29g LED Lighting system build thread

looking good so far, although i probably would have added in a few small pieces of perfboard to mount all the other components on.
 
not a bad idea, I may implement that, I have to change out the resistors anyways. Thanks for the idea.

By the way, warning to those attempting something similar, USE A DRILL PRESS WHEN DRILLING HEATSINKS, there is always the chance that your going to have to drill through the fins, if thats the case, be careful and slow. Otherwise, you are going to break a bit.
 
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those look pimp, another issue with LEDs is their viewing angle, but, if you have them in all corners of the tank, your covered, literally. I have wanted to do a custom led project as well, finances are a bit, well small atm haha.

looks good so far meng.
 
Ok, finally got em all mounted, gotta do a few finishing touches, but here are all of them on. heh.

Each star is mounted with #4 machine screws, and thermal contact is aided by use of Arctic Silver 5.

Still running at half their power, once I get the new resistors, I plan on some more pics.

LED 15 off.jpg

LED 15 on.jpg

LED 15 off.jpg LED 15 on.jpg
 
Ok, 3rd update for the day, something screwy is going on....... I dropped the resistors down to 2.2 ohms, and I still get only 420 mA..... I dunno what is going on here, even checked with a second multi-meter, same reading. Going to pull figures on full current draw....... shouldn't exceed the 10A fuse.

EDIT: well total amp draw 1.82A..... dunno why, nor how. I'm gonna drop em down to a single ohm and see if that doesn't fix it.
 
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Could you give an estimate on how much this is costing you?
 
Well, I did a over tank test, 2 things need to be done, double power and lower the lights.....

Not sure how to double the power but its deff doable. Its still running at about 21w of power, vs the 45 it should be. But I plan on upping it to 60w total power if I can bring current draw up to a full amp (and these babys can take it too) it should be almost blinding.

As it stands now, I'd estimate its like 40w of CFL over the tank. Deff a bit on the dim side, But is deff showing promise, I just need to get more power to the suckers.

Oh, and price I would estimate at about $150-$200
 
Your power supply is designed to limit it's power output based on draw... assuming you are using a computer power supply. Force it to draw more, or use something like you get at radioshack that puts out a constant supply.
 
How many volts are you pushing through? Remember ohm's law...
 
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