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Aquarist Forums => Equipment / DIY => Topic started by: bitterman on March 19, 2011, 11:57:34 AM

Title: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on March 19, 2011, 11:57:34 AM
Hi,

I recently changed my kids tank from a 12g eclipse to a 12g long as the backer rack it is on is in the kitchen 30" long and at the kids level but it need slights that are good enough for some corals and also keep cool in case a kid touches them.

It has 2 Nemo's as the kids put it, and a couple corals nothing much yet as it had no light for some time.

I ordered the following:
24 Ultra Premium LED DIY Kit with Dimmable Drivers
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vinnymarini.com%2Fpictures%2F24_dimmable_kit_small.jpg&hash=4dfe73eade161e9a2b04f58e98aa96a4155453c6)

Dual Fan Kit (w/o fans)
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vinnymarini.com%2Fpictures%2Fdual%2520fan%2520power%2520kit%2520thumb.jpg&hash=a457f47800754192407d5f96c0168a09a0a180cc)

2 10K Ohm Linear Potentiometer
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vinnymarini.com%2Fpictures%2Fpotentiometer_small.jpg&hash=b3f3c4e0549c23de608f2d99e04674052e8a36a7)

1 10V AC Adapter
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vinnymarini.com%2Fpictures%2FAC_adapter_small.jpg&hash=fddeec143346dd63526bdffa411fb03579f1cce9)

DC Power Connector
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vinnymarini.com%2Fpictures%2Fdc_jack_dimmable_small.jpg&hash=f89ef38d064d998bd4701a34ad33ef0c52a53b90)

24 Solderless Connector for CREE
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vinnymarini.com%2Fpictures%2Fsolderless_adapter_small.jpg&hash=971f1d861afd06f1a7acefea9f7bbb4ef7a8cf27)

Drilled and Tapped 4.25" x 23" Heat Sink for 24 LEDs
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vinnymarini.com%2Fpictures%2F23_inch_24_led_small.jpg&hash=2f5e4cad904dbf17a8139ee7e7ef38453a8169a5)

I will get fans locally as not sure what size I need.

I'll take pics as I go and do a quick step by step.

I need screws for the heat sink as something happened. Most likely customs lost them when the package was inspected. Rapidled will be replacing them for me.

Regards,
   Bruce

Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: DonaldMcL on March 19, 2011, 07:11:42 PM
Looking forward to this.

I just finished putting 24(21) LEDs into my Biocube 29 from Rapid LED. I had two whites and one blue not work and I went with their lighting controller.
The color is nice, but I don't know if its intense enough. Its not near as "bright" looking as I'm used to for halides, but I know how I perceive it doesnt mean much. =D

Looking to see how yours turns out so I can compare.

Cheers,
Donald
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on March 19, 2011, 11:34:53 PM
I have a LED tester they sent. Were they ok before you soldered them? If so they would warrentee them.

I know some of the main problems is damage from non perfected soldering, or grounding out the stars to the Alminium resulting in them not working. That is why I choose to go solderless. Also makes it easy to replace an LED if it ever does burn out.

Did you order replacement LED's

Going to be end the week or early a week from now before I see the screws for the heat sink. could not find any locally.

Need 48 4-40 x1/4" machine screws......

Bruce
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: DonaldMcL on March 20, 2011, 09:32:04 AM
I wish I would have had that tester before I started, heh.

I sent them an email, haven't heard back from them... maybe I'll recheck all my solder points and hopefully that'll work.
I havent ordered any replacements yet, waiting to hear back from them.

I know it wont matter, but I have 2 extra screws if you need em =D

Cheers,
Donald
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on March 20, 2011, 10:52:34 AM
Quote from: DonaldMcL on March 20, 2011, 09:32:04 AM
I wish I would have had that tester before I started, heh.

I sent them an email, haven't heard back from them... maybe I'll recheck all my solder points and hopefully that'll work.
I havent ordered any replacements yet, waiting to hear back from them.

I know it wont matter, but I have 2 extra screws if you need em =D

Cheers,
Donald

Thanks,

If you want, you can borrow the tester after I am done to test your no functional LEDS. Soldering electronics is very tricky.

Do you have a temperature controlled soldering iron? Low temp solder? Did you tin all the wire leads prior to soldering to the stars?

Sorry for all the questions, I the past I have done electronic projects, just don't have the correct tools to solder LEDs due to the temperature concerns so I went solder-less this time. Also makes for easy replacement, but can use the lens not a worry on a 12-13" deep tank.

Bruce
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: Dekker500 on March 21, 2011, 09:50:13 AM
Just curious: When you received the equipment, did you have to pay any customs/duties on it?? If so, may I be so bold as to ask (approximately) how much? I'm contemplating something similar, but want to avoid surprises...
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on March 21, 2011, 10:01:05 AM
I did pay duty but it was not as much as I expected. The Origin of the products was listed as USA so mostly just HST based on the free trade stuff etc. I think it depends to what level you package is inspected and who does it. Different things might be thought to fit in different categories.

Bruce
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: DonaldMcL on March 21, 2011, 10:17:57 AM
I paid about ~$40 in customs/taxes on a $375 order.
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: JetJumper on March 22, 2011, 04:04:16 PM
No taxes or extra's for my order.  Just what I paid directly to Rapid LED
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: HomerJ on March 22, 2011, 04:30:39 PM
Quote from: JetJumper on March 22, 2011, 04:04:16 PM
No taxes or extra's for my order.  Just what I paid directly to Rapid LED

Same here, I was surprised (and happy, since my wife is the one who received the package).  This way I didn't have to explain why the "little lights" are so expensive ;-b
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on March 26, 2011, 07:02:01 PM
Still waiting for screws and looking at things I need more 18-20 gage solid core wire to wire all the LEDs.

