LED moonlighting from autolumination

[pvtschultz]

The lights are rated at 60mA if I remember correctly, so you will be pushing something like 15V through them, which will be fine. I use a 9V@150mA on one set over a 55 and it shines bright, just not over the whole tank, so maybe a 150 or 200 mA might be more appropriet

 

[scrummyotool]

lets see some pics of these things in action

 

[pvtschultz]

I thought that I had one in my gallery, but I guess not. I'll take one tonight when the lights come on. It is hard to get an accurate depiction, but I'll play with the shutter speed to see what happens.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The output of current (ma) that the power supply is rated at has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with how bright the LED shines.


Regarding the voltage, the AUTO leds are designed for 13.2 volt operation. THe built in resistors are sized accordingly. At 12V they will be slightly dimmer and even dimmer at 9V.

Bean

 

[SHOmuchFUN]

I installed mine on my 55.
I bought the three LED kit and wired them to a radio shack 12v regulator, I believe it's 500ma (a little too much, but couldn't find one smaller).

I installed them on the TOP of my T-5 reflectors with the provided tape backing which is surprisingly sticky! They shine into my halide spider reflectors. They are too much light when directed straight down, but when diffused through the spider reflector, it's still fairly bright, but looks INCREDIBLE! Wiring options are not great, so my wiring is a bit shoddy, but all-in-all for $25+ for a DIY job well done, couldn't be happier!

 

[flamron]

Okay, got mine today. Just got them installed. Here are some pics. I am kinda proud of my idea to install them:

 

[yuhsuen]

nice one!!! Love the pvc elbow idea..think I am going to mount mine that way so I don't have to make new mounts...THANKS

 

[Critter]

Any idea how many hours the LEDs are good for? or any reference to how long they will last? are they considered disposable at that price or can you replace the LEDs. thanks

 

[Fursphere]

I'd say disposable.

And they should last 100,000 hours EASY.

LEDs normally slightly dim with age.

 

[Japheth]

flamron,
how did you mount the elbows?

 

[Critter]

I'm in then... Got to finish my EAP skimmer, and then with the left over PVC going to make a bar with Ts and make it so I can remove it easy (don't got the room under my hood). (got the idea of using a bar with Ts after seeing Flamron use the 90's)
thanks

I'd say disposable.

And they should last 100,000 hours EASY.

LEDs normally slightly dim with age.

 

[flamron]

I drilled holes in them with a small drill bit and the screwed them into my canopy. Cool thing about the elbows is you have some control over where the light goes because you can redirect them to an extent. I was going to pu them in my lights, but I didn't have enough room.

 

[Japheth]

I drilled holes in them with a small drill bit and the screwed them into my canopy. Cool thing about the elbows is you have some control over where the light goes because you can redirect them to an extent. I was going to pu them in my lights, but I didn't have enough room.

sounds like a good idea
do you have any kind of drain hole in case evaporation starts to collect in there?

 

[flamron]

Didn't really think about it. That would probably be a good idea though. The lights are "waterproof", but I don't believe it. I may end up putting a drain in. I will probably leave it for now though. Good idea..

 

[liquidfunk]

can someone supply the exact link to the leds you guys are using?without searching the whole website I havnt been able to find them.

Is there a better name or something to locate them? Looks like a great cheap plan!

 

[liquidfunk]

scratch that, I found it in the thread, sorry

 

[toona]

I know this may be taking this to the extreme but the 13 LED lights put out quite a bit of light I did all the research and found the formulas to convert milicandela and the beam angle to lumens a mixture of the white and blue one could give nice lighting to a tank don't ya think???

 

[Critter]

I ordered three of these lights! can't wait.... I found an adapter laying around.. its output is rated 12vdc 1000mA... is 1000mA too much?
I know they are only going to require 180mA... (I have no idea when it comes to mA) I just don't want to pop them. Thanks.

 

[Ramble On Rose]

I ordered three of these lights! can't wait.... I found an adapter laying around.. its output is rated 12vdc 1000mA... is 1000mA too much?
I know they are only going to require 180mA... (I have no idea when it comes to mA) I just don't want to pop them. Thanks.

1000mA is the max output of the adapter. it will only draw as much as it needs (180 per fixture). it will work fine.

 

[Kelpie]

I ordered the red LEDs from autoillumination because I want to watch my pods and I don't think they can see red light.