Smoothdog's Multichip LED build

[firefightered66]

Tks!
I am going to attempt to build the arduino controller so that part is not a problem. I want to control the blues on 1 driver and the white on the other using the same LED you have. so what you are saying is
blue
blue white blue
blue
correct?


I have, with the 110w running @ 35W plus 30w of actinic, I'm getting about the same par as 150w Phoenix 14k. The spread is much more even than the sun pod reflector too.



were you planning to space them evenly? If so you will get a disco effect. Mine are only about 8in away from the White Light and I still see it a little. I'd do 4 blues and place them close to the whites. 90deg on the whites, 60deg on the blues. You will need to know the amperage / voltage of the leds and how many you want to run per channel in order to pick a driver. I know Apex won't do pwm dimming but reef angel will. Not sure about reef keeper.

 

[smoothdog]

So here is what I am possible looking at doing.

over a 5 foot tank. Blues will all be 50watt, 20k whites 100watt, and red/violet 10watt.

will be this config: B, W, B, R/V, B, W, B, R/V, B, W, B

Will be trying 60 degree lenses on the 100watts and 90 degree on the rest to start. Will be ordering the 90 degree for the 100 watts as well just to see which I like better.


All will be on dimable ballest controlled by a controller. The 3 100 watt will be on VGA coolers like you used. Not sure what to use on the 50 watt or 10 watts to keep them from over heating. I am hoping to get similar PAR to 250watt MH/T5 combo's. I hope to only run the LED's at 40-65% power.

The seller said he had red and violet available. If anyone else uses these please post your experience. Looking forward to seeing how these work for folks.

Looks reasonable to me. Arctic cooling makes a single fan gpu cooler that can be had for $15. Otherwise I'd look at heat sink usa dot com.

firefightered66,
You'll want 2 whites for coverage.
__bwb__bwb__

 

[Damon.Webb22]

Smoothdog, question for you Bro. I salvaged my GPU fan from an nVidia 8600 card I had that no longer worked. Did your GPU fans come with a 4-pin plug like you normally find on a video card? If so, how did you get that hooked up to the wall power adapter? If not, how was the fan wired?

 

[smoothdog]

Yep, 2 wires for power 2 for PWM control. Power is usually black and red. Just used a 12v wall wort to power the fan. Make sure you have the polarity correct or you'll instantly fry the fan.

 

[Damon.Webb22]

yep, 2 wires for power 2 for pwm control. Power is usually black and red. Just used a 12v wall wort to power the fan. Make sure you have the polarity correct or you'll instantly fry the fan.

<3
What did you use for the PWM control?

 

[smoothdog]

Nothing yet and probably never will. When open they run at 100% and I don't see a reason to slow them down. Arctic was selling just the triple fan that came on my cooler though so I bought a few extra that I'll put in my hood when I build it and use the pwm to control it. I'm planning to get a reef angel.

 

[Damon.Webb22]

Nothing yet and probably never will. When open they run at 100% and I don't see a reason to slow them down. Arctic was selling just the triple fan that came on my cooler though so I bought a few extra that I'll put in my hood when I build it and use the pwm to control it. I'm planning to get a reef angel.

Awesome. My plan was to leave it open but I wanted to make sure from a master

 

[smoothdog]

LOL, I've been called a lot of things over the years, but never master! My kung fu must be strong.

 

[virus]

impressive

 

[smoothdog]

Thanks virus! My wife's grandparents all immigrated from the Ukraine. I'll have to let her know I've made contact with her home land!

 

[Zackisback]

What would you recommend I get for a 40 gallon breeder? I would wont them to be dim able?

 

[cabinetman123]

Any updates? It would be nice to hear how stuff did under those LEDs.

 

[smoothdog]

Everything seems to be doing well still. Honestly, I think it may be a little too much light for some things. RBTAs and flower anemone are doing great, as well as a couple of leathers and xenia. LPS is growing well but is a little pale, and the only zoas I've ever been able to grow in this tank (Bam Bams) only grow in the shade. I upgraded the actinics to 3x30w leds powered by a 60w driver and reduced the white down to about 50w a few weeks ago, so we'll see how that does.

 

[Damon.Webb22]

Well if you have been keeping track of my post Smoothmeister you will see I got mine done

1 - 50w white
3 - 20w blue

Looks good and since I just cashed out my retirement from my old job I have the funds available to get my tank going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[smoothdog]

Yeah, that build looked familiar for some reason. Are you running them at full wattage?

Who needs retirement, right! :lol:

 

[Damon.Webb22]

Yeah, that build looked familiar for some reason. Are you running them at full wattage?

Who needs retirement, right! :lol:

A. Have not started running em yet as the tank is not quite set up. But I did some tests and there is no WAY I can run them full bore. They are BRIGHT!

B. It was only for 5 years and for me paying off my maxed out credit cards I used when unemployed, with a good chunk left over, is more fiscally responsible at this point in my life than hanging on to the 457(b) and 401(a). Also, I work for the fed gov now so my retirement is set :beer:

 

[EDJFA]

A. Have not started running em yet as the tank is not quite set up. But I did some tests and there is no WAY I can run them full bore. They are BRIGHT!

B. It was only for 5 years and for me paying off my maxed out credit cards I used when unemployed, with a good chunk left over, is more fiscally responsible at this point in my life than hanging on to the 457(b) and 401(a). Also, I work for the fed gov now so my retirement is set :beer:

Yes, because we all know how financially stable the federal government is.

The financial planner part of my brain wants to chastise you for making such a decision, but is being overridden by the saltwater smell in my office right now.

 

[Damon.Webb22]

Yes, because we all know how financially stable the federal government is.

The financial planner part of my brain wants to chastise you for making such a decision, but is being overridden by the saltwater smell in my office right now.

I did some math. I pay over $300/month right now for my credit cards with about $20k total on the two. paying those off over time will be SUPER expensive. By cashing out the retirement I get to replenish my savings, totally pay off my credit cards, put some BACK into retirement, and still have enough to play a it

Trust me this decision took a month to come too :wildone:

 

[awais98]

Nice LED build Ssmooth, just went though the entire thread. Will wait for your newer LED build for the new DT

 

[smoothdog]

Thanks Awais. The big tank LEDs will be pretty much the same, only using 1 100w and 2 30w actinic leds per side, and using pwm dimmable drivers that I can control with my ReefAngel.