BJBass BC14 LED Build Thread

[bjbass]

Well I decided I would start my build thread. I am still waiting for my kit to come in, but here is what I have so far.

Before getting started

Removed back reflector

A couple of shots of the original wiring

I can't remember or tell from this picture. Is the spot on the breadboard on the bottom left there not used?

Bulbs removed

Gutted as far as I need to go for this build

Nanotuners heatsink installed. Notice I replaced the stock fans with Evercool 50mm fans for better flow.

Plastic cover placed on to see fit.

This heatsink can be installed two ways. I installed mine the way the instructions on nanotuners.com have it with the wider part (from screw holes to edge) is in the back. You can see in that picture though that the plastic splashguard is super close to the heatsink and I think it may actually be touching. Will this potentially melt? Should I switch the heatsink around 180 degrees?

You can actually see this even better in the first heatsink picture without the splashguard that it is almost resting on the black plastic.

 

[bjbass]

Here is a link to the 50mm fans I bought. Evercool 50mm

You face one out and one in. The label on the fan indicates that it is the direction that the fan is blowing. Here is a picture of my extra Silenx 60mm fans installed.

One shooting across the bottom of the heatsink towards the exhaust fan. One pulling air from the intake and directing it towards the exhaust. I used silicone to attach them to the hood to maintain the stock look without modification.

With splash guard installed.

Here is a link to the Silenx 60mm fans I purchased.

 

[bjbass]

I finished my LED DIY Build!

Here is the final product.

Whites only

Blues only

Combined

Hood lifted

In stand dimmers

A shot before I put the hood back on

 

[bjbass]

Ok here is what went into it.

Here are the two power cords for the blue and white

Here is my DIY mount for my stock moon lights. I am going to re-do it though. I made it out of an old zip disc case. I did this so that it is adjustable and I can get the right angle or change it if I want to.

The fan DC jack

I used a piece of tubing and cut it in half so that the fan adapter would fit in the hood grommets and fill it completely so that splashing and condensation wouldn't get into the splash guard. I think covered it with heat shrink.

An early picture of my project box before wiring.

Power cords wired to the LED driver.

Wiring of the project box. I added length to the positive and negative power wires as they were short.

Project box put together with the potentiometers mounted

Knobs added on for a clean look

My power cords with jack adapters installed

Heat sink wired with quick connections to connect to stock rocker switches

Finished heatsink installed

My LEDs were blinking because I didn't get a good connection with the pots so I wired them with connectors for a better connection. I also soldered on extensions for the 4 pot connections from the driver. The wire for those from the driver is very thin and junky. I would say that is my only complaint with them.

Here is a picture of the vinyl tubing I used to keep the wiring protected and to seal the grommets so that condensation and splashing will not enter the splash guard.

 

[bjbass]

Here is a picture of the blue and white jacked all the way up. You can see just how bright and awesome these LEDs are. I would highly recommend them!!

My whole basement lights up.

 

[bige]

Are those the silent x fans? You still have stock acrylic cover? If so, the heat would be minimal if you ditched the stock fans and just put the silent x fans in their place. You will have to use longer screws but they are truely silent. Nice build. Thanks for sharing.

 

[bjbass]

Are those the silent x fans? You still have stock acrylic cover? If so, the heat would be minimal if you ditched the stock fans and just put the silent x fans in their place. You will have to use longer screws but they are truely silent. Nice build. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for your feedback!

Yes, they are Silenx fans and I still have the stock acrylic cover. Those fans I have there are actually not stock. I replace the stock fans with Evercool fans. I think the Silenx fans are probably overkill, but it runs nice and cool.

 

[bjbass]

I finished my stock BC14 moonlight LED project. I re-did what you saw earlier with the zip disc case.

I cut the case to the size I wanted, drilled holes for the stock LEDs, and siliconed it to the hood. I also used the screws from the old stock fans in the hood and added nuts to them to hold them on. I added some silicone to the joints of the case so that I can adjust the LEDs to get the angle of my choosing and change it if I choose to. I like the flexibility.

