BioCube 14 DIY LED Build

DustnF · 02/28/2010, 03:26 AM

My build has begun. Thought I would share this journey. A few weeks ago I ordered this from nanotuners.com:

1 x Nanocustoms Small Heatsink for AIOs
2 x Meanwell ELN-30-27D
12 x CUSTOM BERQUIST THERMAL PADS FOR XRE STAR
6 x CREE XRE-WG-Q5 on Star
6 x CREE XRE-RB on Star

The shipping was delayed due to nanotuners waiting on the drivers to come in. I was assured I will be recieving everything this comming week.

I decided to go ahead and get started with the dimming controls for my build. Today I picked this up at radioshack:

1 x 12v 1000ma wall adapter (Part # 273-0316)
2 x LM317 (Part # 276-1778)
2 x Linear Taper 10k Pot (Part # 271-1715)
2 x 1k ohm Resistor (Part # 271-1118)
2 x 470 ohm resistor (Part # 271-1115
1 x Project Box (Part # 270-1803)
1 x 3 pk 22g Wire (Part # 278-1224)
1 x M solderable jack (Part # 274-1577)
1 x PC Board (Part # 276-0150)
1 x 2 pk Metal Knob (Part # 274-0424)

Here are some pics. Feel free to ask any question.

3dblake · 02/28/2010, 09:08 AM

Impressive Job Thusfar! That looks "factory."

DustnF · 02/28/2010, 02:59 PM

Thanks man.

DustnF · 02/28/2010, 11:30 PM

I am still on the fence about the Berquist thermal pads. Has anyone else used them?

bstohrer · 03/01/2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustnF

I am still on the fence about the Berquist thermal pads. Has anyone else used them?

I used them on an 18 LED (XRE CW on a large heat sink with fans) refugium build. Talk about easy! From a thermal standpoint they seem to work well. I haven't done any temperature measurements. However, when I run them at 1 amp the front of the star and the surface of the LED lens does not feel hot (to the touch). If I had to guess 105-110 F.

I'm still trying to decide whether to use them or to drill and tap 200 holes.

Bob

DustnF · 03/01/2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstohrer

I used them on an 18 LED (XRE CW on a large heat sink with fans) refugium build. Talk about easy! From a thermal standpoint they seem to work well. I haven't done any temperature measurements. However, when I run them at 1 amp the front of the star and the surface of the LED lens does not feel hot (to the touch). If I had to guess 105-110 F.

I'm still trying to decide whether to use them or to drill and tap 200 holes.

Bob

Nice. I will go with the pads.

DustnF · 03/01/2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilc66

I wouldn't be selling them if I didn't use them

I use them on almost all my work now.

haha...i trust you evil.

DustnF · 03/08/2010, 08:12 PM

Spent about an hour polishing the heatsink because I like the bling. Now its ready for solder...

fstar25 · 03/08/2010, 08:18 PM

did you build your own variable voltage adapter for the meanwell because you couldn't find one to buy that you liked? or did you just feel like building one? I have the 5.6 LED retro from nanotuners on the way and I have the dimable drivers. I was hoping to get one from radioshack or somewhere that had 1v increments. Can not wait to see this on the tank.

DustnF · 03/08/2010, 08:20 PM

Here is a better pic showing the bling...lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstar25

did you build your own variable voltage adapter for the meanwell because you couldn't find one to buy that you liked? or did you just feel like building one? I have the 5.6 LED retro from nanotuners on the way and I have the dimable drivers. I was hoping to get one from radioshack or somewhere that had 1v increments. Can not wait to see this on the tank.

I could only find ones that were veriable in ~3v incriments. The also were capable of going over 10v which i was concerned I would accidently do. Also, I do not mind doing things like this myself.

fstar25 · 03/08/2010, 09:53 PM

hmmm, 3v increments is unacceptable. I'm gonna have to ask you to build me a box like that. I'm completely incapable of wanting to do that myself.

goober35 · 03/08/2010, 09:56 PM

Looks good

DustnF · 03/24/2010, 10:07 PM

Since I was in the DIY mood, I finished up my LED array construction. Here it is all ready for install, which will not happen for a little while. Someone has already bought my BC14 with the LEDs togeather He is being very patient and letting me use it until my 65g is ready to accept its contents. It would not feel right to run lights he has already paid for. I am just going to install them when I get the tank emptied.

der_wille_zur_macht · 03/25/2010, 08:40 AM

Looks sweet!

I'd add some sort of stress relief where the wires leave the LED array. As it is now, it looks like one good tug or pull will lift a pad off the first/last star.

fishoutawater · 03/25/2010, 08:57 AM

Is it really that simple? If so it seems to me that LED fixtures are grossly overpriced.

der_wille_zur_macht · 03/25/2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishoutawater

Is it really that simple? If so it seems to me that LED fixtures are grossly overpriced.

It depends.

Most high-end commercial LED fixtures using comparable LEDs price out to about $20 - $30 per LED. Most DIY fixtures price out to $10 - $15 per LED. So on the surface, the DIY fixture is half the price.

BUT, most commercial fixtures come with nice enclosures, a warranty, some sense of assurance that it's not going to burn your house down, and some degree of customer support; as well as paying for assembly labor (free in a DIY build), R&D, distribution, and some slim profit margin.

IMHO as with many DIY ventures, the big advantage you get by DIY'ing an LED array is that you get EXACTLY what you want - no more, no less. It's a creativity thing, not necessarily a cost cutting thing.

DustnF · 03/25/2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

Looks sweet!

