DIY LEDs - The write-up

Status
Not open for further replies.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15484051#post15484051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Skeptic_07
Let me see if i have this right. This unit i linked to below would only be able to power one of the LEDs I linked to above. Is that right?

http://www.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_10852_2.jpg
Click to expand...

yeah. how many of the LEDs are you thinking of running?? for what purpose?? dimming or no??

for my fuge lights, i am planning on (3) cree knockoffs that have a forward voltage of 3.5v @ 700ma, so thats (3.5*3=10.5v)

i am gonna use THIS $6 driver instead of a $15 buckpuck. power for it will be a 12v/800ma wall wart i have laying around

for my moonlights, i am gonna use the same configuration as above, except blue leds & the driver is similar, but 350ma output
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15484098#post15484098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by james3370

i am gonna use THIS $6 driver instead of a $15 buckpuck. power for it will be a 12v/800ma wall wart i have laying around
Click to expand...

That driver has a max Vin of 15V DC. Be sure to test your wall wart, many "12v" wall warts are unregulated and will put out 16 or 18v.
 
i was hoping for like 3 or 4 and its for a fuge light. Its my first attempt at anything like this and i have an unopened processor heatsink and fan so i figured I've give it a try. I ruined a wall wart today to make the fan spin, horray!

I have a number of wall warts that I can use. One is from a JBL onstage its output 18V 0.8a. If thats no good i can go rummage through the warehouse again.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15484173#post15484173 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by der_wille_zur_macht
That driver has a max Vin of 15V DC. Be sure to test your wall wart, many "12v" wall warts are unregulated and will put out 16 or 18v.
Click to expand...

yeah, since they will be on the same time schedule, i can run them off one power supply, so my other option is a power supply from mpja.com but trying to save $20 or so if i can use stuff i already have LOL

....on a budget build, it's those $20 here....$10 there.... things that kill ya
:rollface:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15484174#post15484174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Skeptic_07
i was hoping for like 3 or 4 and its for a fuge light. Its my first attempt at anything like this and i have an unopened processor heatsink and fan so i figured I've give it a try. I ruined a wall wart today to make the fan spin, horray!

I have a number of wall warts that I can use. One is from a JBL onstage its output 18V 0.8a. If thats no good i can go rummage through the warehouse again.
Click to expand...

well that adapter wouldn't work w/ the driver i posted...as DWZM said, it's max input is 15v, so the 18v would kill it more than likely

you could use it and a 700ma buckpuck & do 4 LEDs....most spec out to about 3.5v @ 700ma, so (3.5*4=14v) & that would give you a lil bit of "headroom"

the buckpuck would run ya about $20 w/ shipping for the non-dimmable version from ledsupply.com
http://ledsupply.com/03023-d-n-700.php

only problem i see is that you won't be able to run the leds & a fan on the heatsink all off that 18v/.8a adapter....not enough amperage, so either one w/ more amp output, or a seperate wall adapter for the fan
 
Last edited:
true that. also getting everything from the same place helps to save on shipping which is why I don't think i'll be buying anything from dealextreme because they don't have a driver i can use.
 
You'll likely want a separate power supply for the fan if you are using 18v for the LEDs, since an 18v wall wart will probably be around 22 - 24v in real life, which will shortly kill most 12v fans.

If you guys don't mind soldering, you can DIY a driver with more functionality than most of the expensive commercial products for $5 - $6. I know I've promised a build thread but it's really not that challenging, and IMHO would be a fun project for a 'fuge light or moonlight LED rig. The 'fuge on my nano will have a single 3-up Rebel star with a DIY driver - total cost $20 or so, which is pretty reasonable compared to a spiral compact flourescent bulb and a clip-on socket/reflector as most people use. Plus it'll be smaller and use less power.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15484221#post15484221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by james3370


only problem i see is that you won't be able to run the leds & a fan on the heatsink all off that 18v/.8a adapter....not enough amperage, so either one w/ more amp output, or a seperate wall adapter for the fan [/B]
Click to expand...

I have a separate wallwart that i'm using for the fan. Its a puny one 7.5v and 150 ma. I should loot the warehouse more.....
 
a DIY LED driver... I'm interested!

ok so now i found one that is 12V and 1000ma its from a linksys router that someone returned.
 
Last edited:
yeah, not tooo much of a price difference in the dealextreme LEDs & the crees from ledsupply....especially if already getting the driver from them since they charge a flat $5 for shipping & no overseas delivery to wait a week or more to arrive
 
That would be even easier and cheaper. You could also use an LM317 in constant current mode. Again, easy and cheap, but not the most efficient approach - which doesn't really matter when you're only driving a few LED for a 'fuge.
 
skiptic....have you read the Ultimate LED Thread over on nano-reef? it goes into all the different elements & has some great links in it for all the different components

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=186982

you'll have to copy the above link & then change the reefcentral to nano-reef since the forum code here automatically changes it :rolleyes:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15484366#post15484366 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Skeptic_07
are these anything to speak of?

http://ledsupply.com/05027-pwc4-180.php

seems like lots of output
Click to expand...
those are the 3-up rebels he (DWZM) was talking about using for his fuge light
 
Last edited:
Not quite. That link is to the Luxeon K2 TFFC, a different (larger) LED more closely related to the Luxeon I, III, and V LEDs.

The Rebel is also made by Luxeon, but it's a totally different chip in a much smaller package, and is more efficient than any of the above-mentioned products. The TFFC K2 is around 60 lumens/watt at best, while the XR-E and Rebel are both around 90 lumens/watt at best.

IMHO, the "best" LEDs for these builds are high-bin XR-E from Cree, or high-bin Rebels from Luxeon.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

AquaticReefTV
DIY Cable management time lapse
Replies
1
Views
327
S|\/|S
S
B
Beam Deflection - 15 years and I finally broke down and wrote a how to.
Replies
17
Views
552
BeanAnimal
B
C
Seeking Help with AquaticLife Pulse LED Fixture - Need Universal Controller/Timer Advice
Replies
5
Views
176
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
Reef Kinetics
Maintaining Optimal Nutrient Levels in Your Reef Aquarium
Replies
0
Views
101
Reef Kinetics
Reef Kinetics
serpentman
Return to the hobby after 12 years
Replies
11
Views
242
rrrrob
rrrrob
Back
Top