Custom LED bars? DIY GURU NEEDED!

Bassmaster116 · Oct 22, 2020

So my issue is i am running MH’s i want to add some more blue and pop, the second part of my issue is i want to run 3 light bars or 1 larger light bar on each side (48” in length).

The only issue i have is it seems every manufacturer requires a inverter per light bar, is their a way to consolidate?

Otherwise does anyone know of a product comparable to orpheck or reefbreeders that are slightly larger(like 2 or 3 bars combined)?

3rd option is im willing to have someone custom make one, again just not sure where to find that.

daybreaksky · Oct 22, 2020

I came across this the other day, they may be able to custom something for you perhaps?

Welcome to Steves LEDs LLC

Semisonyx · Oct 23, 2020

C channel aluminum, A constant current driver (dimmable on the driver itself like the HLG-185H-C1050A), and 30 or so LEDs. Make 2 bars of 15 and wire them in series and connect to the driver that you dim to the desired amps prior to connecting. Very easy to do if you have a little soldering experience.

Bassmaster116 · Oct 23, 2020

Semisonyx said:
C channel aluminum, A constant current driver (dimmable on the driver itself like the HLG-185H-C1050A), and 30 or so LEDs. Make 2 bars of 15 and wire them in series and connect to the driver that you dim to the desired amps prior to connecting. Very easy to do if you have a little soldering experience.

Not worried about soldering or actually putting the fixture together i do refrigeration, just havent followed as far as good brands and essentially what works best with what. if that makes sense

oreo54 · Oct 23, 2020

Bassmaster116 said:
Not worried about soldering or actually putting the fixture together i do refrigeration, just havent followed as far as good brands and essentially what works best with what. if that makes sense

simple but a bit err problematic (hp leds run in parallel systems can be problematic for reasons that are a bit
long to explain even though some are already built like that, like the long Orphek ones) is just find light bars using constant current and get a 2x current equiv driver and run the 2 bars in parallel..

If you get bars that are constant voltage ..just boost the current (wattage) and run them in series..

Orphek example:

[*]New OR 120: Input : Voltage:100V-240V AC .
Output : Voltage :35V-65V DC . Current :1A
Power Consumption: 65W+/_5%.

To run 2 bars just get a 2A constant current driver w/ 35-65V (or higher) output.

OR run 4 4ft bars in parallel w/ this and w/ added 10V dimming..

HLG-320H-C3500B
46V~91V

SUGGEST seeing if you can find an AB version though

HLG-C Series Constant Current LED Driver from Mean Well

There is a catch, but it's actually a pretty good one..@3500mA and 4 bars in parallal you only drive each bar at 3500/4 mA= 875mA
Should increase efficiency and longevity w/ minimal par loss.

Suggest adding 1A fuses to each bar to prevent thermal issues if one fails open though one only shunts the 3500mA over 3 bars 1166mA meaning you could change the fuse to 1.5a..still..1A fuses are best

biggest catch is you just bought 4 Orphek drivers and replaced them all w/ a $90 add on.

If you find constant voltage ones, say something that uses a 12V switching power supply at say 1A you just need to find a 12v power supply at say 4A and wire the bars in series..

Aquarium LED Light ReefBar 24" inch 2ft 453 nm Actinic Blue 18W 24 Coral Moon | eBay

(This does not force you to buy anything). -Color Temperature: 453nm Actinic Blue. - Power consumption: 18W. A common goal for ideal lighting in a reef tank is about 90-120 (mms) at the top of your sand.

www.ebay.com