chinese led lights

[Travis1787]

My light is at my house can't wait to get home!

 

[ghrorick]

So I think I am going to order 2 a6s for my 120 gallon. I think I am going to go with

dimmer 1 18 blue and 6uv
dimmer 2 30 white 12 royal blue (or blue if I can't get royal blue) and 6 violet.
trying to decide if I want the uvs on dimmer 1 or one of the other colors. I think that this is basically like one of the diy units they offer with the only difference being the royal blues instead of the blues. I really just need to break down and buy the lights, I've been looking for 2 months now.

 

[Travis1787]

Well got my unit opened it up and I must say very nicely put together! The only error I see made is the dimmers are labled backwards the one that says white is blue and one that says blue is white. No big deal.

I went with 30 blues 21 whites 4 violets. And I'm suprised to say I wish I went bluer! But there product it self is gorgeous so well made and nice looking the only thing I wish was bettter is a way to hang this thing haha gotta figure that out still pics will come as I get it up

 

[Trevenator]

So I think I am going to order 2 a6s for my 120 gallon. I think I am going to go with

dimmer 1 18 blue and 6uv
dimmer 2 30 white 12 royal blue (or blue if I can't get royal blue) and 6 violet.
trying to decide if I want the uvs on dimmer 1 or one of the other colors. I think that this is basically like one of the diy units they offer with the only difference being the royal blues instead of the blues. I really just need to break down and buy the lights, I've been looking for 2 months now.

Your Idea is close to setup im going to try to get with my A6.
Im going to see if they can do
24 white
16 blue
16 royal blue
6 violet
6 uv

The par 38 bulbs I have now have a 3 blue to 2 white ratio and I think the color looks good. Around 20k

 

[bhazard451]

Well got my unit opened it up and I must say very nicely put together! The only error I see made is the dimmers are labled backwards the one that says white is blue and one that says blue is white. No big deal.

I went with 30 blues 21 whites 4 violets. And I'm suprised to say I wish I went bluer! But there product it self is gorgeous so well made and nice looking the only thing I wish was bettter is a way to hang this thing haha gotta figure that out still pics will come as I get it up

How do the violets look? Is It worth putting them in? I have 4 waiting to be put in my fixture.

I'll make a guide to make a wall bracket to hang from like I did later.

 

[Chicago]

so confused.. the web site. has so many options for different lights.. nova and others.. are all made by same manufacturer?

 

[Travis1787]

Its hard to tell now cause its not installed but I would say be carefull with how many violets you add I would do at most 1 violet every ten leds at most I got 4 and my 55 unit and I think its ok if anything I wish I got more blues I did 30 blues 21 whites id deff think about trying 34 blues 17 whites 4 violets ..a 2:1 blue ratio....

Hanging this thing in my canopy is gonna be a pain lol

 

[bhazard451]

Like a few others, I had no idea how to mount my LED fixture once I got it. Most of these do not come with a leg bracket like I'm used to using, and my ceiling is way too high.

I also could not buy the Aquaticlife hanging fixture because my tank is up against the wall, and I could not drill to a stand. What to do.....

Instructions to hang a led fixture from a wall bracket​

(Probably should be a sticky)

You will need:

-Rubbermaid 25 in. Twin Track Upright (one or two for each fixture) $5

-Rubbermaid 14-1/2 in. White Twin Track Bracket (use a smaller or bigger one depending on how much extension you need, one for each upright) $5

-Rubbermaid Twin Track Universal Hardware Pack (has all the screws and anchors you need) $7

-Hacksaw
-Drill, 5/16 drill bit
-Clamp
-Level / T Square
-Stud Finder
-Tape measure

Use a tape measure to measure length, and center where the bracket will be going over the tank. Divide by two or 3 sections for bigger tanks and multiple fixtures and mark it. Use a stud finder and see if you are able to use a stud in the wall to hang the bracket. If you can, you won't need the plastic anchors. If your fixture is not going into a stud (mine couldn't), you will need to use the anchors.

Since they don't make smaller uprights, use a hacksaw and a clamp, and cut the upright so it at least has two screw holes. I recommend around 16" or more. The metal cuts somewhat easily with it.

Use a bubble level/T square to place the upright. Add at least 6" for the hanging wires, and add another 10" for height. Mark the screw holes.

Pre drill for the anchors with a 5/16" drill bit (I think it was the size, hold it next to the anchor closed to compare, should look similar in size.

