Best website for DIY led kits

[glamisracers]

Hi r2r I'm looking to switch to LEDs from my halides tired of changing bulbs out I want to build my own lights but so many different brands where did you get yours from? How did you build yours let's see some pics I'm not really sold on LEDs yet but hopefully seeing some of your builds I will be let's see them guys !!!


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[revhtree]

Hey we have some sponsors that sell DIY kits!

 

[glamisracers]

Hey we have some sponsors that sell DIY kits!

Thank you rev I'll look into them


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[Curtie44]

I bought most of my stuff from: LED Aquarium Lights | Reef Tank Lighting | LED Group Buy

Here is my build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/led-lighting-specific/107632-makersled-do-yourself-build.html

 

[Dave A]

I haven't found a single "kit" that is worth the effort to build. No single vendor offers the best of everything, let alone packages it all in a single "kit." In my case, I did my research into emitters first and found that the only way to get the spectrum I wanted was to use a mix of LEDs from several manufacturers. At the time, StevesLEDs had everything I wanted but they no longer carry any Cree LEDs at all so if I were to do it again, I'd need at least 2 vendors for the emitters alone (or just use more Luxeons and skip the XT-Es, which would be my choice in hindsight).
Heatsinks and drivers were another story. I chose to use LDD drivers which were not available at the time from any of the usual vendors, I had to get them from an "electronics supply" type place. I got my heatsink from another source since I didn't like what was available from Steve's.
I'd say, skip the kit and buy the parts you want separately. You'll be much happier with the finished product if it isn't made of compromises just to simplify the ordering process.

 

[milkman]

I have built two of the Aquastyle Online dimmable kits. One has been running almost two years. Great value.
Just use the 3/4" aluminum channel from Lowes. No heat issues at all with both of my builds.

Even though I have not built one, I like the Makers LED design.

 

[fragmatic]

I built a set of Rapids, you can easily add other LED's in to change the spectrum. My advice is to spend a good bit of your study process time on the light spectrum issue. Then make a decision, you may decide to buy an off the shelf set or build after that. I think several LED kit vendors offer heat sinks as a separate item. If I ever build another LED set I will buy my LEDs and drivers and heat sinks and do the rest my self. Be sure you understand what configurations of wiring each driver can handle before you buy it.

It isn't all that complicated. IE: I have a spare royal blue Cree LED under a shelf over my keyboard so I can see my keyboard at night. (The shelf carries my two large flat screens). I power that LED with an old cell phone charger. It uses a short piece of aluminum channel for a heat sink and it doesn't even get warm.

 

[gmoney243]

I have built two of the Aquastyle Online dimmable kits. One has been running almost two years. Great value.
Just use the 3/4" aluminum channel from Lowes. No heat issues at all with both of my builds.

Even though I have not built one, I like the Makers LED design.

Same here aquastyle on u channel for over a year. I prefer t5 with my leds even "full spectrum" leds.

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[gmoney243]

Heres a friend of mines build from aquastyle using all of their color options.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111421
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[Jlobes]

RapidLED. mikes a great guy and always willing to help.

 

[glamisracers]

Heres a friend of mines build from aquastyle using all of their color options.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111421
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I saw this and think I'm going to go that route I really like his set up


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[greg0385]

Thanks, im glad you like it.

Thanks mike for posting my thread

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[Telefonica007]

I'm building a kit from Steve's LEDs. Been working on it for 3 days. His stuff is complicated and I followed his diagram to the T. There are a lot of options out there

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[Jerry Song]

Tst