DIY LEDs - The write-up

[The Grim Reefer]

wired second string and same thing. LPC 35-700 will not light it but they come right on with the ELN 60-48

Just for giggles read the voltage out of the 700 right at it's wires with nothing hooked up just to make sure the polarity of the driver isn't reversed. Could be it's bad. If the polarity is correct wire it back up and test the voltage under load. I would check it by placing the black negative probe on the - of the LED closest to the negative lead of the driver and the red positive probe at the + of the LED closest to the positive lead of the driver. It's possible the driver is cutting out under load. You should read full voltage with the probes in those positions.

 

[sammy113]

If it comes on wth ELN then LPC may be damaged? Weird thing is that you were getting output from them but how many volts? Maybe not enough to power the LEDs

 

[skippyreef]

they never came on with the LPC only the ELN. Once I added that 9v to the dimmer the ELN driver stopped the flash then off thing.

 

[skippyreef]

what should I set the multi meter too?

 

[skippyreef]

Figured it out LOL (this is a learing experience as well asa blinding one from the LEDs) and it reads 41.6 volts from the ELN.

 

[skippyreef]

The LPC reads 0.05V

 

[rcgates]

The LPC reads 0.05V

now that's just not enough ;-)

 

[skippyreef]

Tried a second LPC and it works. Voltage out is 39.5

 

[skippyreef]

Tried the last of the four and it reads 39.6 so I have one bad driver.

 

[skippyreef]

learned a lot so far today. Thanks for the tip on stripping less of the wire it made getting a good joint much easier.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

FWIW it's OK to test the drivers with no load to see if it's providing an output or not, but beyond that it doesn't really tell you much - with no load, the driver just floats up to it's max output (voltage) and sits there. Whatever you do, DON'T connect the output to LED(s) when the drivers are live, or you'll pretty much insta-fry them.

 

[sammy113]

yay another happy LED guy lol

 

[skippyreef]

I could have gone nuts doing this today without all the information on this thread and from you guys. I am very happy LED guy

 

[skippyreef]

another shot

 

[akindbro4u]

I got 48 of my 96 fired up( waiting on four more drivers from cdiweb). I am amazed at how bright they are. Way happier than I would have been with halides. No heat, and much more controll. I can't wait to see how it looks when it is all fired up. Only question I have is what epoxy to use to mount lens holders, or should I just use silicone.

 

[rcgates]

Only question I have is what epoxy to use to mount lens holders, or should I just use silicone.

crazy glue, just a dab will do you...

Loctite Super Glue Gel, thick, great for corals too

 

[akindbro4u]

crazy glue, just a dab will do you...

Loctite Super Glue Gel, thick, great for corals too

No problems with it clouding the lenses? thats good news I have a crap load of the stuff in my frag box. Guess I better get to work.

 

[skippyreef]

I am using a dab of aquarium silicone that will make changing them easier if I want too

 

[tahiriqbal]

I am using a dab of aquarium silicone that will make changing them easier if I want too

How would this react under intense heat produced by the LEDs?

 

[TheFishMan65]

I can't remember right now, but I thought silicone and super were not supposed to be used, becuase they did not transfer heat well. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable on glues will chime in.