Building My LED Light

GregAW · Oct 22, 2008

sploke said:
don't get so frustrated....its just that you can't expect everyone to jump up and down over a new product because its way cheaper than everything else out there and "looks really bright". Empirical data and clinical results are really necessary to convince the general hobbyist that a new product is worth anything. I find it strange that the apparent manufacturer (www.sunbriteled.com) doesn't even mention the product on their page.

I'm not frustrated about anything. I didn't ask you or anyone else to jump on the band wagon for anything. I was just passing on what I did rather than build my own. We aren't running a clinic and this is a new product and many companies, even those dedicated to the REEF KEEPER don't always have the latest news and information available. I don't really care if you are convinced or not. You are so hep on the Solairs version since it's a name you know. If you were really interested in learning about these lights, Sun-Brite has an email address and you could write and ask them about these new ultra bright LEDs.

This ends my part of this conversation.

GregAW · Oct 22, 2008

star_rider said:
Interesting read.

greg, to be honest I think most of the guys here are bouncing questions off you. or voincing ther concerns

I wouldn't take it personal.

It just sounded that I was being attacked for bringing something new to the table. Sheesh, I guess I'll keep my finds to myself. I like your attitude, if you want to find out something, go to the company and ask.

And I thought it was only OLD PEOPLE like me who hated change!

Que · Oct 22, 2008

Strarider: If you read this before you write to the sun brite company please see if they also manufacture 4' fluorescent replacement LED tubes in the 6500K temp range. Thanks.

Greg: I looked into these bulbs a bit about 9 months to a year ago and didn't feel confident enough to go out and buy any. I'm glad I didn't since your posting has made me look into them again. I see they're finally getting the Lux levels up to the equivalent of fluorescent tubes. Maybe the time has come. Please let us know how they work out.

I have read sketchy reports of quality issues and am not aware of a source yet that sells tubes in the 6500K range with the light output I want. That doesn't mean they're not out there. I have also not read any info on what is meant by "lifespan". Does this mean that 80% of the LEDs are still working? Does it mean that the LEDs will have diminished to X level by then? I read one spec for a replacement that stated the lux output with "initially" in parentheses. What does that mean? Fluorescents degrade over time and LEDs do too so how much do they degrade and at what rate? Too many questions for me and not enough time to look into them.

Q

Cory Keeper · Oct 22, 2008

Greg, Neither me nor sploke is advocating MH, And I do think that sploke has a point about the solaris. Hey, if you can afford it, go for it. Its proven (more or less) that it works and the technology behind it is as well. If you have the time to build one (like me) go for it. If not and you still wish to go LEDs, do so.

I am also not attacking you, as others have pointed out. I am simply trying to point out that not enough information is out there. We all are in the fishy stuff right? We all know how manufacturers fudge the numbers and overate their products with little proof. I am doing the same thing to lights as I am to filters. I see little information on this technology and it has not been tested, both in FW and SW.

Star_Rider · Oct 22, 2008

Que will do still working up my draft to them.

greg, I am an old fart but my job has taught me to "bend like a reed in the wind"

traelman · Oct 31, 2008

This is a small update.............
I've been really busy lately.......

So far I'm very pleased with my new light.....

Sploke · Oct 31, 2008

Looks good, like the heat sink. I think its sufficient, especially with the fan! Question - do those LEDs have posts for wirewrap connections, or is it just a pad to solder to? Also - have you thought at all about using lenses on them?

Cory Keeper · Oct 31, 2008

Matt, it has a kind of small solder pad for making connections. The wiring can be funky though.

Traelman, If your looking for super heat transfer from your LED to your heat sink, try Arctic Silver 5. Most computer shops should sell it locally, though its going to be rather expensive. They also sell an Arctic Silver 5 Epoxy to attach your LEDs, however it is rather permanent.

Now your making me want mine, so close yet so far. heh.

BTW, don't be misled, those things are TINY, you can comfortably seat 6 on a medium sized computer heatsink.

traelman · Nov 8, 2008

New Pics

Ive been a little lacking with the updates lately.

I'm pretty happy still with the overall project. The reason that I did this build was for plants, and so far I'm having moderate success. I'm need to get some different plants and see how they will do.

Here are some shots taken today. (I still suck with a camera)