Jaaakeee Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 Was just wondering who has done their own d.i.y LEDS because I would like to make my own as a bit of a project. I've seen some of the ones on you-tube and they don't look as great as I thought they would look post pics if you have some nice looking ones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubby Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 Basic Components: Soldering iron - needs to be 48w any smaller and you will get into trouble. Solder - Resin core 60% tin 40% lead 0.7mm is best. Wire - one roll of BLACK, BLUE, and RED 2mm All the above can be purchased from Jaycar if you wish. Light components Heat-sinks: You can buy here 1-10W LED Driver, Special Power LED items in SatisLED Store store on eBay! 5pcs 1W High Power LED Aluminium heatsink  You need one per star. Screws: 2.5 mm 6mm Long You can purchase these from fasteners shops Insulation: Bush plast TO220 Jaycar code HP1166 You need to cut the extension turning it into a flat plastic washer Aluminium U channel: 07500 channel 10mmx10mmx1.5mm x 3m You can purchase this from bunnings and cut it to your desired tank length. Artic Silver compound: This is the paste that goes between the star and heat-sink This can be purchased from cutter Cutter Electronics LED: The ones I’ve been using are the CREE XML . The Cutter-XML-220STR-U2 is a 20mm Star MCPCB with the U bin XML-2 Cool white. Cutter Electronics Driver: Buckpucks are the go here very simple to use very efficient and reliable. You can purchase from cutter. Cutter Electronics You need to find out which one is best for any given situation Power supply: You will need 24V DC 5Amp 120Watts. You can get these from Jaycar for $100 or me for $50 I have a good supply of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaaakeee Posted November 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 This sounds good hopefully my local electronic store has what I need 'Prime Electronics' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTullee Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Nice break down grubby. What's your estimate of total costs and have you formed an opinion on how many LEDs per foot of tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubby Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 If you buy right should be able to get a good set up for under $200. Led's per foot is the hard one, still researching. Ross Saviato from ANGFA NSW is the guru on this and should be able to advise more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaaakeee Posted November 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 hey grubby do you have any pics of your completed light Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmcki18 Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 rapid led america also have good diy kits or you can pick and chose i havnt personally done them but would eventually like to try they are all 240volt safe for australia good pricing to hope that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaaakeee Posted November 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 thanks mate ive also been looking at rapid led but the prices are way more expensive (althought they have some nice stuff) than grubby's stuff and its pretty much exactally the same except the leds say 'rapid led' on them and cost about a fair bit more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaaakeee Posted November 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 so many decisions however i'm not sure how many l.e.ds i would need and if i need blue or not either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pony-tail Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 [MENTION=11066]Jaaakeee[/MENTION] I went out an bought some pre- made led lights off various suppliers , at various price points and most of them do not work as claimed no reliability issues yet but some bad algae issues due to spectrum issues so If you can make lights that work properly , are bright enough ,and the right colour spectrum for less than $100 per metre of tank you are in front . I hope you succeed - and - If you do , please post a how to with lots of photos , as you go ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
