The Propagator Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I am VERY impressed ! That is truly a sweet little set up your running there guy !! Link to comment
cdelicath Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 thank you sir Link to comment
Giga Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 wow this is pretty cool build. I think I might just copy you'e LED little light there Link to comment
cdelicath Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 Go for it... I hate to say it but I almost like this little PicO more then my BC14 I spend a lot of time at my desk and having this little guy sitting here is really cool. I tried to make it out of stuff that is cheap and easily accessible so it could be replicated without much trouble. If you need any help you know where to find me. Link to comment
Waterproof Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Looks great. BTW, what brand PAR meter is that? Did you buy it? It looks like it says Bradley, but I can't seem to find that online. Thanks, J. Link to comment
evilc66 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 That meter is made by Apogee. The only other meter that is within practical financial reach of most hobbiests is made by Licor, and that thing is still expensive. Next step is spectrometers $$$$$$ Link to comment
cdelicath Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 A buddy of mine got it on group buy for $150 It's a chip clip with a Bradley university emblem, I grabbed to hold the wire in place. Link to comment
musthaveitall Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Ok, I am new to the LED hobby but when you dim these LED's do you put the controller before or after the Buck Puck? Because I think I might have an extremely easy way to control them, this probably wouldn't be useful for a light of this size, but on larger applications it would be awesome. You could control it from your PC very easily. http://store.lightorama.com/cmdedcca.html I have used the AC versions to control my Christmas lights (click the link in my sig to see what I mean), you would have 16 channels of control, so you could have all sorts of cool effects, heck you could throw in some orange and red lights and have a simulated sunset or something. The control software for this is very simple, they have a demo on there site that gives you a good look at how the software works. Its made for synchronizing Christmas lights to music. Let me know what you all think. Clint Link to comment
evilc66 Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 It's possible. That unit is really designed for high voltage control (up to 60v). Most of the logic levels for the drivers are either 0-5v (Buckpuck) or 0-10v (Meanwell). Provided that you can set software limits for the max output voltage, it could be used. Link to comment
musthaveitall Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 It can be used for under 12VDC but you need to use the aux. input to keep the electronics on the card going. This will be fun... Clint Link to comment
evilc66 Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Just make sure you can set limits in the software. One false move and it's a dead driver. Link to comment
cdelicath Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 very cool I went with the arduino based on evil's recommendation but I really do think it's the best method of control because it can be used as a standalone unit and not just a controller for the lights but also other stuff. the only limitation I have found so far might be the memory . Evil have you run into any issues yet? Link to comment
evilc66 Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Depends on what you want to store in there. If it's just timer settings and brightness, then the on board flash is plenty. If you are doing data logging, then you are going to have to look at off board storage. Link to comment
Vancouver Reefer Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 cdelicath, Got an update for us on your build?????????????? Any new pics? Link to comment
cdelicath Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 Just waiting on the shipment. It was shipped Mon from the UK I'm probably going to start a new thread for it when I get it. Depends on what you want to store in there. If it's just timer settings and brightness, then the on board flash is plenty. If you are doing data logging, then you are going to have to look at off board storage. I have a old camera with SD sitting around here somewhere I wonder if I can use the SD interface for storage. I thought I saw a arduino SD shield some where so it must be possible. EDIT: although I forgot I got the Ethernet card too I could just send data to a network drive maybe It all sounds so easy in theory huh........ Link to comment
kduck Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 wow, wot an awesome build, the pendant and the tank look great!! i'v wanted a little pico for my desk for years, ,and i'v been keeping an eye on the LED threads on here, as we in the UK have a very limited selection of lighting suitable for nanoreefs and practically nothing that would light a reef this small, a DIY LED build would b perfect. things r looking up Link to comment
cdelicath Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Kick royal mail in the butt for me and tell them to get moving :P Link to comment
kduck Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 ah good old royal mail, hope it arrives soon for u. Link to comment
Marteen Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Man looks awesome I'm tempted to build one of these for mine. I like the idea of being able to control all your timers and stuff from a single board instead of having to use analog timers like I'm planning. Link to comment
cdelicath Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 I am using a analog timer right now and it may stay that way even after the controller because I may make a LED pendant for my BC14 and use the controller on that. Link to comment
davidr2340 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 WOW... Just wow bro!!! This is great! Link to comment
evanski Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Deli/Evil, Crazy. You have inspired me...I am going to duplicate this 1G system and use the experience to get my feet wet with LEDS. Have a look at the heat sinks and the fan kits I got at RadioShack...$6 for the pair including tax (they are ~8 bucks each plus shipping on line). Question for you guys...after reading the thread, it looks like you need to run the LEDs in series...I assume you run the fan with the lights is parallel? The lights are 12V with (0.14-0.24, I have two different types). What kind of power source do I need? Is there a single web-based vendor I can order the LEDs, pucs, and power source from? Mnay thanks...thanks for the thread and all the help! E Link to comment
evilc66 Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 The LEDs are run in series from the driver. The fan will be wired in parallel to the driver to the power supply. Not sure what you mean by "The lights are 12V with (0.14-0.24, I have two different types). " Care to explain? Link to comment
evanski Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 The LEDs are run in series from the driver. The fan will be wired in parallel to the driver to the power supply. Not sure what you mean by "The lights are 12V with (0.14-0.24, I have two different types). " Care to explain? Doh! I meant the FANS are 12V/0.2A! I am not envisioning how to wire in parallel to the driver...and is there a difference in wiring "from" or "to" something? Sorry for the idiot questions.... Link to comment
cdelicath Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 just run another set of wires from the 12v power supply up to the fan. Or a separate 12v supply. If you are using a 16v supply then add a POT in to dial it down to 12v. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.