Is blueacro still in business?

Mekong · 07/02/2018, 08:49 AM

I don't see an add to cart for any of their LED emitters and the drivers have been out of stock for a long time. Are they still even in business?

oreo57 · 07/02/2018, 10:00 AM

https://blueacro.com/acrostrip

didn't go all the way to checkout but some products "seem" to be available..

mcgyvr · 07/02/2018, 10:13 AM

support@blueacro.com
email and ask..

Mekong · 07/02/2018, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

support@blueacro.com
email and ask..

I did, two weeks later, guess not

I have no idea what amps to drive my LEDs at, and like the idea of his variable amp constant current LED drivers.

oreo57 · 07/02/2018, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekong

I did, two weeks later, guess not

I have no idea what amps to drive my LEDs at, and like the idea of his variable amp constant current LED drivers.

Many max currents are listed here..

https://blueacro.com/acrostar/products

mcgyvr · 07/03/2018, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekong

I did, two weeks later, guess not

I have no idea what amps to drive my LEDs at, and like the idea of his variable amp constant current LED drivers.

What LEDs?
In general just drive them at/close to their max rating.. Only reason to not do so is if you have insufficient cooling which can only be determined by temperature testing..
But if your cooling is up to the task then drive them at/near max and let dimming handle brightness control..

Knighthawk · 07/03/2018, 05:45 AM

What are variable amp constant current supplies??? I'm guess it's variable voltage constant current?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

oreo57 · 07/03/2018, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knighthawk

What are variable amp constant current supplies??? I'm guess it's variable voltage constant current?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

With his drivers you can "set" the current i.e from something like 350mA to 1 A.

Once set it will lock at that output..

Voltage out will change till current output is met..

Power supply is a separate "topic" but needs to be constant ..

mcgyvr · 07/03/2018, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knighthawk

What are variable amp constant current supplies??? I'm guess it's variable voltage constant current?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

You can have variable current sources just like you can have variable voltage sources...
In one the output voltage is adjustable and then maintained.. In the other the output current is adjustable and then maintained..

Knighthawk · 07/03/2018, 07:20 AM

Yeah I'm aware of that. I was hitting on the point that he said variable amp constant current. That statement seems a little contradictory.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

mcgyvr · 07/03/2018, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knighthawk

Yeah I'm aware of that. I was hitting on the point that he said variable amp constant current. That statement seems a little contradictory.

Its right for what it is IMO..
Its a constant current driver and the constant current level is adjustable.. Once set it maintains that set current..
But yes.. It does have a bit of a "Jumbo shrimp" ring to it

Mekong · 07/03/2018, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

What LEDs?
In general just drive them at/close to their max rating.. Only reason to not do so is if you have insufficient cooling which can only be determined by temperature testing..
But if your cooling is up to the task then drive them at/near max and let dimming handle brightness control..

I am thinking of a mix of cree G3, E2, and E. LUXEON REBEL ES, and SEMILEDS. So G3 is max 2 amp, E and E2, and Rebel are 1 amp. Semileds are max 0.8 amp. Each color and CW/WW are going to be on its own channels PWM controlled via a PCA9685.

So is there a rule of thumb as to what amps are best to drive them? I am thinking of a "MakersLED heat sink" w/ a temp controlled fan. I am shooting in the dark here, but is something like "drive at %75 of max amps"?

I like the BlueAcro adjustable so I can't go wrong, but IDK if he is ever going to have more in stock, so might be stuck with LDD's and have to pick a fixed amperage.

oreo57 · 07/03/2018, 07:58 PM

Quote:

So is there a rule of thumb as to what amps are best to drive them?

No, not really..

mcgyvr · 07/04/2018, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekong

So G3 is max 2 amp, E and E2, and Rebel are 1 amp. Semileds are max 0.8 amp.

Seems like a simple decision due to available LDD versions..
G3 drive at 1500mA
E/E2/Reble drive at 1000mA
Semi drive at 700mA

Don't overthink it.. Problem solved..

saf1 · 08/06/2018, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekong

I don't see an add to cart for any of their LED emitters and the drivers have been out of stock for a long time. Are they still even in business?

I have four of their Acro star pros and they are good multi-chips. However, his stock ebbs and flows. Not sure if it is too busy with real life or other issues. I shot a email off last week looking to buy another four but haven't heard. I'm now looking for other sources of viable and decently priced chips.