Close the anchor and push it into the wall so it will expand vertically. Take a hammer or mallet and knock it in flush. Use the pin included to push into the anchor to expand it. Repeat for the second hole.

Line up the upright and screw holes. Use the larger screws in the kit and drill the screws into the anchors and upright until tight.

Attach the bracket piece. I really like the ability to raise and lower the fixture easily with the twin track design.

Attach all four wires to one caribiner hook and one bracket, or use 2 wires, 2 caribiners, 2 brackets for a fixture.

Do not exceed 30lbs per fixture if you are not drilled into wall studs. My fixture was ~10 lbs and holds fine. Make sure you aren't drilling into a pipe or electrical wiring as well. If you hit metal, stop.

This is the end result:

 

[bhazard451]

so confused.. the web site. has so many options for different lights.. nova and others.. are all made by same manufacturer?

There are hundreds of manufacturers, and many different designs. Based on positive experiences and great communication, I recommend the Evergrow fixtures. I'm sure there are plenty of other good sellers too, but I had a great experience with Evergrow.

 

[Travis1787]

Yea bhazard my prob is I have a canopy with only 14 inches off the water to work with and due to the cords coming out of the top of the unit I lose an inch ... Plus hanging it at the least it hangs another 2 inch then the unit is 2.5" thick so I'm going to be only 8 inches off the water

 

[coralsurfer]

Ola! My wife just got her lights this morning (3 units for her 125g). I do not have the time to read throught the entire thread here, so I will ask this now. How do you acclimate these? Does someone have any suggestions?

 

[bhazard451]

If the stock driver doesn't work for 0-10v from the driver, the replacement drivers that I think I'm going with will be:

Model WSB series
Rated Power 60W
Current range 0.28-1.8A (adjusted to 600 or 700mah)
Output voltage 18-150V (55-100)
Input voltage 90-264Vac
Power frequency 47-63HZ
Power factor 0.95 0.95
Typ.Efficiency 88% 88%
Waterproof level IP67 IP67
Dimension(L*W*H)mm 164*72*36
Net weight 750g
Warranty 3 years
Dimmable Time control, PWM, 0-10V
case material aluminum

It isn't this exact model, but looks like this:

http://szwintek.en.alibaba.com/prod...iency_60W_waterproof_led_driver_dimmable.html

Cost with express DHL shipping around $80 for both, less for slower shipping. Still getting pricing.

 

[WinnipegDragon]

@WinnipegDragon

I just brainstormed something. You tested from the Pot..

There are 4 wires going into the red connector which connects to the leds from the driver. They would be LED+ DIM+ (Red) and LED- DIM- (Black). Did your friend ever test the return voltage from there? Remember, we want to bypass the pot completely. The pot output on the driver might be screwing things up. It is non-standard compared to a meanwell driver.

If it actually takes the 0-10v signal, we would divert those two wires (DIM+, DIM-) from the red connector to the apex port via the apex dimming cable. Thoughts?

This would solve the fan issue, save $$ on drivers, and would make my day.

Yes we did check, and it's absolutely not taking 0-10v. That's what I was hoping for, you'd get, say, 12v on the line and the pot would vary resistance and return 0-10v, but that's not it. I don't recall the exact numbers, but it wasn't anywhere close.

 

[biecacka]

I have a 220 softy lps tank and a DIY fixture would cost much more than 3 of these lights. Not to mention I don't know if I could DIY. I don't have the time(could make it tho) the tools or know how. I wish I did
Corey

 

[Chicago]

The question now is which one. Why did you chose their nova. The site shows designs with Cree LEDs also. Or did I miss that in the 70 pages to this thread

 

[bhazard451]

The question now is which one. Why did you chose their nova. The site shows designs with Cree LEDs also. Or did I miss that in the 70 pages to this thread

The most common chinese ones are the Cree designs (around 24 leds), the 55x3watt running at 2-2.5w, and the Nova design running at 2-2.5w. Go for the dimmable ones, as they are great for acclimating corals or light control in general.

These aren't low quality Odyssea fixtures either. These are quality boxes, and they look beautiful. Everyone who has seen mine has been very impressed with it.

Crees are the better leds, but they cost more, and there are less of them in the fixture. The other designs use Bridgelux leds, which aren't as powerful, yet are cheaper, they use more of them to equal the crees output, and they are tighter placed for a bit better spread.

