I'd like to add a few things, the computer power supply is an AT model or if you use an ATX model, you need to look up which wires actually turn the supply on, so it behaves a normal switch.
And lead solder actually works better, and if the LED lighting system falls into contact with the water, lead poisoning is the last thing to worry about.
What is the color spectrum and light output of the LEDs? This sounds like a fun project if all you want is cool lighting over a non-planted tank but I have yet to see affordable LED lighting that will support plant growth.
The color spectrum of an LED matters by which manufacture made it, there is no standard output but there is a standard electrical property... about 20 mA continuous, 50 mA max. and also, IDK about plants but I think it doesn't support plant growth.
that is agreeable but have you ever considered costs... and especially on the voltage regulators (transformers... LOL, it's okay I don't blame ya[I just started the electronics hobby a few years ago...])
the Solaris unit pictured on the main page uses 50 3.6W LEDs.
you state that you don't blame me, blame me for what? I'm not quite sure what's so funny about a transformer.
I have considered cost, the cost benefit I see in LEDs is their ability to transform electrical energy almost wholly into light energy as opposed to the heat energy.
I'd also spend the extra money to make sure my LEDs produce the specifications listed, those specifications i'd choose based on their ability to allow plant life to thrive.
Lighting for no other purpose in an aquarium seems to be nothing but a waste to me.
P.S. how do you work in such a mess? I wouldn't can't imagine any electronics hobbyist choosing to work in such conditions.
bout the transformer thing... I don't blame you because a typical power supply consists of many elements... voltage regulators, capacitors, transformers, ect.(I don't want to clog anyone's mind...[lol adultswim]) also about the wattage of the LEDs... WOW I've never seen LEDs that powerful:drool:... eh mabe it is worth it... MAYBE... well as everyone knows I'M NOT RICH so I can't get a 4,800$ LED fixture... also on the LED pic I posted... you know the negative and positive... I inverted it... SORRY but if you built your LED element right this is an easy fix... just take the source and change that around
bout the wires... you need thick(but not too thick) wires... to keep the resistance down in order to prevent brightness loss... a mistake I made...
and the mess... sorry I'm remodding my house... so yea... :OT:
I would get some lumileds from the internets, since they require less work to put together. I've been thinking about doing an LED project for my tank, but I wasn't sure how to best hook it on.
... the soldering pattern is easy... see, leds go only one way... not the other... so solder all the LEDs in one direction... in parallel or series or both... i all depends on your power source... if you are using 12 volts, you should solder 4 in series per parallel white(also applies to blue and maybe green) if you are usnig 3- 3.3 volts, you should use 1 per parallel... 5 volts then you need a resistor... there's a resistor calculator posted... try using that... if you can... LOL