Won't be apples to apples but he could be on a break, busy, or low on stock. Pro's are out I know that.

bblumberg · 08/07/2018, 04:43 AM

I also sent Yann an email 2 weeks ago inquiring about buying more of his pucks. So far, no answer...

TimmyD16 · 08/07/2018, 11:48 PM

Pros have been out everytime i've looked for like the past year....

I'd settle for a good source of MCPCB that i could get made up and just buy my own emitters...

biecacka · 08/08/2018, 11:44 AM

What sort of spread are these emitters capable of?

Corey

saf1 · 08/08/2018, 07:48 PM

Suggested by a member here to look at Nanobox 3.1 multi's. I did and they seem like a good fit. Affordable so I'll be picking up a set of four. Only issue is they are 5 channels compared to the 4 of the acro stars - not a huge deal and I have enough room on both Apex and Reef Angel.

I'll have to look at heat sinks. Those seem to run the most money oddly enough. I am looking for something that can support the array but be 48 to 50" in length. I am not a fan of the smaller heat sinks that I've been using and would rather have a continuous length. I found a few but they are about 100 bucks a pop - seems high.

oreo57 · 08/09/2018, 12:54 AM

http://ledgardener.com/find-heat-sink-cob/

It's always complicated..

$100 is pretty standard-ish for large bars..
rough calc would be 340 sq" of surface area per puck, passive cooled..
https://www.heatsinkusa.com/5-886-wi...inum-heatsink/
roughly 33 sq in per inch..
so 10" per puck..
50" piece would passively cool 5 @ $83 plus shipping say $100

would be better anodized..but they aren't

kind of an art and science atm..
https://youtu.be/iFj-FxIbCbg

lingwendil · 08/09/2018, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimmyD16

Pros have been out everytime i've looked for like the past year....

I'd settle for a good source of MCPCB that i could get made up and just buy my own emitters...

Design a PCB, and start shopping around. I started using EasyEDA for some other PCB work, and have been toying with the idea of doing up something similar to the blueAcro boards, but with a couple drivers on board (LDD-LS, most likely, as I do a lot of nano fixtures) so they are usable for quick all-in-one builds. MCPCBs are available from a bunch of suppliers, just need a good design drawn up to shop prices.

Maybe it's time for a collaborative open source board design?

oreo57 · 08/09/2018, 10:24 AM

Like this?

lingwendil · 08/09/2018, 11:49 AM

Something like that, but with footprints for LDD drivers to minimise the number of parts needed to be ordered/messed with. Ideally I would want something that could do two or four channels, and could work with both Luxeon and Cree types of emitters. Would be a nice and versatile option for power users and advanced builders for sure, and gets us more to the modular aspect seen in some commercial fixtures, like AI and Radion.

Ideally something like the boards Radion uses with onboard drivers would be a nice way to go, and maybe even a solution that uses the Radion optics. Could be a good thing to start a brainstorming thread to figure it all out?

Maybe like the Corona from RapidLED? Just with LDD's on board instead of discrete circuitry?

oreo57 · 08/09/2018, 12:03 PM

hmmm.. philosophical differences..
Never in favor of putting things near heat sources...
And modular is better..

Like still annoyed I need to buy an expensive wheel assembly for my truck as opposed to just getting a new cheap bearing..

but hey, diversity is the spice of life...

AND there def a lot of advantages to the idea..

Heck modular "sticks" have plenty of advantages if anyone EVER did it right..

Or didn't charge a fortune for the "luxury"...

TimmyD16 · 08/09/2018, 12:21 PM

Does anyone have the original gerber files for 02's board? or better yet that actual (looks like eagle?) project file?

07/02/2018, 08:49 AM	#1
Mekong Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,539	Is blueacro still in business? I don't see an add to cart for any of their LED emitters and the drivers have been out of stock for a long time. Are they still even in business? __________________ _________________________ Current Tank Info: 90g Reef from 2004-2013.

07/02/2018, 10:13 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	support@blueacro.com email and ask.. __________________ Who me?

08/07/2018, 04:43 AM	#16
bblumberg Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 606	I also sent Yann an email 2 weeks ago inquiring about buying more of his pucks. So far, no answer... __________________ Bruce Current Tank Info: 150G mixed reef (6x Blue Acro 20K Pro COB LEDs, 4x 80W T5 supplement), 150g fw discus (T5 lighting), 110G fw Angelfish (DIY LED lighting), 4 x 40 g frag tanks (DIY LED).

