DIY LED build

[kjsreef]

I've been thinking about LED's for awhile and reading some great build on reef central. I finally bit the bullet and built a unit to replace my 150w DE MH that is over my frag tank.

The kit is from rapidled.com and comes with a LED driver, 6 CREE LED's (3W white Q5's and 3W blues). I purchased the heatsink online and had the fan laying around my parts drawer.

picture is a closeup of the LED's soldered and attached to the heatsink.

The driver can handle a total of 12 LED's

[kjsreef]

Here is a comparison of the 20K 150w DE MH to the 6 LED setup over my frag tank. I don't have a quantum meter thus I don't know the par difference.

[kjsreef]

Here is the completed unit over the frag tank. I plan to get 6 more LED's and complete the setup and see how the corals in the frag tank respond.

[kjsreef]

The kit was $70 (driver, led's, arctic silver epoxy). heatsink was ~$20. With shipping the total comes out around $100.00.

[dragon]

Did the kit came with wiring instructions?

[kjsreef]

No, but the thread on reef central explains it pretty well. Basically it is + lead of driver to + of 1st led then - of 1st led to + of next LED and so forth. It's pretty simple although you do need to be good with solder and I had to upgrade my 15w solder iron to a 40w. The heatsink on the star takes the heat away too fast!

[egd101]

im impressed did you get specs for all the leds and what was the resistors and caps rated at for the leds. aslo did you get a powersupple with the kit or you just found a source doing the math.
marlon

[kjsreef]

The beauty of using an Led driver is that you don't have to worry about resistors and capacitors. The driver is constant current thus you can wire the leds in series (min 3, max 12) and not worry about anything else.

[kjsreef]

I upgraded the unit with 6 more leds and this time used an adhesive thermal double sided tape instead of the epoxy. Took all of 30 minutes to solder the additional 6 leds to the unit. I'll update folks after a month to see how my corals in my frag tank are responding. I'm going to keep similar corals in the frag tank (led) and the main tank (250w MH 20K) to see how the colors compare.

[kjsreef]

Here is another shot of the 12 led unit (36 watts of LED light).

[Nick_Kun]

Wow, nice write up kelly. I'm thinking of doin the same thing with a nano in the future.

[smirkis]

pics over the tank? nice job

[jharr]

Am I right that the corals in the frag tank are only under a few inches of water? Also a kill-a-watt analysis would be good to see if switching would be worth the expense.

[unbereefable]

Do the LEDs use that much less power than regular lighting combos? I want to start a mild reef tank, but I dont want to watch my SDG&E meter spin everytime I turn the lights on.

[nahtanoj]

not sure on these particular lights that Kelly built. but, the PAR/energy consumptions on RC are showing a 150w LED system running equal to a 400w MH system. that is a big difference. another thread, built the LED system slightly different replaced both of his 175w MH's with LED's and ran under 175w total. there are several options on building these DIY's, and RC has a few threads on doing it.

[kjsreef]

jharr, true, my frag tank is very shallow, but the lights are almost a foot above the water line. I have a kill-a-watt and will do that analysis this weekend.

Yes, in general, LED's give you more light for less energy and should reduce your costs, that is why there is such an LED craze right now. However, the commercial units are wicked expensive.

[kjsreef]

One of my next projects may be to build a 24-36LED (72-108 watt total) system and try it over my main tank which currently has a 250w radium MH. The 24-36 LED kits are only $240-340.

[smirkis]

i know. i've seen people build some big ones for big tanks too. looks interesting. im trying to follow someones 120gal LED build, like 120 LED's over a 4ft tank

[kjsreef]

Ran the kill-o-watt analysis last night. Now first, keep in mind that I don't think my 36 watt LED is exactly equal to my 150 DE MH in terms of PAR but here are the results.

12x3W LED fixture is 97.3kWh per year (8 hrs per day) @ $0.23/kWh = $22/yr
150w DE MH fixture is 233.6 kWh per year (8 hrs per day) @$0.23/kWh = $54/yr

Thus, it's about 1/2 the cost run with LED's

Still have to see if the LED fixture gives the same growth and color of the MH.

[unbereefable]

Keep us posted. It might be time for me to start doing some reefing!

