Christine_B
In Memoriam
Crap I cant do Saturdays because of work, can we do a Sunday?
Diy led meet?
- Thread starter jfl14609
- Start date
jfl14609
Active member
I have gotten a bunch of pm's this is not a swap so no one is bringing tanks. This is more of a meeting of the minds to learn some really cool diy lighting. Here is the updated List there were few people that are up in the air please let me kmow via pm asap as we are trying to keep it under 10 people so there is room to work.
Jeff
Dave
Joe
Nate
hilton57c
Krypt1979
Mike Filly?
Jeff
Dave
Joe
Nate
hilton57c
Krypt1979
Mike Filly?
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
That Sunday would be fine with me, too.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Another good basic thread that talks about more than just "how many of this LED do I need"
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2133557
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2133557
block head
New member
sat or sun works for me
DWZM, were you going to hit on the topic of DIY drivers? I'm looking to buy (or build if necessary) a dimmable driver that will control 4 or 5 XR-E warm white LEDs.
davidpesce
New member
I'm hoping for this as well. I'd like to get rid of these horrible meanwell drivers.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Yeah, I can talk about whatever you guys want to. I am planning on bringing a few DIY drivers and a Typhon. If you guys want I can assemble one but it's just basic pcb soldering so it might not be very worthwhile - would probably be better to talk theory and application instead. The real reason I like DIY drivers is that you can exactly nail a specific use case instead of adapting something off the shelf. For example, the typical ELN 60-48's are almost always used in an inefficient manner and they force you to work in large blocks, while you can DIY something that will be significantly more efficient and will work with whatever number of LEDs you want.
I have a small number of junk LEDs laying around so I'll bring those if we want to do a hands-on example build to show basic construction techniques. Or if one of you guys wants to build parts for something you're working on we can solder it up and actually make something real instead of just playing with junk.
I have a small number of junk LEDs laying around so I'll bring those if we want to do a hands-on example build to show basic construction techniques. Or if one of you guys wants to build parts for something you're working on we can solder it up and actually make something real instead of just playing with junk.
I've looked through the thread on DIY drivers, but didn't read the whole thing (sorry, it's really long). Is there a parts list somewhere? I know the pcb has to be ordered (from iteadstudio probably).
The problem with a lot of the DIY threads, especially about LEDs and their accessories, is that they get cluttered up really quickly. The theory behind how it all works is nice and good to know, but having a post with what the thing does, and a list of parts to build it would be really nice.
The problem with a lot of the DIY threads, especially about LEDs and their accessories, is that they get cluttered up really quickly. The theory behind how it all works is nice and good to know, but having a post with what the thing does, and a list of parts to build it would be really nice.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Yeah, I totally see where you're coming from. The real problem is that the threads contain multiple kinds of information. There are people in there talking about development and refining stuff, and other people just trying to figure out what to do to get something working. The two don't mix well unfortunately. And part of the challenge in some of those threads is just that things are changing fast. We've gone through four totally different ICs in that driver thread and have had at least two or three totally different designs for each, so we're talking about probably 10-15 different designs before you even get to the task of component selection to tailor it to your own situation. The Typhon thread is just as rambling but at least there's only one core design and one predefined BOM so there's no component selection challenge.
Ideally we'd put all the basic stuff on a wiki somewhere or something like that, but then someone would have to constantly maintain it as things changed.
Ideally we'd put all the basic stuff on a wiki somewhere or something like that, but then someone would have to constantly maintain it as things changed.
That is true. Things do change often.
So, could you give a quick run down of what each driver (CAT4101 and LM3409) can run in terms of number of LED, mA, etc? Along with a BOM, people can order the parts and hopefully have them here before March 3rd. Then we'll have something to build
I'm sure this information is given in the long DIY driver thread, but I couldn't find it.
Putting it in that main DIY driver thread rather than here is probably a good idea so this one doesn't get all cluttered up.
So, could you give a quick run down of what each driver (CAT4101 and LM3409) can run in terms of number of LED, mA, etc? Along with a BOM, people can order the parts and hopefully have them here before March 3rd. Then we'll have something to build
I'm sure this information is given in the long DIY driver thread, but I couldn't find it.Putting it in that main DIY driver thread rather than here is probably a good idea so this one doesn't get all cluttered up.
jfl14609
Active member
I would love to see one being assembled. maybe we could get a material list together and we could all build one as a local workshop kind of thing if its fairly simple. not to mention some of us can be told that we dont know how to solder and why. (I am referring to myself. plumbers use torches to solder not irons lol)
haha, I'm the exact opposite. I can solder boards and wires fine, but can't solder a copper pipe joint. I think I get it too hot or something. I've tried multiple times, but just can't do it. I've replaced power jacks on laptops, and lots of other smallish things, but soldering pipes just doesn't happen.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Me too. I HATE working on copper plumbing!
I put a summary of the drivers here, at least as a starting point:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1759758&page=90
I don't think we'll be building any during the planned meeting though, unless one of you already has pcbs. The typical sources can take many weeks to get the pcbs manufactured and delivered.
I put a summary of the drivers here, at least as a starting point:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1759758&page=90
I don't think we'll be building any during the planned meeting though, unless one of you already has pcbs. The typical sources can take many weeks to get the pcbs manufactured and delivered.
davidpesce
New member
Nate - any chance you've assembled the LM3409 driver? The CATs seem to be the tried and true, but the LM3409 seemed a bit more versatile.
davidpesce
New member
I have 10 leftover typhon boards with probably enough parts to assemble 3-4 of them. But I'd need BOM for the CATs and LM3409 drivers.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
Yes, I've built a number of them and I have two running the XM-L LEDs on my big tank right now.
And now that I think about it, I do actually have a stack of PCBs for that chip that I've never assembled, if people are interested I could bring those. The PCB accommodates larger passives than terahz's design so it's a hair easier to put together. It only has PWM dimming though.
And now that I think about it, I do actually have a stack of PCBs for that chip that I've never assembled, if people are interested I could bring those. The PCB accommodates larger passives than terahz's design so it's a hair easier to put together. It only has PWM dimming though.
Nice. I need a better setup than the one I have now. It's just a craptastic Radio Shack 2 temperature iron. It tinned the LEDs fine though.
