Cheap LED Group Buy! ($1.39/each)

JMcAz7

JMcAz7

Vanilla Ice Impersonator
Hey All,

I'm looking at putting together a group buy for some 3W LEDS from Satis LEDs (Google them for more info.) They seem to have a pretty solid rep on the DIY forums for output, and I don't really want to drop the $$ for Crees.

The LEDS are cheap ($1.39/each for whites, $1.54/each for blues), and seem like they're pretty good, especially for the price. Additionally, the 60 degree optics for them are $38 for a box of 160 (~$0.24/each), so it's really cheap. Also, drivers for 12 are $16.99/each. The killer is shipping because it's coming from China (minimum of $40 shipping), but if we get 4 people in, shipping will be >$10 a person.

For example, I want to do 15 whites and 15 blues on my nano. With optics and shipping, I'm out ~$60. Sounds good to me!

Please contact me if you want in or have any questions, and I'll start getting this order put together. I'm gonna place the order on Friday the 24th, so please arrange with me by then. I will need money up front, as I have been burned on a group buy before.

Price Breakdown: (Note: may be lower if enough are purchased due to bulk pricing).

White LEDS: $1.39/each
Blue LEDS: $1.54/each
Red LEDS: $1.54/each
60 Degree Optics: $.024/each (Approx, must be order in qty of 160, so price may change but not too drastically)
Drivers (Drive 12 LEDS): $16.99/each

LED builds using Satis LEDs:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2030938&highlight=satis
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1950575&highlight=satis
 
Depth matters for this, so I'm gonna assume it's 24" deep. I'm gonna say 100-120, with a 50/50 mix between blue and white. These are cheap LEDS, so I'd go closer to 120 than 100 (they're also $1.54 each, while Crees are $7+ each). That should give pretty good coverage with the 60 degree optics and keep the PAR at the bottom of the tank
pretty high.

There's no real 1 answer for that. It depends on tank depth and how much light you need. Searching around I've seen a lot of numbers, but 120 pops up quite a bit so that's probably a pretty safe bet.

I'll throw a bunch of links at you to consider.

Here's a link to Shockwave's build for his 75g. It's a 48" tank, and he used 48 total in 2 groups. He included PAR ratings as well.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1587273

The big thing is PAR, because the whole "X Watts per gallon" doesn't really apply to LEDs since they're more efficient at the specific wavelengths than a halide or CF. He was getting a PAR ~100 with 48 LEDS at 20" of depth, and 260-280 at ~10" depth, and that was without optics.

Also, here's a REALLY good breakdown of PAR with various optics.
http://reefledlights.com/optics-evaluation/
It's reef led lights dot com.

Good explaination of PAR.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Lighting.html
Note:The above link is americanaquariumproducts dot com, in case it blanks it out.

I'm honestly still searching for a good "how many" thread, so if you find one please share.
 
I am in as long as I can unload my current MH light. I guess I will be posting on RC tomorrow.

I am looking into:
72 white, 36 blue, and 100 of the optics.

Hopefully we can get enough people for this group buy to get a better rate as far as price is concerned. I know CREE's are proven in this hobby but if you can get the same watt light as a CREE for 1/2 to 2/3rds the price, I am in.

Now according to this, I will need 8 of the drivers correct (96 leds/12 led's per string=8)? Although when a I read the thread provided (lower one), they stated that they were driving 88 of the LED's with one power source--11 in series or 8 in parallel(strings I assume)). Is the power source the same as the driver or are they different? Is this a special power supply that he is using? Everywhere else that i have read on the DIY LED's forum is that one driver (dimmable or not) can handle up to 12 LED's/driver or string. Anyways, let me know if I missed something. Thanks!!
"20 pieces @ 42" and 440 LEDs... 1 LED power supply can hand 88 LEDs."
 
Sweet. I'll start putting together a list and I'll PM you with a total once we get closer to go time.

I'm looking to find a better deal on the LED drivers. The ones I listed above show 45W max output, so with 12 LEDS (750mA * 3.7V * 12) = 33.3W. They're cheap drivers.
Most people recommend the Meanwells. I'm doing more research now, and trying to figure out what one flworkd used on his. Until then, here's a nice thread about how to wire them and some dos and don'ts.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/135404-diy-led-wiring-diagram-its-not.html It's planted tank dot com.

This driver will drive 5 strings of 10, ~$70 at mouser. Like I said, I'm still looking for a cheaper one for you. This one is a Meanwell, so it's really good.

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Mean-Well/ULP-150-36/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMu0oxGuRuNKH4PxN%252bc3jMvkt%2fGZYT4u6Es%3d
 
Last edited:
So I'm totally stealing this from another post:

Since the original post on the MW HLG-185H (30V-6.2A version) was from me, here are the calculations I made:

LEDs per string:
30V ÷ 3.6V (driver output ÷ LED forward voltage) = 8.33 rounded down to 8
So 8 LEDs per string

Number of parallel strings:
6.2A ÷ 700mA (driver current ÷ LED required current ) = 8.86 rounded up to 9
So number of parallel string = 9 ]
Click to expand...

