DIY LEDs - The write-up

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Raven1645 said:
Thanks to you both for your help, both threads helped alot!

I'm now planning to have 96 3w leds total, 48 40-50lm blue and 48 120-150lm white, 4 rows of 24 leds.
This will go across the 250 cm of my tank.
Would this be sufficient?
I could also do 2 rows of 48 or 3 rows of 32 leds, ofcourse. Or if it's really needed I can always go with more leds.
And what optics would I need? I've seen both 60 and 90 degrees and I don't know which would be best. Also, the site where they sell the leds say viewing angle 120 degrees, does this mean there's already a lens on it?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

4x24 would be nice.

Imagine on my 48" tank i was able to do a 12 LED left to right where on your tank you are doing it 24 LED left to right... Twice as dense as mine...

Then front to back, 4 is perfect.

May I suggest to do all blue on row 1 and 4, then mix white blue on row 2 and 3.

This way you can still have dusk dawn effect, that is if you are doing linear approach. If not then it does not matter where you put your blue and white.
 
katchupoy said:
4x24 would be nice.

Imagine on my 48" tank i was able to do a 12 LED left to right where on your tank you are doing it 24 LED left to right... Twice as dense as mine...

Then front to back, 4 is perfect.

May I suggest to do all blue on row 1 and 4, then mix white blue on row 2 and 3.

This way you can still have dusk dawn effect, that is if you are doing linear approach. If not then it does not matter where you put your blue and white.
Click to expand...

Great!

I was planning to put the lights like on Soundwave's thread:
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1304839956.699603.jpg
Then I could use only blue at dusk/dawn and both at daytime, right?

The only 'basic' thing I don't get at the moment is the power supply set up.
My leds will be 3,6V ea, and most supplies are 12/24. Do you then add up the amount of leds that fit in those 12/24V to determine how many leds you have to put on the supply?
So 12/~4 = 3 per 12V supply and 6 for a 24V supply?
 
Raven1645 said:
Great!

I was planning to put the lights like on Soundwave's thread:
View attachment 148006
Then I could use only blue at dusk/dawn and both at daytime, right?

The only 'basic' thing I don't get at the moment is the power supply set up.
My leds will be 3,6V ea, and most supplies are 12/24. Do you then add up the amount of leds that fit in those 12/24V to determine how many leds you have to put on the supply?
So 12/~4 = 3 per 12V supply and 6 for a 24V supply?
Click to expand...

But tell us what system you are going to use... what driver? what LEDs? what brand???
 
katchupoy said:
But tell us what system you are going to use... what driver? what LEDs? what brand???
Click to expand...

I honestly don't know the setup yet, that's why I need help, so I can determine the rest.
All I know are the lights themselves; they're from my local hardware store called Aurora, I don't think you have those stores in the USA:

48 blue:
~40lm
3watt
3.6V

And 48 white:
~140lm
3watt
3.6V

There were some things about wavelength and stuff but I forgot them, I'll post them later if it's important.

So what values should the best driver have?
I've found stuff like 24V drivers with 360/750/980 mA but honestly I have no idea what that means.
 
You don't want to drive the LEDs from a constant voltage source you need a constant current source. i would recommend getting adjustable so you can get the color balance you want and acclimate your corals if needed.

the 360/750/980 are going to drive your LEDs at a fixed current - not what I would recommend. I would recommend the Meanwell HLG series for the number of LEDs you are planning.
 
When using optics, are people going with all 70 degree or mixing 70 and 40 degree optics. Should I do 70, 40, 70, 40? What is the placement of optics compared to middle and edges?
 
My HLG 185-h D's came in on Friday. I plan to use 5 strings(12 LEDs per string) of RB xpe on one driver and 4 strings of CW xpg on another driver.
I am not really sure if or how to adjust the current/voltage on the HLG series drivers. Does anyone know?
 
Maivortex said:
When using optics, are people going with all 70 degree or mixing 70 and 40 degree optics. Should I do 70, 40, 70, 40? What is the placement of optics compared to middle and edges?
Click to expand...

I think there are some factors that go into that question.
What size of tank do you have?
What kind of corals do you keep?
How high is the light going to be from the water surface?

I think most people would say wider lenses for the middle of the tank and narrow lenses for the sides to keep the light off of the glass.
 
TheFishMan65 said:
You don't want to drive the LEDs from a constant voltage source you need a constant current source. i would recommend getting adjustable so you can get the color balance you want and acclimate your corals if needed.

the 360/750/980 are going to drive your LEDs at a fixed current - not what I would recommend. I would recommend the Meanwell HLG series for the number of LEDs you are planning.
Click to expand...

I searched for Meanwell drivers but can't seem to find them where I live (Holland).
Could you maybe post the specifications of that driver so I can search for something similiar?
Thanks in advance
 
I just checked ebay and I found a meanwell driver with these specifications. Would this be alright?:

48V DC Power Supply 2.5A 120W DIN Rail Meanwell

AC input range selectable by switch Protections: Short circuit / Overload / Over voltage / Over temperature

Cooling by free air convection Can be installed on DIN rail TS-35/7.5 or 15 UL 508(industrial control equipment)approved LED indicator for power on 100% full load burn-in test Fixed switching frequency at 55KHz 3 years warrant


Features :

AC input range selectable by switch
Protections: Short circuit / Overload / Over voltage / Over temperature
Cooling by free air convection
Can be installed on DIN rail TS-35/7.5 or 15
UL 508(industrial control equipment)approved
LED indicator for power on
100% full load burn-in test
Fixed switching frequency at 55KHz
 
How many leds for a standard 75 mixed sps reef. im setting up a tank and want a good light, 48 or 60 or more, what size heat sinks. I would like a few peoples feedback.
 
Are there heatsink cases or enclosures? Trying to figure out how to house a heatsink to make the job look clean. I'm trying to avoid fans on a 16" fixture but if I do put a fan then I'll need something for the heatsink.
 
Led ?

Led ?

I am considering building a DIY LED Fixture which will be over a 185G SPS Reef. This is a standard brick footprint 60" Long X 30" Wide. Going to use 3W CREE LEDs in Cool White and Royal Blue. How many of these LEDs should I use. What should the spacing be. Should I look for a Heat Sink large enought to cover the entire area or is it better to have multiple heat sinks for heat disipation. Should I use a 1:1 ratio. What is the best way to set this up as dimmable so I can dim it from my Variable Speed Port on my APEX.
Any info would be greatly appreciared.
 
Lot of basic question in the last few posts. Go to my home page and find the link to the LED summary - I hope that will answer many of these.
 
patmack said:
My HLG 185-h D's came in on Friday. I plan to use 5 strings(12 LEDs per string) of RB xpe on one driver and 4 strings of CW xpg on another driver.
I am not really sure if or how to adjust the current/voltage on the HLG series drivers. Does anyone know?
Click to expand...

According to mean well; - IP65 rated. Output voltage and constant current level can be adjusted through internal potential meter.
(Can access by removing the rubber stopper on the case.)
 
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