help with led diy project

Tonycip

Tonycip

New member
Hi, I was just wondering about the size of the heatsinks people where using and where they were getting them? Thanks Tony
 
I made a light for my 54 corner and used 12 x 8 1/2 with 1 " fins and 1/4" thick base plate. the size fit my corner tank well though I probably could get away without the fan due to the 1/4" thickness, here are some pics for reference.

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I believe I got the heatsink from HeatsinkUSA and the rest from Rapid LED. Rapid was great to deal with and, as the name says, fast. HeatsinkUSA was slow and actually forgot my order till I reminded them. Even being slow, I'd probably use them again as I was happy with the product.
 
i got my two heat sinks from rapidled they 23" long and hold 24 leds already pre tapped n drilled has made things so much nicer and much more efficient heat transfer
 
Thanks everyone. I was falling asleep reading all the build threads trying to locate the specs on the heatsinks. I like the pre drilled but there out of stock
:mad2:
 
Esquare said:
I made a light for my 54 corner and used 12 x 8 1/2 with 1 " fins and 1/4" thick base plate. the size fit my corner tank well though I probably could get away without the fan due to the 1/4" thickness, here are some pics for reference.

picture.php


picture.php


picture.php



I believe I got the heatsink from HeatsinkUSA and the rest from Rapid LED. Rapid was great to deal with and, as the name says, fast. HeatsinkUSA was slow and actually forgot my order till I reminded them. Even being slow, I'd probably use them again as I was happy with the product.
Click to expand...

Vary nice .. I like how you incorperated the drivers all in one neet little package.
 
Tonycip said:
Vary nice .. I like how you incorperated the drivers all in one neet little package.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tony, I designed it with my upgrade in mind, originally a 120 now a 125 gallon.

Due to the change in tanks, 4 foot to a 6 foot, I am going to have to change my design and heatsinks which is why this thread caught my attention. I will need to develop a new template for drilling and tapping as I will now have to go with 3 longer heatsinks.

The design will also have to be changed as I now have an Apex controller so won't be needing the manual dimming circuits, the black box, as it will be plugged into my Apex for control.

I know what you mean about the DIY LED threads, they have become monsters and are difficult to work through. I am looking forward to see what you come up with so that I can improve my design before the final assembly.
 
Esquare said:
Thanks Tony, I designed it with my upgrade in mind, originally a 120 now a 125 gallon.

Due to the change in tanks, 4 foot to a 6 foot, I am going to have to change my design and heatsinks which is why this thread caught my attention. I will need to develop a new template for drilling and tapping as I will now have to go with 3 longer heatsinks.

The design will also have to be changed as I now have an Apex controller so won't be needing the manual dimming circuits, the black box, as it will be plugged into my Apex for control.

I know what you mean about the DIY LED threads, they have become monsters and are difficult to work through. I am looking forward to see what you come up with so that I can improve my design before the final assembly.
Click to expand...

I was hoping to get some pointers from you lol.
Ok I guess I'll start a diy thread for the project feel free to
Inject any helpful comments. Thanks. Tony
 
The dimmable drivers from rapid led. and I have an apex controller. I'm having it repaired now I had it for like 18 mounts and the screen got really dim and then I had a heater short out and it took out the rest of it. 100.00 to repair it. only 1 year warranty..
it figures.. I got in on a large group buy I'll post all thestuff I got and from where on a
diy thread I'll get started on soon.
 
Lets see how you get it going Tony, I got my stuff in also and am starting to drill my aluminum plate as we speak. I was going to thread each hole, but I must have went through 5 bits already on 21 holes. So I decided to just drill straight through and use plastic screws to hold it in place instead. Will also post up pics soon. GL with your build Tony.
 
SUMMERS said:
I have some pcb boards for led drivers if anyone wants to build thier own drivers . I have four I can part with. Thread for drivers http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1759758 just ordered my parts for drivers. Already built the Hydra controller to control mine.
Click to expand...

I love a good electronics project. But I just dont have the time and I got the meanwell drivers for 25.00 each. at that price I had to tap out :D
hay Vu what are you breaking the taps or the drill bits? did you try lubing
it. if you don't have any try spitting on it ... it works in other applactions.
:fun2:

P.S. I'm waiting on the heatsinks to arrive ..
 
I was using the wrong bits :). I eventually figured it out after I went through 5 of them, I only managed to tap one hole before I gave up. I am finish though with the drilling of the holes. Here is what I have so far.

4_24456.jpg

and here are the holes drilled. I am going to be using these plastic screws I found at a local store that has a really nice wing nut that could be easily removed if need be. I am questioning whether the screws will melt though so I will be testing a string before commiting to those screws. Forgot the picture of the screws.
4_24450.jpg
 
I think I used polypropylene screws and haven't had any problem with melting, they are rated to 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
I hope some of you guys are still online, Please help. I am working on my array tonight and had one string wired up, however when I turned it on. Only he first 7 Led lights up while the last 6 do not. What am I doing wrong here?

Using Meanwell 48D, and temporarily using a 9V walwart just so I can check that I am wiring everything correctly. The internal trimpot is turned all the way down, when I tried to increase it thinking it needed extra juice to light up the remaining 6 Led. But the first 7 would increase in power and nothing more. Help please.
 
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