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NEReef

50W LED Build

Rating: 5 votes, 5.00 average.
8 Comments
by
NEReef
, 08-13-2011 at 08:26 PM (3345 Views)
So a couple weeks ago i bought a 50W led array off ebay. I ordered the LED and Driver combo and a separate heatsink and 90 degree optic. The LED was listed as 20k color...... but its a cheap ebay LED so i dunno how accurate that color rating is. The parts were shipped from hong kong so it took a couple weeks to get here. I just got around to slapping it all together except for a power source for the heatsink fan. Its wicked bright and the color of the light looks bluish its definitely not real yellow. I havent had a chance to put it over a tank yet since all the tanks at my new house are currently empty. Now for pictures and a video!

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Here are all the components.
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The picture on the left is the heatsink with the fan and the picture on the right is with the fan detached. You can see it has a copper plate for thermal conductivity.
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I laid the LED out for placement of the holes to secure it to the heatsink.
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I then drilled the heatsink out on my drill press. This was actually more difficult then i thought because once i drilled through the top plate i ran into the aluminum fins underneath. Two of the screws split the gap between the fins no problem two of them i had to force.

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This is the heatsink after drilling.
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I then applied some silicone heatsink compound to the copper core before setting on the LED array to help with thermal transfer,
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This is the led on but not yet soldered.
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And finally here is the finished product. I have never soldered before so the first joint is kind of ugly but it works!!

And the Video...

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Categories
‎ Tank Entry , ‎ Lighting , ‎ DIY projects

Comments

  1. Jungliztkruger's Avatar
    it looks like the chip inside my ecoxotic cannon!
  2. NEReef's Avatar
    Ya that's actually the look im going for at a cheaper cost! Lol. I still have to come up with a pendant housing to hold the heatsink/led and I plan on extending the chord between the driver and the led so I can mount the driver inside the canopy. I don't know about dimmability (not sure if that's really a word but it sounds cool) of the setup. Something to look into I guess, but for about $75 total this was a pretty fulfilling project.
  3. NEReef's Avatar
    Now I just need to decide how many of these I would need over my 6' long 125g.
  4. NauticaC4's Avatar
    Any way you can get a PAR measurement? This has been something I have wanted to try but can quite part with $100 bucks to play.
  5. NEReef's Avatar
    Not unless someone wants to lend me theirs. I am very curious myself but I don't have a PAR meter nor do I know anyone who owns one in boston that would let me borrow it. Sorry.
  6. melev's Avatar
    The BRS might have one. Are you a member?

    That was a good idea using the processor fan as your heat sink. I'd love to see it over some water and corals. Maybe bring it up to your favorite LFS and see if they will let you plug it in to see if you like how it looks? Where are you going to get the optics from?
  7. NEReef's Avatar
    Sadly no I am not a member.... I have been meaning to join but it seems like something always comes up!! That is a good idea about the LFS, I hadn't thought of that. I have a 45mm 90 degree optic I bought off ebay that fits the LED i just need to figure out how to mount it. I have read not to use super glue because the fumes can haze the LED surface?? Not sure how true this is, so if anyone has ideas about what type of glue to use i would appreciate the input! I tried running the LED pointed at the ceiling with the optic on it and it definitely focuses the light considerably. Now i just need to make a housing/pendant and figure out the proper mounting height to get the spread/intensity I want.
  8. melev's Avatar
    I would use some small metal retaining clips to latch it into place. The BRS is a great club. I've spoken to their members several times, so don't drag your feet, just take all the savings you got from this little DIY and become a member. Tell 'em "melev made me do it!"