DIY 2ft LED Lightset

[qngwn]

Oh okay, hmm, how much would be the estimated cost of this project? Is there any particular brand of LED to take note? And how did you do the switcher? Thanks!

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Estimated cost would be from 60 to 100s of dollars, depending on what type of quality of the items you are using.

For me, I got the cheaper ones, so it's on the lower end of the range. Some have recommended to use CREE LEDs, but definitely they come at a higher price.

What switcher are you referring to?

[dabaixiang]

I think i meant driver haha sorry newbie here

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[qngwn]

I think i meant driver haha sorry newbie here

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The driver should be bought off the shelf. There are many different ratings for drivers depending on your needs and how many LEDs you want to "drive".

[dabaixiang]

All can find in sim lim square? Is there anything to take note when pairing LEDs and drivers?

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[qngwn]

All can find in sim lim square? Is there anything to take note when pairing LEDs and drivers?

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Sim Lim Tower, square is mainly for computer accessories and parts. Tower will have a larger selection.

Plan how many LEDs you will want to use before getting the driver. The driver has a stated range of number of LEDs and once you have a driver, you're more or less fixed with the number of LEDs you have to use.

[dabaixiang]

I see i see. The heat sink/aluminum bars are curtain rails? And where can I find thermal plaster at?

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[Dodofish]

Wow this is really good!

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[wongce]

Qw, Nice diy... quite neatly done and sleek....

[illumnae]

Where did you get the curtain rails from? They are really neat! Thinking of doing up 2 sets for tank photography use

[bennyc]

Qingwen, very nice and neat. Even when you say it is a temporary set, already very goood.

[qngwn]

I see i see. The heat sink/aluminum bars are curtain rails? And where can I find thermal plaster at?

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Yes they are all curtain rails.

It has sufficient heat dissipating abilities, and it'd quite thin as well.. So it won't be that heavy. You can obtain them from general hardware shops.

I got my thermal plaster together with the LEDs, they can usually be found together.
There are two types, one which does only the heat transfer without silicon additives and cannot be used to stick the LEDs, while the other does not so good heat transfer, but has silicon additives to help it stick to the heatsink surface.
I'm using the one with silicon additives as I don't want to be screwing in the LEDs to the heatsink.. More work to be done. On top of that, the LEDs stuck on using the thermal plaster can be removed by brute force, and the left over silicon scraped away with a blade like how we scrape away excess silicon from the glass surfaces.

[qngwn]

Wow this is really good!

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Thanks! You should try it out and post it here as well!

Qw, Nice diy... quite neatly done and sleek....

Thanks Stan, but i feel that the colour is a little bit off.. But strong enough to make my stem plants see growth every single day..

[qngwn]

Where did you get the curtain rails from? They are really neat! Thinking of doing up 2 sets for tank photography use

You can get them from general hardware shops..

Yup definitely you can use it for photography use. Maybe you can hang it on a stand where you can adjust and shift it as and when, as and where you like.

Qingwen, very nice and neat. Even when you say it is a temporary set, already very goood.

Thanks benny! Hope to improve it should I do another one next time. But I have a feeling that I will be sticking around with curtain rails, cheap and good..

[Ingen]

You mentioned about installing a dimmer soon, look forward to seeing how its done. Wonder if it can be retrofitted to the led set off the shelves as the cheaper entry level ones do not have it.

[limz_777]

nice rail , behind can hide the wiring as well

[illumnae]

You can get them from general hardware shops..

Yup definitely you can use it for photography use. Maybe you can hang it on a stand where you can adjust and shift it as and when, as and where you like.

Thanks, I'll go and ask around the hardware shops near my house. I actually already have a Maxspect Razor/Mazerra above all my tanks, but even at 100% on all channels, I still would prefer more light. Figured I could make some 2ft lights to supplement the Maxspects to give me more flexibility in taking nicer shots. Cheaper than buying many remote flashes, especially since I already have 2x 3-12 LED drivers (700mA) sitting around from a previous project I dismantled.

[edwardchuajh]

I used to get Crees from www.dx.com sku 2394. The color temperature looks close to 6500K and it's free shipping!

Buy more than 3+ to get discounts.

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[Dodofish]

Thanks! You should try it out and post it here as well!



Thanks Stan, but i feel that the colour is a little bit off.. But strong enough to make my stem plants see growth every single day..

Bro, I really can't do this. I used to do diy led for my modded pc chasis. Guess what I cooked? You may see my charcoal burnt (chao tar) face if I do it again.

I think if you don't want it there will be people who want to grab it. Unfortunately my CEO controls what I can do at home too, insisting a co2 cylinder almost got me death sentence!


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[AQMS]

Where did you get the curtain rails from? They are really neat! Thinking of doing up 2 sets for tank photography use

Bro, you can get a slick one at Ikea, that where i get mine to do my DIY lighting.

[qngwn]

You mentioned about installing a dimmer soon, look forward to seeing how its done. Wonder if it can be retrofitted to the led set off the shelves as the cheaper entry level ones do not have it.

There are many dimmers for different LEDs. Mine I'm ordering is a DC12V 8A one.. Yours might not need such a high specification..