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Thread: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

  1. #1
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    DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

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    Just sharing my more presentable DIY LED . My previous DIY LED was OK but not really presentable

    Material:
    1. 62x5cm aluminum plate, used as a heat sink (US$10)
    2. CREE XR-E Q5 LED (US$3.95x3 = US$11.85)

    spec:
    - 3.7V typical driving voltage
    - Manufacturer Rated 228 Lumens at 1000mA input current:
    350mA: 107~114lm
    700mA: 171.2~182.4lm
    1000mA: 214 ~ 228lm
    3. 900mA 10W Constant Curent Source LED (US$5.61)
    Driverspec:
    - 10 watt high power LED driver
    - Input voltage: AC 85~265V
    - Output voltage: DC 9~11V
    - Output current: 900mA4.
    Miscelaneous items: thermal paste, screw and bolt, cable and small housing for the LED driver

    The final light set is look like this


    It made from 2 part, not sure how people normally name it, I just name it horizontal and vertical parts . It is made of Aluminium plate which will act as a heat sink as well. There is no fan needed because temperature generated never reach above 50C.

    Vertical part is where the LED driver located. Also it has some kind of hook to hold the glass tank edge. There are many pairs of screw holes on top of the hook. That screw holes is to mount the horizontal part. It design to be movable, up and down.



    Horizontal part is where the LED be. 3x 3W CREE LEDs are used. I'm using XR-E, they do have more efficient new model but it is more expensive



    Both horizontal and vertical part combine


    The wiring is quite straight forward
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

  2. #2
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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    Nicely done Robert. I like this, simple and efficient design. How much it cost you in total?
    Fish.. Simply Irresistable
    Back to Killies... slowly.

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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    around US$30. Actually, it might look better if it does not have adjustable height feature but then I do not know what is the optimum height yet
    Last edited by Shadow; 11th Apr 2012 at 17:45.
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    That's quite reasonable for a simple light set. That's about $38-40 SGD. I think heat generated would be minimal given the design.
    Fish.. Simply Irresistable
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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    heat is not that bad, around 42C. The difficult part of the design is bending the aluminum. It is probably easier if using thinner aluminum. The one I'm using is around 4-5mm
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    42 C is quite good already, furthermore you have it in an open concept, so its well ventilated. If I made such a thing I'd get my dad to bend the aluminium for me since his workplace has the tools.
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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    nice and neat , what plants you intend to grow inside ?

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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    Well done Shadow! what are you planning to have in your tank?
    Need something to scratch that itchy hand of mine.

    Don't act smart. Be smart!

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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    No plan yet at the moment, busy with other thing
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    Quote Originally Posted by Shadow View Post
    No plan yet at the moment, busy with other thing
    You made such a nice DIY LED light for your ADA tank, and now you tell us no plans for the tank yet. i bet you're just trying to poison us.
    Need something to scratch that itchy hand of mine.

    Don't act smart. Be smart!

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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    Nice simple design Robert.

    Question - how to you hide the wires given you're using just a simple plate? I'm also concerned the vertical part may scratch the side of your tank if you do not have any padding/softer material...

    3Ws XR-Es @900mAs will be very bright. Guess for a 30cm tank, you may not need optics. You may want to consider upgrading to a variable output (350-1000mA) driver if your current one cannot be adjusted and play around with that (brightness) to add to the varying of height as an added parameter..

    Waiting patiently now on your plans for the tank!

  12. #12
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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    The wire was not hidden can see the wire from top . I'm more concern on the hook edge scratch the glass, this is the part that quite sharp. I did file it to make it rounder edge but may not be enough. I can add those soft fabric on the vertical part, should not be difficult to do.

    The LED driver I used can be modify to have dimmer capability, but the idea of dimming always bring me to next bigger question. How bright is enough for plants? Tough question without the right equipment to measure. Observe plant growth might work but by the time you see differences, it already too late.

    Really no plan yet, still empty tank
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    Robert, try a mini paludarium for crabs.
    Fish.. Simply Irresistable
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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    Quote Originally Posted by stormhawk View Post
    Robert, try a mini paludarium for crabs.
    Can't agree more with this recommendation!
    Need something to scratch that itchy hand of mine.

    Don't act smart. Be smart!

  15. #15
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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    isn't it too small for crab? later crab climb outside
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

  16. #16
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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    I think it should be able to fit a couple of Geosesarma?
    Need something to scratch that itchy hand of mine.

    Don't act smart. Be smart!

  17. #17
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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    A pair of Vampire Crabs should be fine in here. Just need to craft a cover. I think egg crate should be sufficient since I doubt they can squeeze through the grid.
    Fish.. Simply Irresistable
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  18. #18
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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    I'm still toying with using XM-L T6 emitters, then run them at half power 1.5A or less. Should be just as bright and cooler.
    But I'm very limited in the metal works/DIY skills department, especially soldering...

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    Re: DIY LED set for ADA mini S (~30cm)

    Quote Originally Posted by stormhawk View Post
    A pair of Vampire Crabs should be fine in here. Just need to craft a cover. I think egg crate should be sufficient since I doubt they can squeeze through the grid.

    Could use 2 pieces of egg crate with a wire mesh in between to act as precautionary measure. The additional egg crate can also add in weight to the cover.
    Need something to scratch that itchy hand of mine.

    Don't act smart. Be smart!

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    bro shadow..how much is the cost of your diy led light..i want to do also for my 10inch nano tank..is that easy to do..thanks

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