pinglow Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I had plan to DIY my own LED light. Before, I could not find any useful information on LED DIY so I dare not try. Later on I found a video explaining very detail and precise information on how to DIY. To a noob like me, the video was very well made and well explained. He even teach you how to solder. This is the video There are 3 or 4 parts. After watching I think I can attempt to try. I am not logging my progress here. Just sharing the info. Like many useful info I got from this forum, hopefully someone will find it useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deron Ng Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 Great post bro!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PordingPrime Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Where can I buy those materials such as LED, frame, ballast, power supply, etc.... Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Where can I buy those materials such as LED, frame, ballast, power supply, etc.... Thanks. You should be able to find all these at sim lim square. Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member mafacifa Posted August 6, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted August 6, 2013 Can also get from rapidled site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phangster Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 You should go to SIm Lim Tower! more DIY stuff over there... ask different shops for the price before committing... sometimes can be alot cheaper for the same item... good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinglow Posted September 18, 2013 Author Share Posted September 18, 2013 I think you need to know your stuff before buying from SL tower. Not for window browsing. I feel like a carrot when I go there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyBoy Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Came across this website.. http://www.buildmyled.com/saltwater/ Quote Member of : UEN: T08SS0098FMASS in Facebook Reefing in LED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinglow Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 Thanks for sharing too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limz_777 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 anyone gotten meanwell driver from sm system control before ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyBoy Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 anyone gotten meanwell driver from sm system control before ? I bought from eBay from this seller which is cheaper... http://stores.ebay.com.sg/sure-display/MeanWell-High-Power-LED-Driver-/_i.html?_fsub=4116742011&_lns=1&_sid=219173121&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 Quote Member of : UEN: T08SS0098FMASS in Facebook Reefing in LED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limz_777 Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 thks rocky , you meant sm system control sell more expensive ? by the way i am looking for the eln dimmable series Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jameshong Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 thks rocky , you meant sm system control sell more expensive ? by the way i am looking for the eln dimmable series Yes, SM sell much more ex than some US online shop but shipping fee is the killer so only worth if you buy a few pcs else sm is still the best if you just need only 1 pc. Quote Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. - Goethe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huashao Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Nice video, i also plan to diy my led but not those cree type, intend to go for SMD led. But i got a big issue.... I don't know how to calculate the watts, amp .. totally zero knowledge.. Any expert here can help ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Evolutionz Posted October 18, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted October 18, 2013 Smd for fowlr? If for corals. Not even the lowest lighting lps or softies can take it. Quote EvolutionZ's Floating Reef: (Decommed) EvolutionZ's 4ft shallow Mixed Reef Build : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huashao Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Thanks for the advice.<br />It is for freshwater aquarium non planted.<br /><br />Any good recommendations ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Quas111 Posted October 18, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted October 18, 2013 Thanks for the advice. It is for freshwater aquarium non planted. Any good recommendations ? Do you know how to solder? And you need to have good knowledge before you buy smd. It's not easy to choose and know what you are getting works. It's best that you buy those with pcb. Pcbs for those boards are like 10cents of the total cost max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spgohjc Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Nice video, i also plan to diy my led but not those cree type, intend to go for SMD led. But i got a big issue.... I don't know how to calculate the watts, amp .. totally zero knowledge.. Any expert here can help ? A quick estimate would be about 1.5A per meter of LED strip. If you are using about 2 meters for a 6 ft tank, get a 3A adapter which they sell and plug and play. They can help you solder if you don't know. Must importantly you need a good heat sink or they will burn out in no time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Quas111 Posted October 18, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted October 18, 2013 A quick estimate would be about 1.5A per meter of LED strip. If you are using about 2 meters for a 6 ft tank, get a 3A adapter which they sell and plug and play. They can help you solder if you don't know. Must importantly you need a good heat sink or they will burn out in no time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free isn't those 3A adapters the high voltage type? Quite dangerous compared to high current low voltage power sources leh... And also LEDs need constant current to last their full lifespan, and the 3A adapter may not produce constant current in the long run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spgohjc Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 isn't those 3A adapters the high voltage type? Quite dangerous compared to high current low voltage power sources leh... And also LEDs need constant current to last their full lifespan, and the 3A adapter may not produce constant current in the long run It's 12v 3A. It's the current that kills not the voltage. The adapter is pretty well regulated already. You can also pay more for a better regulated power supply if you want to use the LED for the next 50000 hours? Some strips have Zener voltage regulators on them hence ensuring a constant current to your LEDs. No worries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Quas111 Posted October 18, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted October 18, 2013 It's 12v 3A. It's the current that kills not the voltage. The adapter is pretty well regulated already. You can also pay more for a better regulated power supply if you want to use the LED for the next 50000 hours? Some strips have Zener voltage regulators on them hence ensuring a constant current to your LEDs. No worries. oh ok 12v is quite safe. And that "current will kill you" is subjective (V=IR, so you need a voltage high enough before the current can kill you). If you're using strips then I guess it's ok. They're meant to work like that. But if it's pure SMD then it would be a lot better to have a constant current source with 12v 3A you have 36w of power (P=IT, P=12x3=36) assuming that each LED strip is around 5w per meter, you can put around 7 meters of strip LEDs, but there should be 6 meters if you are going to include the wattage across the resistors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huashao Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 oh ok 12v is quite safe. And that "current will kill you" is subjective (V=IR, so you need a voltage high enough before the current can kill you). If you're using strips then I guess it's ok. They're meant to work like that. But if it's pure SMD then it would be a lot better to have a constant current source with 12v 3A you have 36w of power (P=IT, P=12x3=36) assuming that each LED strip is around 5w per meter, you can put around 7 meters of strip LEDs, but there should be 6 meters if you are going to include the wattage across the resistors. Ehhh.. dont understand. . How I wish I got those knowledge. Guess I gotta stick to plug and play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limz_777 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Yes, SM sell much more ex than some US online shop but shipping fee is the killer so only worth if you buy a few pcs else sm is still the best if you just need only 1 pc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member oceanviper Posted November 22, 2013 SRC Member Share Posted November 22, 2013 just to confirm do they sell 1 quantity ? email them about how much 1 cost , reply me about company name and how many quantity ,etc ..... SM sells small quantity...aside from the super X price quoted....another thing is the lead time.... I bought mine from online and overall i would say that with the price quoted from SM, i can get 2 pcs price.. Quote Tank : 3 x 2 x 1.8 ( setup end Feb 2014 ) --> 4 x 2 x 1.8 ( setup early Nov 2016 ) Skimmer : Bubble Magus NAC6 --> Bubble Magus Curve 7 Return pump : Jebao 10000l/h ( down in 17th December 2014 ) --> Jebao DC-12000 ( 19th December 2014 ) Compressor drop-in coil Wavemaker : Tunze 6105 x 1 Lights : Modular based DIY LED light x 4 Chaeto in the sump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinglow Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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