75 gal LED layout advice

jhanda · 12/05/2011, 02:22 PM

I've got a headache from thinking about this stuff, couple questions I could use some more input on.

Standard sized 75 gal (48" x 18" i think)

#1 I've got 48 cree's coming, 28 RB XP-E, 10 NW XP-G, 10 CW XP-G all with 80 degree optics (and also 4 moonlights) is this going to be enough light?

#2 What's the preferred way to lay these out? I was thinking of 2 arrays of 6 x 4 with 2" or so spacing.

x x x x x x
x x x x x x

or

x x x x x x
x x x x x

or

xx xx xx
xx xx xx
xx xx xx

or something lol I dunno.

#3 I would also be interested in arduino controls I think.

Any input / advice would be greatly appreciated!

Justin

TheFishMan65 · 12/05/2011, 02:33 PM

Option 1 will be just fine.

Code:

NW RB RB NW RB RB
RB RB NW RB RN NW
RB NW RB RN NW RB 
NW RB RB NW RB RB

What driver is coming?

jhanda · 12/05/2011, 02:37 PM

4 meanwell dimmable drivers.

TheFishMan65 · 12/05/2011, 02:55 PM

P or D model?

jhanda · 12/05/2011, 03:03 PM

Mean Well ELN-60-48D dimmable driver is what i got.

TheFishMan65 · 12/05/2011, 03:24 PM

The first step then is to use a transistor to increase the Arduino output from 5 volts to 10 volts. Sorry I know the rough idea, but not the exact parts. Read the typhoon or Hydra thread and it is spelled out there.

Then you have a choice. Either driver the D version like a P version and build your own dimming curve (since 10% PWM is not 10% light). Or use a capacitor and some other parts to change the PWM signal into a 0-10 volt signal (I saw a comment in a thread somewhere).

P are better designed for an Arduino controller, but both can be made to work.

jhanda · 01/31/2012, 01:31 PM

Here's a couple photos of what I ended up with. 72 cree's 48 RB, 12 CW, 12 NW and an Apex to run the dimmer.

katchupoy · 01/31/2012, 02:44 PM

Just be careful not to burn your corals... 72 LEDs are a lot IMO but thats is purely by preference. Congrats on your build.

Devaji108 · 01/31/2012, 03:45 PM

^+1 that is alot of light nice build really been thinking about the floating canopy of my build.

jhanda · 01/31/2012, 04:00 PM

Here's one more.. The nice thing is that I can turn it down if its too bright =D
I'm still working on the light program on the Apex.

katchupoy · 01/31/2012, 07:30 PM

devaji,

I used a cheap bike rack from ebay to raise it and lower it...

12/05/2011, 02:55 PM	#4
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	P or D model? __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

12/05/2011, 03:24 PM	#6
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	The first step then is to use a transistor to increase the Arduino output from 5 volts to 10 volts. Sorry I know the rough idea, but not the exact parts. Read the typhoon or Hydra thread and it is spelled out there. Then you have a choice. Either driver the D version like a P version and build your own dimming curve (since 10% PWM is not 10% light). Or use a capacitor and some other parts to change the PWM signal into a 0-10 volt signal (I saw a comment in a thread somewhere). P are better designed for an Arduino controller, but both can be made to work. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

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12/05/2011, 02:22 PM	#1
jhanda Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 54	75 gal LED layout advice I've got a headache from thinking about this stuff, couple questions I could use some more input on. Standard sized 75 gal (48" x 18" i think) #1 I've got 48 cree's coming, 28 RB XP-E, 10 NW XP-G, 10 CW XP-G all with 80 degree optics (and also 4 moonlights) is this going to be enough light? #2 What's the preferred way to lay these out? I was thinking of 2 arrays of 6 x 4 with 2" or so spacing. x x x x x x x x x x x x or x x x x x x x x x x x or xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx or something lol I dunno. #3 I would also be interested in arduino controls I think. Any input / advice would be greatly appreciated! Justin Last edited by jhanda; 12/05/2011 at 02:23 PM. Reason: edit: grr my little ascii diagrams didn't work

12/05/2011, 02:33 PM	#2
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	Option 1 will be just fine. Code: NW RB RB NW RB RB RB RB NW RB RN NW RB NW RB RN NW RB NW RB RB NW RB RB What driver is coming? __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

12/05/2011, 02:37 PM	#3
jhanda Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 54	4 meanwell dimmable drivers.

12/05/2011, 03:03 PM	#5
jhanda Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 54	Mean Well ELN-60-48D dimmable driver is what i got.

01/31/2012, 02:44 PM	#8
katchupoy Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,548	Just be careful not to burn your corals... 72 LEDs are a lot IMO but thats is purely by preference. Congrats on your build.

01/31/2012, 03:45 PM	#9
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	^+1 that is alot of light nice build really been thinking about the floating canopy of my build.

01/31/2012, 07:30 PM	#11
katchupoy Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,548	devaji, I used a cheap bike rack from ebay to raise it and lower it...