72" DIY LED build...A Solaris rising from the ashes. - Page 2

shackscs · 03/20/2010, 02:34 PM

So far so good. Happy to see that I don't need as many LEDS as I thought.once I get the driver soldered up I can continue with the build.

As for cost I bought the meanwells for 24.99 each. The Leds.cost 5.00 ea. I got the aluminum stock from HD some time ago but I think it was 3 bucks or so per 3 foot piece.

I had the heat sinks and case.

When it is all said and done, possibly 800-900 but the benefits far out weight the cost. As long as you like getting in there and DIY it is a win win.

shackscs · 03/22/2010, 09:45 AM

Finally completed the 1st of three driver boards:

This little fella will drive two 8 LED strings.

I will need one for every two arrays and I will have 6 arrays total.

der_wille_zur_macht · 03/22/2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shackscs

We also need to remove the ribbon cable that connects the LED array to the Solaris computer:

Check out that sloppy soldering on the OEM's part.

One question - regardless of changes in light output, have you checked/monitored changes in heat with the new LEDs in the Solaris shell?

shackscs · 03/22/2010, 10:01 AM

There was a temp drop down to 85-87 degrees. Normally it runs at about 96-99 degrees.

I am using half the LEDS and getting the same light output so that is where the temp drop is coming from.

Also after having it run for the past few days, I think I will add another string of Blues to the setup. On the other side of the tank I have a few of the original white LEDS out. I like the look, not too washed out but great to look at.

As has been said time and time again, I would strongly suggest that any one doing an LED DIY project play with the LED ratio before doing the actual project. I left two banks empty on the array for just such a reason, but would have loved the idea of not having to now work in the blues.

Good thing I got a good look before donig all of the arrays.

shackscs · 03/23/2010, 08:00 AM

Temp was supposed to read 95-97 not 85-87.

Well did some working on the tank itself last night.

Came down to see how it looked after the dust settled and found that my Blue LEDS are out. Both Meanwells are connected to the same AC power supply. So I know that it is not an issue with getting power.

I will have to pull the unit down and look for a broken solder connection or if the Meanwell actually failed after running for a few days. I hope this is not the case.

I thought about possibly a thermal cut off but the other Meanwell would have shut down too right? They are both running 12 LEDS per string. 12 whiite and 12 blue.

Will dig deeper when I get home from work, unless I can steal some time before hand.

Here is the tank running just the whites:

shackscs · 03/25/2010, 07:39 PM

Well I traced the problem back to bad solder.

There were a few LEDS that I cheaped on in the beginnig and did not tin some of the contacts.

Well that came back to bite me in the behind. I resoldered the wire and everything was fine, until a wire came undone from one of the whites. ARRGHHH!!!

Going to sit down and work checking all of the connections again.

DON'T TAKE SHORT CUTS!!!

Neogenocide · 03/25/2010, 09:55 PM

I'm glad that is all it was. You'll get it right this time around!!

Scott

Anthonius · 03/26/2010, 01:03 AM

so if you dont mind can you tell us where you purchased your bulbs? i think im going to do a little diy project for a 20g... also im tagging along on this... nice job so far!

Reef obcession · 03/26/2010, 06:19 AM

great job, I will be doing something close to that with halides for my 600g tank in the near future.

shackscs · 03/26/2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthonius

so if you dont mind can you tell us where you purchased your bulbs? i think im going to do a little diy project for a 20g... also im tagging along on this... nice job so far!

I got LEDS from Rapidled.com.

They are quick to ship.

Quote:

great job, I will be doing something close to that with halides for my 600g tank in the near future.

Halides? C'mon, come on over to the LED side.

ryan115 · 03/26/2010, 09:07 PM

which optics did you choose for your set up? I like the results from you build, I may be copying this for a new build

Anthonius · 03/26/2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shackscs

I got LEDS from Rapidled.com.

