DIY 72 LED build - Page 3

reefme · #21 07-13-2012, 12:20 AM

May I ask where you get you C-channels from?

toolmanbmw · #22 07-13-2012, 01:39 AM

I got them from homedepot.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

The Grizz · #23 07-13-2012, 01:48 AM

Hope with the channels you can keep the LEDS cool enough to get good life out of them. I know from my LEDS they put out a tonn of heat & I have to keep all 4 of my fans running on high while they are on.

toolmanbmw · #24 07-13-2012, 02:19 AM

We will soon find out..... I should have the white running sometime tonight.

toolmanbmw · #25 07-13-2012, 05:35 PM

Got the white running and I left them on over night to take some reading. The room temp was at 26, driver 58, side of heatsink 32, middle of heatsink 39. The heatsink when touch just feels warm. The driver won't burn you but she is warm. But that's running it for 10 hours on max output. Even with the blue running and no fan... I don't see a problem with these heatsink.

The 6 leds on the left has 60 degrees lense on.

The pot is just temp until the unit is hooked up to the Apex. Measured the current for the 3 strings. 678, 670, and 660ma.

Driver mounting location. They got pretty warm after the overnight full power test. Any suggestions on keeping them cooler?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

mseepman · #26 07-13-2012, 06:27 PM

Very interesting build. Glad to see it coming together. This is somewhat similar to my build on a slightly smaller scale.

I was concerned about heat on some of my channel but after investigating (mostly on RC) it appears that all the LED gurus have indicated that you only need to start worrying about the heatsink temp if you can no longer touch it safely....and I'm a far cry from that as are you.

Bakman · #27 07-13-2012, 07:51 PM

Great job. Two thumb up

gregzz4 · #28 07-13-2012, 08:17 PM

I'm sure someone who uses them probably has a better idea, so I'll just throw this out there ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolmanbmw

Driver mounting location. They got pretty warm after the overnight full power test. Any suggestions on keeping them cooler?

Are the driver housings plastic ? If so, an old school CPU heatsink and fan are out of the question
How do you feel about mounting them away from moisture and cutting holes in them ?
Then you could use little DC fans - they come as small as 25mm

toolmanbmw · #29 07-13-2012, 09:38 PM

Are the driver housings plastic ? If so, an old school CPU heatsink and fan are out of the question
How do you feel about mounting them away from moisture and cutting holes in them ?
Then you could use little DC fans - they come as small as 25mm[/quote]

That's a pretty good idea. Trying to find out how hot these drivers need to get before I have to worry about them. I am sure they will stay nice and cool with your hole and fans idea.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Lampshade · #30 07-13-2012, 10:58 PM

The Data Sheet for the LPF drivers says the working temp is 40-70°C and at 90°C it shuts down and won't power up until restart. Sounds like it has thermal protection, not bad at all, but I'd hate to test it :P. Generally, the cooler you can keep electronics the longer they last, fans will help the whole system and are pretty cheap, I've got a couple 140mm fans that are expensive at $20 and are near silent.