offroadodge Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 Friday came(yesterday) and I just went to work and had all day to think about what to do...When I got home last night I decided that I needed to relief the area where the LEDs would be mounted then I mounted the LEDs. You can see what I was trying to accomplish, I didn't want the angle to block any of the light being emitted to the water so that's why I gave it a slight arc cut. Now it was time to get to wiring the LEDs, I am going to run them in SERIES. I know the 1st thing everyone will say "But if you have one go out they all go out" I know....That's just the way im gonna do it. Its VERY easy for me to change out an LED if needed. I have to run some errands this morning. I will post pics of the wiring and firing up of the 1st bar of LEDs. Thanks to both Chris's especially OZARKA. He was here last night when we fired the 1st bar up and all I can say is WOW...Enjoy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 These are going to look awesome. I was actually surprised by the whites and how crisp of a 20k it was. Once we fired the Actinics it was just an awesome color. The UV are just added pop. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm awesome at sitting on a cooler and drinking beer. So if anyone else ever needs any help with someone to just agree with whatever they say, I'm your guy. Just feed me beers and I'll "help" all night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 So why did you cut the heat sink? Will you be using optics? Will the heatsink still be efficient at cooling the larger 10w LEDs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Do you plan on using thermal paste between the LED and heatsink? It might be a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 So why did you cut the heat sink? Will you be using optics? Will the heatsink still be efficient at cooling the larger 10w LEDs? I didn't cut the heat sinks at all, I bought 2-4" heatsinks. I don't plan on using optics cause these are gonna be for supplemental lighting. They may add in growth a little but that's not my objective. Im just cutting back on the buying of T5 bulbs every 6-8 months and the power comsumption they use. The heatsink weighed about 25lbs a piece so with that they should be fine. I tested them for about 5 minutes and I could touch the heatsink right next to the LEDs and didn't feel any heat. Do you plan on using thermal paste between the LED and heatsink? It might be a good idea. Yes..i did my research. I have been looking at doing this for over 8 months. I used artic silver5. You know how I am about over doing things, kinda ainal but in a good way. Ask Chris (Ozarka), I was installing the potentiomiters on a piece of aluminum and he said just put them on there, I said they have to be the exact spacing. Well in the end I had one that was about a 1/16" further apart than the other. Oh well its a DIY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 Here is a pic of one heat sink fired up on the work bench Friday night when Chris was here. So Saturday I went to FRYs and got misc parts. Got the power supplies mounted and dimmer pots mounted as well. We had a little issue with one power supply, Like they say "NEVER LET THE SMOKE OUT" well we did on one so now I have to get a replacement. No biggie. Here is a pic of the layout of power supplies and the dimmer pots in the upper right hand corner of the cabinet. I just need to get power cords and wire in the wall wart to dim the power supplies. Oh and a lot more soldering wires together. More pics as I go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 So Saturday I went to FRYs and got misc parts. ot the power supplies mounted and dimmer pots mounted as well. We had a little issue with one power supply, Like they say "NEVER LET THE SMOKE OUT" well we did on one so now I have to get a replacement. No biggie. Here is a pic of the layout of power supplies and the dimmer pots in the upper right hand corner of the cabinet. I blame Jake's Irish Red. AC In, DC out, who needs to pay attention anyways. A few sparks here and there just add to the new build excitement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Jeremy never made it over to enjoy the Irish Red.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Jeremy never made it over to enjoy the Irish Red.. He wasn't the one who let the smoke out of the driver either..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 meh.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Your setup looks very clean! Color me impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 I don't have that color.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 So I have to agree that I WASNT the one to let the smoke out...And it didn't take CHRIS long to unplug the plug when sparks started fyling..LOL. No worries Chris. Your setup looks very clean! Color me impressed. Thank you Victoly. I don't have that color.. What do you mean by not having the color? So I am a very busy boddied person, here is the rack I came up with to hang the light. In the center my MH pendants will set on this angle aluminum. I will have the ability to remove any item for repairs/replace of LEDs etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Victoly said "color me impressed" I said, "I don't have that color" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 Victoly said "color me impressed" I said, "I don't have that color" Ah...ok. Its nice to get this project this far and have a wife that supports me in it. Today is my Birthday Jake. U shld hv made me some green beer...LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 I have some left over from yesterday.. come on over. I'm watching the race and just hanging out today.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted March 19, 2013 Author Share Posted March 19, 2013 ok well it looks like this weekend may be the switch day, I received the glass for the fixture today and it fits perfectly. I really hope this goes smoothly. Hope that everyone that has viewed this build has enjoyed it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esacjack Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 can I borrow your garage... forever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share Posted March 20, 2013 I am willing to help with any project in any way I can. I have a lot of different tools from air to electric to hand. Just LMK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esacjack Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 i'll bring my tent and a case of beer or two... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 depends on the project, I have plugged in my GOPRO 3 HERO Black so that I can take a B4 and after video of the tank so that the switch to LEDs/MHs can be documented. Getting closer to the day. I will probly have to pull a late night Friday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 I am officially LED and MHs now. Thank you Ozarka for coming by to help hang the new fixture, your help was very appreciated. I took a video of the tank B4 I took the old lights down and today I will get a video of the new fixture for everyone to compare. I have to say that the combination of lights looks awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 here is what the fixture looked like with the MH pendants mounted in them Here is what the canopy looked like opened up and tilted up with new fixture setting ready to be hung Here is a quick pic of the tank with my cell and just the LEDs on remember this is only 20-10W LEDs lighting the tank Look for some DIY lighting stuff forsale in the forsale section soon, I will have VHOs and ballasts, as well as T5 workhorse ballasts, and T5 clips to hold bulbs. Also some other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadodge Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share Posted July 6, 2013 Some updated pics Phone pics Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizardx322 Posted July 6, 2013 Share Posted July 6, 2013 awsome corals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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