Diy budget led build

[2pairs]

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.



The epoxy I used.



Glued, sanded and painted.





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.



LED's mounted



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.





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.



And with the lights on.




So What Do You Think?

[motorcityreefs]

Looks good can't wait to see more.

[CableGuy]

Very cool Jim! Good work!

[EMUreef]

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

[bluwc]

Let' see them on!

[evilc66]

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?

[2pairs]

Originally Posted by motorcityreefs

Looks good can't wait to see more.

As I get more done I will add it to the post.

Originally Posted by CableGuy

Very cool Jim! Good work!

Thanks

Originally Posted by EMUreef

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.

Originally Posted by bluwc

Let' see them on!

Like I have said I still have to complete the wiring, when it is done I will show it

Originally Posted by evilc66

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)

[EMUreef]

Originally Posted by 2pairs

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.

[2pairs]

Originally Posted by EMUreef

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.

[Sir Patrick]

Nice lookin fixture!