Channel splittable multi-chip LEDs

[dartier]

Has anyone ever run across multichip LEDs that can be split into separate channel? Something like this (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/10W-Royal-Blue-White-Hybrid-Super-Actinic-Led-Beads-Lamp-Light-for-Aquarium-/261306328279?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&hash=item3cd71224d7&_uhb=1). I know you can custom order multi-chip LEDs already separated into channels, but I am just looking for cheap LEDs for a frag/QT tank where I can control the blues separate from the whites. I am just not sure if the photo actually matches what I would end up with from the vendor.

Dennis

 

[hellfish01]

Those will only stay on or off all at once. I just ordered some all blue online as well and I've had some whites 10,000k. The best think I would recommend is wiring them in parallel and like I'll have with 2 adapters one for whites and one for blues. Also I'd recommend a universal adapter and a heatsink because the top gets hot and can burn out the leds. The best thing about this adapter is that you can use the voltage regulator as a dimmer without damaging the led. Just DON'T RUN it at 12 volts cause that's overfill with just ONE led and will burn them out fast. If you plan on having more than 4 leds, say 2 blues and 2 whites, run them at 9v for the 2 blues and 6v for the whites or just play with them till you have something you like. Let me know how it goes.
hope this helps.

 

[oreo57]

Not multi, but just string a bunch together

http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/...-xp-e-q4-7a3-xp-e-d4-16-200lm-warm-white-blue

 

[dartier]

Those will only stay on or off all at once. I just ordered some all blue online as well and I've had some whites 10,000k. The best think I would recommend is wiring them in parallel and like I'll have with 2 adapters one for whites and one for blues. Also I'd recommend a universal adapter and a heatsink because the top gets hot and can burn out the leds. The best thing about this adapter is that you can use the voltage regulator as a dimmer without damaging the led. Just DON'T RUN it at 12 volts cause that's overfill with just ONE led and will burn them out fast. If you plan on having more than 4 leds, say 2 blues and 2 whites, run them at 9v for the 2 blues and 6v for the whites or just play with them till you have something you like. Let me know how it goes.
hope this helps.

Thanks. I was just thinking that if some 10W hybrids actually had the 3 strings (inside the multichip) broken out onto separate tabs, only connected by the larger cross members on the anode and cathode, a few minutes with a dremel would give me 2 separate channels (by cutting off the cross members). 1 channel would be white, about 11-12V vF with a draw of 350Ma, and the second would be blue (comprised of 2 strings) with a similar vF, but with 700ma draw (350ma in parallel).

In the DIY LEDs I have over my tank now, 280Ws of them are the 10W and 20W multichips. They work pretty well for being 2 year old technology. I have supplemented them with 200W of 3W chips (Rebels) due to the easy of applying lenses to the 3W stars, and the expanded spectrum options. Not to mention they are more efficient than the typical multichip. My only regret is that my 10W hybrids can't be adjusted separately for the white/RB.

Not multi, but just string a bunch together

http://www.fasttech.com/products/0/...-xp-e-q4-7a3-xp-e-d4-16-200lm-warm-white-blue

I saw those a few days ago. I guess I could mix and match some cool and warm white ones and then backfill with cheap single colour multichips, or some of the 430nm 3ups from LGB (if I want to go crazy on the frags).

I was hoping to try to match the spectrum intensity between the QT/Frag and the main tank to avoid have to acclimate corals being moved between the 2.

Dennis

 

[hellfish01]

I haven't tried opening them up, I see what you mean and with a steady hand magnifying glass and a good sadering iron I guess it could be done. I dont know if its worth all that trouble thought just to be able to dim one color over the other. Not to mention if you over heat it with the iron you may burn the leds, they are tiny. The 9 leds fit in a chip about the size of a nickel and there spaced apart. If you put the leds side by side id say you can fit a 5x5 square into a dime.

 

[dartier]

I haven't tried opening them up, I see what you mean and with a steady hand magnifying glass and a good sadering iron I guess it could be done. I dont know if its worth all that trouble thought just to be able to dim one color over the other. Not to mention if you over heat it with the iron you may burn the leds, they are tiny. The 9 leds fit in a chip about the size of a nickel and there spaced apart. If you put the leds side by side id say you can fit a 5x5 square into a dime.

Just to be clear, I am not suggesting anything that would require soldering, or opening of the 10W LED. I have a hard enough time soldering the headers onto breakout boards! :spin3:

I just noticed that some of the hybrid 10W LEDs appear (like this one http://www.ebay.ca/itm/10W-Royal-Blue-White-Hybrid-Super-Actinic-Led-Beads-Lamp-Light-for-Aquarium-/261306328279?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&hash=item3cd71224d7&_uhb=1) to use a carrier that has each colour on its own separate channel internally and is only combined by the large solder tabs on the outside of the case. 99% of the 10W multichips that you see, do not have this arrangement.

I was just hoping someone had a seller where the photo and the product actually matched, so you could DIY separate channels by cutting off the tabs.

Dennis

 

[sfsuphysics]

Has anyone ever run across multichip LEDs that can be split into separate channel?

Yup, quite a few out there, the "dream chips" come to mind from ebay, the Lumia from LEDgroupbuy (clayboa ), the key to know if it will be done is to look at the forward voltage, you're going to get a drop of about 3+ volts per LED, so the one you showed has a forward voltage of 9-12V that matches up with 3 LEDs. Now it looks like those metal tabs are such that it expects you to simply run everything on or off, but you might be able to snip off the metal ends and apply your current to each channel individually

 

[hellfish01]

It's worth a shot, I've seen some for a few dollars, might take a while to get in but if you break it out won't be a big loss

 

[zachts]

Has anyone ever run across multichip LEDs that can be split into separate channel? Something like this (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/10W-Royal-Blue-White-Hybrid-Super-Actinic-Led-Beads-Lamp-Light-for-Aquarium-/261306328279?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&hash=item3cd71224d7&_uhb=1). I know you can custom order multi-chip LEDs already separated into channels, but I am just looking for cheap LEDs for a frag/QT tank where I can control the blues separate from the whites. I am just not sure if the photo actually matches what I would end up with from the vendor.

Dennis

the one you linked to would work like you want if you cut the tabs off the ends and left the three legs sticking out. on this particular chip the power bars inside the chip are separate so you could make it into a three channel chip. Usually the power bar inside the chip is connected but on the one you liked it is not so you could run it as a three channel chip.

 

[perkint]

You mean something like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/50w-full-sp...7120161?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&hash=item486d0b9221

Im