DIY LED Array build
- Thread starter sphil876p
- Start date
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
An FYI, ReefKeeping magazine has been delayed due to the installation and configuration of new software on the server. It's been a major project and will introduce some nice new features, and a totally new look for the magazine. There was an announcement up in the forums a while ago, but it looks like it has expired. Keep your eyes open though, the new issue should be out in the near future.
sphil, what kind of camera are you using? Taking photos of lighting can be tricky, if you have a camera with manual controls it's easier since you can "freeze" the settings to take the two photos. Otherwise, most cameras will try to automatically balance contrast, brightness, and color balance to the point that your two photos will look identical.
sphil, what kind of camera are you using? Taking photos of lighting can be tricky, if you have a camera with manual controls it's easier since you can "freeze" the settings to take the two photos. Otherwise, most cameras will try to automatically balance contrast, brightness, and color balance to the point that your two photos will look identical.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15316548#post15316548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JoshuaG
Good progress!! Did Anna give you shipping info on your blues? Mine were suppose to go out last Thur and I think they just finally shipped yesterday, but no tracking info
My blues did ship out last Thurs. and she sent me the tracking info. Maybe, because I had them shipped on MY UPS account
She still has not sent me the invoice yet, though I think that she might have been overwhelmed with all of the orders from NR. UPS has showed them on schedule to arrive today, but I just tracked them and delivery has been rescheduled for tomorrow 
Thanks for the RK Mag info! The camera I am using is an inexpensive polaroid i1035 http://www.polaroid.com/CES/ProductDetail.jsp?folder_id=2534374302037091&prod_code=PW100
Well, I received my package from ETG today. UPS put a nice dent in the box for me :eek2:
After taking pics of the damaged box just in case, I opened the package. There was just a little wadded up newspaper in the package......
The items were in bags but loose in the box :mad2:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3701639053/" title="PICT0339 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2519/3701639053_f97f8846ee.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0339" /></a>
So I unpacked the items, and for good measure I tested each of the LEDs with my handy AA battery tester. I would give a detailed description of how to build this, but I think the pic speaks for itself :lol:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3702447324/" title="PICT0342 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3702447324_f417435ac2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0342" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3701639531/" title="PICT0344 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/3701639531_f59a5e5506.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0344" /></a>
All LEDs check OK
After taking pics of the damaged box just in case, I opened the package. There was just a little wadded up newspaper in the package......
The items were in bags but loose in the box :mad2:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3701639053/" title="PICT0339 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2519/3701639053_f97f8846ee.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0339" /></a>
So I unpacked the items, and for good measure I tested each of the LEDs with my handy AA battery tester. I would give a detailed description of how to build this, but I think the pic speaks for itself :lol:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3702447324/" title="PICT0342 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3702447324_f417435ac2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0342" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3701639531/" title="PICT0344 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/3701639531_f59a5e5506.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0344" /></a>
All LEDs check OK
ETG provided my first order with much better results. I received an invoice and tracking number via email the day they shipped. I wonder if the amount of orders they are getting for these is causing their issues. Though, I dont think there is any excuse for poor packaging on this type of product. I think that you guys should post your feedback on the Vendors you use as well.
Finally got the last LEDs mounted and soldered............
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3705239867/" title="PICT0351 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3705239867_82ed6f4c3e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0351" /></a>
I am running 18 white and 10 royal blue on this first array to see how blue/white the light looks. I like a 10k to 12k look, just a hint of blue to make the colors of the corals stand out. I am going to mount this over my small makeshift frag tank until I finish my upgrade. I have a few small frags of Acro and Monti to see how their colors progress. I think I am blasting them with too much light currently, as they are under a 250W DE retro with 10K XM bulb.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3705240831/" title="PICT0361 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3705240831_55935e1da1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0361" /></a>
The colors are a little better in person, I am not doing so well with the digital camera.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3705239867/" title="PICT0351 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3705239867_82ed6f4c3e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0351" /></a>
I am running 18 white and 10 royal blue on this first array to see how blue/white the light looks. I like a 10k to 12k look, just a hint of blue to make the colors of the corals stand out. I am going to mount this over my small makeshift frag tank until I finish my upgrade. I have a few small frags of Acro and Monti to see how their colors progress. I think I am blasting them with too much light currently, as they are under a 250W DE retro with 10K XM bulb.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3705240831/" title="PICT0361 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3516/3705240831_55935e1da1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0361" /></a>
The colors are a little better in person, I am not doing so well with the digital camera.
Ok, LEDs tested and power supplies set to push both strings at 950MA. One string is running at 50V, and the other at 49.5V. I have put 40 degree optics on the two outside rows of 6, and 60 degree on the center 3 rows. The array puts out a very tight beam of light.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3706047938/" title="PICT0354 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3706047938_ff1ff58511.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0354" /></a>
Now I need to cleanup all of the wiring and finish mounting the sink in the fixture box.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40220688@N05/3706047938/" title="PICT0354 by sphil876, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3706047938_ff1ff58511.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PICT0354" /></a>
Now I need to cleanup all of the wiring and finish mounting the sink in the fixture box.
vincent843
New member
What is the distance btw the 2 LEDs, center to center?
The optical help to spread out the light?
Thanks.
I spaced the LEDs 1 5/8" center to center..........................
I did this because the optics actually focus the light beam, and I was worried about possible spotlighting. For my next project I will actually use the following pattern....
...X--X--X--X--X--X
X--X--X--X--X--X
..X----X----X----X
X--X--X--X--X--X
...X--X--X--X--X--X
Hope that this will make more use of the 12" of heatsink and spread the light out more with no spotlighting.
I am using the optics to replace the intensity of my 250 watt metal halide lighting. I keep SPS, LPS and Clams. I will need the light to penetrate to the bottom of my 24" tank. What I understand from all available info, is that you must have optics for higher PAR at that depth.
I did this because the optics actually focus the light beam, and I was worried about possible spotlighting. For my next project I will actually use the following pattern....
...X--X--X--X--X--X
X--X--X--X--X--X
..X----X----X----X
X--X--X--X--X--X
...X--X--X--X--X--X
Hope that this will make more use of the 12" of heatsink and spread the light out more with no spotlighting.
I am using the optics to replace the intensity of my 250 watt metal halide lighting. I keep SPS, LPS and Clams. I will need the light to penetrate to the bottom of my 24" tank. What I understand from all available info, is that you must have optics for higher PAR at that depth.
I am using the large size 8.5 x 12 from http://www.heatsinkusa.com/asfdas.html .......
Alot of people are using this vendor, because they sell different sizes, and have low minimum order lengths.....
I have not taken temperature readings yet, because I am working on mounting the sink in a "fixture" this weekend....
Once I have the Array in place I plan to put a temp probe inside the fixture to monitor running temperature.........
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15340942#post15340942 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shikhyung
With that heatsink, I am not worry about heat
With your current config', 28 Leds on a 8.5x12 what is the area it will cover?
Just finished mounting the fixture, so in my opinion this lights a nice tight beam about 14" x 16" with the optics I used.......
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