DIY LED-Basic Question

[AmherstReef]

What do you do with the drivers, where do you put them ?

 

[Stusdesktop]

Mine are in the fixture itself, others have them remote in a project box and run wiring to the fixture.

My thinking for in fixture was:

Less electrical under the stand to find room for/hide
Less chance of water drips/salt build up affecting the drivers
Fixture has fan cooling which also cools the drivers

Personal choice really, I don't think there is a right or wrong place for your drivers.

 

[NirvanaFan]

http://www.amazon.com/On-Q-Legrand-...F8&qid=1363976678&sr=8-7&keywords=onq+legrand

All my power strips and timers are in there. I will be building a cabinet that matches the stand for that enclosure to sit in.

 

[SkiFletch]

I strapped mine to the back of my hood, then again, they're DIY and tiny. Above the water line, out of the way, out of the tank, no spaghetti mess of wires everywhere. Do whatever fits your situation.

 

[reefboarder]

I used a weatherproof enclosure and mounted everything inside. I will grab a photo when I get home.

 

[reefboarder]

Ill get a better one tomorrow when it's not washed out by the blue light.

 

[AmherstReef]

Thanks, stating to gather ideas for my build this summer.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Don't mind the mess of wires. It is usually a little cleaner than that.

 

[erndog1001]

Don't mind the mess of wires. It is usually a little cleaner than that.[/QUOTE]

Are those Meanwell drivers? If so then could you pls explain the resistors I see.
Bc I built mine kind of the same But I didn't need resistors in the circuit

 

[NirvanaFan]

Yup, they are meanwell drivers (60-48p if I remember correctly). In the top left are a bunch of resistors and fuses. Fuses are on top.

The resistors provide an easy way to measure the amount of current flowing through the circuit. They are very useful when you are running multiple strings of LEDs in parallel.

The fuses are a good way to ensure you don't blow an LED. Instead, you burn up a 20 cent fuse.

 

[Aaeolien]

I mounted mine with my lights right up in the canopy. Just ran the power cords right out the back. Have 3 plugs. 1 for each driver and 1 for fan. Simply. Tie wraps keep it all together.