They are quick to ship.

thanks i appreciate it. i just started a diy led thread if you are knowledgeable in the diy led subject i would really appreciate your assistance. Heres the link to my thread if you want to take a peek. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1821702

shackscs · 03/27/2010, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan115

which optics did you choose for your set up? I like the results from you build, I may be copying this for a new build

I am not using optics on the tank. It is LPS, ZOAS, 'Shrooms and other softies so my lighting is ok. If decide to go SPS (Doubtful) I will increse LEDS and add optics if need be.

Quote:

thanks i appreciate it. i just started a diy led thread if you are knowledgeable in the diy led subject i would really appreciate your assistance. Heres the link to my thread if you want to take a peek. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1821702

Looks like you already got one of most knowledgeable people giving you tips.
Others will chime as you go along.

TriNewbie24 · 03/27/2010, 09:10 PM

Sweet build

Anthonius · 03/28/2010, 02:55 AM

i have this one subbed im excited to see this thing showing us some healthy growth on your corals. im going to do a micro led project on a 20 long frag tank thats plumbed inline. if it works out great im going to ditch the 6x t5 fixture on the 75g and build a fixture for the 75.

shackscs · 03/29/2010, 10:04 AM

Well, I took the fixture down and found one of the meanwells was cool to the touch.

I also noticed a slight dim from the whites when just the blues were running so there is obviously a short some where in the string. It was not there before so I have to check the last connections that I fixed to see if I got solder on the base of one of the starboards.

Hopefully I did not fry the driver.

No time to test it now. WIll have to give it a crack tonight or tomorrow after work.

Bummer

Rule69 · 03/31/2010, 06:37 PM

bump

shackscs · 03/31/2010, 07:44 PM

Well, everything is ok now. As I suspected it was a broken solder.

I have gone over all of the connections and all is fine now.

Lutefisk · 04/05/2010, 07:30 AM

Great job!

seesquared · 04/05/2010, 12:44 PM

looks like it was a lot of work, but will for sure be worth it in the long run. good luck!

TriNewbie24 · 04/05/2010, 10:05 PM

Looking good so far.

Anthonius · 04/06/2010, 11:31 PM

Any new news on the fixtures progress?

nowlan · 04/07/2010, 08:53 AM

The slight dim in the whites is gone?
I notice mine look yellow with only rb on (the die that is).

Where to get the DER boards?

ke6guj · 04/07/2010, 01:44 PM

nice re-use of that Solaris.

shackscs · 04/07/2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthonius

Any new news on the fixtures progress?

Been busy with work, but getting my focus back. Should have the new driver wired up to the fixture this weekend. I have everything I need just time.

Quote:

The slight dim in the whites is gone?
I notice mine look yellow with only rb on (the die that is).

Where to get the DER boards?

It was caused by one of the broken solder joints leaning against the heat sink. I have since solved that problem.

The DER boards I was referring to are from this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1759758

It is the dual board design that you have to have made from a board house.

I have extras but am holding off until I get all of mine fully up and running.

Quote:

nice re-use of that Solaris.

Yeah, I could not see just turning it off and tossing it into a corner or closet. It is still pretty heavy.

03/20/2010, 02:34 PM	#26
shackscs Super Premier Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 849	So far so good. Happy to see that I don't need as many LEDS as I thought.once I get the driver soldered up I can continue with the build. As for cost I bought the meanwells for 24.99 each. The Leds.cost 5.00 ea. I got the aluminum stock from HD some time ago but I think it was 3 bucks or so per 3 foot piece. I had the heat sinks and case. When it is all said and done, possibly 800-900 but the benefits far out weight the cost. As long as you like getting in there and DIY it is a win win.

03/22/2010, 09:45 AM	#27
shackscs Super Premier Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 849	Finally completed the 1st of three driver boards: This little fella will drive two 8 LED strings. I will need one for every two arrays and I will have 6 arrays total.

03/22/2010, 10:01 AM	#29
shackscs Super Premier Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 849	There was a temp drop down to 85-87 degrees. Normally it runs at about 96-99 degrees. I am using half the LEDS and getting the same light output so that is where the temp drop is coming from. Also after having it run for the past few days, I think I will add another string of Blues to the setup. On the other side of the tank I have a few of the original white LEDS out. I like the look, not too washed out but great to look at. As has been said time and time again, I would strongly suggest that any one doing an LED DIY project play with the LED ratio before doing the actual project. I left two banks empty on the array for just such a reason, but would have loved the idea of not having to now work in the blues. Good thing I got a good look before donig all of the arrays.

