Chinese made LED diy

Request new hardware or ideas for the controller
rimai
Posts: 12881
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:47 pm

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by rimai »

Yes, please let us know how it goes and how you connected everything together as this is most likely going to help someone else in the future.
Roberto.
User avatar
Dctrojan
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:50 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Dctrojan »

Okay everyone the LED drivers I bought from rapidleds dim my LEDS! :) I hooked up everything this morning and It seems to be working great so far. All i had to do is cut the old 36V transformers from the line and i replaced it with the meanwell Drivers. I only bought 2 drivers to test before i committed to buying 4 of the drivers, I only hooked up the whites to the drivers. here's a link to the lights and drivers i used.

Ill post a picture and a video of the fixtures once I get the other drivers.

http://www.rapidled.com/mean-well-eln-6 ... le-driver/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-LED-Li ... 0915148718
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

Great to hear.
What size tank do you have?
I think you said you have 2 light modules.
User avatar
lnevo
Posts: 5430
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:42 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by lnevo »

Very cool. I like the dimensions on these...
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

What are the actual dimensions.
According to some spec I found on Alibaba.com 300x260x60mm which equals 11.811 x 10.2362 x 2.3622.

Does that sound about right?
I'm trying to see how many I would need for a 55 gallon tank. 48" long 12" Wide 21" Deep.

I'm thinking 2.

2 of these and 4 drivers is just over $400 including shipping on the drivers.

Not a bad price.
User avatar
Dctrojan
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:50 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Dctrojan »

That is exactly what i have a 55 gallon and I have 2 fixtures. they seem to grow everything I have: and are pretty powerful atleast in my noobie opinion. I have to acclimate my corals at a certain depth for awhile before i can move them up in the tank.
Im adding a actinic strip from rapid leds as soon as I replenish some funds. I want a more 2:1 ratio of B:W

My tank has been running with these lights for 8 weeks approx and my open brain has atleast doubled in size since then, however I do spot feed once a week.

Im by no means saying these lights will work for everyone, I took a noob chance and ordered the cheaper fixtures from ebay and so far they have worked fine, Im not sure what kinda longevity I will get out of these. They have no fans but the transformer/driver is outside the fixture so it doesnt contribute to the overall heat inside the canopy. I plan to add some fans to my canopy soon to help keep the fixture cool. Im sure if you have a open top the LEDS shouldnt need a fan or two.
Sacohen wrote:What are the actual dimensions.
According to some spec I found on Alibaba.com 300x260x60mm which equals 11.811 x 10.2362 x 2.3622.

Does that sound about right?
I'm trying to see how many I would need for a 55 gallon tank. 48" long 12" Wide 21" Deep.

I'm thinking 2.

2 of these and 4 drivers is just over $400 including shipping on the drivers.

Not a bad price.
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

Yeah. Right now I have no canopy and just 1/4" mesh screen over the tank.

I have to build up some funds. I just spent a bunch on a Jebao DC 6000 pump and a RO/DI unit.

I've looked at lots of options and short of a DIY setup this is the least expensive I can come up with that meets my needs.

As far as longevity, I took a chance on the Jebao WP-40 and 25 so I'm willing to gamble a bit.

If you have a standard 55 there is a bar in the middle of it, so I guess you have 1 fixture on each side.
User avatar
Dctrojan
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:50 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Dctrojan »

Sacohen wrote:Yeah. Right now I have no canopy and just 1/4" mesh screen over the tank.

I have to build up some funds. I just spent a bunch on a Jebao DC 6000 pump and a RO/DI unit.

I've looked at lots of options and short of a DIY setup this is the least expensive I can come up with that meets my needs.

As far as longevity, I took a chance on the Jebao WP-40 and 25 so I'm willing to gamble a bit.

If you have a standard 55 there is a bar in the middle of it, so I guess you have 1 fixture on each side.
Yes exactly I have one on each side. the Jebao wp-40 Is definitely my next upgrade.
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

Thanks. There have been some reported problems with the Jebao pumps, but they are few.
I've had not problems with my 40 and 25. I hope my DC-6000 is just as good.

There is a group buy on Reef2Reef for the Jebao.
The last day to order and pay is Nov 1.

http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/richmon ... p-buy.html
User avatar
Dctrojan
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:50 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Dctrojan »

Dang those jebao are super cool. Thanks for the heads up . Im not a member of the forum so ill have to register and possible jump in on the group buy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

No Problem. Like to pass on the info.
User avatar
Dctrojan
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:50 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Dctrojan »

Sacohen wrote:Thanks. There have been some reported problems with the Jebao pumps, but they are few.
I've had not problems with my 40 and 25. I hope my DC-6000 is just as good.

