Minimalistic multichip DIY LED build

You don't need one of those big expensive VGA coolers like the OP used. Earlier in the thread I posted a link to a site that does CPU heatsink reviews, so you should be able to find one there that will perform well. Modern heatsinks are very efficient, and I think honestly CPU's put out more heat than LED's. Lens is probably personal preference, but at 6", you will get a spotlight. Without it, you will spill alot of light out the sides of the tank. Maybe just use the lens base.

As for the driver, I used a meanwell driver. I don't know anything about these ebay drivers.
 
Thanks a lot:) I'm going to be getting the l2 just incase I run it at 120watts or maybe the mono plus, as far as lens I'll get 90 degree and raise it according to spread, or would 60 degrees be better? It will be over a planted tank. Total with the l2 is 181.67 with the mono plus it will be 200 ish.

I'm nervous about setting it up so I'll have a local reefer help me, anything else I need to know?
 
@ garbled: Thank you for the link to Frostytech.
@ DrawnToBeaches: If its a planted tank consider supplementing with wavelengths of 620-630 and 660 nm as well.
@ blesk: The set that I would prefer in this case might be 3 x 50 watt hybrid chip with 60-degree lenses, 6 pieces of 10 000 K, 10-watt chip and 6 pieces of 16 000 K, 10-watt chips - all dimmable. 10 watts without lenses. Possibly complete with 3 x 420 nm "UV", 20 watt chip, dimmable. If you use the 10 000 K and 16 000 K, it is my experience that the additional red, cyan and green are not needed. Make clusters with one piece 50 Watt, 2 x 10 000 K, 2 x 16 000 K and 1 piece UV. With this set you have more than you need. I think it works equally well with two of these clusters, but if you do everything dimmable, you can run a maximum for a short time of the day (1-2 hours) if you use three clusters.

This is only a suggestion - there is no right or wrong.

Sincerely Lasse
 
@Lassef thanks for the fast replie now vhot you think du i cont power up the 10 w led in series vith meanwell 48 60P driver i have them from me old led 3w build i was wonder if i cont run 4x10 w led in series from one driver or any combination or du i need tu geth new drivers for them any suggestions please.
 
According to the spec of meanwell 48 60P driver you can conect between 3 to 4 pc of 10 watts chip in a serie. If you run them at 900 mA you probably can conect 5 in a serie - but you have to test. You have to put the driver i a mode with lower current than 1000 mA. I heve not tested with that driver but I think it work.

Sincerely lasse
 

Hehe, a little late I'm sure as I saw this on sale the other day, but the best way to check is simply look at what CPUs the cooler supports. That one can handle the i7 extreme IIRC, which has a TDP of 130W or so, so should be good for a 100W chip as long as you don't push the chip too much further. I'm not sure what the specs of just the heatsink is, so you might want to have some headroom unless you're absolutely sure those fans will keep going and not corrode and stop (or are ok with the loss if it does).
 
Hi All,

Just an update with my build.

I have received all my 10 watts chips and installed to the heat sink.

I have chosen to use the following 10watts chips:

10000k-16000k - 6pcs
445-450nm Royal Blue - 2pcs
455-465nm Royal Blue - 4pcs
460-470nm Blue - 4pcs
625-630nm Red - 2pcs
402.5-405nm UV - 2pcs

Also im using Meanwell ELN-60-48D - 4pcs, running 5 chips per driver at 900mA with no problem at all. Using Flora-mate for the sunrise and sunset effect.

I will post pictures soon...
 
Hi All,

Just an update with my build.

I have received all my 10 watts chips and installed to the heat sink.

I have chosen to use the following 10watts chips:

10000k-16000k - 6pcs
445-450nm Royal Blue - 2pcs
455-465nm Royal Blue - 4pcs
460-470nm Blue - 4pcs
625-630nm Red - 2pcs
402.5-405nm UV - 2pcs

Also im using Meanwell ELN-60-48D - 4pcs, running 5 chips per driver at 900mA with no problem at all. Using Flora-mate for the sunrise and sunset effect.

