DIY LEDs - The write-up

[terahz]

That's 1000W or 1KW, not 1000kW . And the XMLs are 20% more efficient, according to cree.

I'd also say that the price of KW in the end (delivery charges etc) is more like 18c (on 10c/kw usage price), so you need more like 4.5kW. So that puts you at just under 2 years to make up for the 80 cents difference.

If the final price is really 12c where you live, then it takes little under 3 years.

 

[TheFishMan65]

Ok some one to check me Assuming 20% increase in efficiency.

At 12 hours a day * 3 watts * 28 days you use 1000w or 1kw. So lets say 1 month. So in 10 months you will save X kw for every 10% increase in efficiency. So take the additional price per LED ($0.80) and divide by your price per kilowatt ($0.12) and this how many (7) kilowatts need to be saved to pay for the better LED. So it will take 7 kw needed / 2 kw saved * 10 months = 35 months to pay for itself.

 

[S2minute]

Leds

Leds

Ok some one to check me Assuming 20% increase in efficiency.

At 12 hours a day * 3 watts * 28 days you use 1000w or 1kw. So lets say 1 month. So in 10 months you will save X kw for every 10% increase in efficiency. So take the additional price per LED ($0.80) and divide by your price per kilowatt ($0.12) and this how many (7) kilowatts need to be saved to pay for the better LED. So it will take 7 kw needed / 2 kw saved * 10 months = 35 months to pay for itself.

..and since the LEDS last an avg. of 10 years...WOOHOO!:bounce3:

 

[snorkeler]

Quick comment on units: you pay for KWh (Kilo-Watt-hours), not KW. KW is just the power rating of the light. Anyway, the math is right in the posts.

Snorkelet

Sent from Tapatalk

 

[PurpleMonster]

Ok maybe someone can point me to the right post, but i have searched this thread and entire RC. I know i have seen several T5/LED hybrids on here before but i cant seem to find them for the life of me now lol. I found 2 or 3 but the ones i am really looking for i cant seem to find anymore. One was a Power Module that had retro LED kit on it in place of T5 Bulb.

Reason for wanting to find the thread is i found myself a good deal on one of those IceCap T5 Fixtures for real good price since they were so crappy! and going to use the housing with 2 T5's and 4 strips of LED's.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
-----------------------------
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
-----------------------------
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Now i guess the next question would be if i should mix the strips with whites and blues or just go with all cool white strip and royal blue strips. hmmmmm Total on the LED's will be 60LEDs and 2 48" T5's 1 fiji purple(for reds) and 1 Aquasun(for greens).

Like i said i know i saw a thread with some hybrids like this and I also found a thread with a gieseman T5/LED hybrid.

Thanks.

 

[TheFishMan65]

Quick comment on units: you pay for KWh (Kilo-Watt-hours), not KW. KW is just the power rating of the light. Anyway, the math is right in the posts.

Snorkelet

Sent from Tapatalk

This must be one of those post that get people in trouble for arguing - he is trying to hide is name . Good point though.

 

[PurpleMonster]

Just picked up the Donor fixuter Icecap 4X4 T5/LED fixture..... now i just need to work out the details as far as how im going to mount the LED's.... im thinking with the low profile i might mount them on either some angle aluminum, or square aluminum. Since the fixuture is fully enclosed to include a splash shield, i can mount a coulple of small fans on the inside. Or mount my two large 120mm thermaltake fans on top of the fixure to draw in air from the fins already built into the fixture. Maybe im over thinking all this maybe a waste of time... what do you guys think?

 

[bamf25]

There are several threads using c or U channel for a linear led layout. In general those are recommended over a square or angles due to better heat dissipation characteristics.

 

[PurpleMonster]

Well i decided to actually just stick with 2 5.9X16 heatsinks. I cant fit my current optics which are the white cones, so i might just buy the low profile ones incase i decide to set the light higher.

Thanks.

 

[SMDBOYZ]

Hi guys I just ordered a 10in x 60 in heatsink from heatsinkusa and 2 48 led kits from rapid led
My tank is 60in x 18 x 18 i think its a 110 gal
Im hoping someone would tell me if this is enough led to give me proper coverage
Ive been reading the diy section for well over a year and still feel like im unsure about getting this right.
I ordered 55 degree optics and should be starting in a week or so
Im gonna need some support
Thanks Rich

 

[TheFishMan65]

That should be plenty - I hope yo got dimmable drivers.

 

[terahz]

Hi Rich,

96 LEDs should be plenty. How high do you plan to have the LEDs?

I see you're in Trumbull, you might want to stop by one of our local club meetings:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=591

There are a bunch of people with LEDs locally and I'm sure the others will be happy to help as well.

 

[SMDBOYZ]

I did get dimmable drivers and im not sure how im going to be configuring the leds
I will hang this unit from the ceiling. its a tank built into the wall and im not really concerned with how it looks but im wondering if its ok to put all drivers on top of hestsink or if i could mt drivers to wall and have the wiring run a few feet to the leds. Im hoping to hang this abot 12-18 in from the top of the tank.
Also my tank has solid thick glass around the perimeter leaving approx 30 x 12 space in the middle open to water ihope these have no problem penetrating my guess is i will be fine since ive had halides and t5s for years but they are really only in the middle middle my leds wil be above the full 60x18
Im looking to get an apex lite and i ordered 48D drivers and 60 deg optics i hope this will work to dim the fixture
Id like to check out a local club meeting.
Thanks all for the help

 

[bamf25]

Just got my led's today. Wow, they are much smaller than I expected for some reason.

 

[TheFishMan65]

Generally the drivers can be mounted a few feet a way, but read the datasheet. Some need a capacitor.

 

[terahz]

I have my drivers almost 10ft away from the LEDs (so 20ft round trip). No problems at all.

 

[mistaflicksta]

By rule of thumb, how many LEDs would i need to cover a 90 gallon tank with the following measurements 48WX18LX24H?

 

[TheFishMan65]

48-96 depending on what you want to keep. Read the summary - there is a link on my home page - it will answer a lot of basic questions.

 

[SMDBOYZ]

In reading thru this thread I believe I remember seeing a 3.0 summary in it it's recommended to use 1-1 rb to cw ratio that's what I ordered
I also am reading in lots of other threads 2-1 rb to cw
Will the 1-1 ratio be a problem
Since I'm going to be able to dim both separately I don't understand the 2-1 suggestion.

 

[TheFishMan65]

1:1 if you are using XR-E RB and CW
2:1 if yous Xp-G for CW and XP-E or XR-E for the RB
3:1 if you use XM-L for CW