DIY LED bulid

[jbadd99]

LegalReefer;740257 wrote: I have run into a problem.... What kind of connectors do they make that I can mount to the project box so I can disconnect the wires connecting the box to the actual LEDs? I was at radio shack and didnt find/see anything that would work. Thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

You can use the 4-pin microphone cable for power and the 8-pin mic cable for anything else.

Pacific Sun LEDs use this exact setup on their model and after mine took a swim in the tank, I used replacement parts from RadioShack to repair it... total cost ~$20 for a a set of 4-pin and 8-pin...

Like http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103996">THESE</a>
... and [IMG]http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103255">THESE</a>

 

[legalreefer]

LEDs came in today. Unfortunately I had them shipped to my parents. For whatever reason I was thinking I might not be here the day it arrived. I dont live in the nicest area and question the dignity of the people who live around here... I am going to go pick them up tomorrow.
I have been working on the project box to conceal all the wires and drivers. It did not turn out as neat looking as I would have liked, but it will serve its purpose. I ended up buying aluminum channel from lowes and painting it black bc the ones my father got me were not all that attractive looking. Bw that and the hanging materials I have to add $20 to the total.

Here are a few pics. I have yet to decide how to mount the drivers and havent drilled the potentiometer's holes. I am going to have a fan pull air through the small holes and through the big square.

jbadd99;743844 wrote: You can use the 4-pin microphone cable for power and the 8-pin mic cable for anything else.

Pacific Sun LEDs use this exact setup on their model and after mine took a swim in the tank, I used replacement parts from RadioShack to repair it... total cost ~$20 for a a set of 4-pin and 8-pin...

Like http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103996">THESE</a>
... and [IMG]http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103255">THESE</a>[/QUOTE]

I will have to look into those. Thank you for the suggestion!

Edit: [IMG]http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af322/ballen99ta/LEDs/projectbox1.png alt="" />

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[jbdreefs]

Yay for LEDs!

 

[legalreefer]

Well, I got most of it done tonight. I got the solder gun too hot tinning the wires and LEDS and the plaster needs to dry. I am very curious as to if I wired everything correctly... If so, this is an extremely easy DIY for ppl who have no experience with electricity (like myself!). I will get pics up later bc Im going to bed...

 

[legalreefer]

I got my light for the most part all finished up!! Its hanging and working!! All I can say is aquastyle made it so easy to build this light. I can't say for sure yet how good the quality is, but everything from the packaging to the directions has exceeded my expectations!! The really only challenging part is your creativity on how you want to build it!! I'll get some pics up in the next few days.

 

[eagle9252]

pics of the build and pics of the light output would be great

 

[william1]

I cant wait to see it finished I love DIY projects.

 

[legalreefer]

I will get them up as soon as I get a free minute!

WILLIAM1;745290 wrote: I cant wait to see it finished I love DIY projects.

Wow man I thought you were out of the hobby. Glad to see you are still around! I loved you build and watched it progressed! It was one of the nicest setups I've seen! Did you ever sell it?

 

[legalreefer]

Here are some of the pictures

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Im not going to post pics of it on the tank bc my BB doesnt take worthy pic of it.

I was out of town for 4 days and came home to find the whites not on. Ive yet to pin point what is wrong with it, but I believe it has to do with the balast... When I hook the white circuit up to the blue balast, they work flawlessly. The wiring all looks good, so Im not sure whats going on.

Edit: I took the switches off bc the lights didnt work with them wired up. Im hoping when I plugged it in when wired to the switch it didnt damage the ballast in turn frying it and it not working now...

 

[jbdreefs]

First thing I would double check is those quick connects. I couldn't get them to work and I actually read a thread online where another guy suggested cutting them off and not using them at all. (that's what I did).

 

[legalreefer]

JBDreefs;747250 wrote: First thing I would double check is those quick connects. I couldn't get them to work and I actually read a thread online where another guy suggested cutting them off and not using them at all. (that's what I did).

Unforunately it isnt that simple... :doh:

 

[frank]

I had my drivers in an enclosure like that and found they got pretty warm very quickly. I've since mounted them to a piece of egg crate until I get around to something more permanent and pretty.