Overkill? SPS light build

Waterproof connectors (sealed in liquid electrical tape after testing)
IMG_20230217_171733497_HDR.jpg

Fans and wire chaos
IMG_20230224_065602145_HDR.jpg

Control center. 2/3 connected right away. The third took a couple of reboots.
IMG_20230225_131115716_HDR.jpg

Marine-grade liquid electrical tape is amazing. This was partway through the "slathering". Still gonna print a box to hide it.
IMG_20230224_065615761_HDR.jpg

Lenses + trim. Ended up pulling the lenses off the full spectrum chips, as it cast too much of a "carnival light" type effect. It's super high on PAR, but nobody likes a red reef tank
IMG_20230225_143117470_HDR.jpg

All hung
IMG_20230226_101253848_HDR.jpg

Phone does weird things to colors, but the red doesn't look the strong in person. Need to check PAR and DLI... And power consumption, but I'm pretty happy with it!
IMG_20230227_172849723_HDR.jpg
 
Waterproof connectors (sealed in liquid electrical tape after testing)
IMG_20230217_171733497_HDR.jpg

Fans and wire chaos
IMG_20230224_065602145_HDR.jpg

Control center. 2/3 connected right away. The third took a couple of reboots.
IMG_20230225_131115716_HDR.jpg

Marine-grade liquid electrical tape is amazing. This was partway through the "slathering". Still gonna print a box to hide it.
IMG_20230224_065615761_HDR.jpg

Lenses + trim. Ended up pulling the lenses off the full spectrum chips, as it cast too much of a "carnival light" type effect. It's super high on PAR, but nobody likes a red reef tank
IMG_20230225_143117470_HDR.jpg

All hung
IMG_20230226_101253848_HDR.jpg

Phone does weird things to colors, but the red doesn't look the strong in person. Need to check PAR and DLI... And power consumption, but I'm pretty happy with it!
IMG_20230227_172849723_HDR.jpg
Nice job with the light!!!
 
What board equipament?
LED Chips and Heat Sink

The LEDs have a driver built into them, are dimmable, and take 120v/220v AC current. You wire up the LEDs (Hot and Neutral), plug them into the dimmer, then plug the dimmer into the wall.

There are other similar LED chips that involve soldering. I've used them in the past, but the quick connect types are WAY easier. The vendor in the link is one of the ones I used. There are most likely other vendors with the exact same thing.
 
Price list does not include wiring, project box, silicone, liquid electrical tape, screws, paint, and hanging kit.

Not too bad for a 1.2kw(max) light!

QtyItem$/ea$/Line
1Heatsink$147.00$147.00
24Lenses$1.87$44.88
24LEDs$3.66$87.84
32-ch dimmer$30.00$90.00
4Fans$19.00$76.00
1PVC Trim$26.00$26.00
Total$471.72

Edit: USD, and probably excluded shipping costs to FL
 
Price list does not include wiring, project box, silicone, liquid electrical tape, screws, paint, and hanging kit.

Not too bad for a 1.2kw(max) light!

QtyItem$/ea$/Line
1Heatsink$147.00$147.00
24Lenses$1.87$44.88
24LEDs$3.66$87.84
32-ch dimmer$30.00$90.00
4Fans$19.00$76.00
1PVC Trim$26.00$26.00
Total$471.72

Edit: USD, and probably excluded shipping costs to FL
Nice project... It has been a while since I made DIY LED/s. What supplier did you use? I used to go Rapid but I am sure there are better suppliers now (this was like 12 years ago).
 
Nice project... It has been a while since I made DIY LED/s. What supplier did you use? I used to go Rapid but I am sure there are better suppliers now (this was like 12 years ago).
Thanks!

Got the LED chips on ebay, and the heatsink from heatsinkonline.com
 
Thanks!

Got the LED chips on ebay, and the heatsink from heatsinkonline.com
I have a whole drawer in my garage full of thermal adhesive, screws, LED lenses and all the soldering equipment , calling my name.
 
I have a whole drawer in my garage full of thermal adhesive, screws, LED lenses and all the soldering equipment , calling my name.
Do it!

The quick connect chips even remove the soldering step. Given that they are Chinese-sourced, replacing chips eventually is highly likely. However, since they are cheap (and take a while for to get here from China), I'd recommend ordering a couple spares. Also keep in mind "replaceability" when building. If you can fix something without pulling down the whole

I also switched from the thermal grease to a thermal tape (in addition to the tapped screws). The grease gets everywhere! It (somehow) got on my girlfriend, and she was less than impressed.
 

ARE YOU READY TO CONFESS TO CRAZIEST, DUMBEST, FUNNIEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE IN REEFING?

  • Yeah, I'll confess! (Share your story in the comments!)

    Votes: 44 52.4%
  • Nah, I'll keep mine a secret...(Don't be like that, share with the class!)

    Votes: 40 47.6%
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