Chip brand?

627 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by jeffkrol, Oct 6, 2016

Claytonc

Discussion Starter · Oct 6, 2016

So I am not super picky and on a budget looking to replace a couple of my beamswork lights or add to them. Question is how greatly do the ebay and Amazon brands chip quality differ? I ask about these two sites because I have gift cards to use. If there is a big difference what one would you go with. 1,3,10 watt, have not decided on a configuration. Also would you go with different brands for your white/blue/red? Thanks!

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jeffkrol

· #2 · Oct 6, 2016

Not exactly sure what you ar planning here but as a
VERY general opinion and limited to a brief understanding of what is available at each of your shopping choices:

My opinion of a compromise between cost/quality
331833942984

Luxeon Rebel "stars" run about $1/ each on eek.. Over $3 each on Amazon..

If you go to larger chips Bridgelux Vero's come to mind..

I've had a fair amount of luck w/ the 10W el-cheepoes.. Had very mixed luck w/ the 1W el-cheepos..

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Claytonc

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 6, 2016

Main tank to be done is a standard 75 planted with co2. I have a 5 row .50 6500k and a 1watt (forget # of led) 6500k beamswork. I have rgb strips I put in for color but they are very weak. Goal is more light, better red/blue, and less clutter. Would love to used high watt so I could leave the top of the tank open and have even less clutter but this might present coverage issues and this is my first diy planted led. Also was going for overpowered because of tannins that may be in there for a year but I can dim as they clear.

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PlantedRich

· #4 · Oct 6, 2016

As a general shopping view, I rarely find Amazon is a really price value place but more of the one stop quickie for people who do not want to bother. You often pay for the convenience.
when finding the item and it is only showing on Amazon, try going direct to the seller for better value. They have to pay to sell on the site so often have the same item direct for less money.

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jeffkrol

· #5 · Oct 6, 2016

Claytonc said:
Main tank to be done is a standard 75 planted with co2. I have a 5 row .50 6500k and a 1watt (forget # of led) 6500k beamswork. I have rgb strips I put in for color but they are very weak. Goal is more light, better red/blue, and less clutter. Would love to used high watt so I could leave the top of the tank open and have even less clutter but this might present coverage issues and this is my first diy planted led. Also was going for overpowered because of tannins that may be in there for a year but I can dim as they clear.

This is a bit of a complicated, and usually, costly change at least w/ full control.

fairly easy to change the entire lighting using the 3W luxeons and buying power supply, drivers, and controller..
Adding lenses you can go from a few inches to feet off your tank..
your depth and more importantly the width is a major catch.

"Adding" doesn't help w/ clutter.. and replacing your more than adequate light is not very economical in a sense..

Now you can use 1 of the fixtures and substitute but to be honest, replacing the whole fixture w/ a DIY adds little expense once the "new" system is put alongside.
Like $30 in new diodes (estimating) to replace the 1W (@3x the power) IF you are referring to the old Bridgelux 1w diode style.
If it is the newer small diode 1w.. different story..

In more clear words.. Starting from scratch is your best option.
Using 'commercial" high output full control/spectrum lighting is more more costly than DIY.

Like 2 Fluval planat 2.0 of 2-3 Aquaticlife Halos's and a few other choice brands..

you want full blown DIY..?

Other than that adding a aluminum strip w/ red and blue 3w diodes in between the lights is simple.

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Claytonc

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 6, 2016 (Edited)

So yes. I don't think my beamswork aren't cutting it. I will make a new light. I have all types of aluminum stock in my shop to build with. I just wanted to know if I have a 60$ amazon card and want to order some 6500 or full spectrum and the proper red and blue is one brand much better than the other? Once I see my options I could decide a configuration to mount on strip. I guess if the price and quality on another website is much better I will save the amazon card. What's the best sites or brands to order from?

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jeffkrol

· #7 · Oct 6, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

Claytonc said:
So yes. I don't think my beamswork aren't cutting it. I will make a new light. I have all types of aluminum stock in my shop to build with. I just wanted to know if I have a 60$ amazon card and want to order some 6500 or full spectrum and the proper red and blue is one brand much better than the other? Once I see my options I could decide a configuration to mount on strip. I guess if the price and quality on another website is much better I will save the amazon card. What's the best sites or brands to order from?

Listed one option re: eek bay for diodes.
Short of full retail just do a search for Luxeon rebel.
Fairly complete line of RGB and white 3w emitters at $1 each approx.
Going full retail StevesLED comes to mind.

amazon does have Meanwell power supplies and LDD drivers @ about a buck more than retail.. Only need 4 to eight of these..so 4-8 dollars extra.
so that would drain your amazon card pretty easily.
Power supply will depend on V(f) of the diodes, amount and how many channels..
Start designing around 150 total watts..
50 diodes..
5-6 of each color.. rest whites.. Always recommend an asst. of white color temps..
Usually a 2:1 ratio of cool white to warm.
Call it a basic set..

5 red, 5 royal blue 20 cool white 10 warm white..
IF you want to get real fancy 660nm red, cyan,, and violets can be added.. more a personal choice though..

Larger chips can be had at mouser or digikey..Vero's and Liminous Devices COB's 10w or larger.
Actually are economical compared to the cost of 3W emitters.. somewhat more difficult to design around

controllers StevesLED Typhon or hurricane.
corallux StormX or storm
Bluefish and bluefish mini..
TC-420, though designed for "strip" lights can be hacked to work w/ LDD's.. About $30 on amazon. Need to solder some wiring though..
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/20-diy/980633-how-use-tc-420-control-ldd-drivers.html

example:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/20-diy/170499-diy-cree-xml-led-lighting-150g.html

see post 22.
Used 3w and most were the Luxeons from eek bay"
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/8...ge-planted-tank-experience-2.html#post9251265

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