There is a group buy on Reef2Reef for the Jebao.
The last day to order and pay is Nov 1.

http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/richmon ... p-buy.html
What size are you using in your 55 gallon jebao?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

I'm using a WP-40 and 25 controlled by the Reef Angel in Anti-Sync.
There is custom code in my INO that lnevo created for paultruner911 and helped me incorporate into my code to randomly change the mode of the DC pump every day or on reboot of the controller.
User avatar
Dctrojan
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:50 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Dctrojan »

Ive got 2 other circulation pumps a small 500 and a 700 gph. I would have way too much current. I think I may get the bigger one and try it out. What do you mean DC pump? Is that the return pump?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

The DCPump class is code that was set up to handle any of the pumps like the Jebao that run off DC power instead of 110V AC power.

It applies to the return pumps or the WP pumps.

I just saw that you got in on the Group Buy on Reef2Reef and got a WP-40 and a DC6000.
Congratulations.
User avatar
Dctrojan
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:50 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Dctrojan »

Sure did. I swear , this is a addiction . Now all ive got to get is the two other drivers and ill be set. Sounds like we will be running a similar setup maybe, maybe we can help each other with the codes

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

Sure. Not a problem. I keep my code updated in the PDE/INO section & there is a link in ny sig.

Sent from my HTC One VX using Tapatalk
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

Dctrojan; I just wanted to see how you are liking the light still?

The only thing I noticed about them when I looked at them on Ebay is there is no reds, pretty much just blue, whit and a little green.
KRavEN
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:21 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by KRavEN »

So I did more testing Sunday with the other header on the power supply with 12v, gnd, and dim but had no success getting it to do anything via pwm. I traced out some things on the driver board and there are some un-populated components along the path so I believe this is why it won't work. I'm going to just use an i2c dual channel digital potentiometer to do the dimming.
User avatar
lnevo
Posts: 5430
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:42 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by lnevo »

Can you explain this option? Do you have a part already that does this or is this something that needs to be built?
KRavEN
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:21 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by KRavEN »

Was thinking the AD5282 would work fine. i2c is pretty easy: gnd, 5v, sda, scl come from the RA i2c bus. Stiffening cap on AD5282 vcc line. Hook up the dim+ and dim- on the drivers to the appropriate resistor and wiper terminals. Then just find or write a new arduino class to control the AD5282.
User avatar
lnevo
Posts: 5430
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:42 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by lnevo »

Wow, sounds like a great solution.
User avatar
lnevo
Posts: 5430
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:42 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by lnevo »

How would you control multiple fixtures? I'm guessing you'd need a few of those and give each one their own address? Ir would you be able to wire multiple pots to each channel?
User avatar
Dctrojan
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:50 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Dctrojan »

Sacohen wrote:Dctrojan; I just wanted to see how you are liking the light still?

The only thing I noticed about them when I looked at them on Ebay is there is no reds, pretty much just blue, whit and a little green.
Im still liking them they work great . Everything in my tank is growing like crazy. Im still wanting to add a actinic strip of royal blues to the system eventually. I also thought about adding a red or two as well.
I havent been able to do much research on the red leds yet and if I truly would need them.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

Thanks I was thinking of adding 1 4' strip from Buildmyled.com of their 14000K lighting.

You just have the Meanwell drivers connected to the lights and you are getting dimming control, correct?

I keep see these post from KRavEN that looks like he is doing something much more elaborate.
User avatar
Dctrojan
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:50 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Dctrojan »

Yup mines just wired in right between the wall outlet and 5he fixture. I just removed the old one power supplies and wired the meanwells in. I would take a picture but its a mess and I haven't had a chance to clean it up. The drivers dont dim all the way to 0 only to about 15 before the fixture cuts off. I tend to only run my whites up to 60% throughout the day and the blues are at 100 %

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
User avatar
Sacohen
Posts: 1833
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:25 am
Location: Davie, FL

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by Sacohen »

Cool. thanks for the info. I'm still leaning towards this setup, just need to get the money together.
Every time I'm able to save some money something "important" comes up and I have to pay a stupid bill or get food for the family.

Jeeze they don't really need to eat 3 times a day every day do they???
KRavEN
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:21 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by KRavEN »

lnevo wrote:How would you control multiple fixtures? I'm guessing you'd need a few of those and give each one their own address? Ir would you be able to wire multiple pots to each channel?
That chip is a dual channel chip. The way my light is wired is I have 3 drivers on one pot and 3 drivers on the other. I could go with 3 of these chips and control all 6 individually but the way the led layout I don't think it's worth it. I'll just replace the 2 manual pots with the dual digital pot.

Yes, multiple fixtures multiple chips with different addresses. The address is set via pins on the chip being pulled high or low.
User avatar
lnevo
Posts: 5430
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:42 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by lnevo »

So this would work to replace any manual dimmer then?
KRavEN
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:21 am

Re: Chinese made LED diy

Post by KRavEN »

Should. I still need to get one and try it out.
Post Reply