Cheap LED Group Buy! ($1.39/each)

[chocodile]

Don't know a lot about it but was looking at the 40w inventronics dimmable driver AKA Thomas research Products like found on nanocustoms or reefledlights.

 

[JMcAz7]

I don't have any experience with that driver, but 16 of these LEDS require 44.4W of power to drive.

You can run 1 driver if you want, but you won't have seperate control over each string. However, the Meanwell ELN 60-48D can hypothetically drive ~24 LEDS (12 per string, 2 strings), and are often underrated (reefledlights.com reports 1.7A drive current, we need 1.5A to drive these LEDS at full power.) They're going for $34 at reefledlights.

http://reefledlights.com/shop/mean-well-eln-60-48d/

If you want independant control w/dimming for each string, the Meanwell ELN-30-27D will drive a string of 7, and is on sale for $24 at nanotuners.

http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?cPath=38&products_id=657

 

[jomskie_ad]

hmmmm sounds interesting, anyway any ideas where would be cheaper place to buy c-channel aluminum locally?

 

[dadda1]

This sounds interesting, however I am not much of a hands on build it yourself type, so I guess if I was to jump into this group buy, is there anyone out there, that knows how or would help me in building the thing?

 

[JMcAz7]

hmmmm sounds interesting, anyway any ideas where would be cheaper place to buy c-channel aluminum locally?

I'll have an update on Monday. I need to call some local metal suppliers, but they're all closed on the weekend. Stay tuned....

 

[tadeo47]

This looks really tempting. I am just waiting to see how much the cheapest drivers would be

 

[JMcAz7]

If I was to jump into this group buy, is there anyone out there, that knows how or would help me in building the thing?

I'd be willing to give you a crash course if you want in. Also, I'm going to be making the most detailed how-to write up possible because there's a ton of information to be found on the subject, but it's not very clean. Evilc66 has written a lot of good information, but from what I can tell he's never finished the guide. I also don't mind answering questions (evidenced by the fact that 75% of the responses on this thread are mine.

 

[JMcAz7]

This looks really tempting. I am just waiting to see how much the cheapest drivers would be

How many LEDs are you looking at running? That changes with how big a project we're talking.

 

[tadeo47]

I have no idea yet, I mean I dont want to start keeping hard corals, but for softies and zoos and stiff like that. I have a 29 gal and a 14 gal, maybe we could start with the 14. what do you recommend?

 

[jimlundborg]

When are you looking to place the order?

 

[JMcAz7]

I have no idea yet, I mean I dont want to start keeping hard corals, but for softies and zoos and stiff like that. I have a 29 gal and a 14 gal, maybe we could start with the 14. what do you recommend?

1 more question. Do you want dimmable drivers? If you have a controller you can adjusting the dimming for a dawn/dusk cycle with just 1 string of lights with a dimmable driver. If not, I'd do 2 drivers and set them up independently so blues come on first, then whites.

What are the dimensions of your tanks?

 

[tadeo47]

I dont know yet. Ill compare prices see how much the difference is.

its L 15.5 x W 15 x H 16.7

 

[JMcAz7]

When are you looking to place the order?

I'm gonna place it on Friday (the 24th).

 

[tadeo47]

so how many do you think i need?

 

[JMcAz7]

so how many do you think i need?

For the 14, you could probably get away with 8-10 LEDS. I'd personally do 5 White/5 Blue on a dimmable ballast, and you probably won't need optics (I'd get them anyway just in case.) That way you have the headroom for pretty much anything you want to run lightwise (softies to SPS), and you can cut back the power if the LEDS are stressing your livestock.

 

[JMcAz7]

Please PM me with what you plan on getting, and I'll PM you the price back.

Price will drop the more we buy, so start calling some friends!

 

[tadeo47]

have you found any good dim-able drivers that you recommend me? Do i need a controller too?

 

[JMcAz7]

have you found any good dim-able drivers that you recommend me? Do i need a controller too?

This Driver will run 8 all day long, and is on sale for $24 at the moment:

http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?cPath=38&products_id=657

It's possible that it will run 10 LEDS in 2 strings of 5, but I can't say that for 100% since it's above the designed current of the driver (rapidled reports 1.7A out from this driver).

 

[JMcAz7]

have you found any good dim-able drivers that you recommend me? Do i need a controller too?

Here's one that will drive 12 LEDS in a single string, and is dimmable, and costs about $34. It's the 48V version:

http://wattsupply.com/s.nl/it.A/id.3308/.f

As for dimming control, there's a few ways to go around it. You can always just run a potentiometer and adjust it manually. If you want timed, controllable dimming you'll need some sort of controller. I run mine of my Reefkeeper Lite, but it does a lot more that just that too.

 

[JMcAz7]

C Channel Aluminum

C Channel Aluminum

hmmmm sounds interesting, anyway any ideas where would be cheaper place to buy c-channel aluminum locally?

So the cheapest aluminum I've found locally is through Industrial Metal Supply in Phoenix. They only sell in 16' lengths which sucks, but they're also cheap.

1" wide x 1/2" tall (the "legs") is $24 for a 16' length, or $18 for a 16' section if we buy 4 of them.

1" wide x 1" tall is $39 for a 16' length, or $28 if we buy 3 of them.

So, mini group buy on aluminum. I have the tools to cut to length here at home.