DIY your own SOLARIS?

Raccio · 02-28-2007, 12:05 AM

Hey guys I have a question. Check out this website. www.lcled.com This website sells various led light bulbs. They have 5500 K white bulbs and 460 to 470 nm blue bulbs. There are so many different kinds though. I wouldn't know which ones to try. Also I would need a transformer but besides that I dont know anything about wiring lighting. I have a feeling this would really work though. I could easily build the steel housing. I have seen the solaris in action. It still has the shimmer effect. Anybody have any suggestion about doing something like this?

Jflip2002 · 02-28-2007, 12:07 AM

You dont know which ones to try, and no kowing about wiring lights. Sweet, give it a shot lol

mcliffy2 · 02-28-2007, 01:07 AM

Those aren't the kind of LEDs used in the Solaris...the Solaris uses these (they are actually a lot less expensive too):
http://www.lumileds.com/products/line.cfm?lineId=18

Raccio · 02-28-2007, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jflip2002

You dont know which ones to try, and no kowing about wiring lights. Sweet, give it a shot lol

I don't know you very well so here goes. Obviously I would try to find someone to help me do the wiring or hey here's an idea!!! I can learn! If you are joking around with me then thats cool. I can have a laugh with you.

mcliffy2 · 02-28-2007, 01:20 AM

whoa boys calm down...it can be done, but it looks complicated. It looks like Luxeon lights are used for the Solaris, they are high output LEDs...the LEDs from that site you listed won't work. Here is an assembly guide for Luxeon high output LEDs. It is pretty technical, but probably the best place to start...I'm looking into it too. http://www.lumileds.com/pdfs/AB10.PDF

combiemaster · 02-28-2007, 05:55 AM

FLAME ON!!!!!!

naw j/k guys but please do try and get along thanks.

tims · 02-28-2007, 06:11 AM

morning all.
Yes this looks like a good build type thread.
perhaps as you build this you can take a lot of pics on how and what you did.
both links are great to have. the PDF files in the second link looks like they will help big time.
maybe we can get junkzoo to stop in and give al ook, i know he works with power..

tims · 02-28-2007, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jflip2002

You dont know which ones to try, and no kowing about wiring lights. Sweet, give it a shot lol

most times this is how people learn how to do something. wiring is not hard..it is the coloring that is the hardest to remember....

Geoff · 02-28-2007, 09:01 AM

i have heard the biggest problems with doing these LED lighting systems is that when on bulb goes the others will start to go pretty quickly. any changes in amp/voltages on a LED bulb seriously impact its longevity. how many people here have those silly moonlights that have lasted more than a year?

G~

Raccio · 02-28-2007, 12:15 PM

i actually havent used mine for for than a year but i will let you know if mine blow out. If you have seen it happen I believe you. You've been doing this longer than me.

theplatypus · 02-28-2007, 12:42 PM

I started doing a little searching after reading your thread and came across this diy thread.
http://www.ashevillemarine.org/bb/vi...r=asc&start=40

mcliffy2 · 02-28-2007, 12:57 PM

I also looked a little more, and the earlier link I gave is how to fabricate the ballasts (Luxeon calls them power light sources)...for anything other than pre-made shapes this would be necessary. They do have one pre-made shape available:

Here is the link: http://www.lumileds.com/products/family.cfm?familyId=3

The Solaris uses 25 LEDs in each bunch (every 12"), so I guess you would need 8 of these to replicate a 48" Solaris (looks like the run $110-150 each). I think there are quite a few requirements as far as heating, wiring, etc. anyone have an idea how you might set up some of these to work together?

avalanche wolf · 02-28-2007, 01:13 PM

I just did my own moon lights and for a rod with 11 leds , resistors , switch and wire cost me about 20 bucks for all the parts I already had the Powersupply.

Hardest part was the wiring to be honest. Just had to trim each led then solder the resistor on then the wire on and shrink the the tube on the connetions. pretty east

I think the biggest thing with doing a soaris would be making the board to place all the LEDs in. You would need to predrill it to the size you wanted then preassemble all the LEDs with resistors. and find a material to reflect any light that comes up even though LED are very directional.

11 LED is pretty bright but I would think you would need a LOT of them to really compare to most tank lighting. 60-70 in a standard 10 aga .

You might want to seperate the banks of light like every 20-30 of them for their own powersupply so there is enough power for all of them. I did notice a differance between 1 LED powered and 11 was slightly dimmer but still very bright.

Just my think tank .02 keep the thoughts coming

avalanche wolf · 02-28-2007, 01:20 PM

Wow i like that

When shopping for parts at radioshack the most expensive part was going to be the holder/reflector ( the cones ) they were 4 bucks for 2 of them. I passes on them as LED are very directional.

Looks like there are also 2 diodes on there on the ends.

If you got some Unprinted PC board in strips like that it would make building the banks of LED easier for sure.

tyson · 02-28-2007, 01:35 PM

whats everyones opinion on the effectiveness of these lights? i would love to try something like this, but how do the leds compare to traditional lighting(MH, VHO, PC)?