03/23/2010, 08:00 AM	#30
shackscs Super Premier Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 849	Temp was supposed to read 95-97 not 85-87. Well did some working on the tank itself last night. Came down to see how it looked after the dust settled and found that my Blue LEDS are out. Both Meanwells are connected to the same AC power supply. So I know that it is not an issue with getting power. I will have to pull the unit down and look for a broken solder connection or if the Meanwell actually failed after running for a few days. I hope this is not the case. I thought about possibly a thermal cut off but the other Meanwell would have shut down too right? They are both running 12 LEDS per string. 12 whiite and 12 blue. Will dig deeper when I get home from work, unless I can steal some time before hand. Here is the tank running just the whites:

03/25/2010, 07:39 PM	#31
shackscs Super Premier Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 849	Well I traced the problem back to bad solder. There were a few LEDS that I cheaped on in the beginnig and did not tin some of the contacts. Well that came back to bite me in the behind. I resoldered the wire and everything was fine, until a wire came undone from one of the whites. ARRGHHH!!! Going to sit down and work checking all of the connections again. DON'T TAKE SHORT CUTS!!!

03/25/2010, 09:55 PM	#32
Neogenocide Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Findlay, OH Posts: 851	I'm glad that is all it was. You'll get it right this time around!! Scott

03/26/2010, 01:03 AM	#33
Anthonius Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: sioux city Posts: 401	so if you dont mind can you tell us where you purchased your bulbs? i think im going to do a little diy project for a 20g... also im tagging along on this... nice job so far!

03/26/2010, 06:19 AM	#34
Reef obcession Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: stamford, Ct Posts: 266	great job, I will be doing something close to that with halides for my 600g tank in the near future.

03/26/2010, 09:07 PM	#36
ryan115 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 753	which optics did you choose for your set up? I like the results from you build, I may be copying this for a new build

03/27/2010, 09:10 PM	#39
TriNewbie24 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 127	Sweet build

03/28/2010, 02:55 AM	#40
Anthonius Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: sioux city Posts: 401	i have this one subbed im excited to see this thing showing us some healthy growth on your corals. im going to do a micro led project on a 20 long frag tank thats plumbed inline. if it works out great im going to ditch the 6x t5 fixture on the 75g and build a fixture for the 75.

03/29/2010, 10:04 AM	#41
shackscs Super Premier Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 849	Well, I took the fixture down and found one of the meanwells was cool to the touch. I also noticed a slight dim from the whites when just the blues were running so there is obviously a short some where in the string. It was not there before so I have to check the last connections that I fixed to see if I got solder on the base of one of the starboards. Hopefully I did not fry the driver. No time to test it now. WIll have to give it a crack tonight or tomorrow after work. Bummer

03/31/2010, 06:37 PM	#42
Rule69 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MI Posts: 57	bump

03/31/2010, 07:44 PM	#43
shackscs Super Premier Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norristown, PA Posts: 849	Well, everything is ok now. As I suspected it was a broken solder. I have gone over all of the connections and all is fine now.

04/05/2010, 07:30 AM	#44
Lutefisk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 1,686	Great job!

04/05/2010, 12:44 PM	#45
seesquared Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 92	looks like it was a lot of work, but will for sure be worth it in the long run. good luck!

04/05/2010, 10:05 PM	#46
TriNewbie24 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 127	Looking good so far.

04/06/2010, 11:31 PM	#47
Anthonius Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: sioux city Posts: 401	Any new news on the fixtures progress?

04/07/2010, 08:53 AM	#48
nowlan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 86	The slight dim in the whites is gone? I notice mine look yellow with only rb on (the die that is). Where to get the DER boards?

04/07/2010, 01:44 PM	#49
ke6guj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CA Posts: 69	nice re-use of that Solaris.