My first LED build

[cryptics]

I have a 90g reef tank that I was running 2 x 250w MH and 2 x 54w T5 Blue + on. I only have LPS, Zoas/pally's and softies in the tank right now. I do have a GBTA but he hides from most of the light right now. The tank is in my small office in the basement and the lights are retrofitted into the canopy. The light heats the water so much I had to put on a chiller which makes the office into a sauna. That is why I have decided to try my hand at LED's. Plus I have seen BTLDReef's and they look amazing

I ordered the equivalent of one of the 48 led kits from RapidLED on Saturday. I got the :

4x Mean Well ELN-60-48P dimmable driver
24x CREE XP-E Royal Blue 3W LED with 55 degree White Len
24x CREE XP-G R5 Cool White 3W LED with 65 degree White Lens
7 Function Multimeter
AA Battery LED Tester
50x Pre-cut/stripped Wire
8x Wire Connectors/Nuts
4x 3-Prong Power Cord
DDC-01 PWM Controller

I also ordered (2) 8.8 x 12'' drilled and tapped heatsinks from reefledlights. They have space for 42 LED's on each so I can upgrade when needed.

I am planning to attach the 2 fans and the power supplies to the heatsink like they show here. http://reefledlights.com/how-to-diy-led/ I was going to take the top panel off of the canopy and use a hanging kit to allow for better heat distribution. I am thinking about putting two pieces of plywood across the top of the open canopy to attach the hanging kit. I ordered a soldering iron and arctic silver ceramique from Amazon.

How does this look?

Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[CDANN76]

Sounds good so far..post some pics when you can..I also just finished a DIY LED setup also..im very happy so far(even though its only been days since they have been up) im very happy..

 

[Bry17nyc]

Tagging Along....
dont forget to post allott of pics :splitspin

 

[cryptics]

Finally got the heatsinks today so started the build. I have 24 Led's per heatsink and have room for 18 more each if i want to expand.

Heatsink

The first heatsink laid out. Led's thermal greased and screwed to the heatsink.

 

[Macropora]

Looking good John!

 

[ed4]

Nice Netflix envelope & even nicer work on the LED's

 

[cryptics]

Lol yes that is Dazed and Confused. It just came out on BluRay. .

Thank you. I need to run out and get some wire tonight. I got the precut strips from rapidLed bit the jump from the rows going up to the rows going back is too long. I have 4 120mm Zalman fans to put two on each. I was going to build an enclosure but found out reefledlights will have splash guards that fit those heatsinks for sale in less than two weeks. Said they will cost around $20 so can't beat that. He will also have full enclosures by September. Picked up a junction box to house the drivers also. Going to mount it on top of the canopy.

 

[CDANN76]

Lol yes that is Dazed and Confused. It just came out on BluRay. .

Thank you. I need to run out and get some wire tonight. I got the precut strips from rapidLed bit the jump from the rows going up to the rows going back is too long. I have 4 120mm Zalman fans to put two on each. I was going to build an enclosure but found out reefledlights will have splash guards that fit those heatsinks for sale in less than two weeks. Said they will cost around $20 so can't beat that. He will also have full enclosures by September. Picked up a junction box to house the drivers also. Going to mount it on top of the canopy.

Sweet job so far...good to know about the splash guard and enclosures coming soon..

 

[btldreef]

go john go! lol. if you need help i am here.
btw a driver died on me today.... i am hopefully under warranty.

 

[btldreef]

So far... Next we will be adding reds and fans .
Trying to also have a circuit breaker with a project box to house the drivers.

 

[cryptics]

 

[btldreef]

Started building the driver/control box. I wanted to make so that you can disconnect any component easily. Still in rough stages.

 

[cryptics]

BTLDReef is building this for me. I found out that I am a spaz when it comes to this stuff It looks great!

 

[btldreef]

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

btldreef,
Can you tell me a little bit of the controller you are using? I was told that the D1, D2, D3 can be programmed to a "gradual" change(i.e. sunrise/sunset over a period of time). Is that correct? Or is it just a memory setting of a user definable color combo?


Thanks.

 

[cryptics]

I actually was the one that purchased it. It is a very basic controller that has either and on/of mode or 3 programmed modes. The 3 programmed does sunrise and sunset they just vary with time. I believe 8/10/12 hour runs. It runs once each time the controller gets power.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I actually was the one that purchased it. It is a very basic controller that has either and on/of mode or 3 programmed modes. The 3 programmed does sunrise and sunset they just vary with time. I believe 8/10/12 hour runs. It runs once each time the controller gets power.

So it's not really a gradual change but a 3 step change, am I correct?

 

[cryptics]

My understanding is it is gradual but I can not say for sure yet. I haven't used it. It is the one sold by rapid led

 

[btldreef]

yes, dims gradually 3 daylight modes as cryptics has stated. on rapidleds.com site there is actually full instructions on programming it.

update... just waiting on 1 cool white led and 12 red leds to finish this bad boy.
adjusted all drivers to 750ma. so far so good.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

yes, dims gradually 3 daylight modes as cryptics has stated. on rapidleds.com site there is actually full instructions on programming it.

update... just waiting on 1 cool white led and 12 red leds to finish this bad boy.
adjusted all drivers to 750ma. so far so good.

12 red LEDs are VERY RED!