08/07/2018, 11:48 PM	#17
TimmyD16 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 280	Pros have been out everytime i've looked for like the past year.... I'd settle for a good source of MCPCB that i could get made up and just buy my own emitters... __________________ ~TimmyD “Jellyfish are 97% water or something, so how much are they doing? Just give them another 3% and make them water. It's more useful.” Karl Pilkington

08/08/2018, 07:48 PM	#19
saf1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: California Posts: 2,259	Suggested by a member here to look at Nanobox 3.1 multi's. I did and they seem like a good fit. Affordable so I'll be picking up a set of four. Only issue is they are 5 channels compared to the 4 of the acro stars - not a huge deal and I have enough room on both Apex and Reef Angel. I'll have to look at heat sinks. Those seem to run the most money oddly enough. I am looking for something that can support the array but be 48 to 50" in length. I am not a fan of the smaller heat sinks that I've been using and would rather have a continuous length. I found a few but they are about 100 bucks a pop - seems high. __________________ -saf1 Current Tank Info: 210 gallon mixed reef

07/02/2018, 10:00 AM	#2
oreo57 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,793	https://blueacro.com/acrostrip didn't go all the way to checkout but some products "seem" to be available..

07/03/2018, 05:45 AM	#7
Knighthawk Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 167	What are variable amp constant current supplies??? I'm guess it's variable voltage constant current? Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

07/03/2018, 07:20 AM	#10
Knighthawk Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 167	Yeah I'm aware of that. I was hitting on the point that he said variable amp constant current. That statement seems a little contradictory. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

08/08/2018, 11:44 AM	#18
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	What sort of spread are these emitters capable of? Corey

08/09/2018, 12:54 AM	#20
oreo57 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,793	http://ledgardener.com/find-heat-sink-cob/ It's always complicated.. $100 is pretty standard-ish for large bars.. rough calc would be 340 sq" of surface area per puck, passive cooled.. https://www.heatsinkusa.com/5-886-wi...inum-heatsink/ roughly 33 sq in per inch.. so 10" per puck.. 50" piece would passively cool 5 @ $83 plus shipping say $100 would be better anodized..but they aren't kind of an art and science atm.. https://youtu.be/iFj-FxIbCbg

08/09/2018, 10:24 AM	#22
oreo57 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,793	Like this?

08/09/2018, 11:49 AM	#23
lingwendil Man who sold the world Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Oakley, behind enemy lines in communist occupied California. Posts: 254	Something like that, but with footprints for LDD drivers to minimise the number of parts needed to be ordered/messed with. Ideally I would want something that could do two or four channels, and could work with both Luxeon and Cree types of emitters. Would be a nice and versatile option for power users and advanced builders for sure, and gets us more to the modular aspect seen in some commercial fixtures, like AI and Radion. Ideally something like the boards Radion uses with onboard drivers would be a nice way to go, and maybe even a solution that uses the Radion optics. Could be a good thing to start a brainstorming thread to figure it all out? Maybe like the Corona from RapidLED? Just with LDD's on board instead of discrete circuitry? __________________ LED snob. Unapologetic Luxeon Rebel and Bridgelux Vero fanboy. Every time a fluorescent or halide fixture is scrapped, an angel gets its wings. Last edited by lingwendil; 08/09/2018 at 12:09 PM.

08/09/2018, 12:03 PM	#24
oreo57 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,793	hmmm.. philosophical differences.. Never in favor of putting things near heat sources... And modular is better.. Like still annoyed I need to buy an expensive wheel assembly for my truck as opposed to just getting a new cheap bearing.. but hey, diversity is the spice of life... AND there def a lot of advantages to the idea.. Heck modular "sticks" have plenty of advantages if anyone EVER did it right.. Or didn't charge a fortune for the "luxury"...

08/09/2018, 12:21 PM	#25
TimmyD16 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 280	Does anyone have the original gerber files for 02's board? or better yet that actual (looks like eagle?) project file? __________________ ~TimmyD “Jellyfish are 97% water or something, so how much are they doing? Just give them another 3% and make them water. It's more useful.” Karl Pilkington