Just making sure. Get some paste flux from Radioshack. Put a little on the wire, and heat it with the iron. It should help burn off impurities from the wire and will help the solder stick. If not, there is something up with that wire. Try cutting it back a little further from the end of the spool. Expose some fresh wire.

Quick question on what to do with all the exposed electrical solder joints.

I've read that we should use clear fingernail polish (ie, lacquer) on the solder joints on the LED's.

Now, I feel like I should do something similar on the pot on the solder joints.

Would liquid tape be fine for the LED solders and the pot, or is there a better product? I don't want anything grounding out, even possibly.


Lastly, how do you recommend "mounting" the pot? I'd like to enclose it in something and stash it on top of my canopy, out of view. I'd also like to do this on the cheap--- maybe mount it in a plastic box, or is a metal box safer?

Evil what do you think of mixing the 20k lamp with a all blue lamp?

Alright, after messing around with the SRV2, I am getting 960mA through the LED's and they are considerably brighter. I could have gone higher with the SRV2, but stopped just to leave well enough alone.

However, this doesn't bring me much comfort. I'm still not sure that there isn't something wrong with the Meanwell, unless someone can help me verify that the SRV2 would put out 200mA at it's lowest setting, with 9.14v to the dimmer.

I am afraid, I suppose, out of ignorance, that something is wrong with the Meanwell that will give me trouble (or electrical failure) later on.


Any advice?

Nail polish on the pot terminals will be fine. Liquid tape can be a bit messy from my own experience with it. I would mount the pot to something though. It will help reduce fatigue on the wires and the solder joint. Plastic boxes are fine.


It will be really blue.


It's not bad the you got that result. At least you got a more usefull output. I'll be setting up my test setup this weekend and should have an answer or two on this.

hey i love this thread theres quite a bit of information. Too much in fact i cant read it all.

i was wondering if anyone could help me im looking to make a set up for a 40g breeder and i would like to do some sps and other corals. So my question is what kind of set up and how many leds might i need.

thanks

Ok, thanks!

If you should find in your trial that the output of the Meanwell is aroud 200mA, with the SRV2 bottomed out, and the dimmer getting 9.14v, then I should be good to go. I'll be mounting my array over the tank tomorrow hopefully. It's done other than putting the potentiometer in a box. I can use an index card box for that.



As a side note, I'm suspecting that finding a dead-nuts 10v input isn't necessary at all. I'm suspecting that you can easily get 1000mA out of power supplies that give some odd 7-9v or so (meaning, some 5 or 6v adapters). I don't think I am even close to having the SRV2 maxed out.

At a minimum, 36 LEDs (12x3), but 48 (12x4) would give much better coverage front to back. Unless you are going heavy sps, there shouldn't be a need for optics.

evilc66 - thanks for taking the time to write this. I truly believe LEDs are the future of lighting in our hobby and most people would want to keep this valuable info to themselves, so again, thanks.

I read your original write-up, but could not go through all 76 pages of the post. What I'm looking for is a diagram - maybe a labeled illustration or video - that shows each component of the high-powered LEDs. A labeled diagram or video would help me understand how it all fits together. Im really visual - I could understand most of your original write-up but I need to see things in order to full grasp them. Do you have a link to something that fits this description?

Read through Waterproof's BC14 writeup (it's linked in the DIY Project List stickied in this forum). It has a great description of all the parts and how it went together.

thanks evil, should i get 60 or 120 degree LEDs then?

Can I ask a question on how do you guys hooked up the DC fans to your LEDs lights? Do you share the Power supply or have a delicated PS just for the fans?

I'll like to use the same PS for my fans to cut down on having so many AC power plug. If I'm to do that, can I just connect my fans in parallel to one of the buckpuck.

JC

Bare LEDs are 90/110 degrees (white/blue). Nothing to buy other than the LEDs.


There are a few ways to go about this. If you want to just use your existing power supply, you will need to run two in series. If you only have room for one fan, then you will need to either run it on a seperate 12v supply, or by an AC fan (typically expensive).

interesting, the place i found some led locally have bare leds in 60 or 120degrees...

