DIY LED driver for reef lighting
- Thread starter der_wille_zur_macht
- Start date
zeroinverse
New member
RapidLED quick connect LEDs with ELN60-48 drivers. Either D or P versions depending if you have a analog or PWM dimming control signals for your reef controller.
If no controller, then get D version and use a potentiometer to control dimming amount. RapidLEd has those too.
If no controller, then get D version and use a potentiometer to control dimming amount. RapidLEd has those too.
TheFishMan65
New member
Nick,
I think the CAT requires the fewest calculation, but it is surface mount easy but ...
I think the CAT requires the fewest calculation, but it is surface mount easy but ...
The CAT4101 is the easiest to build. If you need some PCB's just ask. I've got plenty to spare and I'm sure some of the other CAT4101 lovers on this forum will have some extras as well.
i tried sending a PM but it told me i needed ten posts... any tips or walkthroughs would be awesome, i am an avid DIY'er but this will be my first electrical project(that isn't on anything with an engine) on another note i did download a zip file for the cat4101. just waiting for the software to read it to finish downloading.
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Here's one that I built a lot of. It works really well and you're welcome to use it as is, or modify it how ever you please. I do recommend adding a heat sink to any design that you choose though, as the CAT4101 can get quite hot if it's input voltage vs. output voltage is not kept as close as possible. Here's a photo of slightly different version ( the build files for the one that I've attached use surface mount diodes for power indication and PWM channel isolation) Both designs feature on board 12V and 5V regulators for powering cooling fans, an Arduino ect.. There's even a jumper to power the driver board in cases where a PWM controller is not being used.
You'll need EAGLE to view the files. If you don't already have the EAGLE software it's available here for free. Just download the "Freeware" version-
http://www.cadsoftusa.com/downloads/?language=en
TheFishMan65
New member
oops posted in the wrong thread ), but since I did I guess I will say I got the email
speeddemon1891
New member
Which design?
Which design?
First let me say hello and thank you to all the people contributing to this thread. I have been a member a long time just never posted. The information and work being done here is amazing.
Ive been going through this thread for a long time. I am now unsure of how I should proceed.
I want to build drivers for 24 3w leds. I would like 3 drivers with each one powering 12 leds up to 1000ma. The problem is getting boards to build the drivers since it's such a small quantity and which driver would be best? I do not have much experience with smt components but I'm not worried about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Which design?
First let me say hello and thank you to all the people contributing to this thread. I have been a member a long time just never posted. The information and work being done here is amazing.
Ive been going through this thread for a long time. I am now unsure of how I should proceed.
I want to build drivers for 24 3w leds. I would like 3 drivers with each one powering 12 leds up to 1000ma. The problem is getting boards to build the drivers since it's such a small quantity and which driver would be best? I do not have much experience with smt components but I'm not worried about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Take a look at the MeanWell LDD series of led drivers. The LDD-1000H would work perfectly for your application. They're available for purchase for around $5 each so, from a performance standpoint, they're more economical than a comparable DIY effort. There's a big thread on them here- http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2222702 There's been a few different Pcb's designed to mount the driver, and many members are ordering batches, so there's bound to be somebody on this forum that may share a few with you.
speeddemon1891
New member
Thanks for the info O2.
Time for a lot more reading.
Time for a lot more reading.
Terminatermule
New member
Total cost for the quad board?
Total cost for the quad board?
Hey O2,
Great work on those boards, I was just learning/bashing around eagle to build my own when I found your thread, I have not studied the board closely yet but I was wondering what the total cost was, including the run from seeed
Thanks in advance for the reply, I look forward to reading this thread now, some really great work on here.
Cheers Glenn
Total cost for the quad board?
Hey O2,
Great work on those boards, I was just learning/bashing around eagle to build my own when I found your thread, I have not studied the board closely yet but I was wondering what the total cost was, including the run from seeed
Thanks in advance for the reply, I look forward to reading this thread now, some really great work on here.
Cheers Glenn
It's been a while since I built any more drivers using the CAT4101, but IIRC each 4 up Driver cost me < $40 to build. The Cat chips still cost $3-$4 each, so I'd recommend using the newer Meanwell LDD drivers instead. They offer superior performance to the CAT4101 for about the same amount of $$.
If you're really set on using the CAT 4101- send me a PM. I've got quite a few bare PcB's leftover that could use a new home.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
As far as I am concerned the LDD has invalidated the cost advantage of DIY'ing drivers unless you need features it doesn't have (i.e. more than 1A). DIY'd drivers are still a great pursuit from a hobby/interest perspective but they're probably not vastly cheaper any more.
I wholeheartedly agree. Unless you need more than 1000ma, go with the LDD's. If you do need more than 1,000ma and want to DIY, go for a design using the LM3409.
the only other advantage I see to the DIY drivers over the LDD's is the ability to adjust current as well as have pwm for diming. good for fine tuning multiple colors if you want them to dim all at once and maintain a certain blended color, such as with Red and Green or other supplemental colors.
