[Boggs]

Nice work!! I love a good build.

 

[chazde3]

have you put these lights on your tank yet

if so do you have before and after pics of the lighting

The build is for the most part done but the lights haven't been hung over the tank yet. I've got the brackets done I just haven't spent much time at home lately and the tank hasn't had much work done on it lately. I'll be sure to take before and after pics of the setup when I do get it switched over.

 

[chazde3]

Well the light is hanging over the tank, but I had to disconnect all the wires to hang it and now it isn't working at all. I have to go over all the wiring later to see what I did wrong, but I thought I hooked everything up the same as it was.

---------- Post added at 09:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:26 PM ----------

Well I figured out the issue and it's working great now.

Everything lit up.

Royal blues only. All my corals looks like they are radioactive.

 

[pjr]

sweeeeeet!!!

Clive, we need PAR readings!

 

[evilc66]

So, what was the issue?

---------- Post added at 10:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 PM ----------

sweeeeeet!!!

Clive, we need PAR readings!

I'll see what I can do. I can get more than that now

 

[chazde3]

The internal pot was the issue. I turned it all the way CCW like it said on nano-reef and that was causing the issues. When I changed it back to the way it came fromthe factory it worked perfectly.

 

[evilc66]

Well, make sure you check your current though. You can put a 1ohm resistor in series with the LEDs and measure the voltage drop across it. The voltage equals the current.

 

[chazde3]

Yeah I'm gonna get a multimeter the next time I'm at work and check the current and adjust it if necessary. Can the internal pot be adjusted while running or does the driver need to be off?

 

[evilc66]

I'm pretty sure it can be adjusted while running, but keep adjustments to a minimum. That style of micro trimmer pot is not designed to be tweaked all the time. It's pretty easy to wear it out.

 

[chazde3]

Bumping this up for the people that were interested in the light at the swap.

 

[180wall]

Let me tell you this thing is bright. He switch it from blue to both blue and white and nearly burned my corneas.

Nice job I just hope the prices keep dropping LED's should not be that expensive to make.

 

[Mike]

Very nice build!!!!

What program did you use to make your template? (looks prettty slick). That thing is bright for sure!!!

 

[chazde3]

I'm pretty sure I used solidedge to draw up the template for the LEDs.

 

[Mike]

I think the template is as necessary as the drill press.

 

[chazde3]

Oh for sure. You can't get good placement without a template.

 

[Mike]

I am downloading Solid Edge right now. If Ihave questions can I PM you?

 

[chazde3]

Yeah, I'm sure I can help. If you have used any cad programs before it should be very easy to use.

 

[pjr]

I was very impressed with the display at the swap.. great work!

 

[johnnyrako]

Does anyone have step by step instructions with pics on how to make this ? I would love to look into making it but I'm not exactly sure how difficult it will be.

johnnyrako@sbcglobal.net

John

 

[tuumi]

Start here:
Ultimate LED guide - Nano-Reef.com Forums

I have little in the way of DIY skills and it is something I think I can handle. I've got all the parts ordered and just waiting for them to come in so I can start. I hope to post a step by step process on my progress so other can see it and comment. Keep checking back here.