I'd add some sort of stress relief where the wires leave the LED array. As it is now, it looks like one good tug or pull will lift a pad off the first/last star.

That is a good point, although those pads have really solidified as they have cured. Any suggestions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishoutawater

Is it really that simple? If so it seems to me that LED fixtures are grossly overpriced.

Planning and the right equipment is key. I honestly have a decent amount of time in the project. Making the dimmer box look "proffesional" and work took some time, polishing the heatsink (sand, wet sand, and buff) took a while, and you need to be pretty decent with a soldering iron. Especially when doing the board for the dimmer and the contacts on the LED stars are pretty small

Quote:

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

IMHO as with many DIY ventures, the big advantage you get by DIY'ing an LED array is that you get EXACTLY what you want - no more, no less. It's a creativity thing, not necessarily a cost cutting thing.

This is dead on. Doing it myself allowed me to 100% custom taylor this for its application.

der_wille_zur_macht · 03/25/2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustnF

That is a good point, although those pads have really solidified as they have cured. Any suggestions?

Hole drilled through the edge of the 'sink, zip tie through that hole around the wires with something soft and heat-proof between the wires and the edge of the heatsink.

DustnF · 03/25/2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by der_wille_zur_macht

Hole drilled through the edge of the 'sink, zip tie through that hole around the wires with something soft and heat-proof between the wires and the edge of the heatsink.

Good idea...I will probably throw it on the drill press and see if I can find a gromet that fits at home depot. I was planning on looming all the wires and this will help with that also. Thanks for the idea.

iziko · 03/25/2010, 10:39 AM

very nice!!!
PLZ don't stop update.

02/28/2010, 03:26 AM	#1
DustnF Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 172	BioCube 14 DIY LED Build My build has begun. Thought I would share this journey. A few weeks ago I ordered this from nanotuners.com: 1 x Nanocustoms Small Heatsink for AIOs 2 x Meanwell ELN-30-27D 12 x CUSTOM BERQUIST THERMAL PADS FOR XRE STAR 6 x CREE XRE-WG-Q5 on Star 6 x CREE XRE-RB on Star The shipping was delayed due to nanotuners waiting on the drivers to come in. I was assured I will be recieving everything this comming week. I decided to go ahead and get started with the dimming controls for my build. Today I picked this up at radioshack: 1 x 12v 1000ma wall adapter (Part # 273-0316) 2 x LM317 (Part # 276-1778) 2 x Linear Taper 10k Pot (Part # 271-1715) 2 x 1k ohm Resistor (Part # 271-1118) 2 x 470 ohm resistor (Part # 271-1115 1 x Project Box (Part # 270-1803) 1 x 3 pk 22g Wire (Part # 278-1224) 1 x M solderable jack (Part # 274-1577) 1 x PC Board (Part # 276-0150) 1 x 2 pk Metal Knob (Part # 274-0424) Here are some pics. Feel free to ask any question.

03/08/2010, 08:12 PM	#8
DustnF Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 172	Spent about an hour polishing the heatsink because I like the bling. Now its ready for solder... Last edited by DustnF; 03/08/2010 at 08:21 PM.

03/08/2010, 08:18 PM	#9
fstar25 Getting there Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Friendswood, Tx Posts: 884	did you build your own variable voltage adapter for the meanwell because you couldn't find one to buy that you liked? or did you just feel like building one? I have the 5.6 LED retro from nanotuners on the way and I have the dimable drivers. I was hoping to get one from radioshack or somewhere that had 1v increments. Can not wait to see this on the tank. __________________ The only thing I know for sure is nothing! Carrie, why do you want someone in need to die? -iCam Current Tank Info: 29G BioCube with LED lighting, media basket, fuge (chamber 2), MJ1200 return pump, K nano & K 1 power heads, 32# LR, ~2" SB

03/08/2010, 09:53 PM	#11
fstar25 Getting there Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Friendswood, Tx Posts: 884	hmmm, 3v increments is unacceptable. I'm gonna have to ask you to build me a box like that. I'm completely incapable of wanting to do that myself. __________________ The only thing I know for sure is nothing! Carrie, why do you want someone in need to die? -iCam Current Tank Info: 29G BioCube with LED lighting, media basket, fuge (chamber 2), MJ1200 return pump, K nano & K 1 power heads, 32# LR, ~2" SB

03/25/2010, 08:40 AM	#14
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	Looks sweet! I'd add some sort of stress relief where the wires leave the LED array. As it is now, it looks like one good tug or pull will lift a pad off the first/last star. __________________ 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)

02/28/2010, 09:08 AM	#2
3dblake Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 71	Impressive Job Thusfar! That looks "factory."

02/28/2010, 02:59 PM	#3
DustnF Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 172	Thanks man.

02/28/2010, 11:30 PM	#4
DustnF Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 172	I am still on the fence about the Berquist thermal pads. Has anyone else used them?

03/08/2010, 09:56 PM	#12
goober35 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 167	Looks good

03/24/2010, 10:07 PM	#13
DustnF Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 172	Since I was in the DIY mood, I finished up my LED array construction. Here it is all ready for install, which will not happen for a little while. Someone has already bought my BC14 with the LEDs togeather He is being very patient and letting me use it until my 65g is ready to accept its contents. It would not feel right to run lights he has already paid for. I am just going to install them when I get the tank emptied.

03/25/2010, 08:57 AM	#15
fishoutawater Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: salt lake city, ut Posts: 577	Is it really that simple? If so it seems to me that LED fixtures are grossly overpriced.

03/25/2010, 10:39 AM	#20
iziko Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 160	very nice!!! PLZ don't stop update.