bjohanson1234
.........
They are actually less powerful than wontons:mrgreen:
DIY LED trial run
- Thread starter wontonflip
- Start date
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
The concern a few people had at RC was a possible spotlight effect, which would mean I would need more bulbs than with crees...but from my observation,the spread is so wide, that the spotlight effect occurs before it hits the water from the distance I set it at. I can even afford to put the lights higher up if I wanted to and still not worry about losing light at the bottom (all this just visual observation, which means nothing without actual readings)
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
LOL i know, sorry...but hey, I got blinded with the first pulse myself ... so should you all! :D
daugherty
part time reefer
those look great now you just need a par meter to test the par of them
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
You offering to buy me one? :D :D :D
Hubby's playing with the lights now...doing some tests. He refuses to let me take a pic (he says "It's like you taking my picture before I'm 100% dressed" Hehehhee)
daugherty
part time reefer
if i had one i would send it to you to use. i have been thinking of getting one i think that hanna has one for 80 bucks
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
Really? The I saw online for like $100 reads lux not par, so if yours reads par, that would've been nice to have :)
Who's Hannna?
Who's Hannna?
daugherty
part time reefer
hanna is the company that makes them. maybe it was a lux meter i better look to see.
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
If you're an electronics person, bear with me if I state wrong terminology. BJ will atest I know nothing about electronics, so he's slowly teaching me stuff. If i state incorrect things, please correct me so I can learn.
Lots of pics:
Using our handy dandy Electronic Snap Kit, we ran some tests. We powered it using an old AC Adaptor. The AC adaptor actually puts out 13.84v (according to our volt meter; the adaptor itself says it puts out ouly 9v DC)
When turned on, we get this:
Above the tank, before turning on the 4 LEDs (yes, I have a bit of hair algae from when the rock was in my 45g):
AFTER we turn on the lights:
Again, this is just 4 LEDs right now, and it's in broad daylight in the house, and the tank has no back to it ;).
Lots of pics:
Using our handy dandy Electronic Snap Kit, we ran some tests. We powered it using an old AC Adaptor. The AC adaptor actually puts out 13.84v (according to our volt meter; the adaptor itself says it puts out ouly 9v DC)
When turned on, we get this:
Above the tank, before turning on the 4 LEDs (yes, I have a bit of hair algae from when the rock was in my 45g):
AFTER we turn on the lights:
Again, this is just 4 LEDs right now, and it's in broad daylight in the house, and the tank has no back to it ;).
bjohanson1234
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Looks really bright!!!
Next step is to space them out a bit more and see when you start noticing a spot light effect.
Also, are you able to get a current reading through the LEDs with your meter? Being able to do that would help you fine tune a resistor to get as close to the 30mA ideal current that they suggest.
Next step is to space them out a bit more and see when you start noticing a spot light effect.
Also, are you able to get a current reading through the LEDs with your meter? Being able to do that would help you fine tune a resistor to get as close to the 30mA ideal current that they suggest.
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
Thanks BJ....we have to get new batteries. Our meter's batteries are going low.
bjohanson1234
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Youve been using it too much lately :mrgreen:
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
Yeah, it probably went into shock! LOL -- pun intended :P
reeffreak
Reef pro
Interesting Wonton.Again,how much did each bulb cost?
I do agree with Daugherty.Without a PAR meter,how will you know how far apart to space them and how many you will need.Chop,chop now,my built is coming up soon and I need lighting.That was a joke,hehe.
I do agree with Daugherty.Without a PAR meter,how will you know how far apart to space them and how many you will need.Chop,chop now,my built is coming up soon and I need lighting.That was a joke,hehe.
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
Heheheh...I've always said I have no idea what I'm up against, w/o a par meter :) Just guess work. I'm going to see if some local university will let me borrow one :D
Each bulb is normally $15 or so, but if you buy 3+, price can go down as low as $13/bulb.
Each bulb is normally $15 or so, but if you buy 3+, price can go down as low as $13/bulb.
bjohanson1234
.........
Or take your setup to the university to have it tested?
But honestly, a lux measurement would be better than nothing.
Gigaah
Reefing newb
That wal wart probably reads less voltage if you measure it while its under load. I'd be worried about the longevity of my expensive LED's running them with out a proper driver even for a bit considering they are 10w LED's.
