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Diy budget led build


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  1. #1
    2pairs - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Aug 2010
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    Ann Arbor, Michigan
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    Jim

    Default Diy budget led build

    DIY BUDGET LED BUILD

    This is going to be a LED light for a nano, but some of the ideas could be used on any size light. I did a couple of things that can save you money and you can do it too.

    First is the heat sink, Instead of buying one I used 3 computer heat sinks and epoxyed them together to give me the size I wanted. Then I sanded the bottom so it would be clean to the aluminum with that done I gave it a squirt of paint on the top only just to make them all match.

    Here are the heat sinks.

    Heatsink - Diy budget led build

    The epoxy I used.

    Heatsink2001 - Diy budget led build

    Glued, sanded and painted.

    Heatsink1001 - Diy budget led build

    Heatsink1002 - Diy budget led build

    With that done and dried it is time to mount the LED’s. But first let me tell you what I did to save some on the LED’s. Ebay is where I got them and no they aren't the cheap knock off ones. I found someone selling 4 strips of 6 LED’s and these are the ones used in the Solaris LED fixture, a pricey fixture to me but good quality. I should mention that one of the emitters wasn't working and I just by-passed it. So for $20 including shipping I got them all.
    OK back to mounting the LED’s there are several ways to do this and I chose to use thermal adhesive, it is a two part adhesive and you use it just like epoxy two equal parts mix together and apply the cure time varies but one hour is usually good.

    This is the thermal adhesive I used.

    Heatsink2002 - Diy budget led build

    LED's mounted

    Heatsink3 - Diy budget led build

    Drivers
    This is ware I went with a bit more money and it could have been done for less, but I wanted it to be dimmable and that costs more and for this application is best.
    I used 3-Buck puck drivers with a external pot. This could have been done on two but with one emitter bypassed it gives an uneven amount and wouldn't work so I used a extra driver for just 2 LED’s. This way every thing is dimmable and you can dim just the whites or just the blues or both what ever you need or want. The part that makes this method more expensive is you also need a power supply; I am using a 24 volt 30 amp power supply.

    This is the box to hold the light.

    Heatsink4001 - Diy budget led build

    Heatsink4002 - Diy budget led build

    I still need to finish the wiring and make the feet for it to set on.






    Well I had some time today so I finished the wiring and here it is.

    Heatsink5002 - Diy budget led build

    And with the lights on.

    Heatsink5001 - Diy budget led build


    So What Do You Think?
    Last edited by 2pairs; 05-27-2011 at 10:51 AM. Reason: to add more
    Likes tankdude, Sir Patrick, UMreefer liked this post

  2. #2
    motorcityreefs - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    redford
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    brandon

    Default

    Looks good can't wait to see more.

  3. #3
    CableGuy - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Default

    Very cool Jim! Good work!

  4. #4
    EMUreef - Reefkeeper
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    Default

    interesting could you please post a link to the seller of who you got the LED's from

  5. #5
    bluwc - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Mar 2011
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    Clio, MI
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    Default

    Let' see them on!

  6. #6
    evilc66 - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Shelby Twp. MI
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    Default

    Wait a sec here. 24 LEDs, and only 3 Buckpucks? You know the Buckpucks have a series limit of 6 LEDs right? I'm assuming that you are running one driver with two parallel strings of 6 at half current?

  7. #7
    2pairs - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by motorcityreefs View Post
    Looks good can't wait to see more.
    As I get more done I will add it to the post.

    Quote Originally Posted by CableGuy View Post
    Very cool Jim! Good work!
    Thanks

    Quote Originally Posted by EMUreef View Post
    interesting could you please post a link to the seller of who you got the LED's from
    It was a one time shot, you just have to hunt for the bargains.

    Quote Originally Posted by bluwc View Post
    Let' see them on!
    Like I have said I still have to complete the wiring, when it is done I will show it

    Quote Originally Posted by evilc66 View Post
    Wait a sec here. 24 LEDs, and only 3 Buckpucks? You know the Buckpucks have a series limit of 6 LEDs right? I'm assuming that you are running one driver with two parallel strings of 6 at half current?
    Yes I am runing the series in parallel. (good catch)

  8. #8
    EMUreef - Reefkeeper
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2pairs View Post

    It was a one time shot, you just have to hunt for the bargains.


    i was afrade of that, a deal like that would be perfect supplimental lighting to my t5s.

  9. #9
    2pairs - Reefkeeper CR Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by EMUreef View Post
    i was afrade of that, a deal like that would be perfect supplimental lighting to my t5s.
    Well it is just the way it works, but just keep looking and you can find good deals but make sure you know what you are buying.

  10. #10
    Sir Patrick - Reefkeeper A2 Club Coordinator
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    Nice lookin fixture!

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