72" DIY LED build...A Solaris rising from the ashes.

kcress said:
Looks good! (except for the obscenely large gauge wire) :)
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LOL! Large but convenient because I've been meaning to ask you if you could relink to that spool of wire that you did several months ago which you said was a great deal and high quality...I think it was on like mouser or digikey or something?
 
I swapped the wire out for something thinner and easier to work with. As for large spool of wire, I don't think this was me that posted. I got all of my wire from the Rat Shack.
 
widmer said:
I've been meaning to ask you if you could relink to that spool of wire that you did several months ago which you said was a great deal and high quality...I think it was on like mouser or digikey or something?
Click to expand...


Not Mouser or DK! They're obnoxious places to buy wire from because it's often wrapped with disgusting rotting tape that renders the wire almost unusable from sticky slime and paper shreds. And all that for over pricing!

Go here: http://www.bulkwire.com/
 
Reffering to your post 3/18/10 where you used the MW to test the LEDs. Why even us the drivers if you can use the MeanWell power supply directly.
 
Hey thanks for the link. Would you recommend anything other than the 22 AWG 300V hookup wire? I'd like to finally feel like I'm working with whatever is best for this application but I don't have any other experience which tells me what that is...
 
rascole said:
Why even us the drivers if you can use the MeanWell power supply directly.
Click to expand...

The drivers would have driven more LEDS and which would have fewer cords to run the ficture. Time caught up with me and I just don't have the time like I used to.

I did great with my first DIY driver until I fried something when the bottom touched the heatsink and shortened out the board. Rookie mistake. My next attemped was not as successful as the first as I could not get both sides of the board to run. I am sure it was an issue with my soldering but again, I don't have time to go down that road just yet.

I have everything I need for the last part of this build and will post as soon as I have the time get pics and info up.
 
Keep up the good work. This weekend I plan to do a copy of your build with one of my 48". But plan on keeping it simple and use the MW drivers and control with my Aqua Controller 3. Of the LED choices you researched, what do you think is the best? Crees or Luxeon?
 
What Aluminum material from HomeDepot did you use?
Cause I'm looking for local sources for a heatsink. I can use this to put the leds on and then get a couple of old cpu heatsinks on the other side with a couple fans.
 
widmer said:
Hey thanks for the link. Would you recommend anything other than the 22 AWG 300V hookup wire? I'd like to finally feel like I'm working with whatever is best for this application but I don't have any other experience which tells me what that is...
Click to expand...


Sorry widdy for the delay. Been one of those weeks with the stove failing, the sewer failing, and a %&<&#^ rat in the attic.

What you describe is what I'd use. That's dah'bomb.
 
has anyone found out how to upgrade the solaris to the higher W LED's and still use the neat features of the Solaris fixture?
 
You use to be able to replace the K2's with higher output K2's "LXK2-PWC4-0180" but they are completely sold out and discontinued. You have no other option but to replace the entire strip with the star mounted type like he used here. You could connect those to the factory drivers and would be good to go.
 
I know it has been a year since I updated this but I did complete this project and it is still up and running with no problems or burnt out LEDS like the original Solaris.
 
Good to hear it's working!

CloudIX said:
You could connect those to the factory drivers and would be good to go.
Click to expand...

The one caveat I would have here is to make sure your strings' Vfs are within the range that the original strings' Vfs were. Not knowing the details of the drivers, I'd want to be careful about potentially operating them outside their intended range.
 
did you ever figure out a way to use the Solaris Controller with your LED build?
i know the Solaris had some great options and features... just not enough LED haha
 
Just started rebuilding my Solaris . the Cree LED'S are awesome !!!! Been a few years since I have been on . Less LED'S , more lumens = Awesome !!!!!
 
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