210 Upgrade Build with LED Build
- Thread starter nuclearheli
- Start date
Buganddoug
X NJRC Vice President
It looking nicer and nicer with every photo you post.
pyton
New member
After many talks with the company Inventronics even if we did a large order the price would still be double of what TRC sells them for after freight charges. We asked for two for testing purposes and the manufacture was willing to sell at $70.00 each and $70.00 each for freight, total being $140.00 each. When TRC has them in stock you can buy them at $130.00 each. So no savings
From what I am seeing this manufacture is building them for two other companies but the two other companies state they are out of stock. With no idea when they will get more. I am pretty sure it is because this manufacture is waiting for more orders before building more. Due to the pricing they are giving to American companies.
nuclearheli
Member
Yes, it was. It was picked up from LifeReef a week ago last Friday. I guess I am waiting in line for the company that is shipping his larger sumps to ship out mine. I was promised it would be "shipped" this week. No telling when I am going to get it. I have all the other sub components of the sump, all delivered directly by LifeReef. No doubt they need a better system for larger builds.
nuclearheli
Member
TR and pretty much everyone supplying the HV Dimming drivers that I used in my build are all out of stock and waiting. Given the straight forward specs there must be another HV alternative, I will check into it. Seems I got mine just in time. Best guess estimate I can get from TR is one month but no promises.
pyton
New member
Posting this at the request of NuclearHeli
Thanks for the PM NuclearHeli
If you do not want to wait I have a supplier that has some left in stock. They do not sell directly to the public but I have set up an account under my business with them today to become an authorized reseller. I also reserved all of the stock they had to get better pricing. There was not that many in stock
Just to be clear, these drivers are a different brand name but come out of the same factory in China. Every spec is the same, the wiring color is the same, the only difference is the different company sticker put on them at the manufacture. These come with a 3 year manufacture warranty. With a manufacture contact in the USA!
Send me a PM if you are looking for these drivers.
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nuclearheli
Member
And yes, finally, we have a tracking number and the sump is on the road. According to the web site it will be in Chicago by tonight. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can get this sump by the weekend.
nuclearheli
Member
I would love to show you pictures but I would have to fly to Chicago to get them. Here is the web site's current status on the sump's location:
29-Mar-2011 1615 1 Arrived Chicago/O~hare Airport, IL, US
28-Mar-2011 2155 1 Departed Denver, CO, US
28-Mar-2011 1919 1 Scanned Denver, CO, US
28-Mar-2011 1710 1 Shipment Labeled Denver, CO, US
28-Mar-2011 1710 1 Received Denver, CO, US
Right now the web site is showing a delivery on April 5th. I am going to call them tomorrow to see what I can do about that. If it gets to New Jersey by week's end I will go where it is to pick it up.
If yo want to see pictures he sent to me check out page 14 post 334:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1975251&page=14
nuclearheli
Member
Go to www.mcmastercarr.com and in the search box enter "thumb screws". You will find most all types of thumb screws.
nuclearheli
Member
So here is some updates. I wanted to limit the maximum voltage from my Apex VDM to 9 volts so I built a Zener diode regulator on the blue and white outputs from the VDM. Here it is:
I used a 9.1 Volt diode and a 1KOhm resistor to build the regulator. It works perfectly, limiting the voltage to 9.1 volts. I am suspicious that the VDM's voltage could get as high as 12 volts.
If you want a really good reference for building a regulator like this go to this site: http://www.reuk.co.uk/Zener-Diode-Voltage-Regulator.htm excellent tutorial.
We (my much smarter computer literate son and I) are starting multiple profiles and programming on the Apex to get the desired lighting cycles. Here is a small sample of some night blue lighting. Just starting this so not fixed in stone also I can't work my wife's very expensive camera.
Don't even bother, this picture is horrible. It looks 1000x better in person.
I used a 9.1 Volt diode and a 1KOhm resistor to build the regulator. It works perfectly, limiting the voltage to 9.1 volts. I am suspicious that the VDM's voltage could get as high as 12 volts.
If you want a really good reference for building a regulator like this go to this site: http://www.reuk.co.uk/Zener-Diode-Voltage-Regulator.htm excellent tutorial.
We (my much smarter computer literate son and I) are starting multiple profiles and programming on the Apex to get the desired lighting cycles. Here is a small sample of some night blue lighting. Just starting this so not fixed in stone also I can't work my wife's very expensive camera.
Don't even bother, this picture is horrible. It looks 1000x better in person.
allactiondan
New member
I have been following your build for some time now, and I'm impressed. I like your attention to detail. I can't wait to see the tank full of live stock.
How is the spotlighting on the rocks and sand bed? -Do you see blue/white/blue/white, or one blended colour? Can you post a closeup of the sand bed?
I'm going to start building a 180 LED fixture for a 72x24x30, and I can't seem to decide between the Mean Wells or the Thomas Research drivers. I know the meanwells "flash" to full power for a split second when they turn off, do the Thomas research drivers do the same?
I know it's way to early to tell, but are you happy with your choice of drivers?
Dan
How is the spotlighting on the rocks and sand bed? -Do you see blue/white/blue/white, or one blended colour? Can you post a closeup of the sand bed?
I'm going to start building a 180 LED fixture for a 72x24x30, and I can't seem to decide between the Mean Wells or the Thomas Research drivers. I know the meanwells "flash" to full power for a split second when they turn off, do the Thomas research drivers do the same?
I know it's way to early to tell, but are you happy with your choice of drivers?
Dan
pyton
New member
I like the TRC drivers because you have 1 driver for every 60 to 80 LED's and they are dimmable. I followed a couple of the Mean Well driver builds and someone had 5 drivers for 60 LED's. When I talked to a couple builders they are not too keen on the Mean Well drivers now that they have seen the TRC concept.
The hard part is getting your hands on the drivers right now. They are so popular they sell out as soon as the suppliers get them. If you are serious about using the TRC drivers send me a PM and I will explain further.
nuclearheli
Member
The lighting seems excessive which is not actually a bad thing, I am driving the LED's much lower than I expected and that is also a good thing. We are just starting to fool around with color mixture with the control unit but I am very happy so far. But!!!!! there is no water in the tank yet and that is what I really need to see. I have plenty of reserve light so I am not worried, but the lighting I seen now is going to change. I choose 1:1 ratio on blue to white and I am happy with that also. I find that I can adjust the intensity of both drivers to suit my fancy. My 90 tank has 20K MH so I like the blue's more than the bright white. Personal preference although my stock and corals seem to be happy.
I am really pleased with my driver choice. I don't notice any flashing of the lights at all so I am not sure what you are referring to. The lights are also very stable when on and the heat load is minimum. My fans really never turn on. I like the simplicity of the build. It's clean and efficient. I have been monitoring the energy usage and I am more than impressed. I am running LED cycles throughout the day at literally 10 or 15% of what I am using on my 90. Since the lights are much more intense and larger that is a great improvement. I don't have any regrets at this time. If I built it again starting today I can't really see anything I would change. It is perfect for my needs and my tank. It may not be the right thing for everyone but for this build I think I got a good light out of the deal.
pyton
New member
I used a 9.1 Volt diode and a 1KOhm resistor to build the regulator. It works perfectly, limiting the voltage to 9.1 volts. I am suspicious that the VDM's voltage could get as high as 12 volts.
Which is the diode and which is the resistor?
Would Radio Shack have them?
Why only 9.1 you could not find a 9.5 to 9.9?
BTW I love the night mode look. that is exactly how I want mine to look.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
The zener diodes are on the inside and the resistors are the 2 blue on the outside. And Yes you can get them at radio shack.
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