[DiverDave]

Hi guys. I'm building a 12 x 3w led light now. Check out the link below. Pretty sure that this is the link kjsreef is talking about. I can't vouch for the information personally but some of these guys have done the PAR for similar systems and look to be equal or greater than that of a 150W HQI.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=217836&pid=2572547&st=40&#entry2572547

[unbereefable]

Ran the kill-o-watt analysis last night. Now first, keep in mind that I don't think my 36 watt LED is exactly equal to my 150 DE MH in terms of PAR but here are the results.

12x3W LED fixture is 97.3kWh per year (8 hrs per day) @ $0.23/kWh = $22/yr
150w DE MH fixture is 233.6 kWh per year (8 hrs per day) @$0.23/kWh = $54/yr

Thus, it's about 1/2 the cost run with LED's

Still have to see if the LED fixture gives the same growth and color of the MH.

When I calculate power comsumption for MH 150w @ 8 hrs/day, I get 438 kwh/year, which equals $100.74 yearly usage cost. Looks like the leds are way cheaper to me, or is my math wrong?

[pazhope]

150W * 8hrs = 1200W = 1.2 KW (one day)

1.2 KW * 365days = 438 KW (one year)

The fixture looks great, let us know your results.


When I calculate power comsumption for MH 150w @ 8 hrs/day, I get 438 kwh/year, which equals $100.74 yearly usage cost. Looks like the leds are way cheaper to me, or is my math wrong?

[kjsreef]

I think my mistake was that I actually am running a 70w MH unit and not a 150. Have to check the ballast to be sure.

[GrantMBrady]

What are the dimensions of the frag tank you are running this LED system over/ what are the dimensions that this 12 bulb system covers?

[kjsreef]

The frag tank is shallow (6 inches) but the LED lights are a good 1ft off the surface. the tank dimenions are 24x12x6 deep.

[klierman]

Hmmm.... I need to check out some of these LED threads on RC and get in on the fun... Right now i'm running a 250MH on my sump/frag area, but i'm putting bulbs from my main tain (as opposed to new) bulbs in there, so its never really getting super great PAR anyway... and if i can save some heat/electricity, that would be good.

BTW, I have a PAR meeter if you really want to check the output and compare side by side.

[DiverDave]

If you want info on LED's and LED builds, go here and set up an account.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=186982&hl=led+build

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/dgirdler/IMG_0020.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/dgirdler/IMG_0017.jpg

[laffingcrow]

Here's what I found after months of looking for parts, power supplies, heat sinks etc., and comparing dollars / watt for the leds and time and trouble to heat up the soldering iron...
They come complet with power supply, cord, and are already mounted to an aluminum panel that acts as a heat sink with holes in each corner for mounting. Just plug it in and get your sunglassed out.
I have one panel hanging pendant style now until I get my second panel and canopy built.
I got them off e-bay from LED wholesalers.com $145.00 with free shipping or 155.00 buy in now price.
http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/thum_61974b7a11494d2be.jpg ('http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1585')
http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/thum_61974b7a111713eaa.jpg ('http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1584')
I don't have a PAR meter but my sekonic meter tells me they are twice as bright as my 72 watt compact flourescents and equal to one members T-5 setup that I measured and only consume half (36 watts) of power.
They are advertised as being the same brightness as a 200 watt MH and look to be close.
I found them to be very pinpoint light source (as expected) however after burning a small hole in my orange monti cap I got some diffuser material from HD to spread out the blue and white pattern.
The panel is 10 inches sq. and lights an area about 18" sq. @ ten inches above the aquarium.
I now have a second panel to give full coverage of my 24" wide tank.
One panel would be great for any nano up to 24 or 28 cube style tank.
One drawback I can see and am willing to live with is you can't turn off the white/blue seperately or power them up slowly to approximate nature.
They also have a 120watt model that is completely turn key with cooling fans... more $.
Thanks for your interest,
Brian

[JoeJ]

I wonder if you'd find this (http://reefbuilders.com/2010/02/08/meanwell-eln-60-dimmable-led-driver-nanocustoms-sort/) useful for your dimmable needs? It's interesting in that it can work with the RKE controller, too.


