DIY LEDs with Radion Pro G2 pucks?

[tidus10]

Just seen an eBay post about someone who did a g1 DIY. Here is the pic they posted

Maybe these cords will give insight?
Looks like this may actually be the Pete guy

 

[tidus10]

 

[dwolson2]

I saw that, I asked what connector he used, but he didn't tell me.

 

[PeteStewardson]

Sorry guys I've been mega busy up until now, and being a little selfish I was also trying to get my hands on enough pucks for my planned main build before starting to give out more details as the prices of second hand pucks may have gone up.

Anyway I've now got 7 Gen1 sets of pucks so I'm sorted on that front lol

Oh also I haven't had my email notification of posts in this thread so didn't knwo anyone had replied since my original post.

OK so to start the connector you need ( for Gen1 pucks I have not checked Gen2 but suspect they are the same ) is a JST-PH 14way connector ( http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=1830765 )

I've set asside some time this evening to hopefully write down the wiring pinout for the Gen1 pucks. I haven't been able to source any Gen2 or Pro pucks so haven't worked out the details for those.

I'm not sure if this pic will work but if it does this is a puck wired up to use as a Nano Radion for my 60l QT nano tank.

 

[fishrfriends268]

you guys are really electrically inclined wish I was !

 

[one clownfish]

Thanks Pete! I used your part # and switched the 14 for 16 and we got it.
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PHR-16/455-1152-ND/608594

 

[PeteStewardson]

Ah so the G2 pucks have an extra two pins... This makes sense as the 4 pins not used for LED's on the G1 pucks seem to be an array of resistors, a capacitor, and an unknown 3 pin device, which I'm pretty certain is used so the main board knows which pucks are connected. The same Board and FW can be a G1, G2, or a G2Pro so those 4 pins must be the ID lines.

 

[one clownfish]

I was just getting ready to order but now I have a question. What size wire is ecotech using with the terminal? The connector uses a 24-30awg crimp terminal. According to the charts http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm we should be using
A minimum of 22awg for power transmission. Can we squeeze 22awg in these connectors?

 

[PeteStewardson]

I think I used 22awg or 20awg, I can confirm when I get home. It was a tight squeeze using it but it seems to work fine. Ecotech can use thinner wire as the length of cable they use is very short.

 

[tidus10]

Woo! I'm stoked you chimed in Pete I'm excited for your write up.

 

[_shorty_]

Thanks guys!! Ya, I ALMOST orderd 4 plugs last night that (even though would have worked) were not the exact plug for this application. Awesome. I looked for HOURS last night for these stupid things and kept coming up with close but not exact.

These plugs come with the internal crip-connector pins? or you have to buy those separate?

 

[_shorty_]

I was just getting ready to order but now I have a question. What size wire is ecotech using with the terminal? The connector uses a 24-30awg crimp terminal. According to the charts http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm we should be using
A minimum of 22awg for power transmission. Can we squeeze 22awg in these connectors?

22 is probably over-kill. I think 26 gauge can carry 2A. Cool whites on our LED strings are 1500mA, so 26 should be more than enough. 28 would be cutting it close.

 

[dwolson2]

For drivers look into the LDD drivers, there is more info here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2222702&highlight=ldd+driver+board

But I have a board from one of the begining orders at home. I just ordered the connectors, and I will be ordering a power supply,heatsink, and VDM shortly.

 

[PeteStewardson]

I ran them off LDD's for a test and it was successful

 

[dwolson2]

Nice! I am going to go Apex VDM---O2Sruplus Convertor---LDD Drivers(I have them mounted on a board)---1 Radion Puck. Mounted in my JBJ 24 gallon with No Lens. I think it will end up very nice. The fixture will be about an inch off of the water line(there is a plastic cover over the light) so no Lens should be the best results.

 

[PeteStewardson]

My biggest stumbling block is mounting the heatsink above the tank. Haven't worked out how to do that yet.

 

[_shorty_]

Link for 24-30 gauge female crimp-on leads to go with the plug:

http://www.digikey.com/product-deta...27358?itemSeq=146213830&uq=635302997203397202

 

[rcmike]

Glad people are making progress with this. I have a ton of projects right now but hopefully can start messing with mine soon.

 

[dwolson2]

My biggest stumbling block is mounting the heatsink above the tank. Haven't worked out how to do that yet.

What tank?

 

[PeteStewardson]

It's an aquaone 40 nano tank. It comes with a compact tube on a flexible arm as standard so can't mod that. Need to work out how to fashion a mount for the LEDs.