chazde3 Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Well I got my heatsink in today, so the build begins. I got a 32" long large size heatsink from heatsinkusa to go over my 30g breeder tank. I'm stopping by Lowe's on my way home to buy drill and tap sets and a few other basics so that the heatsink is ready for when I finally get the leds and drivers. Running Total LEDs: 26 cw Cree XR-E, 26 rb Cree XR-E Drivers: 4-Meanwell ELN-60-48P Total for LEDs and Drivers: $414 w/shipping Heatsink: 32" "Large" HeatSinkUSA $83.57 w/shipping 4 4-40 drill and tap sets and tap handle: $18.76 Total so far: $516.33 Link to comment
chazde3 Posted June 27, 2009 Author Share Posted June 27, 2009 ita about time! Quiet you. I should have had this started a couple months ago, but better late than never. Picked up 3 drill and tap sets and will hopefully begin drilling tomorrow. I need to work out the placement tonight. Link to comment
deepdvnarq Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Quiet you. I should have had this started a couple months ago, but better late than never. Picked up 3 drill and tap sets and will hopefully begin drilling tomorrow. I need to work out the placement tonight. Link to comment
bluenassarius Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 holy cow thats spicey n pricey Link to comment
chazde3 Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 Well here's the layout printed out and taped to the heatsink for drilling. Link to comment
TheStar Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Keep us updated. My heatsinks should be here this week, really looking forward to the build. Link to comment
chazde3 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 So hand tapping 104 holes is a pain in the a$$. I'm a little over half way through and my arm is starting to hurt, lol. Link to comment
cptbjorn Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I hear you there, just finished 80 myself. I really wish the stars could take 6-32 screws, as I have tapped a ton of those using a good small cordless drill with the clutch on the lowest torque setting. 4-40 taps just snap using that method... Or a 5 axis cnc mill would be nice too, I just need a small one 24x48 would be plenty Link to comment
chazde3 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 I wish I had a machining class right now. On a cnc mill this sucker would've been drilled and tapped in 30 minutes instead of taking all night. I think I will bring this to school next semester and mill out pockets for the fans for a cleaner look. Link to comment
deepdvnarq Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 So hand tapping 104 holes is a pain in the a$$. I'm a little over half way through and my arm is starting to hurt, lol. welcome to the club Link to comment
nanogeo Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I don't need or want an LED setup right now, but being part owner of a CNC machine shop, it's killing me to hold off considering how easy, clean, and professional the heatsink would be... Link to comment
chazde3 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 I don't need or want an LED setup right now, but being part owner of a CNC machine shop, it's killing me to hold off considering how easy, clean, and professional the heatsink would be... I was originally going to machine my own heatsink out of aluminum that has been sitting around at my college for a few years. Here's a link to my original plans, ignore the first concept drawings. Link If all goes well on this build I may check into viability of a small scale LED retro operation. Link to comment
Fnard Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Was planning on us 6-32 screws for my build. They seem to fit in notches fine. Why the 4-40? Link to comment
chazde3 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Share Posted June 29, 2009 Was planning on us 6-32 screws for my build. They seem to fit in notches fine. Why the 4-40? I thought I heard that 6-32 screws wouldn't work with the stars. I just went with what others had used so I knew they would work. Link to comment
chazde3 Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Well I'm talking to a person that builds acrylic tanks about making a splash guard for my fixture. Here's a pic of my proposed design. Link to comment
chazde3 Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 Got the leds and drivers in today from the postman. Work will begin when I actually have free time. Link to comment
TheStar Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Cool, can't wait to get mine. Keep us posted on the build. Link to comment
chazde3 Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 Well all the leds are screwed onto the heatsink and wired up. I tested a couple of the strings last night and these suckers are bright. Oh and the pictures of the tank in my last post aren't mine. It won't let me remove the attachments for some reason. Link to comment
illuminano Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 haha happens to me regularily. PM a mod they'll get rid of 'em. God that tank needs help Link to comment
TheStar Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 Cool, lets see some more pictures. I didn't see anything about a POT /PWM. What are you using for a dimmer/controller? Link to comment
chazde3 Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 Cool, lets see some more pictures. I didn't see anything about a POT /PWM. What are you using for a dimmer/controller? I used a variable voltage power supply set at 9v so that they would light. I have to build to pwm circuits soon so that they will be fully dimmable. Link to comment
TheStar Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 I used a variable voltage power supply set at 9v so that they would light. I have to build to pwm circuits soon so that they will be fully dimmable. Cool, and you plugged that variable voltage ps right onto the Dim +/- on the Meanwell? Link to comment
chazde3 Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share Posted July 26, 2009 Cool, and you plugged that variable voltage ps right onto the Dim +/- on the Meanwell? Yeah. I was also able to dim the lights with it by changing the voltage. You don't have full control of the dimming, but it will work for now. Link to comment
deepdvnarq Posted July 26, 2009 Share Posted July 26, 2009 you need to put up more pics! and dude....water changes man! you're going to be the next tanque verde! Link to comment
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