Diy led intensity

[weasel440]

I'm hoping some one can help me understand.

Long story - Short, I set this led fixture up a couple of years ago. I always thought from my calculations I was driving these at 700mA. I finally got a amp meter to add to my fixture and I was shocked at the readings. Only pulling / driving 400mA per string. After re-calculating I see where I messed up. I need to increase voltage to get mA up.

My question is if i'm still getting good par readings, is this something I should correct? Why I was never in a hurry to buy amp meter to check, is because i'm getting good par readings.

I know par readings is not very accurate on leds.
And I like that leds & resistors only get luke warm, but if i'm going to benefit from driving them at 700mA then I will.

I'm running / driving them through all diy, meaning mosfets & resistors. Controlled by arduino.

 

[mcgyvr]

If you are getting good PAR and are happy with the light then just leave it..

 

[weasel440]

That's what I was thinking. But I didn't know if there was any benefits from running them at 700mA or disadvantages of running them at 400mA.

 

[rwb500]

running at low amperage is more efficient, the diodes run cooler, and everything is better that way. so dont change it if it's working just fine.

 

[perkint]

As above. Under driving LEDs is good - you get more light per watt of energy so if you have enough light for your corals, it's all good

But, if you want more light, you can ramp up the drive. If it ain't broke...

Tim

 

[weasel440]

Ok. Thank You All.

 

[weasel440]

Local friend that has par meter was impressed with the par readings. But he's not a big fan of leds.
I'm slowly getting the results I want. As of now I have 3 different wave lengths of blues. 2 different wave lengths of uv. 2 different kelvin of cool whites. 1 kelvin of warm white. 2 amber leds & 1 red led.
I've been reading alot of good articles about leds. I'm trying to get good growth & have a pleasing tank to look at. Don't want a dim looking or blue tank, like most leds cause. Or at least the one's i've seen in person.

Most of my corals are doing very well to this point. Duncans, hammers & blasto are growing like weeds, stylo's encrusted and more than tripled in size & (3) anemones are adjusting well to leds. The only thing I seem to have problems with are zoas & palys. I have most of them now in shaded areas or on the sand bed. But then again it could just be the corals. All my corals (except stylo) I guess you can say are rescued. They didn't come from very nice tanks or they didn't look very well.