Wade Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Hey all, I'm going to build a miniature reef system for my desk at work based on the PJ Reefs project (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/762563809/pj-reefs-bringing-the-ocean-to-your-desktop - no longer active). I need to construct an LED light capable of sustaining whatever softies and macro I put in there (zoas, maybe xenia, red grape caulerpa, etc.) I don't think I'll need much, maybe just two ro three LEDs, but I don't know what spectrum and wattage I'll need. The light will not be dimable, just on and off. I've not made a light myself yet so this will be a good project for me all around. What say all you DIY lighting experts? Thanks in advance:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Heatsink is going to be the hardest part of this. I would probably get a dimming power supply just so you can adjust the intensity. Good LED's running at 100% can pretty much destroy coral even if they are only on for a few hours a day. With a dimmer you could keep the tank lit for much longer. Something like this: http://www.rapidled.com/0-10v-dimmable-nano-driver-with-potentiometer/ Then add maybe 2 neutral white (XP-G) and 2 royal blue (XT-E) cree's and you should be good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 No advice on the light, just wanted to say I hope you make a build thread, that sounds like an awesome tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 +1 In this thread, there are a couple of pdf files with instructions on building a LED cannons using a CPU heatsink. They are useing 3 watt LED stars but the buckpucs used will work for 1 watt LED stars also and one of the cannons had I think 9 stars on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 what thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 @Kim: I'll make a journal with pictures of the progress and how it turned out and post it in the build threads.. Should be awesome. My desk at work looks like crap, but once a micro-tank hits it, it will shine:) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 (edited) The buckpucs used in the cannons were not dimmable but there are dimmable versions available that use 0-10vdc for dimming control. Also, you do not have to use the 1000ma or 700ma buckpucs if intensity is an issue, lower amperage options are available. My guess is you could fit 5 of the buckpucs if you're good with the spacing giving you 5 channels if you wanted to get fancy. I've also played with putting the heatsink and electronics inside a glass lamp shade instead of PVC but the design and layout is much more critical to get good airflow. http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/23988-my-led-pdfs/?hl=cannon Edited September 18, 2014 by mFrame (Mike) edited - merged threads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Oooops! Sorry! http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/23988-my-led-pdfs/?hl=cannon The 34 watt cannon is using meanwell drivers but buckpucs can be substituted and run off a 24VDC power supply to simplify wiring coming off the cannon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 Cool. Thanks Tim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 @Tim: PM sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Hi Wade, I was going to suggest that we get together and make a few LED cannons, but since you are in TN, I'm not sure how feasible that will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingjames Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 i would be down to do a group LED making session would be really fun, im a total DIY guy and have bbeen interested in makeing one for years...do you have any experience doing this chris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted September 18, 2014 Author Share Posted September 18, 2014 Hmmmm, how to make a teleporter? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 If we do a group led making session count me in! ! I want to do one but know nothing about wiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Here's a simpler cannon and PAR readings for it. It has a 1000ma buckpuc driving a CW and a NW 3 watt LED stars with 80 degree lens and a 700ma buckpuc driving a B and a RB watt LED stars with 80 degree lens. At about 14" from the fixture there is a cone about 8" diameter that has roughly 100 - 120 PAR. The buckpucs are hooked up to a 24VDC power supply but for running just two LEDs they only need a 12vdc 2 amp power supply (these are teh same used in the 60 watt cannon and can work with up to 32 VDC). Being open and just a total of about 14 watts and mounted to a heat sink designed for handling a lot more wattage fans are not needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Nice looking cannon Tim. That is exactly what I'm looking for. I'd paint the PVC to match my other fixture, but I think it could really work. Any thoughts on doing an update at one of the ARC meetings where we could build a few? I've never built one but I don't imagine it would be that difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 It can be fairly easy, the cannon above with 4 LED stars I used epoxy to glue the stars and buckpucs to the heat sink instead of drilling holes and screwing the components to the heat sink. Once all the components are laid out assembly can probably be done in about 20 minutes. I need to try it out but epoxy putty probably would work just fine as well. Getting a couple of other people who have done DIY fixtures and doing a meeting so people can see some of the options they have is an excellent idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Getting a couple of other people who have done DIY fixtures and doing a meeting so people can see some of the options they have is an excellent idea!We can potentially do this for the Nov meeting 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makena95GT Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Id love to learn how to not kill myself with electronics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 November would be a good timeframe for me Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Me too! ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin Pedretti Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Very awesome...I have been thinking of a dyi fixture over my new 30g...I still havnt used the heatsinks I bought from you mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 So are we going to do this at the next meeting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 So are we going to do this at the next meeting? Yes, the plan is to cover it at the Nov meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Whoot whoot! ! Glad to hear it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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