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GU10 LED Build Thread (Chinese Ebay Lights)


TinyGiant

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Monsieur Kam

Thanks TinyGiant for the thread! I am looking forward to DIYing a light system for my 75 gallon.

 

Question...

 

267126_216103808433659_100001021233256_656310_5736817_o.jpg

 

In this picture, the wires on the left and right are positives and negatives from an extension cord right? Also what do you do with the end of the extension cord (that does not plug in), just tape it off?

 

And if I want to mount those sockets, can I just screw them into wood?

Edited by Monsieur Kam
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gonzalez78
Thanks TinyGiant for the thread! I am looking forward to DIYing a light system for my 75 gallon.

 

Question...

 

267126_216103808433659_100001021233256_656310_5736817_o.jpg

 

In this picture, the wires on the left and right are positives and negatives from an extension cord right? Also what do you do with the end of the extension cord (that does not plug in), just tape it off?

 

And if I want to mount those sockets, can I just screw them into wood?

 

I just did a small build for my 2 gallon using 2 blue and 2 cool white GU10 3x1w. u cut off the end of the extension cord and connected 2 sockets there then i just screwed the socket to a piece of wood and put in a small enclosure i made also of wood. yes, the wires are the positive and negative from an extension cord but i think this is a diy one with just electrical wiring since an extension cord would have both wires the same color. looks sweet and my candycane is really loving the extra light :)

Edited by gonzalez78
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gonzalez78
If I need to add wire to the extension cord assuming like the OP did, what size wire would I use?

 

im sure they have longer extension cords at the store just look for one that you think will be long enough for what you need.

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Just setup a new 2 gal tank last night and made a GU10 fixture for it. I'm debating weather I'll paint it black or just leave it clear. What do you guys think?

 

00154b27.jpg

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Monsieur Kam

 

Lol, and Idk I kind of like the clear look too. I think either way you choose it will look good.

 

I just wanted to use the extension cords I already have laying around. I think it's 18 gauge wire but I am not 100%.

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If I need to add wire to the extension cord assuming like the OP did, what size wire would I use?

 

Most of the household extension cords sold now seem to be what used to be called a "heavy duty" cord - 16 gauge stranded wire. I terminate that into a connector block - from there I've used anything from 20 to 18 gauge (I match to the socket wiring) to do the wiring in my fixtures.

 

Apparently, the standard for safety is actually to wire according to the maximum wattage of the sockets you are installing (hence some lamps being marked "60 watt Max" when you could in theory screw in a 150 watt bulb). So 4 sockets * 3 watts each = 12 watts / 120 volts = .1 Amps

 

Wiring that is rated for a minimum of .1 Amps is then what you use on your socket wiring. In theory, 39 gauge wiring could safely carry this load.

 

Realistically, from a safety standpoint, some doofus could, without knowing better, try to install old-school 40 watt Halogen GU10's in your fixture - they fit - so to account for that: 40w * 4 sockets / 120v = 1 1/3 Amp. Based on that, you'll want to keep your wiring above 28 gauge.

 

Even on my 48-bulb fixture I'll only be using around 150 watts (or less) so practically speaking 29 gauge wire would do it. Realistically, (as in the above link) I would need 18 gauge to cover a possible 16-amp load if someone were to erroneously load my fixture with 40 watt bulbs.

 

-Matt

 

P.S. Wood is what I used for my fixture, but in reality a metallic (groundable), enclosed housing is what you want around your wiring.

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Hello!

 

Just wondering if you have ordered this led yet? I am looking for a diy led for my 40 gallon tank and this could be an alternative to look into.

 

Cant find driver, heatsink and optics on this sellers hompage?

 

Jnad

 

I am going to try something new. Later this week I will be ordering from Luckzdl the following:

1pc 10w Royal Blue Hybrid led + heatsink

1pc 10w led lens (I asked for an 80 degree lense)

1pc 10w waterproof 85-265v AC driver

 

I am only going to order one to start with and see how it looks and make sure the color is what I am going after. If its not I will use it to suppliment something later. I know the cost of this setup is more than the GU10 bulb but I like that it has the Royal blue and 20k LED's intigrated together I think it will blend well. Plus it's not the normal.. gonna step out and try something new.

 

The AC driver I also think is nice since I just have to wire the plug on it and it's done, Don't have to try and match a power supply to it. The AC driver was the same cost as the DC driver without the added expense of the power supply.

I'll let everyone know how it goes.