Here's what I found after months of looking for parts, power supplies, heat sinks etc., and comparing dollars / watt for the leds and time and trouble to heat up the soldering iron...
They come complet with power supply, cord, and are already mounted to an aluminum panel that acts as a heat sink with holes in each corner for mounting. Just plug it in and get your sunglassed out.
I have one panel hanging pendant style now until I get my second panel and canopy built.
I got them off e-bay from LED wholesalers.com $145.00 with free shipping or 155.00 buy in now price.
http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/thum_61974b7a11494d2be.jpg ('http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1585')
http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/thum_61974b7a111713eaa.jpg ('http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1584')
I don't have a PAR meter but my sekonic meter tells me they are twice as bright as my 72 watt compact flourescents and equal to one members T-5 setup that I measured and only consume half (36 watts) of power.
They are advertised as being the same brightness as a 200 watt MH and look to be close.
I found them to be very pinpoint light source (as expected) however after burning a small hole in my orange monti cap I got some diffuser material from HD to spread out the blue and white pattern.
The panel is 10 inches sq. and lights an area about 18" sq. @ ten inches above the aquarium.
I now have a second panel to give full coverage of my 24" wide tank.
One panel would be great for any nano up to 24 or 28 cube style tank.
One drawback I can see and am willing to live with is you can't turn off the white/blue seperately or power them up slowly to approximate nature.
They also have a 120watt model that is completely turn key with cooling fans... more $.
Thanks for your interest,
Brian

[laffingcrow]

That controller only works from 1-10volts and the LED panel and driver are 24 volts.
The problem with any controller is maintaining current while dropping voltage.
Thanks,
Brian

[kjsreef]

Just found this really great video from a guy who converted to the ecoxotic lights

http://www.ecoxotic.com/community/customer-showcase/theblackreef

[RussM]

That controller only works from 1-10volts and the LED panel and driver are 24 volts.
The problem with any controller is maintaining current while dropping voltage.
Thanks,
BrianActually, that particular driver is 24-48V output. The 0-10VDC is just for the dimming signal input. The Meanwells are being used quite successfully in many DIY LED projects.... quite convenient too, because they are a switching PS and driver in one package.

[RussM]

I wonder if you'd find this (http://reefbuilders.com/2010/02/08/meanwell-eln-60-dimmable-led-driver-nanocustoms-sort/) useful for your dimmable needs? It's interesting in that it can work with the RKE controller, too.And with the Apex as well. ;)

[MustangBill]

I ordered 2 of those stunner strips a few days ago, one blue and one ultra violet, gonna use it to supplment my new T-5 set up. I will post agian once I get them, they're only $45 on amazon

[jhuynh15]

laffingcrow -

how high do you have that fixture over your tank? i have it at 15" off the top of the water line.

i bought the same one to try out.

any thoughts so far on them? what have you been keeping fine?

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff73/azianwizrd/22210.jpg

[superman858mm]

looking forward for the answer...as i will get one for myself to try it out...

[laffingcrow]

First off I burned a 1/4" hole in my Red Monti Cap when I moved it an inch or two to the right (it's on a magnet) and as it turned out the spot of one of the blue LEDs was directly on it so I put a diffuser panel on it.
Just standard diffuser available at almost any hardware store for about $5. SEE PIC
I have two heights: 13.5" for aclimating new corals and working on the tank and 7" for normal operation.
For normal operation I wanted to get them close for intensity yet even with LEDs anything closer than 6" would possibly heat the water. (you can feel it with your hand)

...everything seems to love them,... clam, montis, acro, digi, except maybe some zoas... Some things will definately reguire aclimation if you change from PCs much like changing to MH.
http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/imagehosting/thum_61974b96f93b4e676.jpg ('http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1653')

[superman858mm]

thanks a lot...

[superman858mm]

my tank is a standard 40 gal, do u think that 2 of these panels would be enough? thanks

[laffingcrow]

Thanks RussM... for the tip on the driver/controller. One of these days I'll have to pony up some more coins...
Brian

[laffingcrow]

I'd say two panels could cover about 24"-30" wide by 12"-16" front to back and not much more. Hang it higher and you can cover more but at the expense of intensity.
Each panel is 10" square and the light falloff beyond 12" square is pretty significant so you will need to arrange corals accordingly; lower light corals on the perimeter perhaps.
I thought one panel would cover my 20 but it only lit up the center as well as some corals would like... and as I added more and more corals well... I needed more light.
Funny how this hobby works.