Thanks Evil. So it does not matter to the PS if there are 2 circuits in parallel that are drawing different current?

Cheers
JC

I've seen some off-brand LEDs as tight as 35 degrees, but output was poor.


Power supply doesn't care. When items are run in parallel, the current is added. You can add as many items in parallel as you like, as long as the total current is less than the power supply rating.

Hi!
I wanna start a heavy SPS 6g pico with leds. Is the luxeon rebel 700ma /95 lumen worth a try, or buy stronger leds?
The tank is 16x10x10, and planning to put 6 rb and 6 cw leds over it like this without optics:
WBWBWB
BWBWBW
Will it provide enough light?

Sounds like you are looking at the LXML-PWC1-0050 (50lm @ 350mA, 95lm @ 700mA). I would use at a minimum the LXML-PWC1-0070 (70lm @ 350mA, 130lm @700mA) for reef applications. For sps, the more the merrier. Your layout should be fine.

Yep the pwc1-050 is a special deal, but the pwc1-100 costs only double. The blue ones could be the cheaper ones, because the most part of the par provided by the cw leds. Am I right?

so i have another question. does anyone know where i might find the best detail on putting it all together i read the entire beginning pretty much but i really am not that good at learning it when theres just so much info.

what kind of color arrangement would be best and all that

thanks

Actually, blue LEDs produce a considerable amount of PAR. I wouldn't skimp on those either.


If the guide is a little overwhelming, read through some of the build threads. All of these arrays are built the same, regardless of the size.

alright thanks alot

also i found a whole kit and was wonder if anyone might have an idea if its a good deal and if there is anything else i would need or if theres a better way

http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-10/48-...Retrofit/Detail

thanks again for all the help

Keep in mind that those drivers are not dimmable. It's a decent deal otherwise.

alright thanks

Aren't the LPC-35-700W drivers they are putting in those kits going to run the LED's at around 700 or 750 mA? I don't recall where I read that, but I know that I see a pretty decent jump in output from 700mA to 960mA.

There is, but 700mA is a little safer level if you can't dim the array. They make an LPC-35-1050 that drives at a higher current, but takes a little more care to set up right and not scorch corals.

Hey just some quick questions:

I have a biocube 8, can I get away with only having 8 or 9 CREE LEDs or should I get 12?

Can I run all 8 (12) LEDs off of one power supply if I wire two buckpucks in parallel?

What degree optics should I get for a biocube 8?

Thank you!

Hello,

I don't have much room above my tank. What height from water level should the leds be at ? My tank is about 18" deep and i have 60 degree optics.

1. Yes, you can get away with 8 LEDs.

2. Yes, provided that the power supply has enough current to support both drivers.

3. No need.



You can have it as close as you need, as long as it's not in the water 4-6" is prefered though as you get better spread, and less spotlighting at higher levels in the tank. Shimmer is better also.

Yo Clive,
Did you better half try the wine yet?

Hijack done.

Indeed she did, and it was certainly enjoyed. Thanks again for that.

My pleasure.

I will have 5 Q5 Crees and 4 RB Crees over a biocube 8. Is there a limit to the coral I can keep? How will SPS fair? How about clam potential?

What are some of the differences between the different meanwell led drivers? I noticed that a new one just came out the lplc-18-700 (90 ~ 132VAC input and 6-25v output at a constant current of 700 mA) that looks interesting. I am far from an expert and I am trying to buy a good smaller product with out spending much money. I don't need a dimmer for this setup and the write up mentions that it is economical because it lacks a pfc function, which I understand to be the driver can be less efficient. They mention 80% which isn't all that bad it is only 18 w. Could this power a series of 6 rebels? Any help would be appreciated and everyones effort to make this a great post is very helpful.

Sky's the limit.



It's going to depend on price to see how economical it will end up being. If it's not less than $30, then you might as well use a 700mA dimmable Buckpuck and 24v 1A power supply. Either way would have no trouble running 6 Rebels.

