Minimalistic multichip DIY LED build - Page 2

ADreef · 02/21/2012, 11:55 AM

I agree with Skunkmere on the copper issue. As long as it's high and dry, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If salt water was splashing on it and dripping back in the tank, then you would have some reason to worry.

And don't put lacquer or anything else on the copper itself. Copper is an excellent heat conductor, but this property can be significantly degraded if it's coated with something. Some sort of glass or acrylic shield would be better.

007Bond · 02/21/2012, 12:33 PM

I bet there are far more people following this thread than you think. I'm sure watching for any updates.

maglofster · 02/21/2012, 01:07 PM

Okay, a quick update:

This is a picture of me holding a single 50W 10K chip over my 160 Gallon tank. (I know it looks bare, but I'm currently converting it to Zeo.) Anyway, i left my 4x24W actinic t5:s on to get some blue light (since I dont have those LED's built yet). The tank is 40x40 inches to the side and 24 inches high. As you can see the light is pretty powerful. I'm trying to hold the LED in the middle, but close to the front as I will hang another closer to the back. Without lenses the light spreads 120 degrees. But it's still very powerful att the bottom.

THANKS for allt the great input and comments!

maglofster · 02/21/2012, 01:36 PM

Yeah, before you ask for it.. This is without T5s. So only one 50W 10K light on a 160 gallon cube.

JBsmurf85 · 02/21/2012, 01:47 PM

DANG!!!! Im tagging along, ive been thinking about replacing the MH setup in my all in one fixture and these might be a good alt to MH if I can get some big chips that would be equal to a 250w MH for each space.

maglofster · 02/21/2012, 01:53 PM

The Aqua Medic MH:s hanging over the tank are 250w each. The 50Ws are not equal to them, but a 100W chip would be I think. As soon as I get those drivers home I will do another series of pictures and will include the MH's as a reference.

maglofster · 02/21/2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBsmurf85

DANG!!!! Im tagging along, ive been thinking about replacing the MH setup in my all in one fixture and these might be a good alt to MH if I can get some big chips that would be equal to a 250w MH for each space.

BTW, there are multichips made specifically for reef use up to (that I know of) 250W. And those babies pack a punch for sure..

007Bond · 02/21/2012, 07:21 PM

The idea of these multi chip led's instead of the 254 3w that my tank would require sounds great. I need to have a better understanding of how they work and what is required. Drivers, heatsinks, optics, dimming, ect.Please keep updating!---Rick

skunkmere · 02/21/2012, 07:28 PM

this is the real future of leds, a dimmable, adjustable, multichip led.

maglofster · 02/23/2012, 12:26 PM

I think so. There are a few examples of commercial products out now as well, using the same type of chip.

stormrider27 · 03/06/2012, 07:41 PM

Hi Maglofster, just wondering how your multichip LED project is coming along. I am eagerly awaiting the finished pictures and the DIY for dummies instructions.

007Bond · 03/06/2012, 09:36 PM

Can I add a +1 to the above.
Thanks---Rick

Nammy · 03/07/2012, 05:17 AM

I think these are the LED's you're using...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110817463653...84.m1439.l2649

007Bond · 03/07/2012, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nammy

I think these are the LED's you're using...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110817463653...84.m1439.l2649

Nammy, Interesting site, do you know if optics are available? The leds shown say they are 140 degrees.

Nammy · 03/07/2012, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007Bond

Nammy, Interesting site, do you know if optics are available? The leds shown say they are 140 degrees.

Don't know...some folks here have been using them already and have ordered it from the site. hope they chime in...

007Bond · 03/07/2012, 08:41 AM

I'll be watching!

kaos666 · 03/07/2012, 08:59 AM

Great project.
To see next episodes

maglofster is possible to say where buy this great less and drivers?!

Thanks

Phishguy · 03/07/2012, 09:09 AM

I saw these LEDs and had the same thought before. I'm happy that someone is more brave than me to try this out. I'll be watching and asking questions. I don't think I'm the only one who would love to know what drivers you are using and if you are supplementing with other LEDs for color or t5's etc. nice work!!

maglofster · 03/07/2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nammy

I think these are the LED's you're using...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110817463653...84.m1439.l2649

No, there are sellers more aimed at reef tanks. But this is in the same neighborhood.

maglofster · 03/07/2012, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormrider27

Hi Maglofster, just wondering how your multichip LED project is coming along. I am eagerly awaiting the finished pictures and the DIY for dummies instructions.

Yeah, I'm really frustrated right now because one package (with the large drivers and lenses amongst other things) is apparently lost on it's way from Hong Kong to me. So I have finished my 50W lights but not the larger ones.

As soon as I get the rest of the stuff I will have the lights up and running including a guide within 48 hours.

maglofster · 03/07/2012, 11:37 AM

I'm not sure it's ok to post the Ebay seller here but PM me and you will get the adress for the LED's.

007Bond · 03/07/2012, 01:31 PM

Thanks for the link. Is this the company you are waiting on for the drivers? I see all of the products they offer, I'll have to see your build for input on cooling.

maglofster · 03/07/2012, 01:47 PM

Yes, I just got a message that the package has been found and awaiting customs clearance. So if I'm lucky I'll get it within a week.

maglofster · 03/07/2012, 01:56 PM

Ok, this is really cool!

