My DIY LED Lights

[tbittner]

Fantastic!!!

That last one though, it looks like it needs a couple more LEDs. It was actually creating some shadows between them.

[Cassette87]

Thanks again for the kind words everyone Here's a little tidbit of an update: The prototype model was created with the incorrect depth dimension, so the one pictured is actually 18" deep instead of 12" as it should be. What does this mean? I don't have to order as many LEDs! Two of the 7 "depth" rows will be removed in the shrink to 12".

Also, I will be incorporating a third Potentiometer(dial to control brightness) the tanks moonlighting. Each of the Light types, Daylight/Actinic/moonlight will have individual cords. and i am considering built in digital timers.

Originally Posted by Witfull

this is looking promising. i bet the housing will cost more than the actual lighting~

Thanks Wit So far, for the prototype it seems quite the opposite, though i won't say much more than that all I can say is I have some tricks up my sleeve for making a niiice plastic housing

Originally Posted by BigAl07

How did your small "model" perform against your predictions and estimations? I would think the larger unit would perform similar to that one but on a larger scale.


Being realistic was probably hard. I'm sure you had TONS of ideas you wanted to implement (which may or may not have worked) but keeping it "Real" will keep costs down and make the project more viable. Start "Real" and once you get that working then you can add some bells & whistles if you want to. Stay grounded and it will happen. Good work buddy. VERY good work.

Well, The bar was a bit too much, and the board was not quite enough. The board did cover the surface area i calculated, and with the light scattering through the water, it did it's job. What's difficult to see in the prototype picture, it will have more than twice the amount of LED's to cover the same area as my test board. So I think the completed prototype will be a nice surprise

Hah, yea i was thinking of all sorts of things, but when it came to it I just told myself, come on how can I honestly make this without farming it out? and those ideas got put on the backburner.. but like i said at the top of the thread.. timers are very likely and the addition of a controllable moonlight should be pretty nice

Originally Posted by tbittner

Fantastic!!!

That last one though, it looks like it needs a couple more LEDs. It was actually creating some shadows between them.

Like I mentioned to AL, the prototype will have more than twice the LED's of the test board in the same Area, not to mention they will have reflectors, so light is not lost.

[Witfull]

as RS Admin, i get production model #1 right?

[Frankie]

Very cool! What do the bulbs cost you? Are you going to install a fan into the system?

[Cassette87]

Originally Posted by Witfull

as RS Admin, i get production model #1 right?

Hah, Wit, well "production model" yes, the "prototype" is for my lil reef, "beta" is for someone here, who may come forward if the wish who already requested it if available. I'll have to make little Reef Sanctuary engraved serial no plates complete with your RS username "RS LED 1/15 Manufactured for Grand Poohbah" heh

Originally Posted by Frankie

Very cool! What do the bulbs cost you? Are you going to install a fan into the system?

Right now i'm just purchasing LED's at the same cost they'd be to anyone else; so a bit pricey.. but if there suddenly were a demand here at RS to make a decent number of these i would have to try and purchase in quantity..

[CAVINCA]

you mentioned Reflectors. in your Drawing (which is nice btw) you have individual reflectors, from my experience with this type of lighting, the individual reflectors create hot and cold spots, if you dont have the right reflection angles built into them. it may get kinda pricey in order to find some good ones or manufacture them.
If i may suggest, try square ones. or the long reflectors used with regular lights.

[Cassette87]

Originally Posted by CAVINCA

you mentioned Reflectors. in your Drawing (which is nice btw) you have individual reflectors, from my experience with this type of lighting, the individual reflectors create hot and cold spots, if you dont have the right reflection angles built into them. it may get kinda pricey in order to find some good ones or manufacture them.
If i may suggest, try square ones. or the long reflectors used with regular lights.

Thank You I'm have looked into parabolic reflectors, and depending on whether or not I can locate a proper reflector at a reasonable cost will determine whether or not I will incorporate them.. For right now, My reflectors will be similar to those found in LED flashlights. I'm fairly certain from my own experience with LED lighting that the heat created, will be minimal and at worst, can be handled adequately with a small ventilation system. These are the sorts of things I will monitor very closely when the prototype is ready for the first tests!

[BigAl07]

Man this is a FUN thread to follow. I can't wait till we get more "Testing" done. I'm a sucker and would LOVE to get my hands on this product.


Andy, My hat is off to you for taking on this endeavor and THANK you for sharing your testing with us. It's FUN!!

[Doot77]

I agree with Al, I'll definitely will be following along with this thread.

[CAVINCA]

OH NO... by hotspots i meant light intensity... led are far cooler than anything else.. the reflectors causing light intensive areas and the opposite. I worked with LEDs on Aircraft... far differnt from the aquarium usage but i thought id spit that out.


great job btw... im with ^ those guys. ill be back

[tbittner]

Originally Posted by Cassette87

Like I mentioned to AL, the prototype will have more than twice the LED's of the test board in the same Area, not to mention they will have reflectors, so light is not lost.

Man, you're thinking of everything.

[Cassette87]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

Man this is a FUN thread to follow. I can't wait till we get more "Testing" done. I'm a sucker and would LOVE to get my hands on this product.


Andy, My hat is off to you for taking on this endeavor and THANK you for sharing your testing with us. It's FUN!!

Thanks Al! Hah, from this point there won't be much testing until the actual prototype is complete... Although you'll be happy to know that I DID begin fabricating the Housing for the unit today Nothing special to show just yet so I'll hold off on pictures for a bit, but will update when the time comes! Hah, Nah you're not a sucker... I think everyone here would have a solaris if they could afford it... That's what i'm shooting at.. LED system made affordably Thank you for the kudos, and I'm glad you guys are enjoying the ride! This is going to be hard to wait... I want to keep working on it, but I can only do so much while I'm waiting for parts to arrive

Originally Posted by Doot77

I agree with Al, I'll definitely will be following along with this thread.

Thanks for taggin along

Originally Posted by CAVINCA

OH NO... by hotspots i meant light intensity... led are far cooler than anything else.. the reflectors causing light intensive areas and the opposite. I worked with LEDs on Aircraft... far differnt from the aquarium usage but i thought id spit that out.


great job btw... im with ^ those guys. ill be back

Ahh.. I see! You'll be happy to know i've already accommodated for this in the design of the hood according to the viewing angle of the LED, at a distance of 12" from the LED's, the Hood will produce a blanket of light slightly larger than 12"x30". the reflectors are simply there to utilize the light that occours at a very wide angle on the lens of an LED that would otherwise be wasted inside of the Fixture.

Originally Posted by tbittner

Man, you're thinking of everything.

Thanks! I guess my Studies in MET are paying off

[Cassette87]

Bit of an update here I finally received my LED's from hong kong and will begin developing some sort of a wiring schematic for myself in the next week or so. School has been getting extremely time consuming latley, so hopefully i can keep this thing moving along

[Snelly40]

i hope so, this thread is great. definately let me know if you develop these, i think everyone here would be interested and you can start your own company!!!!!!

i'll take one for my 90 gallon!!!!

[vdituri]

Looking forward to further beta testing.