As above, the number of LEDs per string depends on the voltage of the driver, and the number of strings depends on the amperage draw of the LEDS. That driver will drive 72 LEDS.

BTW, that driver is available through Mouser, but it's pricey (as in $131 pricey). I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Mean-Well/HLG-185H-30A/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMu0oxGuRuNKHxHlUTzCcva28bw4J0JO4wk%3d
 
I read that thread a while back, very good thread. Because of it I have decided to use the fedy's. But I would like to get 3 of the 100 watt leds. I wish they had a more detailed thread about them because I have only found threds that are fairly short. So if you by any chance know of any using the 100 watt fedy's let me know.
 
FYI: I calculated out a hypothetical savings by switching my setup to LEDs:

Current setup:
150W HQI + 2x18w PCs = 186W of light
1/13 JBJ Chiller

With The HQI running 12 hrs/day and PCs running 13hrs/day, my chiller running most of the time:

~$0.49/day
~$15.91/mo
~$190.92/year

With 18 LEDS (54W - 3Wx18) on a dimmable driver, and assuming I could probably get rid of my chiller:

~$0.08/day
~$2.44/mo
~$29.30/year

Even if I need to use twice the LEDS, or if my math's off (I don't think it is), then I'm still saving a TON of money, especially when I crank up the 90 gallon. :-)

Food for thought.
 
Last edited:
Mini, how much do you think this setup is going to cost you? I have a guy I have been dealing with in Oregon who has led setups made for him...I think they are 112 leds and you can go 40/72 blue white or vice versa.The units also have 3 built in fans. I think they are like 325 with shipping. Smithbauer tried them out and has since bought 6 total and likes them.....just food for thought.
 
dcarbones said:
Mini, how much do you think this setup is going to cost you? I have a guy I have been dealing with in Oregon who has led setups made for him...I think they are 112 leds and you can go 40/72 blue white or vice versa.The units also have 3 built in fans. I think they are like 325 with shipping. Smithbauer tried them out and has since bought 6 total and likes them.....just food for thought.
Click to expand...

I've priced it, and I can do the same/similar setup for about half that. The drivers are what get you, but if you dig around you can get big drivers really cheap. They aren't specifically made for LEDs, but I can drive 60 LEDS for $20 if I want.

As for the setup I'm going to make for the nano, it's gonna be about $55 for all parts and shipping (LEDS, drivers, heat sink (AKA aluminum U channel), and shipping).
 
So, what are you using for a heat sink? any cost on that so I can get an idea?

Oh and could you get red LEDs and what would the price be?
 
cadre said:
So, what are you using for a heat sink? any cost on that so I can get an idea?

Oh and could you get red LEDs and what would the price be?
Click to expand...

I'm going to use 2" aluminum C channel. It's $1.50-$2.00 a foot locally (I'll let you know where's the cheapest when I've finished calling everyone, but that's about the average price). The big finned heat sinks are nice, but pretty much every DIY with the C channel is reporting next to no heat issues and I'm all about saving $$$. Here's a build using 3" C channel. Same idea.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1950575&highlight=satis

Also, I'm gonna order some red LEDs for myself so let me know how many you want. They are $1.54/each.
 
I may be interested. Does lowes and depot carry the 2 inch C channel? Are you able to find something similar to the invetronics 40W dimmable? Also how do the compare to the royal blue and cool white cree in color?
 
chocodile said:
I may be interested. Does lowes and depot carry the 2 inch C channel? Are you able to find something similar to the invetronics 40W dimmable? Also how do the compare to the royal blue and cool white cree in color?
Click to expand...

No. Lowes only carries 3/4", and some Home Depots carry 1" but it seems to be hit or miss. The LEDS are only 20mm (~3/4") wide, so even 3/4" would probably work fine. I'm looking for 1" again since it will be cheaper (I'm shooting for <$40 for my whole retrofit).

Colorwise, they are close to the Cree's, but not quite. The Cree's are bin'd really tight, so they're more consistant (and also so much more $$$).
I personally would order a few extra so when you fire it up you can replace any that don't look right. I'm ordering a ton extra for myself, so I'll most likely have extra I can part with if you need.

Here's their color rating:

Cree XR-E Q5 Cool White = ~6500k
Satis White LED = 5700k - 6300k

Cree XR-E Royal Blue = 450-465nm
Satis Royal Blue LED = 455-460nm

The cheapos are going to be slightly more yellow, but you probably won't notice it if you compliment them with blues. The blues should look the same. I've seem them in person and they look good.
 
Sounds good. I'm gonna keep researching. If I did it I would probably do a 16 inch heatsink, 6-8 whites and 6-8 royal blues, and 2 drivers with dimmers for my nano. What driver would you suggest that is dimmable and inexpensive?
 
chocodile said:
Sounds good. I'm gonna keep researching. If I did it I would probably do a 16 inch heatsink, 6-8 whites and 6-8 royal blues, and 2 drivers with dimmers for my nano. What driver would you suggest that is dimmable and inexpensive?
Click to expand...

Do you have a controller with a dimmer output, and if so is it 0-10V or PWM?
 
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