DIY LED FAQ - Where to begin?

BS87 · 07-05-2012, 02:23 PM

In the optics section, it says "Will optics increase my PAR?" And the answer you have is "reflectors will not"etc etc, which is correct, but the question needs to read reflectors and not optics. Tighter beam angle optics will increase PAR in a given area.

jcgd · 07-05-2012, 05:58 PM

Modularled.ca for a Canadian supplier.

Excellent write up. Can you add a post for build links?

**theblondskeleton** · 07-05-2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BS87

In the optics section, it says "Will optics increase my PAR?" And the answer you have is "reflectors will not"etc etc, which is correct, but the question needs to read reflectors and not optics. Tighter beam angle optics will increase PAR in a given area.

Gotcha - will edit ASAP. Thanks, that is exactly the kind of correction that needs to happen!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcgd

Modularled.ca for a Canadian supplier.

Excellent write up. Can you add a post for build links?

Great idea! I'll add it to the Other Helpful Links post in its own section. There are a lot of great builds here on TPT that are very helpful - including yours!

Thanks for the vendor link - I'll add it in!
EDIT - Done! Send me your Build Links, and I'll tack them into the list!

**theblondskeleton** · 07-05-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermino

nice write up. I found this http://reefledlights.com/how-to-diy-led/ for some good tips when DIY. alot of good stuff even though it intended for reefs

Good one - I'm not personally pleased with the layout pattern on that one, but it does show a good process. I'll add it in!

fenderfreek · 07-05-2012, 06:30 PM

I have a setup that I built with parts from StevesLEDs.com. The site's info and kits are more reef-oriented, but he sells all the appropriate LED's and drivers for building your own FW lighting. Prices are very good, and he has very easy to follow instructions for building and wiring your fixture.

A friend of mine bought one of his drop-in retrofit kits for his Biocube from there and had a good experience with it, so I decided to buy components from there and build my own FW setup. I have 8 6300K and 6 5000K Luxeon's mounted on a single tube with a dual driver board, and am currently putting together a controller for it to do all the dimming and on/off for me.

**theblondskeleton** · 07-05-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderfreek

I have a setup that I built with parts from StevesLEDs.com. The site's info and kits are more reef-oriented, but he sells all the appropriate LED's and drivers for building your own FW lighting. Prices are very good, and he has very easy to follow instructions for building and wiring your fixture.

A friend of mine bought one of his drop-in retrofit kits for his Biocube from there and had a good experience with it, so I decided to buy components from there and build my own FW setup. I have 8 6300K and 6 5000K Luxeon's mounted on a single tube with a dual driver board, and am currently putting together a controller for it to do all the dimming and on/off for me.

Excellent - Do you have a build thread? Vendor added to the list!

h2oaggie · 07-05-2012, 07:28 PM

Build thread for my 30" LED in my signature.

O2surplus · 07-05-2012, 07:55 PM

Here's some useful information on two of the more popular chips available for DIY led drivers. Plus links for the Freeware version of the EAGLE design software, http://www.cadsoftusa.com/downloads/?language=en
and a link to SeeedStudio for PCB manufacturing.http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/services-c-185.html

**theblondskeleton** · 07-05-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h2oaggie

Build thread for my 30" LED in my signature.

Added! Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by O2surplus

Here's some useful information on two of the more popular chips available for DIY led drivers. Plus links for the Freeware version of the EAGLE design software, http://www.cadsoftusa.com/downloads/?language=en
and a link to SeeedStudio for PCB manufacturing.http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/services-c-185.html

Excellent - thanks for the additions! I'll link this into the appropriate sections, and add the links to the Additional Info section.

**Hoppy** · 07-05-2012, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whickerda

Sticky

I agree, 100% and it should replace http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=84212 which has become very obsolete. Just because something becomes a sticky shouldn't mean it remains one forever.

**theblondskeleton** · 07-06-2012, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoppy

I agree, 100% and it should replace http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=84212 which has become very obsolete. Just because something becomes a sticky shouldn't mean it remains one forever.

Thanks for the votes of confidence! I'm just really glad people are finding it useful. I've been a bit of a leech on this site for years. It feels good to give back a bit. The subject area isn't terribly hard to understand - with the exception perhaps of some of the engineering issues - but the info isn't all in one place and that made doing research pretty cumbersome. With the right foundation, I think many people can do this.

Plus, it really is a lot of fun!

makutaku · 07-06-2012, 04:30 AM

Thanks theblondskeleton!

I wish there was a thread like this one 3 weeks ago when I started !

This definitely should be sticky!

**theblondskeleton** · 07-07-2012, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makutaku

Thanks theblondskeleton!

I wish there was a thread like this one 3 weeks ago when I started !

This definitely should be sticky!

Thanks! I do too - that's why I put it together, haha... Even if it isn't sticky-worthy, it's a good place to start. I'm doing my best to put as much info in one place as possible.

More info added today in the wiring section! Please let me know if there is anything in which I erred egregiously. It's possible.

jcgd · 07-07-2012, 10:12 PM

It's sticky worthy, it will just take a little bit to happen. One of the best lighting guides on the forum.

**theblondskeleton** · 07-07-2012, 11:03 PM

Added some emitter data for some popular models. Let me know if there are others we should include!

07-05-2012, 05:58 PM	#17
jcgd Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,983	Modularled.ca for a Canadian supplier. Excellent write up. Can you add a post for build links? __________________ Follow your Impulse, click here.

07-05-2012, 07:28 PM	#22
h2oaggie Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (22/100%) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 688	Build thread for my 30" LED in my signature. __________________ 4g Schuber-Wright shrimp tank

07-07-2012, 10:12 PM	#29
jcgd Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,983	It's sticky worthy, it will just take a little bit to happen. One of the best lighting guides on the forum. __________________ Follow your Impulse, click here.

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07-05-2012, 02:23 PM	#16
BS87 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Rochester Posts: 218	In the optics section, it says "Will optics increase my PAR?" And the answer you have is "reflectors will not"etc etc, which is correct, but the question needs to read reflectors and not optics. Tighter beam angle optics will increase PAR in a given area.

07-05-2012, 06:30 PM	#20
fenderfreek Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 17	I have a setup that I built with parts from StevesLEDs.com. The site's info and kits are more reef-oriented, but he sells all the appropriate LED's and drivers for building your own FW lighting. Prices are very good, and he has very easy to follow instructions for building and wiring your fixture. A friend of mine bought one of his drop-in retrofit kits for his Biocube from there and had a good experience with it, so I decided to buy components from there and build my own FW setup. I have 8 6300K and 6 5000K Luxeon's mounted on a single tube with a dual driver board, and am currently putting together a controller for it to do all the dimming and on/off for me.

07-06-2012, 04:30 AM	#27
makutaku Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sammamish WA Posts: 40	Thanks theblondskeleton! I wish there was a thread like this one 3 weeks ago when I started ! This definitely should be sticky!

07-07-2012, 11:03 PM	#30
theblondskeleton Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (13/100%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA, USA Posts: 516	Added some emitter data for some popular models. Let me know if there are others we should include!