Best design for this hybrid light
- Thread starter Webmanny
- Start date
DavidinGA
Active member
Yeah, everything is doing much better since the addition of T5's. I had several sps frags that just refused to grow under just leds. Now with T5's they are off and running (finally)!
Webmanny
Active member
I was looking into multichip LEDs and found this one on eBay. What do you guys think setup wise. I think I will try the 48w ones, but they have two setups.
I'm between number 4 and 5. I appreciate your feedback.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/191546818309
Webmanny
Active member
I normally don't use traditional drivers. I use a power supply with a controller. As far as the T5 ballast, I will leave the one that came with the T5 light and just add the power supply and controller for the LEDs.
The power supply I normally use is 12Vdc 20amps or 240watts.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I don't do conventional builds by normal standard, but I have been building DIY lights for years. This will be my third it forth LED light for Aquariums and there first one that will incorporate T5.
The power supply I normally use is 12Vdc 20amps or 240watts.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I don't do conventional builds by normal standard, but I have been building DIY lights for years. This will be my third it forth LED light for Aquariums and there first one that will incorporate T5.
Webmanny
Active member
Update:
I just received the multichip LEDs and I have to say, I like how it looks and works. I may rethink my design.
I'm glad I waited for this one before making the 3W LEDs permanent.
Check out the multichip LED and the new option for this hybrid light. Let me know what you think.
I just received the multichip LEDs and I have to say, I like how it looks and works. I may rethink my design.
I'm glad I waited for this one before making the 3W LEDs permanent.
Check out the multichip LED and the new option for this hybrid light. Let me know what you think.
Webmanny
Active member
I just did another test run and I'm having issues with how to dim these. My controller has 5 channels, but for some reason when I run these through the controller, one light works great, but when I add the second one, they lose brightness.
The power supply is not the issue as it has the ability to do 20 amps, but it must be a channel limitation of the controller.
I'll have to go back to the drawing board with these "pucks". I really want to stay with the current power supply and controller I have, as they work great. I'll keep you guys updated.
The power supply is not the issue as it has the ability to do 20 amps, but it must be a channel limitation of the controller.
I'll have to go back to the drawing board with these "pucks". I really want to stay with the current power supply and controller I have, as they work great. I'll keep you guys updated.
cmcoker
New member
Power supply output is 12v DC, right? So each string cannot pull more than 12v, I think.. Been a while since I did my build. Your controller looks like 12to24v, so you may have to swap your power supply to a 24v? Or add another controller for more strings..
I'm not an expert by any means, just what I remember from my build
Not local, but enjoying reading your build. Would like to go hybrid at some point..
I'm not an expert by any means, just what I remember from my build
Not local, but enjoying reading your build. Would like to go hybrid at some point..
Webmanny
Active member
The power supply is 12v, but so are the LEDs. Each channel of the multi chip LEDs is 10-12V and 700-900mamps. I'm not sure if the controller is to blame here or if the power supply has a voltage limitation per channel.
I'm testing a few more things once I finish some work I have to do.
Thank you for your feedback. I welcome any ideas others may have.
I'm testing a few more things once I finish some work I have to do.
Thank you for your feedback. I welcome any ideas others may have.
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
Nice
Webmanny
Active member
Update:
Hey team. I just wanted to give you a quick update. I had some time this weekend and decided to work on this light. I bought a 24v driver to connect them in a series and added two heatsinks with embedded fans to keep things cool.
I like these LEDs, but man they get hot. Here are some pictures.
Hey team. I just wanted to give you a quick update. I had some time this weekend and decided to work on this light. I bought a 24v driver to connect them in a series and added two heatsinks with embedded fans to keep things cool.
I like these LEDs, but man they get hot. Here are some pictures.
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