Convert Automotive LED Bar???

1902 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by jeffkrol, Nov 24, 2016

bbroush

Discussion Starter · Nov 23, 2016

This might sound dumb but has anyone tried converting any sort of automative LED bar into an aquarium light? This isn't the best example but I just saw this one while shopping for some BDBS for a Walstad Jar and thought I'd ask the experts

Traveller 30 Single CREE 150W LED Light Bar - For Life Out Here

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Turningdizzy

· #2 · Nov 24, 2016

I bought one a while back (not the same one) with the intention of rigging it up for a shrimp tank, but I haven't done anything with it yet. Someday, lol.

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bbroush

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 24, 2016

Turningdizzy said:
I bought one a while back (not the same one) with the intention of rigging it up for a shrimp tank, but I haven't done anything with it yet. Someday, lol.

Yeah I see some high wattage ones on amazon all the time. This one just surprised me because it's a TON of CREE LEDs

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DaveK

· #4 · Nov 24, 2016

I think you could get it to work easily enough. 150w of LED light is about what you get out of a high end reef LED fixture like an AI Hydra. It may be putting out too much light for a planted tank.

The big question I would have would be about the spectrum you got out of the LED. This could be completely wrong for aquarium plants.

for the price you could give it a try. If it doesn't work out you can use it for something else.

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bbroush

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 24, 2016

DaveK said:
I think you could get it to work easily enough. 150w of LED light is about what you get out of a high end reef LED fixture like an AI Hydra. It may be putting out too much light for a planted tank.

The big question I would have would be about the spectrum you got out of the LED. This could be completely wrong for aquarium plants.

for the price you could give it a try. If it doesn't work out you can use it for something else.

Yeah I actually don't think I'd ever do this one specifically but there are always square light "panels" for cars on Amazon. Someone with much more DIY know how will do it at some point and tell us about it

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jeffkrol

· #6 · Nov 24, 2016

Biggest "catch" is usually lensing.. you may need to hang it from the ceiling..
Many also have dual lensing w/ spot/flood areas..making coverage difficult..

You might be able to remove the lenses if problematic but then you impact it's watrproof-ness

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