Bruce
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: HomerJ on March 26, 2011, 07:06:44 PM
Quote from: bitterman on March 26, 2011, 07:02:01 PM
Still waiting for screws and looking at things I need more 18-20 gage solid core wire to wire all the LEDs.

Bruce

I have a LOT of 20 gauge wire if you want.  Red and Black.  What kind of screws do you need?  I have 4-40 stainless screws, about 100 left (1/4") and ~200 1/2"...

Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on March 27, 2011, 11:37:44 AM
Quote from: HomerJ on March 26, 2011, 07:06:44 PM
I have a LOT of 20 gauge wire if you want.  Red and Black.  What kind of screws do you need?  I have 4-40 stainless screws, about 100 left (1/4") and ~200 1/2"...

Since they sent the screws already I better wait for them they will probably be here tomorrow. Is the wire solid core? Or multi strand? I need solid core for the quick solder less connectors.

I'll send you a pm on the wire.


EDIT> Picked up some wire at home depot today :)

Bruce
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on March 29, 2011, 08:03:44 PM
Screws did not come so I got some at ottawa fasterners.

-Installed LED's
-Wired LED's
-Tested the white LED's and set the white driver to .99A
-Tested the royal blue LED's and set the blue driver to .75A
-All LEDS worked!!! As a warning for anyone doing this both drivers default setting was NOT 1.3A I used my meter to setup everything corectly starting low and going up such that I did not burn out any LED's
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: HomerJ on March 30, 2011, 07:28:34 AM
Looking good!  Looking forward to updates.
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on March 31, 2011, 08:24:45 PM
Tonight:
-I installed the 2 80 MM fans in the old 30" fixture (The standard shaped ones to site on a glass top)
-Installed the 12V power for the antec smart fans
-Installed the potentiometers
-Installed the 10V power supply plug and wired it
-Installed 2 grommets for 1/4" wire to protect the wires as I am mounting the Driver externally
-Tined all connections
-Soldered in all wire for the potentiometers etc.
-Once I pickup so extra water proof wire nuts, I can goto town and get this all wired in about 30 minutes.

Sorry no pics tonight ;) You don't want to see the mess of wire before I trim it all and make all the connections.

Bruce
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on April 01, 2011, 04:21:25 PM
Here are the pics from last night:

This is the Grommets installed and wired through them. Also the 10V power plug for the dimming circuit.

(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fovas.ca%2Fgallery%2F531_01_04_11_2_00_33.JPG&hash=5c45c6e29ce4899fed1e49e7a48aaf794294e926)

This is the fans installed. I will still be installing grills over the fans. These are smart fans so as things heat up, they speed up

(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fovas.ca%2Fgallery%2F531_01_04_11_2_05_07.JPG&hash=3fee455ff857ff108661dd9e3a487cacd5b8a432)

This is the pots installed for the dimming circuit. I am looking for knobs to suit me.

(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fovas.ca%2Fgallery%2F531_01_04_11_2_07_12.JPG&hash=92c5b27e277e4aa0258130cdcb0f5f4ccb0a35e7)

LEDs on minimum dim

(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fovas.ca%2Fgallery%2F531_01_04_11_1_57_58.JPG&hash=7249863326128f228f0d06bb5da769627e5432b4)
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fovas.ca%2Fgallery%2F531_01_04_11_1_59_14.JPG&hash=19b22fa58f88295fb0b0a2ed7d0c5a825ab93e92)

LEDs on full power
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fovas.ca%2Fgallery%2F531_01_04_11_1_58_36.JPG&hash=c227c2bf2b9042f2791f3b57fbacbd2e8f70c8b2)
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fovas.ca%2Fgallery%2F531_01_04_11_1_59_47.JPG&hash=e34c8dd61710fd6ad266459058eee759ecd3c5fd)

All LEDs on full power
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fovas.ca%2Fgallery%2F531_01_04_11_1_57_24.JPG&hash=13caad2c978902dcd055c53f11439bfc1a493c0e)

It only took about 30 minutes to wire everything and check it with the meter before powering it on.

Still need the lexan for a cover and also to do the fan grills. I could only fit 1 driver inside the box so one is unfortunately on the back of the box.

Enjoy,
   Bruce

Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on April 03, 2011, 10:11:24 PM
Tank pics.

Need to get the SLR out as the flash won't turn off on this camera.
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: salvini55 on April 04, 2011, 02:19:57 AM
looks cool! I want one
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: FocusFin on April 06, 2011, 04:39:49 PM
QuoteStill need the lexan for a cover and also to do the fan grills. I could only fit 1 driver inside the box so one is unfortunately on the back of the box.

Comment ca va? ;)

Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on April 06, 2011, 05:48:07 PM
Quote from: FocusFin on April 06, 2011, 04:39:49 PM
Comment ca va? ;)



I am sure I have 2 covers for the fans. I found one but not the other yet

They look like (https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanwholesale.com%2Fimages%2Fmisc-80mm-fan-grill.jpg&hash=f1374e0701d067100086f99f20ec9746e02e7cfe)

I picket up some acryillic to put over the LEDS to protect them from kids but have not installed it yet.

Bruce
Title: Re: Rapid LED DIY lights for 20G long kids Salt water Tank.
Post by: bitterman on April 16, 2011, 04:30:07 PM
I took this pic to show the the LED's are starting to grow coralline. All the spots on the lower parts of the front are small spots of coraline starting. Now I need to clean the tank ;)

All LED's are running at 100% in the pics also.

Bruce