Hi Guys,
After reading a lot of information from here and UK forums I decided to build a LED unit for my 36Lx18Wx15D tank. I started the build on the 24th March 2010, just building in my lunch hour at work, so it's taken a while and I'm still going!
But here's my progress so far:
Parts:
1 x eldoled Powerdrive180 (LED driver) from eldoled
1 x 27v 7.2A Power Supply from Ideal Power Ltd
2 x 8.5" x 4.5" Heatsinks (0.5C/W) from RS
18 x XR-E Q5 Cool White from Ledrise
18 x XR-E Royal Blue from Ledrise
Some Aluminium framework obtained from a source
Black acrylic cladding
Clear Perspex splash guard
Finally getting started on my build, I decided to go down the Eldoled Powerdrive route because it's a self contained 4 channel driver/controller that will allow lighting sequences to be programmed via a network port. Which although seems expensive, is comparable to buying 4 meanwells & arduino.
I can run 9 leds on each channel upto 1450mA (obviously the LEDs won't take that current, but the driver is capable of it). This needs an Heatsink also, but I'll knock something up for this.
The input voltage to the driver is 29.7V which the PSU is capable of when run at 110%, verified by the datasheet. I did order a 5.2A version but they were out of stock, so got the 7.2A at the same price. The size is a bit bigger, but it's ok.
I'm still unsure if I'll need any further cooling, but if I do, I've got my eye on a couple of silent fans for either end.
My leds haven't arrived yet, but I've got started on building the framework. The plan is that the lighting will have variable height in the casing, so if I decide to use lens at a later date I can raise the height to fit them. So I think the total foot print will be approx 26" x 11" x 4"
2 Heatsinks fastened together to give 24" end to end.
Heatsinks with PSU positioned
Driver / Control Panel
Managed to get time to put the heatsinks on the milling machine and drill my wiring holes. Then de-burred them.
Then mounted my LEDS (which arrived on Tuesday) with Arctic Silver
So the wiring will start next week, I'll be too busy getting drunk this weekend!
Progress has been slow this week, due to work getting in the way! But I've got both sets wired and ran one set of whites off a bench supply this morning, I'm happy with the light and spread.
Here's one of the heatsinks after wiring:
A couple more photos of the controller mounted on my cut down heatsink:
The controller is mounted to the heatsink by 4 M4 bolts. I will then mount the heatsink within the frame.
The heatsink might be too big yet, but the datasheet says the heatsink must be able to dissipate 10% of the total led output.
Slow and steady progress so far this week, started making the parts to mount the LED assembly into it's framework including height adjustment.
One of the height adjustment points is going to have to be moved to accomodate the controller heatsink Doh!
Lastly the LEDs from the underside of the frame, if I do go down the optics route (probably unlikely for my tank depth (15"), I will have to cut away some of the frame at each side.
Just got to mount the controller/driver then it's wire up and turn it on!
For active cooling I have 4 Fractal Design 50mm Silent Series Cooling Fans on order that I will run 2 push; 2 pull at either end, I may or may not get an NTC probe to monitor the heatsink temperature (not sure it's going to be necessary) via the controller.
IT'S ALIVE!
Wired up the PSU and LED groups, switched on the power; entered the LED code to run all at 700mA, set the intensity at max and here the results:
I only ran them for maybe 10 minutes, so there was no heat generated.
So I've got to fit the fans, I think I'll fit a 10k Pot as a 'master dimmer', connect a network port (for programming) and then order and fit the acrylic cladding & build a mount.
I'm away on business from Tues next week so it will be 2 weeks before it's on the tank.
Update: I ran it for an hour today at full power and the heatsinks got to 37 degrees, so not bad, but I will fit the fans.
My acrylic is ordered and will be delivered next Monday, ready for my first day back from Hungary.
After reading a lot of information from here and UK forums I decided to build a LED unit for my 36Lx18Wx15D tank. I started the build on the 24th March 2010, just building in my lunch hour at work, so it's taken a while and I'm still going!
But here's my progress so far:
Parts:
1 x eldoled Powerdrive180 (LED driver) from eldoled
1 x 27v 7.2A Power Supply from Ideal Power Ltd
2 x 8.5" x 4.5" Heatsinks (0.5C/W) from RS
18 x XR-E Q5 Cool White from Ledrise
18 x XR-E Royal Blue from Ledrise
Some Aluminium framework obtained from a source
Black acrylic cladding
Clear Perspex splash guard
Finally getting started on my build, I decided to go down the Eldoled Powerdrive route because it's a self contained 4 channel driver/controller that will allow lighting sequences to be programmed via a network port. Which although seems expensive, is comparable to buying 4 meanwells & arduino.
I can run 9 leds on each channel upto 1450mA (obviously the LEDs won't take that current, but the driver is capable of it). This needs an Heatsink also, but I'll knock something up for this.
The input voltage to the driver is 29.7V which the PSU is capable of when run at 110%, verified by the datasheet. I did order a 5.2A version but they were out of stock, so got the 7.2A at the same price. The size is a bit bigger, but it's ok.
I'm still unsure if I'll need any further cooling, but if I do, I've got my eye on a couple of silent fans for either end.
My leds haven't arrived yet, but I've got started on building the framework. The plan is that the lighting will have variable height in the casing, so if I decide to use lens at a later date I can raise the height to fit them. So I think the total foot print will be approx 26" x 11" x 4"
2 Heatsinks fastened together to give 24" end to end.
Heatsinks with PSU positioned
Driver / Control Panel
Managed to get time to put the heatsinks on the milling machine and drill my wiring holes. Then de-burred them.
Then mounted my LEDS (which arrived on Tuesday) with Arctic Silver
So the wiring will start next week, I'll be too busy getting drunk this weekend!
Progress has been slow this week, due to work getting in the way! But I've got both sets wired and ran one set of whites off a bench supply this morning, I'm happy with the light and spread.
Here's one of the heatsinks after wiring:
A couple more photos of the controller mounted on my cut down heatsink:
The controller is mounted to the heatsink by 4 M4 bolts. I will then mount the heatsink within the frame.
The heatsink might be too big yet, but the datasheet says the heatsink must be able to dissipate 10% of the total led output.
Slow and steady progress so far this week, started making the parts to mount the LED assembly into it's framework including height adjustment.
One of the height adjustment points is going to have to be moved to accomodate the controller heatsink Doh!
Lastly the LEDs from the underside of the frame, if I do go down the optics route (probably unlikely for my tank depth (15"), I will have to cut away some of the frame at each side.
Just got to mount the controller/driver then it's wire up and turn it on!
For active cooling I have 4 Fractal Design 50mm Silent Series Cooling Fans on order that I will run 2 push; 2 pull at either end, I may or may not get an NTC probe to monitor the heatsink temperature (not sure it's going to be necessary) via the controller.
IT'S ALIVE!
Wired up the PSU and LED groups, switched on the power; entered the LED code to run all at 700mA, set the intensity at max and here the results:
I only ran them for maybe 10 minutes, so there was no heat generated.
So I've got to fit the fans, I think I'll fit a 10k Pot as a 'master dimmer', connect a network port (for programming) and then order and fit the acrylic cladding & build a mount.
I'm away on business from Tues next week so it will be 2 weeks before it's on the tank.
Update: I ran it for an hour today at full power and the heatsinks got to 37 degrees, so not bad, but I will fit the fans.
My acrylic is ordered and will be delivered next Monday, ready for my first day back from Hungary.
