Need help with custom LED setup - LDD's!!

[MrHarvard]

Couple things...

XT-E's at 700ma have a forward voltage of 3v. So you could run 15 per LDD at 700ma.

The LDD require PWM for dimming. The Apex doesn't support PWM, you'd need some sort of converter to go from the Apex to the LDDs to change the output to the correct voltage for D.

Pedro, you may even want to consider using Luxeon M 12w blue leds rather than using the cree 3w. I used them along with the 3w hyper violets on my current fixture. I'm not sure of how your going to lay your leds out but these can save you space and they pack a punch. If you want to see pics of my fixture let me know or if you have questions. If you want to use your apex to controll them you can buy the converter and drivers from Stevesleds that allow you to hook them up to an apex. Here is the link.....

http://shop.stevesleds.com/Aquarium-Controller-Interface-Harness-for-Steves-LEDs-Drivers-harness.htm

 

[MrHarvard]

Steves and LGB just came out with new violet LEDs. I believe they have silicone lenses. I've used the original HV from LGB for over 6 month no problem.

I would definitely consider running hyper violets or true violets along side your RB

I have the new Semileds dual core 2.0 hyper violets in my fixture and they have the new silicone lenses and can be ran at 1000ma all day without any issues with overheating. They are bright as hell for a violet the sites claims 72% brighter than any violet on the market. The price is great as well. Link for reference.....

http://shop.stevesleds.com/3-Watt-Hyper-Violet-LED-Dual-Core-Version-20-TVDC20.htm

 

[CrazyEyes]

I say run them via a typhon or a storm. I also vote you should checkout the Luxeon M's.

 

[CrazyEyes]

Yeah but....


I know Milad from LGB tested these personally with a spectrometer. I wish Steve release something along the lines of this. I think the ones from Steve are missing some much needed 430nm IMO. I'd go with the hypder violets from LGB.

 

[aguila88psi]

I may consider luxeon M's but mostly looking to cover a wide area vs a spot, similar to what T5's offer. If I had a canapy to raise higher then these would be a good fit for me. I'll have to go back to the drawing board to see if I can make these work.

Edit: did some quick math and they'll work, I'm super excited to try these out

 

[MrHarvard]

Here is a awesome write up on the spectrums or lights and how they affect your corals! This is one of my favorite reads with tons of info. I figured this may help you Pedro when deciding on your bulb and led choices. Enjoy.....

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/10/aafeature

 

[Milfordguy]

You won't regret using the Luxeon M's. I used 24 in my last build and they are insane. Just make sure you solder them before attaching them to a heatsink.

Also I just got some of the steves 2.0 HV and TV for my current build, so I'm glad to hear they're doing well so far. I didn't know they could be run at 1000ma, that's good to know!

 

[robthorn]

Pedro, I have exactly what you are looking for. The good thing with Pulse Width Modulation is you don't have to run full power and drive the LED's hard. The Violet led's should be run around the 500 ma range. I have 2 5 channel pcb's with 3 700's and 1 500 on each. Unfortunately I need 6 channels once I figured out exactly what I wanted to do.
I have the $35 power supply from Ebay but be prepared to wait since it took 28-29 days to get here.
I bought the Storm X controller and it works pretty well. Does exactly what I want it to.

I am going to sell the PCB's with drivers if you are interested in them let me know. I will only want what I have in them. No idea without adding it up but I got a good price on everything.

 

[robthorn]

These are the optics I went with.
https://reefledlights.com/shop/carclo-xp-e-optics/

 

[aguila88psi]

Thanks Robthorn, I'm gonna stay in the 1000ma range with wired drivers but thanks though. I'll look into the storm x controller.

 

[CrazyEyes]

Why? It's honestly so much easier soldering in sockets then attaching the drivers.

 

[aguila88psi]

Because I'm not using any circuit boards, I'm not great at soldering lol

 

[CrazyEyes]

If you decide you want to use the ldd boards with the H drivers Id be happy to solder the sockets to the board for you. Wiring all 5 wires on the LDD-HW drivers is a pain in the arse.

 

[aguila88psi]

Lol, thanks crazyeyes

 

[MrHarvard]

Wiring all 5 wires on the LDD-HW drivers is a pain in the arse.

+100...those drivers are tiny!

 

[robthorn]

It was super easy to put together plus the board has a pull down resistor so if the controller fails the lights turn off. Without the resistor they go to 100% and we all know we dont want that. When the boards are finished you have screw terminals you just stick wires in. Very nice and clean way to do it. I can help as well if you need it.

The par rating for my fixture with 700ma drivers will be over 500.

 

[MrHarvard]

Pedro here is a link to my led build to give you an idea of the pub boards and leds.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2346715

 

[MrHarvard]

Double post