LED build. What am I missing?

[LennyD4]

So I will be starting a LED project for my 65g tank. My plan is to have 42 LEDs with 60 degree optics on 2 seperate 16" heatsinks that will both be secured to a frame that hangs over my tank. So here is my list :

- 36 LED Dimmable kit (Rapidled.com)
- 6 LED Dimmable kit (Rapidled.com)
- 2 - 16" Heatsinks (Rapidled.com)
- Square channel to use as framework for heatsinks

What else do you guys think I may need to complete this project? Ideas or suggestions ?

[LeonPhelps]

Couldn't find the kit on the site. Not sure what all it includes.

[firebirdude]

solder, soldering iron, beer

[Tickle]

Cooling fans.......and more beer.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

[LennyD4]

I have a soldering iron and solder :) . I think I may just need extra 18 gauge wire.

[firebirdude]

Have your dimming/pots situation figured out.

[biomed155]

I have added a fuse, power resistor (about 1 ohm) to calculate current, and a connector strip to mount them http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/1546306-2/A98503-ND/1277942?cur=USD

[joelespinoza]

I see you decided to completely ignore all the advice I gave you and the detailed exact specifics of everything you would need.... So good luck =)

[firebirdude]

Mine too. You didn't speak one word of beer.

[LennyD4]

Still lulling my options on what I want to do. This one that i go with has a unit that i can do 3 differemt sunset/sunrise settings and seems to be a very clean look.

[joelespinoza]

What unit? You talked about LED kits, not a unit.... and if the light color is crap 20 sunrise/sunset settings wont be worth a damn.

[LennyD4]

Its the Rapid LED PWM controller. I would still go with the 2:1 royal blue to white for the color anyway.

[firebirdude]

Its the Rapid LED PWM controller. I would still go with the 2:1 royal blue to white for the color anyway.Think I'd rather put that money towards a whole aquarium controller. Not a ton more money and a heck of a lot more features/ability.

[joelespinoza]

The cheapest/best way to go for drivers/controller is steves drivers and aurdino combo. The only down side is that they have to be mounted inside something, which imo is not a very bid deal.

And saying 2:1 Royal Blue to white is pretty vague, 2:1 Cree Royal Blues to Cool white will look like washed out crap. 2:1 Luxeon (or Cree) Royal Blues to Luxeon 2700k warm whites realistically renders most colors and looks great. In person they look so different you would never know they had anything in common, let alone that 2/3rds of the LEDs were exactly the same.

[LennyD4]

I actually have an ApexJR but it's my understanding that in order to control sunset/sunrise or to control dimmable drivers I would have to buy the $100 VWM attachment for it.

[joelespinoza]

What is the output voltage range?

[firebirdude]

I actually have an ApexJR but it's my understanding that in order to control sunset/sunrise or to control dimmable drivers I would have to buy the $100 VWM attachment for it.Yeah. But you're willing to spend $75 on a complete separate and bare bones PWM controller?!? Spend the extra 25 bucks man. Have the Apex control everything. Much smaller and cleaner package and you'll be able to program everything right in one spot. You'll have on screen charts, the works. It's a no brainer.

[LennyD4]

Yea I know. After researching into it a little more I think I will go with that and not be stupid.

[LennyD4]

What is the output voltage range?

The ApexJR VDM module has 4 ports that control 0-10V range.

[joelespinoza]

So you want something like this?

http://shop.stevesleds.com/Aquarium-Controller-Interface-Harness-for-Steves-LEDs-Drivers-harness.htm

[LennyD4]

Can I simulate sunrise/sunset with that controller though?

[joelespinoza]

Can I simulate sunrise/sunset with that controller though?

Thats not a controller, its just an adapter to control steves drivers via controller that has a 1-10v output, since his drivers are native 1-5v.

[firebirdude]

Thats not a controller, its just an adapter to control steves drivers via controller that has a 1-10v output, since his drivers are native 1-5v.Yeah so why would he want that? Is he using Steve's drivers now? Never mentioned in this thread...

[joelespinoza]

Yeah so why would he want that? Is he using Steve's drivers now? Never mentioned in this thread...

No, not in this thread, we talked about it in his last thread about what LEDs he should use.