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09/19/2012, 11:47 PM | #1 |
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Diy "Halo" moonlights for Kessil leds!!!
Since I got my Kessil a350w's installed back in June I wanted to add moonlights back to the tank as well. The only problem I had was installing them and have them be as minimal as the kessils. So I got to thinking about some flexible leds that I had used as moonlights a few years ago and applied that to the kessils.
Here are all the tools I used for this project: Next I cleaned up the bottom edge with alcohol and started taping the led strand around the fixture. The leds can be cut after every third led. Cutting the strand left me with a 1 inch gap that I hid in the back. After that I took a paint marker and covered about half of the leds (but not enough to block the light output) to control light spill. Painting the leds didn't give me the result I wanted, so I ran electrical tape around the strand about halfway down (same as the paint marker) and trimmed it in the groove just above the leds. Much better looking. Once that was all done all I had to do was wire them to a 12v wall wart. The strand isn't labeled with + or - but luckily they can only be wired one way. All in all it was a super simple process that anyone can do. No hacking the kessils or voiding your warranty... |
09/19/2012, 11:51 PM | #2 |
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More....
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09/19/2012, 11:55 PM | #3 |
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And more...
Forgot to mention these are side emitting leds. Two packs covered 3 a350s and 1 a150 with a little to spare. |
09/20/2012, 03:24 AM | #4 |
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Nice job!
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09/20/2012, 06:04 AM | #5 |
Refugium pat.#D414,242
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Nice job thinking outside the box!!! Looks great
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Doctor "Aquatron" Mister "Spinner" 300 gallon TRUVU AquaSystem "Mod" w/ 150 gallon control center....... Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2276765&highlight=300+dt+ |
09/20/2012, 06:16 AM | #6 |
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Where did you purchase the LEDs?
Nice job BTW. |
09/20/2012, 09:54 AM | #7 |
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I got them at SuperBrightLeds.
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09/20/2012, 12:23 PM | #8 |
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pretty awesome.
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09/25/2014, 09:35 AM | #9 |
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09/25/2014, 09:15 PM | #10 |
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Looks good, I like it.
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10/07/2014, 01:22 PM | #11 |
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@rckrzy1, what other parts were required to get those hooked up?
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10/09/2014, 10:15 AM | #12 |
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The standard leds or the angel eyes?
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10/14/2014, 03:25 PM | #13 |
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Halo LED's on superbright web sight. I used 2 300ma ac adaptors from radio shack, adjustable voltage, I put it all together with euro style terminal strip from RS also, and 2 30V diodes I had laying around. Diodes used to keep adaptors from feeding each other.
I just built another for a local reefer. If you don't want the dual intensity you can just buy 1 ac adaptor and hook it up. |
10/15/2014, 02:22 PM | #14 |
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Here is quick schematic of running dual intensity, the halo led will be very dim at 7.5 setting, since the steering diode drops .4v you may need to use the 9v setting to drive it, if you can find a 8.0 that would be the sweet spot for moon lights. At 12V the dusk to dawn type light is pretty bright, it draws 300ma at 12V, if you wanted more you can use 13V but then you will need a 500ma supply, these led's are meant for cars so even 13.5-14 would work. |
10/16/2014, 06:37 AM | #15 |
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Is it safe to assume that only one power supply is running at any given time?
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10/17/2014, 02:56 PM | #16 |
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10/20/2014, 12:12 PM | #17 |
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Can you post a pic of your tank with just the angel eyes (halo) on as moonlights, thanks
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10/21/2014, 09:30 AM | #18 | |
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Quote:
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10/21/2014, 09:00 PM | #19 |
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10/21/2014, 09:29 PM | #20 |
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Nice!!! Great idea!!!
Love this!! How long have you had these running? I run my Kessils at 100% during a good part of the day and I know they put out a lot of heat... have you had any problems/concerns with the heat of the Kessil messing with the LEDs or the way they are attached? (as in melting, smoke, etc)
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JoAnn "The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian." - unk. Current Tank Info: 44g corner clown/nem tank, 220g aggressive/predator w/75g sump, Apex controlled, Kessil lit |
10/21/2014, 10:50 PM | #21 |
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Wow! That looks great, going to have to put these on my Kessils.
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10/22/2014, 07:31 AM | #22 | |
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Quote:
Been running for a couple of months, my kessils run 100% both channels and they are maybe 100F at most , very cool running, maybe your fan needs cleaned ? As I could not melt wax with mine. I just wonder if my fish think they are on a different planet ? Being 2 moons ? And I allready built this set up for a local reefer who did not have any electrical skills, actually enjoy these type of projects, and it looks so clean. |
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10/22/2014, 11:15 AM | #23 |
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Those look real sharp! Love the idea, and cool coloration from the LED's at night too!
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28 gallon nano cube/ 90 gallon project in the works Current Tank Info: 28 gallon heavily stocked nano cube and currently building a 90 gallon reef |
10/22/2014, 11:24 AM | #24 |
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My kessils are warm to the touch but aren't hot. Try blowing them out with compressed air.
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10/28/2014, 08:41 AM | #25 | |
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Quote:
Both ideas from the OP and the halo are awesome. I'm getting my husband to do this!!!
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JoAnn "The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian." - unk. Current Tank Info: 44g corner clown/nem tank, 220g aggressive/predator w/75g sump, Apex controlled, Kessil lit |
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