Thanks for the reply. One site so far gave a price $11.11, although that was a business to business site, but that would be less than one Buckpuck let alone the additional power supply. It might be hard to find at first, because it is a new product, but the idea of a single sealed unit is appealing and maybe cheaper. Like I said I am far from an expert so if anyone can give the pro/cons of the unit it would be much appreciated. Thanks for any help.

If you can get it for even 50% more than that, it's still going to be a reasonable deal for what you are needing.

so what do you guys think of this?
http://reefbuilders.com/2009/12/21/underdr...ent/#more-13462

The heat issues

I have a 20 Gallon Long that i am using as a frag tank. Its dimensions are 30in x 12 in with a depth of 12 in. How many LEDs will i need and at what spacing? At that shallow depth do i need 60 degree optics or do i need none at all? I apologize if this has been answered somewhere else.

I had same question, here is my thread
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...0&p=2483128

Just finished it and it works great.

Great info Supernip! Now I'm like wow, what should I do!?!

I was gonna ask a question, but now I don't need to. Edited.

For a 18"x12" tank, what is the recommended amount of LED's to light the tank?
Thanks!

Hi Guys,

I need some advice on the analog dimmer for constant drivers.

As I'll be using multples Recom driver (X1 series) for my setup, I'm thinking of connecting all the drivers to a single analog dimmer. This single dimmer will then dim all the drivers. Is this possible? Can I simply connect all the dim output of all the drivers to this single analog dimmer?

Thanks in advance.
JC

+1

Though I prefer to look at graphs such as in this thread for the real measurements behind what the author is referencing.

CPF

HI to all

I'm have a few questions as I suck at anything electrical, but lucky for me I got a electrical engineer for a friend super yay .

I have a REDSEA MAX 130 and am sick of the bulbs, I have read sparks thread but got a little lost, my friend asked me to do a design brief so he could design me a array cause he knows lots bout electrical circuits but nothing bout marine tanks.

1: How many LED's will i need in a redsea max and what optics? I am going to be using Cree XR-E LED's, and what spacing

2: What ratio of blue to white for a basic reef tank, but would like to step up to sps corals maybe or at least have the option.

3: I saw on sparks thread he had UV LED's, and was wondering are these critical? What is their purpose.

4: Is it best to run smaller low power blue moon led's for night lighting or to just have some of the blue XR-E's on a different cicuit to the white so they are dimable?

I have read a lot of evils great work but i get a little lost i'm more a engine and mechanical guy so I won't be offended if you assume I know nothing electical. I do like the tile idea so it a bit more versatile so will probably go that way. So any help would be greatly appreciated

Hi again

Sorry been reading again and instead of answers got more questions.

Cause I want to keep my hood super stock and not cut anything, the led are all going to be in the centre of my red sea hood, looking through a opening 500mm X 112mm (1ft 20" X 4 1/2") What spacing would be best on the LED's and will i need additional optics as the Cree XR-E cool white has a 90deg lense and the Royal blue one is 100deg lense

Like I said sorry just trying to do this right the first time so asking a lot of questions
but thank you all lots in advance

Ok, so I'm thinking of ordering an Aquaillumination LED module for my Solana... I'm getting a Elos System 70 this summer, so I know I could get a second module so that would be running 2 on a 30x20x20 tank. I was wondering what your oppinion was and what about color and growth? I use t5 now and have been very pleased, but just checking into my other options.

I have a question. I'll be helping a friend to build a LED rig for a 75G SPS tank. We'll be using 72 LEDs driven by 6 Meanwell (P) model. In order to have them all to turn on, not to dim, how many 10V wall warts will need for the 6 meanwells? Can I hook them all to just one 10V supply or is too much for it? For now he will be running them without dimming functions. Just On/Off

Just reading this for the first time. What an awesome thread! I just downsized from a 120 gal with halides to a jbj 3 gal with a 9 watt pc. Yeah, I know what a jump in downsizing! Anyway, what would you suggest for a setup on such a small tank?