48" LED Array - Up and Running...Mostly

[Dyspnea]

Looks great!

What was your lighting setup before the LEDS?

[aquajeep]

curious as to what optics to use?
http://www.ledil.fi/datasheets/DataSheet_LC1-TAPE.pdf or http://www.ledil.fi/datasheets/DataSheet_CRS.pdf
they have real spot or smooth spot versions too.as for drivers i was going to go with LM3464 from national semiconductor.
( i got data sheets from Walter Shawlee 2, President - Sphere Research Corporation
3394 Sunnyside Road, Kelowna, B.C., CANADA V1Z 2V4
URL: http://www.sphere.bc.ca E-Mail: walter2@sphere.bc.ca )

[Ron99]

Originally Posted by aquajeep

curious as to what optics to use?
http://www.ledil.fi/datasheets/DataSheet_LC1-TAPE.pdf or http://www.ledil.fi/datasheets/DataSheet_CRS.pdf
they have real spot or smooth spot versions too.as for drivers i was going to go with LM3464 from national semiconductor.
( i got data sheets from Walter Shawlee 2, President - Sphere Research Corporation
3394 Sunnyside Road, Kelowna, B.C., CANADA V1Z 2V4
URL: http://www.sphere.bc.ca E-Mail: walter2@sphere.bc.ca )

I don't think any of those optics will be best as they seem to be very narrow (3 degrees to 21 degrees). Depending on what you want to do you should be looking at 40 degree or 60 degree optics. Something like the ones nanotuners sells. I don't know the brand off hand but they are the type that most DIY folks are using.

As for the drivers, they seem a bit complicated to implement. I would look at the Meanwell drivers as they are far simpler. They run off AC power directly and you can get the dimmable versions. So the only small added complication is circuitry for dimming input but that can be fairly simple too if you just want a knob to dim them.

[globaldesigns]

I have personally seen Fishytime's lighting, and it looks fine with 2, put together.

[aquajeep]

in my email i got from him he said they had 54 and 62 degree optics.but there are diff kinds of lens ,real spot, oval,rectangular ect ill have to see if he can get the meanwells in.prob cant thats why he sent me the other info im guessing.what prices were you able to get your stuff for?

[Ron99]

Originally Posted by aquajeep

in my email i got from him he said they had 54 and 62 degree optics.but there are diff kinds of lens ,real spot, oval,rectangular ect ill have to see if he can get the meanwells in.prob cant thats why he sent me the other info im guessing.what prices were you able to get your stuff for?

Sorry for taking a while to answer, been a bit busy lately. I bought most of my parts through a group buy at nano-reef so the prices were good. Star mounted LEDs were $5.75 each and optics were another $1 IIRC. Nanotuners has a good sale on now on LEDs, optics and drivers.

[Twinn]

Great build I feel like I'm late to the dance on this one. I think a real big point that everyone is missing is the electrical consumption used to power leds vs T5 or MH. Anyways any updated photo's or info on the controller.

thanks