Grizz's DIY Heat sink & LED build / showing all colors

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

Nice setup Greg I just skimmed through this write up a couple thing to think about as I went through it when I did my build.
1) I don't think you have enough air flow to cool your entire heat-sink if you run the LED at full blast.
2) I raised my fans about 2" over the heat-sink as this will spread the air flow through the entire array and had them mounted on the top cover with full enclosure except the sides,keeping in mind I used 2 x 120w 4" fans for my array witch holds at least 60 LED (too lazy to count now running full power 1500Ma for whites and 1000Ma for royal blue)
3) If you are gluing the LED on the heat-sink I would use Arctic silver thermal adhesive as I read it in the past to be the best product for heat transfer and use as little as possible.
Originally I had optics on all LED and yes if your setup is close to the water you will have a disco affect,I see 2 ways to have it running without the disco dancing water put optics on all white and blue LED and none on the other colors as this will give your colors a 180 degree spread.
You are more than welcome to come by and investigate my array

[The Grizz]

Thank guys for the constructive input.

I am not totally done with the fans just yet. Martin & I were checking them before he left for Ireland for Xmas & we both think there will be enough air flow to go around but I have been thinking of adding a 3rd fan & adding in some pieces to direct the air flow into all fins.

I haven't picked up the AlumiFix yet but need to this week so I can work on them over the holidays. Also have to build the frame to support the heat sink.

I will be putting optics on all the whites ( 45 degree ) & blue ( 60 degree ) but not on the Reds or Greens. My heat sinks well be between 10" - 12" above water level & I doubt it very highly that they will be ever at 100%.

Martin also supplies the Arctic Siler to attach the LEDs to the heat sink so that's covered too.

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Martin also supplies the Arctic Siler to attach the LEDs to the heat sink so that's covered too.

How long does it take that to set up?

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

How long does it take that to set up?

If youare asking the set time for the glue,as I recall after mixing you only have 5 working minutes and it starts to set I beleive full cure takes 4 hours

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

How long does it take that to set up?

Sorry forgot to address that question.

From what Martin was saying, just mix up about the size of a dime or smaller at a time because there's only about 10 min working time. Also you only need a dab about 1/8" diameter under each LED, use a toothpick to apply on each LED.

[Ross]

Do you have to prep the aluminum first before gluing the leds on?

[The Grizz]

Other then making sure the surface if free of any dust or dirt no prep needed.

[Coleus]

this looks awesome

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

I will be putting optics on all the whites ( 45 degree ) & blue ( 60 degree ) but not on the Reds or Greens. My heat sinks well be between 10" - 12" above water level & I doubt it very highly that they will be ever at 100%.

Let me suggest to play with the beam of the optics over your tank and the height you like the array to be before you make a purchase as I think 45 and 60 degree optics are very narrow even on a height of 20" I am not sure if you seen my setup as I had 60 degree optics with a height of 24" and yet still too narrow,I could be wrong to as my array's dimensions 8"X10" and contains 60 LED

[waynemah]

I ended up with carclo frosted white (wide) optics. It's insane how well they direct the light without really spotting. My lights are 12" from the water.