54 x 3 watt led build

[Mr.BAdams]

Ok, so long time no post... Here is my next project. I'm starting to not like the T5's over my tank. I miss the point of shimmer,brightness and growth of a metal halide however, I'm not ready to tackle the heat issues that come with the halide set up. Yes, I know I could always get a chiller but, for the money spent on that kind of setup, I could have one awesome led setup. These are the plans, I Just happen to have three icecap 430-660 heat sinks, they measure 4 1/2" x 12". These heat sinks are not very thick just over 1/8 inch however I'm not worried about heat buildup with the ideas I plan on implementing. My Aquarium is a standard drilled 6' 125 gallon with two braces. The spacing in between each section of bracing is about 21". My point of using such a tiny heat sink is to mimic the bright point of a metal halide bulb by placing 18 leds as close together as possible with little to no heat. I will be using my favorite 120mm diy fans, they are made by cooler master and push 70cfm's at only 19dba. I already run six of these fans to aid in the cooling of the over driven T5's in use now, and they work flawlessly. I just ordered six more today, this will give me two fans for each heat sink. the leds are rated @ 750ma so I chose a driver slightly under that @ 680ma, this should help me a bit with heat. Stay tuned to see this awesomeness happen

 

[Mr.BAdams]

The leds are 20000k, I also plan on keeping two of my T5's to supplement if I'm not satisfied with the color.

 

[TechDiver]

:welcome: to the new forum, Brian. I had started researching DIY LED builds a year or two ago, but I have not seen one in person. If you build this, then I would like to stop by and take a look at it if possible. I love electronic projects. I just purchased an Arduino board and have just started messing around with it.

 

[Mr.BAdams]

:welcome: to the new forum, Brian. I had started researching DIY LED builds a year or two ago, but I have not seen one in person. If you build this, then I would like to stop by and take a look at it if possible. I love electronic projects. I just purchased an Arduino board and have just started messing around with it.

HaHa, I love those boards.... hours of fun.

 

[Mr.BAdams]

So, with a little help from MS paint lol, I put together a drawing of my led setup.

 

[Mr.BAdams]

Wow, didn't know the pic would be that small...

 

[Mr.BAdams]

My fans came in today! I have modded a 430 watt PC power supply to run 46 of them I know, I know. I will only be running 13-15 at the most, but still, I'll have room to play.

Here Is the PSU I chose.

Here is where I started to remove all the unnecessary wires and plugs.

On every PC power supply there is a PS/ON wire (99% of the time this wire is green), this is what tells the psu to come on when you press the power button on a computer. All I did was snip that wire and soldered it to a com wire, or in this case, no wire, just straight to the com section on the board of the psu.

This is all the junk wire I will not be needing.

Here is the finished product. for now...

 

[Mr.BAdams]

So, with a little help from MS paint lol, I put together a drawing of my led setup.

 

[Mr.BAdams]

Here's the goods I have so far... still waiting on the leds and the drivers

I kept my receipt on these Hey, you never know cough cough...

 

[TechDiver]

Nice build thread. I bet your LEDs are on the slow boat from China. It took a while when I ordered some Cree modules a while back. Definitely keep those receipts.

 

[Mr.BAdams]

Lol, I don't know many inbred people from china

 

[Mr.BAdams]

I have the heat sinks mounted to the frame... I have also mounted 2 fans to each heat sink, A 250w metal halide wouldn't stand a chance with these bad boys. I will post pics soon

 

[Mr.BAdams]

 

[Mr.BAdams]

 

[Mr.BAdams]

 

[TechDiver]

I can't tell from the pic, but are the fans flat against the metal or are there some spacers to move them off the surface?

 

[Mr.BAdams]

I can't tell from the pic, but are the fans flat against the metal or are there some spacers to move them off the surface?

Come on Marcus! you know I'v thought of that!!!! heres a pic if you can make it out... fan up top, heat sink on bottom.

 

[TenUhC]

I'm really interested in this build. I'm not a real mechanical guy, but am interested in something LED for my 120 Gallon 48" tank. I'm running 2 175W Mogul Metal Halide bulbs. And some actinic T5's right now. Wondering if when you come to get your fish if you could take a look at my canopy and give me some advice and what I might need?

 

[TechDiver]

Come on Marcus! you know I'v thought of that!!!! heres a pic if you can make it out... fan up top, heat sink on bottom.

That is much better. I was looking at it on my phone earlier and couldn't tell.

 

[Mr.BAdams]

I'm really interested in this build. I'm not a real mechanical guy, but am interested in something LED for my 120 Gallon 48" tank. I'm running 2 175W Mogul Metal Halide bulbs. And some actinic T5's right now. Wondering if when you come to get your fish if you could take a look at my canopy and give me some advice and what I might need?

I sure can, I actually would enjoy that!