blue LEDs. Each color is on its own dimming circuit. They also cut the bord in half so it will fit in my BC29 hood (they can also quarter the board). Below is the picture of the board they made for me.

This light is built on a copper clad board with fans built directly on the board. the dimming and driver circuit is also on the board. The company support is outstanding as well. While retrofitting I apparently knocked off a transister. I also did a crappy soldering job trying to add remote pushbuttons to control the dimming function. They fixed the board and re-soldered the remote swithes for free I only had to pay for shipping. The board will be back soon and I will post pics before and after so y'all can see a comparison with the stock power compacts. I will also be renting a PAR meter to see if my LED selection provides the PUR that I suspect.

Also, the company is working on a modular system that sounds fantastic. Since it is modular, you can upgrade components (like LEDS, Driver, etc.) when they become available.

I will post more info when it is available.

Robert

 

[kgk]

I'm a EE and will happily help answer questions you may have as you get into it. At one point I had big plans to DIY my own, but turns out, it was cheaper and easier to buy a Maxspect fixture. It doesn't have much programmability though. DIY gives you control over every aspect, if you have the time.

 

[RGH69]

I'm a EE and will happily help answer questions you may have as you get into it. At one point I had big plans to DIY my own, but turns out, it was cheaper and easier to buy a Maxspect fixture. It doesn't have much programmability though. DIY gives you control over every aspect, if you have the time.

The Maxspect lights seem pretty cool. I looked at them in the past but some folks complained about noise. Is yours noisy? Do you have any pictures of your tank with the LED lights?

 

[kgk]

I'm a EE and will happily help answer questions you may have as you get into it. At one point I had big plans to DIY my own, but turns out, it was cheaper and easier to buy a Maxspect fixture. It doesn't have much programmability though. DIY gives you control over every aspect, if you have the time.

The Maxspect lights seem pretty cool. I looked at them in the past but some folks complained about noise. Is yours noisy? Do you have any pictures of your tank with the LED lights?

Mine aren't bad. They could be quieter, they're certainly not inaudible, but I don't really notice them. Only pictures I have so far are here:
http://www.marshreef.com/modules.ph...pic&t=46758&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15
I will take some more soon.
So far I have been pleased with the lights, all things considered.

 

[ReddDevil3443]

DIY LED

what do you want to know I'm a 20 year union Electrician and yes I build led fixtures. Heres a link to my youtube page with sum vid of led fixture for my 120 reef
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_dl8-FEhqU
ReddDevil

 

[SVVAD]

Kinda OT but not really LOL

http://wimp.com/smacknightclub/

 

[zeek]

Re: DIY LED

Check this out http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=186982&st=0

 

[flexrac]

found another link to led kits:
http://www.reefledlights.com/led-kits/deluxe-led-kits/

 

[soymilk]

That site has very high prices.

I looked up the 24led retro kit and they are charging 267 with 2 meanwell. Older model led Cree xre

As compared to rapidled same thing 235. When I joined a group buy last year I got 24 LEDs with two drivers for under 200.

 

[Tnconcept]

Maybe I'll try a simple diy with you Eugene For my nano. Nothing crazy maybe 4 bulb just for softies.

 

[soymilk]

i made this a few months ago for a friend. Only 6 leds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSR22-Azv0k

 

[flexrac]

The thread that got me interested.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1587273

except it will cost much less now, going the rapid led route.

 

[steveb]

Im doing a DIY LED on the 36 bow front. Ordered the LED's from rapid led. I also ordered some of the 420nm true violet LED's from nano tuners along with some neutral white and blues. I also like this thread having to do w/color aesthetics...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1885076

 

[soymilk]

very nice.... steve. When I had my maxspect, i noticed certain colors were a little mute. With my new fixture that uses warm white, blue, and royal blue, seems like colors pop a little more to me.

Good luck on your build, post a build thread!