The $165 55x3 is the best value if you just plan on plug and play, and never modifying the fixture. 3 of them could cover a 125 gallon tank and grow just about anything, which is just an insane value in this hobby. $165 would cover the year's cost of replacing 3 250w Metal Halide bulbs alone, nevermind the electricity.

I also just couldn't bring myself to spend $750 on one fixture. Sure a Radion is nice, but what is the value in it when I can get a comparable light without "thunderstorms" for 1/5th of the price?

The Nova is better if you are looking to have a fixture with semi-diy capabilities. It is easier to open, everything is connected with a quick connect for easy replacement, has a heatsink, and is modular. I'm already looking into ways to allow the fixture to be controllable with an apex, arduino board, or any other reef controller. It is very much possible with a driver swap.

Just think, the 2x72w Apex controllable AI Sol fixture is $900. With a driver swap, that Nova becomes a comparable Apex controlled fixture (with less software features obviously) for $300 or less, as long as you're willing to do some DIY work and accept the risks involved. I've been waiting years for leds to become affordable, and this is the best way I've found outside of DIY.

If Crees become much cheaper in a few years, or if more efficient leds come out, it would be easier for me to swap them on the Nova unit.

 

[bhazard451]

Getting closer to finding the right drivers at a good price, customized. One quote was even for $52 shipped for both!

The fans might be screwing up the output voltage however. It may be taking 2x 12v on its own. If we removed the stock driver and have to wire the fans seperately, we might have to take the voltage into account. Running at 700 mah will produce more heat too, but will be brighter.

Specs on the latest find:
Input voltage : 90-264Vac
Output voltage: 68-86Vdc
Output current:700mA
Output Frequency :47Hz-63Hz
Dimmable:0-10V
Efficiency :88%@230VAC
Power factor:
PF>0.95/230Vac,PF>0.98/115Vac
Cables : Ac cable: 650mm ,
Dc cable:500mm without waterproof
connector Weight:0.75Kg
Dimmension: 170*80*40mm(L*W*H)

 

[boz151]

What do you guys think about this config for the A6 lights. I'm working with Sam now, and he told me that Royal Blues are available. I would like something on the bluer side, but figured I could adjust the dimmers to get the effect I'm looking for. I also like the blend of the Blue with the more purple royal blue (or would violet be better to achieve the look of blue and VHO Super Actinic)? I"m planning 3 x A6 Nova for my 180g tank (6 x 2 x 2)

Dimmer one: 18blue+6 Royal Blue
Dimmer two: 36white+12blue

 

[WinnipegDragon]

Getting closer to finding the right drivers at a good price, customized. One quote was even for $52 shipped for both!

The fans might be screwing up the output voltage however. It may be taking 2x 12v on its own. If we removed the stock driver and have to wire the fans seperately, we might have to take the voltage into account. Running at 700 mah will produce more heat too, but will be brighter.

Specs on the latest find:
Input voltage : 90-264Vac
Output voltage: 68-86Vdc
Output current:700mA
Output Frequency :47Hz-63Hz
Dimmable:0-10V
Efficiency :88%@230VAC
Power factor:
PF>0.95/230Vac,PF>0.98/115Vac
Cables : Ac cable: 650mm ,
Dc cable:500mm without waterproof
connector Weight:0.75Kg
Dimmension: 170*80*40mm(L*W*H)

I found the fans on my A4 a bit noisy anyhow. I would think they are easy to replace and wire to a dedicated adapter anyhow, since they appear to be stock 80mm fans.

For $52? Sign me up! Are these through Sam or another supplier?

 

[bhazard451]

I found the fans on my A4 a bit noisy anyhow. I would think they are easy to replace and wire to a dedicated adapter anyhow, since they appear to be stock 80mm fans.

For $52? Sign me up! Are these through Sam or another supplier?

From a led driver supplier. I contacted multiple, and trying to get the best price.

For the fans, you can just get two quiet 80mm or 120mm fans and wire them in parallel to a 12v 1amp AC/DC adapter (both reds to + on adapter wire, both blacks to - on adapter wire). Just cut the wire on the adapter and attach. If you use one of those universal adapters with multiple voltages, you can control the speed of the fans by sliding to lower voltages like 9 or 5, which would be a new feature I might end up doing this anyway, otherwise the fans will stay on all the time with the controller.