I have been in contact with a guy working at a public aquarium, and he´s going to do some test with a similar setup in their large Shark tank. He´s going to use a more concentrated lens to see how far down the light will go.

007Bond · 03/07/2012, 02:05 PM

Will be interesting how high the fixture is mounted above the water, and what lenses he uses.

02/21/2012, 01:07 PM	#28
maglofster Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 294	Okay, a quick update: This is a picture of me holding a single 50W 10K chip over my 160 Gallon tank. (I know it looks bare, but I'm currently converting it to Zeo.) Anyway, i left my 4x24W actinic t5:s on to get some blue light (since I dont have those LED's built yet). The tank is 40x40 inches to the side and 24 inches high. As you can see the light is pretty powerful. I'm trying to hold the LED in the middle, but close to the front as I will hang another closer to the back. Without lenses the light spreads 120 degrees. But it's still very powerful att the bottom. THANKS for allt the great input and comments! __________________ A.C.A.B - All Corals Are Beautiful

02/21/2012, 01:36 PM	#29
maglofster Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 294	Yeah, before you ask for it.. This is without T5s. So only one 50W 10K light on a 160 gallon cube. __________________ A.C.A.B - All Corals Are Beautiful

02/21/2012, 01:53 PM	#31
maglofster Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 294	The Aqua Medic MH:s hanging over the tank are 250w each. The 50Ws are not equal to them, but a 100W chip would be I think. As soon as I get those drivers home I will do another series of pictures and will include the MH's as a reference. __________________ A.C.A.B - All Corals Are Beautiful

02/23/2012, 12:26 PM	#35
maglofster Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 294	I think so. There are a few examples of commercial products out now as well, using the same type of chip. __________________ A.C.A.B - All Corals Are Beautiful

03/07/2012, 11:37 AM	#46
maglofster Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 294	I'm not sure it's ok to post the Ebay seller here but PM me and you will get the adress for the LED's. __________________ A.C.A.B - All Corals Are Beautiful

02/21/2012, 11:55 AM	#26
ADreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 41	I agree with Skunkmere on the copper issue. As long as it's high and dry, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If salt water was splashing on it and dripping back in the tank, then you would have some reason to worry. And don't put lacquer or anything else on the copper itself. Copper is an excellent heat conductor, but this property can be significantly degraded if it's coated with something. Some sort of glass or acrylic shield would be better.

02/21/2012, 12:33 PM	#27
007Bond Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sylvania,Ohio Posts: 1,925	I bet there are far more people following this thread than you think. I'm sure watching for any updates.

02/21/2012, 01:47 PM	#30
JBsmurf85 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 65	DANG!!!! Im tagging along, ive been thinking about replacing the MH setup in my all in one fixture and these might be a good alt to MH if I can get some big chips that would be equal to a 250w MH for each space.

02/21/2012, 07:21 PM	#33
007Bond Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sylvania,Ohio Posts: 1,925	The idea of these multi chip led's instead of the 254 3w that my tank would require sounds great. I need to have a better understanding of how they work and what is required. Drivers, heatsinks, optics, dimming, ect.Please keep updating!---Rick

02/21/2012, 07:28 PM	#34
skunkmere Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 6,434	this is the real future of leds, a dimmable, adjustable, multichip led.

03/06/2012, 07:41 PM	#36
stormrider27 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 530	Hi Maglofster, just wondering how your multichip LED project is coming along. I am eagerly awaiting the finished pictures and the DIY for dummies instructions.

03/06/2012, 09:36 PM	#37
007Bond Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sylvania,Ohio Posts: 1,925	Can I add a +1 to the above. Thanks---Rick

03/07/2012, 05:17 AM	#38
Nammy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Maryland Posts: 1,638	I think these are the LED's you're using... http://www.ebay.com/itm/110817463653...84.m1439.l2649

03/07/2012, 08:41 AM	#41
007Bond Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sylvania,Ohio Posts: 1,925	I'll be watching!

03/07/2012, 08:59 AM	#42
kaos666 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 10	Great project. To see next episodes maglofster is possible to say where buy this great less and drivers?! Thanks

03/07/2012, 09:09 AM	#43
Phishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: springfield, ma Posts: 660	I saw these LEDs and had the same thought before. I'm happy that someone is more brave than me to try this out. I'll be watching and asking questions. I don't think I'm the only one who would love to know what drivers you are using and if you are supplementing with other LEDs for color or t5's etc. nice work!!

03/07/2012, 01:31 PM	#47
007Bond Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sylvania,Ohio Posts: 1,925	Thanks for the link. Is this the company you are waiting on for the drivers? I see all of the products they offer, I'll have to see your build for input on cooling.

03/07/2012, 01:47 PM	#48
maglofster Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 294	Yes, I just got a message that the package has been found and awaiting customs clearance. So if I'm lucky I'll get it within a week. __________________ A.C.A.B - All Corals Are Beautiful

03/07/2012, 01:56 PM	#49
maglofster Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 294	Ok, this is really cool! I have been in contact with a guy working at a public aquarium, and he´s going to do some test with a similar setup in their large Shark tank. He´s going to use a more concentrated lens to see how far down the light will go. __________________ A.C.A.B - All Corals Are Beautiful

03/07/2012, 02:05 PM	#50
007Bond Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sylvania,Ohio Posts: 1,925	Will be interesting how high the fixture is mounted above the water, and what lenses he uses.