Minimalistic multichip DIY LED build

[garbled]

I *highly* recommend the Coolermaster Gemini II S524 heatsink. $30 from newegg, and more than powerful enough. You can see pictures of it in my build thread in this forum (10x4x3 tank).

 

[Tickle]

Any comment on my light selection.

Im running 5 10watt 455 and 5 10 watt 16k chips over my 40 breeder, only had em up for a hour or so and so far I'm in love with them, they are only at a very low percentage because Im dimming them with my reefkeeper and its somewhere on its ramp down right now and Im not sure what percentage it is lol.

I used 2 aluminum heatsinks that are 24X1.5 and I cannot passively cool these chips, I have moved up to 2 80cm fans and they keep up very nice and its barely warm to the touch

 

[Lassef]

Any comment on my light selection.

I do not know how deep your tank is but I think its enough of light. Mayby you should use lenses for the whites. By myself I should consider to take 6 blue chip and to use 2 pc 420 nm, 2 pc 445 nm and 2 pc 455 nm. If I only use 5 chip - I probably should use 2 pc 420 nm an 3 pc 445 nm.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[GY2202]

Some Photos

Some Photos

Hi all,

Sorry for the late photos...

This is revision 2 of my build. I added 5 switches (4 switch for the leds (4channels) and 1 switch for the fans(2pcs).

I also remove the red led from my build..

as of now i have the following 10watt emitters:

4pcs Blue 460-470nm
4pcs Royal Blue 455-465nm
2pcs Royal Blue 445-450nm
8pcs White 10000k-15000k
2pcs UV 402.5-405nm

 

[andrewey]

I do not want to get in trouble by advertising, but I wanted to point out I've spent some time communicating with one ebay seller and he has a ton of multichips that are not listed on ebay (anything from 2000k to 25000k, and almost any color). I know for people looking to save a few bucks, I bought my 100w blues (460nms) for $35- a $10 saving from the next closest chip. He also has pretty good prices on other colors and 50w chips. Since I can't post his id, message me if you are interested. However, mods, if this is still not allowed, feel free to delete this post, or tell me and I will remove it.

 

[Landsailor]

I'm looking for better prices on lens and reflector sets, so I'd love to talk to him.

 

[topjimmy]

Pretty damn slick. I'm looking to replace the 250w hqi on my 20L . I was going to go the 3w multi led route but this looks pretty interesting. Where is the best place to get the leds?

 

[A Reef Scene]

Hi Lassef, I was wondering what the pc ment in your post?
6 blue chip and to use 2 pc 420 nm, 2 pc 445 nm and 2 pc 455 nm
Thank you for all the help.

 

[GY2202]

I think he meant 2pcs

Hi Lassef, I was wondering what the pc ment in your post?
6 blue chip and to use 2 pc 420 nm, 2 pc 445 nm and 2 pc 455 nm
Thank you for all the help.

 

[Lassef]

Hi Lassef, I was wondering what the pc ment in your post?
6 blue chip and to use 2 pc 420 nm, 2 pc 445 nm and 2 pc 455 nm
Thank you for all the help.

I think he meant 2pcs

Pieces in Swedish = stycken. Abbreviation for this is st. I thought that you was as lazy as we and use pc when I meant pcs

Sincerely Lasse

 

[A Reef Scene]

The first thing I thought was power compact.

 

[har297]

10W LED Heating issue,

10W LED Heating issue,

Hi Lassef,

going through this thread i bought 10W LED's, when driven at 8 watts the heat sink is barely warn, but the front portion of LED, the emitter part is getting insanely hot, not able even to touch the front part, is it the normal operation or am i missing something,

it is driven at 10V, 800mA, where as recommended is 9-11V, max 1100mA.

thanks,

 

[mikez104]

Thanks for this thread maglofster! I just test fired my Multichip LEDs and they are awesome. I have a JBJ 29 nano with 150W HQI and heat has always been an issue. I had to buy a chiller just to keep the tank at a normal temp. I stumbled on this thread and decided to order several 10W chips. I am going to replace the 150W MH with a 10000K, 16000K, 2x445nm and a multi that has 6 455nm and 3 20000K in it. I fired these up with a mean well driver tonight and was amazed at the brightness and nice color. Here is a pic. It is missing one 445nm because I just stuck them on an old CPU heatsink to see what they looked like. I will be controlling these with an Arduino controller which I am working on. Cant wait to actually get them over the tank.


IMG_6023 by mikez104, on Flickr

 

[Lassef]

Hi Lassef,

going through this thread i bought 10W LED's, when driven at 8 watts the heat sink is barely warn, but the front portion of LED, the emitter part is getting insanely hot, not able even to touch the front part, is it the normal operation or am i missing something,

it is driven at 10V, 800mA, where as recommended is 9-11V, max 1100mA.

thanks,

Its normal. My oldest 10 watts construction has been up running for 1.5 years (900 mA) and it has always been the same - can´t tuch the front. I have also a tight splashguard so there are no airstreams to chill the front part - but it works.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Lassef]

The first thing I thought was power compact.

In a LED thread?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[NALCOMIS]

In a LED thread?

Sincerely Lasse

I got my LED's in today and I would like to thank you Lasse for the insight and guidance you provided in this thread. I would have gone with retail without it.

 

[har297]

Its normal. My oldest 10 watts construction has been up running for 1.5 years (900 mA) and it has always been the same - can´t tuch the front. I have also a tight splashguard so there are no airstreams to chill the front part - but it works.

Sincerely Lasse

thanks Lasse,

That clears my doubts :lolspin:,

edit :

Lasse, what is the ambient temperature where your are using 10W LED's , did you ever bother about measuring temperature of heatsink and towards the front ?

Thanks,

 

[A Reef Scene]

I should stop posting after I take my pain meds. :hmm4:

 

[chrismayu]

Thanks for this thread maglofster! I just test fired my Multichip LEDs and they are awesome. I have a JBJ 29 nano with 150W HQI and heat has always been an issue. I had to buy a chiller just to keep the tank at a normal temp. I stumbled on this thread and decided to order several 10W chips. I am going to replace the 150W MH with a 10000K, 16000K, 2x445nm and a multi that has 6 455nm and 3 20000K in it. I fired these up with a mean well driver tonight and was amazed at the brightness and nice color. Here is a pic. It is missing one 445nm because I just stuck them on an old CPU heatsink to see what they looked like. I will be controlling these with an Arduino controller which I am working on. Cant wait to actually get them over the tank.

I have the same tank. Where did you purchase the led's at?

Thanks!!

 

[garbled]

On my tank, I have the 20w chips on heatsinks with downward mounted fans that blow through the sink, and over the chip. I'm only running them at about 16-18w, but, they stay cool to the touch on the front like that.