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Decided to go with this as the lighting in my tank, fueled by

A] I need better lighting

B] It's late night and this is when i always purchase things i should wait on

 

I'm excited! Lots of thanks to the OP for the How-To!

Edited by uaiu
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Decided to go with this as the lighting in my tank, fueled by

A] I need better lighting

B] It's late night and this is when i always purchase things i should wait on

 

I'm excited! Lots of thanks to the OP for the How-To!

:D

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Decided to go with this as the lighting in my tank, fueled by

A] I need better lighting

B] It's late night and this is when i always purchase things i should wait on

 

I'm excited! Lots of thanks to the OP for the How-To!

Yeah man they look awesome over my little 2 gallon just ordered more blues to put over my 20L. I already have 4 cool white and 4 blue so i ordered 7 more blues.

 

I have 2 of each on my 2 gallon

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Will the bulbs with the following specs work? They are relatively cheaper than the 85-200+V bulbs...

 

Input voltage: 100~240V AC50/60HZ

 

Thanks - David

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Will the bulbs with the following specs work? They are relatively cheaper than the 85-200+V bulbs...

 

Input voltage: 100~240V AC50/60HZ

 

Thanks - David

 

im sure they would work but they would not be as bright.

 

i got my own question i hope tinygiant can help me on this. I am planning on going bigger with a 40 breeder instead of my 20L. how many lights do you think i would need? should i do one or more rows?

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C.I._Reefer
im sure they would work but they would not be as bright.

 

i got my own question i hope tinygiant can help me on this. I am planning on going bigger with a 40 breeder instead of my 20L. how many lights do you think i would need? should i do one or more rows?

 

I have 2 rows of 14 on my 40b, spaced exactly 6 inches apart. Works pretty good, Coverage is almost perfect @ 11" off the water

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Blennylover14

Hey I tried to pm

I like your led light thread. I'm thinking about buying me some of those to supplement my metal halide..

Can you tell me the total cost it would be for 4 of these? With everything I need

I also need help knowing what to get.

I am HORRIBLE with wiring

Thanks man

Justin

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I have 2 rows of 14 on my 40b, spaced exactly 6 inches apart. Works pretty good, Coverage is almost perfect @ 11" off the water

 

Cool thanks, you mind at what ratio you have them blues to cool whites. I'll also Getty some for my sump I'll be making out of that 20L.

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C.I._Reefer
Cool thanks, you mind at what ratio you have them blues to cool whites. I'll also Getty some for my sump I'll be making out of that 20L.

 

Mine are at 50:50 b:cw with just a couple warm whites thrown in the mix. very nice 14k or so. Just counted Total numbers are 14 1x3w blues 10 1x3w cool whites and 3 1x3w warm whites

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Mine are at 50:50 b:cw with just a couple warm whites thrown in the mix. very nice 14k or so. Just counted Total numbers are 14 1x3w blues 10 1x3w cool whites and 3 1x3w warm whites

 

Yeah i like that 14k look also that's how i have them now on my 2 gallon spec 2 blue and 2 cool white. Guess I'll order the rest this week when i get more money. Hope you don't mind i use the same setup.

 

I'm also thinking about ordering an extra 2-3 blues to use as moonlights

Edited by gonzalez78
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im sure they would work but they would not be as bright.

 

I'm no electrician, so maybe someone can explain, why would bulbs with a smaller range of voltage be less bright?

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im sure they would work but they would not be as bright.

 

i got my own question i hope tinygiant can help me on this. I am planning on going bigger with a 40 breeder instead of my 20L. how many lights do you think i would need? should i do one or more rows?

 

AFAIK there wouldn't be any difference in output.

 

I'm running a 50 which is 36 x 18 x 18. Currently have two rows of daylight:blue - 8 each per row.

 

I also switched to the 2B1W from luckzdl2008 instead of all blue, which was just too much for me.

 

Also, if you plan to have anything at the top of your tank like I do there will be a pretty obvious dark arae around the bulbs. (Looks great on the bottom 2/3 though!) 18" wide tank is really pushing it for only two rows with 30° lenses, IME.

 

I am building a replacement fixture that will have at least three rows of sockets. I may employ some wider lenses as well. If your budget allows I would build yours with 3 rows as well.

 

-Matt

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Monsieur Kam

Ok, so I have ordered my lights and all, but I still need to know how many of these bulbs can I wire to one extension cord? Is it safe to wire 30 bulbs to one extension cord?

 

And if it is okay, would it be any less powerful wiring that many say compared to about half that amount of bulbs?

 

Also should I have a grounded extension cord or does it not matter?

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