I will post pictures soon...

Thanks for the feedback, especially that there is no problem using the Mean Well ELN-60-48D at 900 mA and 5 chip in series

Sincerely Lasse
 
Hi All,

Just an update with my build.

I have received all my 10 watts chips and installed to the heat sink.

I have chosen to use the following 10watts chips:

10000k-16000k - 6pcs
445-450nm Royal Blue - 2pcs
455-465nm Royal Blue - 4pcs
460-470nm Blue - 4pcs
625-630nm Red - 2pcs
402.5-405nm UV - 2pcs

Also im using Meanwell ELN-60-48D - 4pcs, running 5 chips per driver at 900mA with no problem at all. Using Flora-mate for the sunrise and sunset effect.

I will post pictures soon...

Which red chips are you using? They are usually lower voltage and can't be run on the same drivers as the wht & blu.
 
Meanwell ELN-60-48D is a constant current driver. As long as the total FV of the different chip´s are in the constant current region of the driver - you can mix chip´s with different FV. On the other hand, the driver may not have a higher constant current than the chip's maximum current.

The ELN-60-48 has a constant current region between 24-48V so your chip´s total FV (in a series connection) has to be between 24 and 48 V.

Sincerely Lasse
 
Hi All,

Just an update with my build.

I have received all my 10 watts chips and installed to the heat sink.

I have chosen to use the following 10watts chips:

10000k-16000k - 6pcs
445-450nm Royal Blue - 2pcs
455-465nm Royal Blue - 4pcs
460-470nm Blue - 4pcs
625-630nm Red - 2pcs
402.5-405nm UV - 2pcs

Also im using Meanwell ELN-60-48D - 4pcs, running 5 chips per driver at 900mA with no problem at all. Using Flora-mate for the sunrise and sunset effect.

I will post pictures soon...
wow vona see the pics ,pics , pics please. somthing simular i wona du also include 50w hybrid chip.
 
Could someone post a link to a couple LEDs in the red wave lengths? And a cheap dimable driver to run them, and heat sink would be nice but I can source that
 
If I wanted to use several 12 volt computer fans to cool the heatsink what would be the best power supply?

A normal 12 V AC/DC adapter with high enough wattage to run the desired number of fans. If the voltage in addition is adjustable from about 7 - 12 V you can run the fans as quiet as possible


Could someone post a link to a couple LEDs in the red wave lengths? And a cheap dimable driver to run them, and heat sink would be nice but I can source that

Here, here, here and here

Sincerely Lasse
 
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Lassef,

I got similiar items as the ones above. Can I add 3w LEDs in series with the 100W ones or will I need 1w ones? I understand the total wattage might not change but I want to add more colors and still use the same drivers. Sorry it's been awhile since I did anything with Ohms law.

Thanks

No - you can´t use normal 3 or 1 watts in a serie with that 100 W chip. Your 100 watt runs at 3 A (constant current) and 3 and 1 watts run normally at much lower currents. However - I know one "3 watts" that are able to work with 3 A, Cree´s XL-M. With LED its the current that is critical and therefore you normally use constant current drivers. If you want to combine different chip - they must individually manage the same current. You can put different chips i a serie if they manage the same current an if their total FV (forward voltage) is in the constant current region of the driver.

Sincerely Lasse
 
Can I ask for advice on the mounting of these lights.

I purchased the individual heat sinks for the 20W lights I got from AC-RC. These are quite large but still, don't look too bad! I have 6 lights in all, so 6 individual heat sink units.

How would you suggest I mount these over my Juwel Rio 180 tank. I've been contemplating the idea of using Aluminium strut profiles but here in Ireland it could end up being a costly choice. Would you know of any other way to mount them over the tank without the need to drill into a wall or roof?

Thanks in advance...been thinking about this for a few days and the closest I've gotten to a solution are the Al Profiles.
 
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