Help with DIY jbj advanced LED

[Bueller]

2 of the 5 strips went out and I've always wanted to add more color so I figured now is the time. I have VERY little knowledge when it comes to stuff like this so please bare with me. I mostly need help on what I need because my brother is going to do all the soldering an such.

Could I just switch out the LEDs with the colors I want? Would I need new drivers? If there are better options please let me know


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[ReefLEDLights]

LEDs should not just go out.

Cree LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours provided they are kept cool.

What exact strips do you have?

Bill

 

[Bueller]

It's the stock jbj advanced led hood. There are 5 rows of 5 3w white LEDs. So 5 strips, they are $65 to replace them from jbj.


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[ReefLEDLights]

If they worked well before I would try them one more time and keep the receipt.

Bill

 

[Bueller]

Thanks for the help. I would do that but it's just so white and it doesn't do my corals justice. When they went out I figured it was a good time to add some more color anyway


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[Eckolancer]

Bet it is the driver to those strips. Buy an LED tester cheap online or can make your own with a couple AA battaries. Here is a few pics of some retro fits I did with those types of tanks.

You can see the driver board that is cheaply made in the bottom of this pic.

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[Bueller]

Nice. That's exactly what I'm looking to do. How much of the original hood are to using? I'd like to keep the cost down but I also want to do it right. Could you share some more info on how you did it? Thanks


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[Eckolancer]

The night lights I left wired the way they came. Removed the strips of leds and place new ones on the board. Used a constant power supply to run all colors and whites at same level. So the power cord was left in place. You cant even tell I did anything unless you knew to look.


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[ReefLEDLights]

If your looking for the DIY Retro the 5 Watt Cree XT-E Royal Blue has a lot more intensity and the D36 Bin Gives an awesome colour pop over the Brigdelux 3 watt.

DIY will give you the best flexibility and if you go solderless with the BJB connectors you can swap out LEDs at any time.

Bill

 

[Eckolancer]

I will have to say that solder less kits do not look as good with a lot of excess wires left behind. Its not that hard to unsolder to replace with a new one.


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[Bueller]

How hard was it to get the strips out? Could they still be used or do you have to break them to get them off? How much did it wind up costing you doing that retro if you don't mind me asking. Thanks for the replies.


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[Eckolancer]

All the strips are still in perfect condition. Just take a flat head screw driver and pry them around the edges they will come right off. Then use a dry rag to clean off all the remaining epoxy before adding new leds. Think it was about 200 for that one, ive done a lot of these for friends and others on my local forum.


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[Bueller]

Would a reefbreeders value fixture be ok on a jbj 28g? I really want to DIY my hood but I have no idea the things I would need


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