NatureBoy
Member
- Joined
- 27 Aug 2008
- Messages
- 374
Having been inspired by the light in this natural pool:
and in need of a summer project, I've used this tutorial to build my understanding on DIY LED lights:
After a couple of days procrastinating over where to buy I went with
http://www.led-tech.de/en/High-Power-LEDs-Cree/CREE-XB-Series-c_120_185.html
I ordered 20 Cree XB-Ds, to run in parallel series from a Mean Well 1.4A 9-42V constant current source.
Should give something similar to 4 Aquaray Grobeam 600s which also use the XB-Ds
Tank is L42"XH22"XW18", CO2 injected, daily macro ferts
If I put LEDs in one series I will fry the lights (they can take max 1A),
but 2 in parallel (running at 700mA each) should give me close to 6500K and a fair whack of lumen. Not sure how many of the 20 LEDS I will use in each series (min 4, max 10 to stay within PSU voltage drop off limits 9V-42V), trial and error I guess over desired output.
If too bright I can run in 3 parallel series each at 467mA, and at minimum in 4 parallel at 350mA. (not gonna go with dimmer for this first phase just to get the basics sorted)
Got a big chunk of aluminium from a local welder / metal fabricator to form the heat sink for a tenner, I think it's overkill but all good for a first run.
Mounting will be by adapting the existing hood, removing the lid but keeping the sides to keep the overall cabinet / hood design. Will take pics when the LEDs arrive from Germany.
I plan on placing lens in clusters on the heat sink, some unlensed for spread at 120degrees, some with lenses to punch to bottom and enhance the point source look, my hope is to create as natural a shimmer as possible and nothing too jittery.
So far cost total cost is £90
and in need of a summer project, I've used this tutorial to build my understanding on DIY LED lights:
After a couple of days procrastinating over where to buy I went with
http://www.led-tech.de/en/High-Power-LEDs-Cree/CREE-XB-Series-c_120_185.html
I ordered 20 Cree XB-Ds, to run in parallel series from a Mean Well 1.4A 9-42V constant current source.
Should give something similar to 4 Aquaray Grobeam 600s which also use the XB-Ds
Tank is L42"XH22"XW18", CO2 injected, daily macro ferts
If I put LEDs in one series I will fry the lights (they can take max 1A),
but 2 in parallel (running at 700mA each) should give me close to 6500K and a fair whack of lumen. Not sure how many of the 20 LEDS I will use in each series (min 4, max 10 to stay within PSU voltage drop off limits 9V-42V), trial and error I guess over desired output.
If too bright I can run in 3 parallel series each at 467mA, and at minimum in 4 parallel at 350mA. (not gonna go with dimmer for this first phase just to get the basics sorted)
Got a big chunk of aluminium from a local welder / metal fabricator to form the heat sink for a tenner, I think it's overkill but all good for a first run.
Mounting will be by adapting the existing hood, removing the lid but keeping the sides to keep the overall cabinet / hood design. Will take pics when the LEDs arrive from Germany.
I plan on placing lens in clusters on the heat sink, some unlensed for spread at 120degrees, some with lenses to punch to bottom and enhance the point source look, my hope is to create as natural a shimmer as possible and nothing too jittery.
So far cost total cost is £90