Minimalistic multichip DIY LED build

[Lassef]

@lasse I'm thinking about using 3 of these to keep them cool

I would then just attach the aluminum plate to it correct

I think it will work - but you will never be sure before you have tested. In this case I would attach the cooler to the aluminum plate with bolts. The same with regard to the attachment of chips to the aluminum plate. I usually use M3 stainless steel bolts. They usually match the radiators. Why I prefer bolts in this case instead of heat transfer glue is that it is easier to have so little thermal resistance as possible with a paste of good quality and a controlled mounting pressure. Notes on the aluminum plate is that thicker is better than a thinner if you have a choice. I used 12 mm because I had access to such material.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Lassef]

I'm obtaining 80W RGB chips in a custom 3 color combo; 12,000K/460nm/440nm

They aren't hard to obtain.

What chip are you referring to when you say "these"? ... I must have missed the post to which one your referring to.

We have a saying here in Sweden: Did you say A, then you may also say B. A link where you can get this chip would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely Lasse

 

[noplay180]

Could i use just a heat sink with fans

 

[Lassef]

Could i use just a heat sink with fans

You are going to cool away around 250 W of heat - I´m no sure which size of heatsink is enough with just a heatsink and fan´s. But if your heatsink is large enough it will work for sure. I have no experiences with that - so I can´t advise you how large it needs to be - other people maybe can do that.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[gtfcniles]

You only need to take away 250w of heat if your driving them to the limit though don't you, if your running at 100w then a 100w cpu cooler should do the job?

 

[Lassef]

You only need to take away 250w of heat if your driving them to the limit though don't you, if your running at 100w then a 100w cpu cooler should do the job?

100 W + 4*20 W and some overdriving. -

So I'm going to start with 2 100 watt 20000k surrounded by 3 455 and 1 420. Then work about the ends after seeing what spread I get. cooling these two monsters will be next problem

Sincerely Lasse

 

[JohnnyAirtime]

We were talking in general. So, any multichip... in general. Preferably, a 50W or greater. Share some info...

We have a saying here in Sweden: Did you say A, then you may also say B. A link where you can get this chip would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely Lasse

I've posted the link to the "build" thread of my 80W and 160W pendants, more then once. Maybe you missed it. Again.

I'm ordering them through China. Or actually, I'm having a Pendant made to my spec and the manufacturer is the one who recommended using an RGB multi-chip. They are who sourced the maker of the chip. I can ask who they are using, to get you all the info for obtaining such a gem.

The only problem I see with using RGB is, finding a driver capable of 0-10V control for remote dimming controllers (like Apex... RKE.... etc). The driver we're using is an RGB driver, with wireless remote. Capable of up to 100W chips. So my 160W pendant will be driven by two RGB drivers. Also, with RGB your limited to a 3 color chip. Not a big deal for me, but maybe for some other enthusiasts.

I'll have some more pictures and video soon... as, my second prototype (and hopefully last proto) will be done shortly. At at a cost almost cheaper then the DIY rigs your all setting up. (and no fans or fan noise!). I'm planning to build a small page on one of my websites to sell an 80W and 160W version.

Also... I'm sure you've all seen the ORPHEK DIF pendants, right? They use multi-color multi-chips too. If you haven't seen them... here ya go; http://orphek.com/led/orphek-products/dif-pendants/

 

[wes42079]

Tagging along as well. Your Elos setup is sweet.

 

[tronyony]

Lasse,

Please review my crappy drawing and let me know if we are on the same page for my LED setup. Also added a current pic to show you my current setup.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tronyony/

Thank you,
Tony

 

[tomservo]

johnny: I did in fact mean the hybrid style chips; I contacted a number of manufacturers on alibaba who did RGB type chips, but none of them was willing to do a custom combo for me. Probably didn't want the trouble of setting up the machine, whatever's involved with that, for just a couple chips.

 

[007Bond]

I thought I seen your earlier post that they were go to make a chip for you. How did you decide on the leds your using? Will they put any combo you ask them to?

 

[ronreef]

I thought I seen your earlier post that they were go to make a chip for you. How did you decide on the leds your using? Will they put any combo you ask them to?

I wanted the multichip panels spectral output to benefit Chlorphyll C. This was based on the data Lassef posted earlier in the thread which made sense to me. This multichip panel along with the other
panels I've acquired should work well.

 

[mr.wilson]

johnny: I did in fact mean the hybrid style chips; I contacted a number of manufacturers on alibaba who did RGB type chips, but none of them was willing to do a custom combo for me. Probably didn't want the trouble of setting up the machine, whatever's involved with that, for just a couple chips.

RGB frames are difficult to build, as the chips need to be spread out to allow room for custom phosphor coating (14k in my case). Most manufacturers cannot produce these three channel chips, and many of the companies on Alibaba are simply brokers who outsource everything anyway.

I run 10 red chips at 12w, 40 wht chips at 75w, and 50 mixed (blue, royal blue, UV) at 96w. I could push them harder, but it isn't necessary unless your tank is over 3' tall.

