22 replies to this topic

[Hippie3]

by ShroomInduced

So, I finally completed my LED light array today. I think it came out bad ass, so I thought I would share. It cost be about 16 dollars in total part to build a 42 light LED array. Heres a picture of my 55 gallon FC with the lights lit:



Overall it was pretty easy to build I have 7 strips of 1/16 Plexi-Glass cut into 1 1/4 inch thick strips I drilled 6 holes in each one that just fit the LED's. Then i made 1/2 inch by 1 1/14 inch long strips, glued 2 of those together, and made legs for the strips. Like this:



I got the LED's on ebay, 50 LED's for 6.00 shipped. Then I got 15 100ohm resistors and a M type coaxial power plug at Radio Shack:looks like this all wired up



I had a 12v wall charger already laying around.

Heres the basic wiring of the array:




You can keep adding sets of lights as long as you have enough mA to run them.

Heres how to actually build it:
Materials:
Super Glue
Plexi-glass sheet, size varies depending on your needs.
Razor
Ruler
Drill bit the size of your LED's
LEDs, Again depends on how many you want
Resistors 1 for every three LED's
Power supply
Female coaxial plug, same size as your power supply
Quick disconnects 2 for each set of LEDs, I needed 14
Wire

First thing you need to do is get your resistors. To calculate the Ohm's you will need for the resistor is simple, Take your source voltage (v) and subtract the voltage for each LED in the series circuit. So in my case my LEDs draw 3.2 volts apiece, so I take 12-3.2-3.2-3.2=2.4v. So I need to get rid of that extra 2.4v. So using ohms law plug and chug 2.4/.02 (20mA)=120 Ohm's. You use the MA that each LED draws, usually 20mA. So they don't make a 120 ohm resistor, so round up to the nearest one, I got a 150ohm.

Next, cut the plexi-glass into strips 1 1/4wide, 12 inches long. Then drill your holes for the LED,s. Glue some legs on the Plexi-glass to provide clearance for the LEDs when they are sitting on your FC.

Wire 3 LEDS to each other, short leg to long leg. The long legs of the LEDs are the Positive side. Then on each set of 3 LEDS, solider the resistors on, polarity doesn't matter. Look at the pictures and schematic to see how I did it.

Wire a quick disconnect to each side of the LEDS. Then take some wire and cut it into about 7 inch long lengths, you will need 2 wires for each set of LEDS. You want to wire it up in parallel, this picture should be more clear than i can put it into words.

[surfanarchist]

Looks very cool and of course is a great way to generate light at low power with little heat. I'm new so I don't mean to sound brash but why do you need that much and that intricate a light set up? Could you not just go to the window and open the blinds? I guess it could be a stealth thing.

In any case it looks great. I love playing with LEDs.

[Hippie3]

the coolness factor alone
justifies the effort, imo.
but yeah, stealth.
:reb:

http://mycotopia.net...98&d=1144415625

[suckerfree]

Looks really cool...

[Hippie3]

think opaque containers...in storage lockers...battery powered led...invitro

[inky]

This looks sooo cool. Nice tek, love the ladder diagram. Might have to try this sometime.
Peace
~Inky~

[WeedyResin]

think opaque containers...in storage lockers...battery powered led...invitro

Ding ding ding ding ding!!!!! We have a winner Johnny! You did mean like storage units right? As in away from home? WORD! At first, I was like "What the fuck is stealthy about lights in the dark?" but I gotcha! ;) Now how about battery powered O2 and humidity... didn't I just read something the other day about maintenance free humidity??? Something involving wax paper??? I'll have to find that shit. Ah! The endless possibilities..... :bow:

[python]

Sweet!..........lol

[Spark]

awsome

[Master_Shake]

there are light fiztures in storage units.
with an adapter you could plug in the other things you need.

but youd be limited in how many wattz you could use with getting attention. using those lights would surely help with that.

[SharkieJones]

Those types of lights don't use much power so it's an attractive way to not be noticed.

[Hippie3]

You did mean like storage units right? As in away from home?

indeed
:reb:

[WeedyResin]

WORD! HUGE WORD!!!

[Hippie3]

didn't I just read something the other day about maintenance free...?

think invitro

[reverend trips]

I like it!

[Pedestrian]

I hear minds thinking away after this one.

Thanks for the "light" hipp :)

[hogwild]

nice job hip, LED's are mans best friend.... at least they are when the mans trying to conserve power and keep heat generation down.

[Hippie3]

:reb::bow:

[malefacter]

are those high intensity LED's or normal ones and couldn't you just have one resister for the hole thing or at least one strip?
oh just a thought you could hook it up to a solar cell if it made enough power.