LED Fixture For Cube 7

[sherman]

Many of the reefers have write to ask on how to DIY a LED light fixture for an aquarium.

Although there are a few write up here and there in this forum

But there are still many not sure what they need for the DIY or what components they need

and how each component look like.

So I hope to take this opportunity to do a simple illustration and some step by step illustration

for those interested to DIY the led light themselve.

[sherman]

Basic components for the DIY

The basic LED on star.

1 WATT LED on star

[sherman]

The AC led(4 watt)

[sherman]

LEDs on metal core PCB for easy installation

[sherman]

LED on round metal core PCB.

[sherman]

Above are some of the common led package we can use for DIY.

Tomorrow we will continue with other components for the LED light DIY

[sherman]

The next must component for the led light DIY is the constant current driver

You can of course use basic resistor circuit to run led array.

It still will work.

The led still light up.

But any changes in the temperature of the led will result in a change in the circuit

current.When this current go above the rated current of the led,the led life is shorten

or the led is kill.

The changes in the wall socket voltage over the day due to changes in demand at different time of the

day will also result in the changes in the DC power supply output.This changes can result in the fluctuation

of the circuit current which when over the rated current of the led spec will kill the LED useful life.

So it is wise to invest in a constant current driver .There are many constant driver available on

our market today.

You can choose a AC input type or a DC input type.

[sherman]

Most AC type constant current driver do not have dimming function and cannot be added.

So choose this driver if your light set need no dimming function.

(So far Meanwell is the only AC type driver that have build in dimmer function)

AC type constant current driver available locally

[sherman]

Meanwell constant current driver with build in dimming function

[sherman]

DC type constant current driver need a DC power supply of output voltage and current need by the driver

All DC constant current driver can be dim by PWM.

This is one of the DC constant current driver with PWM circuit attached

[sherman]

Or the BuckPuck(Another DC constant current driver available on market)

[sherman]

If you choose DC type constant current driver you will need a DC supply.

For small circuit you can use the DC adaptor (12 vdc or 24 vdc,1A to 3 A)

[sherman]

For larger light array it is more convenience to use this type of DC power supply unit

[sherman]

Most of the aquarium light need more then one single led .

In order to hold the total number of led together and at the

same time keep the led array reasonably cool you need an aluminium

plate of the size you require(Based on your tank size)and at least

2 to 3 mm thick.

This is usually available in most hardware store

[sherman]

Add some heat sink will be better

[sherman]

Add a exhaust an exhaust fan for every 1 ft of the light case

[sherman]

With a light casing and above the above mention components you should be able to build

an LED light set for your tank.

[sherman]

Aquarium LED light fixture using LED on round metal core PCB

[sherman]

The LED light fixture when lighted

[sherman]

Another LED light fixture using LED on rectangular metal core PCB.

[sherman]

The above LED light set when lightup

[marinakid]

can we get all these parts locally?

[sherman]

Another LED light fixture using led on star metal core PCB

[sherman]

The above LED light set when lightup

[sherman]

LED light set using LED on metal core PCB with build in constant current driver