Proposed LED Build

[T8T]

I am in the planning phase of my LED build and had some questions for those who have gone before.

I have 120 gallon. 4x2x2. Originally my plan was to go with 48 Leds with 4 MeanWell ELN 60-48D. After some deliberation, I am leaning more towards 72 LEDs and 3 MeanWell ELN 60-48D drivers. (3 Strings of 24).

I am choosing the ELN 60-48D so I can dim them with my Apex controller.

So 3 strings of 24(XPg and XPe Leds) on 3 Drivers: This is possible right?

Not sure on the combination but I am looking for the 12 to 14K look.

 

[ghellin]

You can run 24 if you do two parallel strings of 12. The driver only supplies up to 24 volts so total foward voltage must be less than 24.

 

[kcress]

4x2x12x12/15 = 77 LEDs. That's for hard coral. So it sounds like 72 should be fine.

Your proposal sounds fine. Follow the usual parallel rules and you should be pleased.

Hit up JP's excellent thread and follow what we documented there.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1973462


14k? I'd guess about 50:50 W:RB I'd add about 2 to 4 NW as each white LED. Others may chip on on this.

ghellin those supplies provide 48V not 24V.

 

[T8T]

4x2x12x12/15 = 77 LEDs. That's for hard coral. So it sounds like 72 should be fine.

Your proposal sounds fine. Follow the usual parallel rules and you should be pleased.

Hit up JP's excellent thread and follow what we documented there.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1973462


14k? I'd guess about 50:50 W:RB I'd add about 2 to 4 NW as each white LED. Others may chip on on this.

ghellin those supplies provide 48V not 24V.

Thanks KCress, That's a great thread.

Yes I like more of a bluer look. So that I am understanding this right; The CW and NW can operate on the same string(s) and replace 4 of the CW with NW?
So the count might look something like:
36RB
20CW
4 NW

 

[ghellin]

Lol your right mind was stuck on the cat drivers, but still 2 parallel strings would be fine just not one of 24.

 

[kcress]

Thanks KCress, That's a great thread.

Yes I like more of a bluer look. So that I am understanding this right; The CW and NW can operate on the same string(s) and replace 4 of the CW with NW?
So the count might look something like:
36RB
20CW
4 NW

Yes you can mix all the whites any way you want.

When you run two strings with an ELN60-48 you are limited to just under 700mA on the individual strings so you can mix in the blues with the whites too. Just make sure that you put the same number of blues in each of the two parallel strings to keep the electrical balance.

If you do that you can make your B:W ratio anything you want without running into driver/LED count issues.

Maybe 60% B : 40% W would be more your color.

 

[T8T]

I know this thread is quite old but I wanted to share an event that could have been catastrophic.
About a week ago one of my LED drivers was no longer ramping all the way down when the controller was sending 0 voltage to the unit. I thought "well its 4 years old it probably on its way out". 4 Years MTBF wasn't that bad i guess.
We have recently had some pretty bad lightning storms here so that may have done it in...
The magic smoke has been released...

Needless to say, I am redesigning this to have a GFCI. I am also redesigning the way they are mounted to the canopy. This scares the unowhat out of me.