Any of the remote controls I saw were 24v and I'm running mine at 28 & 36v. Remotes also seem to work only with generic drivers. I went with Inventronics for greater dimming compatibility and reliability. Mean Well is a close second in my opinion.

 

[JohnnyAirtime]

johnny: I did in fact mean the hybrid style chips; I contacted a number of manufacturers on alibaba who did RGB type chips, but none of them was willing to do a custom combo for me. Probably didn't want the trouble of setting up the machine, whatever's involved with that, for just a couple chips.

Got'cha... (as I previously mentioned) I didn't contact the chip manufacturer directly. My LED light manufacturer did. Maybe that was part of the reason it got done, they knew who to go to. But also, I'm only doing 1 custom RGB chip at the moment, and will order many more once my prototype light is done. So not sure if quantity is a problem or not.

Alibaba/Aliexpress; You've got to be careful about who poses as a manufacturer, and who is a broker/trader on those sites. Every now and again, some of the manufacturers will have a product they don't do "in house" and have to obtain parts or components outside of their stock. My LED Light manufacturer is doing just that for my RGB Driver, the custom multi-chip, and my electronic timer for this light. Not something they'll all do, for low quantity orders.

Also, there's the warranty issue when they outsource. My manufacturer wouldn't use a specific product due to it's lack of quality. Even if I said, "no warranty is needed". They said "no".

So to get a good company (manufacturer) who not only listens, but is willing to help email after email, and speaks or writes decent english... is something to hold onto! Even a good HONEST broker/trader is hard to come by.

I'm dealing now with a company who let me nearly hang out to dry, and I spent over $2500 with them. Their product was problematic from the start, and it took 5 months to get it resolved. Even at the last resolution (this week!), did a part go bad... and they made me pay for that replacement (even though it's their part failing).

DO YOUR research before using Alibaba or Aliexpress for ANYTHING China!

 

[Danielism]

Ok, after reading like 20+ pages of this thread, I've decided to ask a few questions. I am planning on building a DIY LED fixture for my 15 gallon (24L x 12H x 12W) tank out of 3w LEDs and now i'm interested in these 10w LEDs. How many LEDs and what type/colour would I need for growing hard and soft corals? If possible could someone PM me what drivers, LEDs and whatever else I would need?

I was looking at maybe 2 of these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-40mil-1...ltDomain_0&hash=item3f17422c3f#ht_2746wt_1026

and three of these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10W-10000K-...ultDomain_0&hash=item3f10351676#ht_1636wt_906

I don't know what i'll need for a driver but I want to be able to dim (either the driver itself or a pot?) the 10k and actinic separately (For the amperage do I need to add all the ma's to get a total of 5amps? and get a 3amp and 2amp driver or do I just need to get a 1amp driver for each set?). Also what power adapter would I need to plug it in the wall? or can I just use a simple 12v computer power cord? Also what lenses would I need?

 

[ronreef]

Got word from ac-rc, and the custom 50W chip is complete:

23 x 445nm chips
22 x 455nm chips
5 x 420nm chips

Should be here in a couple weeks.

Some shots of the engineering sample they sent me. Unpowered:
https://plus.google.com/photos/1030...29709073018401/5772929705352496930?banner=pwa

Powered up. Close up:
https://plus.google.com/photos/1030...29709073018401/5772929726772956626?banner=pwa

Actual spectrum analysis of my engineering sample from ac-rc:
https://plus.google.com/photos/1030...29709073018401/5772931484969085826?banner=pwa

Explaination of data provided by ac-rc:
https://plus.google.com/photos/1030...29709073018401/5772932106219953890?banner=pwa

 

[marspeed]

???? pictures ????

 

[marspeed]

i can't see the links here but they are in my e mail

 

[Lassef]

Lasse,

Please review my crappy drawing and let me know if we are on the same page for my LED setup. Also added a current pic to show you my current setup.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tronyony/

Thank you,
Tony

Put the two tubes close to each others (you can put together the two tubes with heat transfer glue) and zigzag the chip´s so you get space between the chip in order to complete with lenses if it will be necessary.

This setup will be very blue.

I'm thinking a bit on whether it would be better that the first white chip on the top line came in the 3 position instead of as now in position 4 and the second white chip on the bottom line came in position 6 instead of the 5-position as now. But really do not know.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[tronyony]

Put the two tubes close to each others (you can put together the two tubes with heat transfer glue) and zigzag the chip´s so you get space between the chip in order to complete with lenses if it will be necessary.

This setup will be very blue.

I'm thinking a bit on whether it would be better that the first white chip on the top line came in the 3 position instead of as now in position 4 and the second white chip on the bottom line came in position 6 instead of the 5-position as now. But really do not know.

Sincerely Lasse

Great, thanks. I just wanted to know if the heatsink and chip place ment are good. I will drill and tap so that the leds can be rearranged if need be.

Thank you,
Tony