Folks, here's my build thread for my 3ft Braceless Tank to complement the "ADA-styled" DIY cabinet I made earlier.
As is my practice, much work was put into reading up from others' experiences. In particular, "Reef Central" forum (DIY subforum) provided the main source of information specifically on the technical details. There seems to be a lot more work/experiments done in the Marine space than in the Freshwater/planted tank side, so a secondary purpose of this thread is to solicit inputs/comments from those who have experiences in this area! Do contribute!
Without going into too much details around the "whys" of component selection & design, I'll share what I did and address specific points (around the whys) when it arises. Here goes:
Design: The target was to build a similar light to my 3xT5HO (3x39W) light. Minimising costs is a secondary objective (I can always build a super-duper all bells and whistles light if this was not a factor! ) .
- LEDs : the main "stars" of my build: CREE Xlamps.
I started planning with XR-Es Q5 bin (max drive current @1000mA, 107lm@350mA) 6500k "Cool whites" and made the initial orders for 36 of these. Unfortunately, my order was (automatically) cancelled by the source 1.5mths later when they informed me these are out of stock! Wasted all that time! . Thankfully, I found another comparable source, and they offered the XP-Gs (R5) at just a slightly higher price! (max 1.5A, 139lm@350mA). Figured with the higher lumens output, I'll need less LEDs and finally settled on just 21pcs (see rationale later).
- Power Supply: I wanted a more 'stable' supply given the high cost of the LEDs and decided upfront a Constant Current source is necessary. So there are a number of subparts to this:
1. Constant Current LED Driver. A number of ways to do this, COTS (commercial off-the-shelves) drivers like buckpucks (see the other AQ posts for their builds), 'custom build' LED drivers, or DIY. I went DIY.
Read through the MONSTER threads at RC on DIY LED builds. Specifically for the LED Driver, I followed Forumer "DMZM's"
DIY LED Driver design here (be adviced - there are >1,700 posts and still counting!
). To be fair, the details around this Driver itself warrants a separate thread, so I'll try to be concise and crisp.
Power Supply to the current driver. Went with 24V design, and originally spec-ed 6.5A supply. Ordered via ebay and got my product, only to have it "burnt out" at the 1st thunderstorm/lighting!! Replaced with another Meanwell but at 2.1A.
Power source for "PWM" dimmable control (5V) and Fans. The LED Driver had an option for "dimmer control" via a PWM (pulse width modulation) signal, and a "bias" control, so I needed another input for this. Details later.
- HeatSinks and Fans/cooling: Went with simple "C" channel Aluminium bars and Comupter fans as I won't be running it max current and hence heat should not be a problem. (fingers crossed).
- Housing for entire structure. (to be suspended "ADA style").
.. to be continued ..
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