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03/20/2010, 02:34 PM | #26 |
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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 |
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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, 09:50 AM | #28 | |
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Quote:
One question - regardless of changes in light output, have you checked/monitored changes in heat with the new LEDs in the Solaris shell?
__________________
Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman) |
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03/22/2010, 10:01 AM | #29 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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I'm glad that is all it was. You'll get it right this time around!!
Scott |
03/26/2010, 01:03 AM | #33 |
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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!
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03/26/2010, 06:19 AM | #34 |
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great job, I will be doing something close to that with halides for my 600g tank in the near future.
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03/26/2010, 07:17 PM | #35 | ||
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Quote:
They are quick to ship. Quote:
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03/26/2010, 09:07 PM | #36 |
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Location: Ocean Springs, MS
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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
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03/26/2010, 11:11 PM | #37 |
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Location: sioux city
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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
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03/27/2010, 07:19 AM | #38 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
Others will chime as you go along. |
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03/27/2010, 09:10 PM | #39 |
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Sweet build
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03/28/2010, 02:55 AM | #40 |
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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.
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03/29/2010, 10:04 AM | #41 |
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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 |
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bump
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03/31/2010, 07:44 PM | #43 |
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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 |
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Great job!
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04/05/2010, 12:44 PM | #45 |
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looks like it was a lot of work, but will for sure be worth it in the long run. good luck!
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04/05/2010, 10:05 PM | #46 |
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Looking good so far.
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04/06/2010, 11:31 PM | #47 |
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Any new news on the fixtures progress?
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04/07/2010, 08:53 AM | #48 |
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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 |
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nice re-use of that Solaris.
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04/07/2010, 07:07 PM | #50 | ||
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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 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:
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