Here is a little blurry pic of the moonlight on only.

Here it is mounted in the hood. I have it adjusted up at a higher angle

I used a Dremel tool cutting bit to cut this thing and I sanded it. You can see here I chopped off the corner to get it to fit

You can see here how I soldered extra wire onto the stock LED on the left. It didn't have enough slack the way it was to allow for adjustment.

 

[Sugo]

Good job! All you DIYers make it seem so easy! Hate you guys lol.

 

[bige]

Hows it going?

 

[bjbass]

Hows it going?

It is going well. My corals and perc are loving it.

I got a great shot of the moonlight.

 

[bjbass]

Parts List/Prices Added
1 14 LED Dimmable LED Kit (Custom kit without heatsink) - 7 Cool White LEDs, 7 Royal Blue LEDs - $85 shipped - http://www.aquastyleonline.com/products/Aquarium-14-
LEDs--DIY-Dimmable-Kit.html
This kit inludes two constant current dimmable LED drivers (100V-240V), LED optics (didn't use), 2 potentiometers, 2 power cords, 2 tubes heatsink plaster (not
used), 2 power cord

1 Nanocustoms Small Heatsink for AIOs (BC8/BC14/NC6) - $51.15 shipped (was $40 when I ordered, but now lists for $50 + shipping) - http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php...products_id=631

2 SilenX IXP-34-12 60mm Case Fan - $11.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16835191004

2 EVERCOOL FAN-EC5020M12CA 50mm Case Fan $5.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16835119054

1 Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive - $6.99 - http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-11/Arc...Adhesive/Detail

1 12V AC Adapter to Power Fans - $10.00 - 12V AC Adapter

1 DC Jack Adapter - $3.50 - http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-69/DC-...-Adapter/Detail

3 Fan Y adapter - $3.50 - Fan Y adapter

2 Size M Panel-mount Coaxial DC Power Jack - $3.19 -http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102486&filterName=Category

1 Size M Coaxial DC Power Plug (2-Pack) - $3.19 - http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...erName=Category

1 Project Enclosure (4x2x1") - $3.19 - http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...oductId=2062280

2 4ft Heat Shrink wire wrap strips - $1.50 - Local Electronics Store

1 Foot of Clear Vinyl Tubing - $1 - Lowe's

1 Old Zip Disk case - Free - My closet

2 Moonlight LEDs - Included - BioCube 14

Total Cost: $219.86

 

[bjbass]

Current full tank shot.

 

[bige]

Looks good. Glad you didn't use the optics. You would have hated them anyway. Some advice, keep an eye on your aquamag scraper. I left mine in my tank like you did and it eventually scratched my glass. It will grow stuff on the scraper and scrape the glass. I use an old credit card now. It works perfectly. If I want it even cleaner I will use a dry scrub pad.

 

[bjbass]

Looks good. Glad you didn't use the optics. You would have hated them anyway. Some advice, keep an eye on your aquamag scraper. I left mine in my tank like you did and it eventually scratched my glass. It will grow stuff on the scraper and scrape the glass. I use an old credit card now. It works perfectly. If I want it even cleaner I will use a dry scrub pad.

Bige, thanks for the feedback and thanks for the tip on the mag float! I have always wondered if that could scrape the glass. I know that I am very careful down by the sand with it so that I don't pick any up, but I never thought about the accumulation on it from other elements.

 

[cet98]

which cool whites did you get from AquaStyle?....
did you get the standard 10000K or the optional 6500K whites?

 

[bjbass]

which cool whites did you get from AquaStyle?....
did you get the standard 10000K or the optional 6500K whites?

I got the standard 10,000K. I must say they are pretty nice and my corals are very happy. I know have a rose bulb tip anemone and he is very happy under this lighting.