Diy led meet?
- Thread starter jfl14609
- Start date
dgodwin
Member
If we have it sooner rather than later, I'd be interested. I'm looking to order LED parts this week, and install them as soon as possible. If interested, I could also make arrangements to use our school in Geneva, either in the cafeteria or one of the classrooms, depending on the date.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
If I were going to do demonstrations I'd probably bring several partially-finished "things" so I could pull the old cooking show trick (you just stick it in the oven for four hours, and - look at that! there's a finished one right here!)
What topics would people most like to hear about (speaking-wise) and what sorts of things would people most like to see hands-on? I don't wanna sit there soldering a DIY driver for half an hour if people would rather just talk about choosing the right LEDs for instance. I can see two distinct types of information - planning and theory, vs. actual assembly. Which are people more interested in?
Or would it be better to do this as a "workshop?" People can bring their own parts and tools and get some guidance or help putting things together? Instead of one or two people standing upfront talking the whole time?
Or some blend of the two? Demonstration/talk first, then people can work on stuff they brought?
If we are going to do "demonstrations" where someone builds something upfront, I would highly suggest we get a camera and projector or some other method to show fine details. A PC with a webcam and a projector, for instance. There's a lot of detail work involved in DIY LEDs and it would probably be hard to "show" a whole room full of people what you're doing otherwise.
Jeff, I don't wanna steal your thread, just thinking out loud here.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
From a facilities perspective this might be the best solution since I bet you can get your hands on a projector more easily than some of us! Dunno if it works for people from a location perspective though.
Hiltonc57
New member
For me, I'm not really interested in the different kind of LEDs. I rather be told what has worked and why they work. That being said, when this is all set up I could bring the right tools I would need to create a LED lighting fixture. So I guess I'm saying a little bit of both seems like the best with having a post or PM on what to get and bring to the meet.
I can bring a laptop, webcam, tripod, and projector wherever we do this.
I'm interested in everything. Running LEDs in parallel is something I was hoping to get out of this. Building something sounds like fun. I think having a discussion (with a few LEDs as examples) about blending colors would prove worthwhile. The original thought was go with 2:1 royal blue to cool white, but a lot of people are finding that neutral or warm whites add a little something that was lacking.
Soldering up a DIY driver would be pretty cool, and something I would definitely be interested in. Maybe you could do a quick talk about the fancy Hydra controller too I've been reading through that ridiculously long thread trying to wrap my head around everything.
I'm interested in everything. Running LEDs in parallel is something I was hoping to get out of this. Building something sounds like fun. I think having a discussion (with a few LEDs as examples) about blending colors would prove worthwhile. The original thought was go with 2:1 royal blue to cool white, but a lot of people are finding that neutral or warm whites add a little something that was lacking.
Soldering up a DIY driver would be pretty cool, and something I would definitely be interested in. Maybe you could do a quick talk about the fancy Hydra controller too
I've been reading through that ridiculously long thread trying to wrap my head around everything.
The problem with that is everyone has their own opinion of what looks best. Do you like the look of 14k metal halides, or 20k? What about 10k with some actinics? There is no right and wrong ratio of which LEDs to go with. Actually seeing a few different blends would probably be helpful so you can decide exactly what you want to go with.
Hiltonc57
New member
Great idea! never really thought about that. Either way this is/can be set up I will attend if I can make it on that date. But with the other regrades to building, I'd love to make one with the experts that are going to be there so that I'm not lost which is where my idea of being told what to get comes into play
jfl14609
Active member
Personally I wouldn't min being more of a general kind of thing teaching basics. I get a ton of messages like how do i build one. I say show a diy fixture and go through how it works and teach people how to adjust the drivers, the difference in drivers, and then of course since nate is there have him talk about diy drivers, controllers. We dont really get a ton of opportunities to learn from people like Nate lets bleed him dry haha
block head
New member
i saw tom's radion at TRS, i'm impressed. i'd come out
teamdulski
The Saltiest!
I'd be willing to host at the store.
teamdulski
The Saltiest!
Depending on the date I would certainly come. You guys(and gals) are more than welcome to use the store for gatherings whenever you want if need be.
jfl14609
Active member
Ok here is the head count I have i am going strictly off pms so if I dont have you let me know. Also we are looking at March 3rd Hows that work for everyone? Also we are trying to make this a closer meeting so we are planning on doing it at daves house. We are limited on space and almost full so if anoyone else is interested please let me know ASAP because we may need to change the location.
Led meeting
Jeff
Dave
Joe
Nate
matt and patti
hilton57c
Krypt1979
Mike Filly?
Led meeting
Jeff
Dave
Joe
Nate
matt and patti
hilton57c
Krypt1979
Mike Filly?
jfl14609
Active member
I am hoping this way a few people that are starting projects may have a chance to get their feet wet per say and have some things in mind they need explained. I just really hope that we can really pick Nates brain and learn some good stuff then maybe in the future we can do it again locally without making him drive here lol
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
All,
For the sake of reference before we actually get together and talk about this stuff, here are a few current threads from the DIY forum that might provide some good background reading.
Tips on soldering LEDs:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2133282
DIY drivers. Skip to the end and look for the CAT4101 and LM3409 designs:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1759758
DIY LED controller (called the Typhon):
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847680
The "mothership" LED thread, where it all began:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2096705
A thread that has a decent discussion about a typical midsized build:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132325
Some theory about parallel strings (we didn't really get in to the HOW part though):
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2131883
If anyone else has good LED threads, why don't you post them here so we can share the fun.
For the sake of reference before we actually get together and talk about this stuff, here are a few current threads from the DIY forum that might provide some good background reading.
Tips on soldering LEDs:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2133282
DIY drivers. Skip to the end and look for the CAT4101 and LM3409 designs:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1759758
DIY LED controller (called the Typhon):
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847680
The "mothership" LED thread, where it all began:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2096705
A thread that has a decent discussion about a typical midsized build:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132325
Some theory about parallel strings (we didn't really get in to the HOW part though):
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2131883
If anyone else has good LED threads, why don't you post them here so we can share the fun.
Works for me!
