LED noob help please :)

[tidus10]

Do i need a power supply to run the drivers for the LEDs or can i hook the drivers to the wall? How do digital drivers work?

Just so i know whats going on with LEDs, you link them in series with the negative of one LED going into the positive of the next and the last LEDs negative goes to the negative of the driver?

was thinking of something like this for a driver
The Quad - Dimming LED Driver

but im not sure how to hook this up to anything... so im thinking a normal driver would probably do me better.. i just want to be able to dim and control (in the long run) my lights..

As far as LEDs go should i do 3 up LEDs? does that mean its equal to 9w cause its 3x3? and then can i put a 3x3 star in series with 3w LEDs?

 

[fragmatic]

LEDs are DC (like a battery). In fact you can run most any of one LED with two D sized batteries in series. This is a great way to test and to even test in circuit to find a problem. They also need a power supply that can provide the correct amperage. These power supplies will power the number of LEDs in series (or // circuits of series circuits) that add up to the volts provided at that amperage. When you run two series of LEDs in // each circuit will get half the amps.

So, no you cannot just plug them in. If you are asking these questions ..... umhhh...... wink... well.... ummmmh....maybe you need to not DIY your LEDs... .. I'm thinking of your safety.

OR... at least it would be best if you let some one that is expert teach you how, but not a friend that might know how..

 

[tidus10]

this is not a project that i will be jumping right into, i plan on doing a bit of research but i feel as though DIY LEDs are the way to go, for $150 you can get the same results as a $300 light fixture. thats $150 for corals that will not flourish under the new lights xP

 

[tidus10]

And what i meant for the power supply i mean a distribution box instead of having each driver going to a wall plug, have 3 drivers attached to a bulk power supply and id run dimmers on all drivers so i dont run the LEDs at max.. i think i have a grasp on this

 

[fragmatic]

That is much better.. you had me scared. LOL..

As you plan, research, and study methods, consider planning to have as many separate dimmers, one for each color as reasonable. You will never be sorry you did.

As part of your research be sure to read up on the latest in LED technologies. This is a fast paced industry and new LEDs are arriving on the market often. What we are gaining in that sector is more efficient, better color selections for coral growth, and brighter LEDs, so being up to date when you make your selections is key. While many of us have built DIY LED lighting intending for the pay off to be in the 9 to 11 years of not buying bulbs, and electricity savings, the truth is most of us will be rebuilding or purchasing new units because of technology gains. There is no reason not to think the price of units far advanced to what we have today will be on the market in a few years at much less costs. You will want to search out all the information you can get of color selection for the concept of reef tanks you are want to light. Generally, most people end up with about twice the wattage of LEDs they really need and run them at 1/3 or 1/2 power. With the speed of advancement in this sector study hard any information on wiring, but when it comes to picking LEDs toss out any information that is not extremely currrent because it is obsolete, and is only good for comparison data.

 

[tidus10]

whats a reccomended amount of LEDs for a tank that is 30L x 24W x 24D im thinking 30-35 3w... whats the best whites to use? cool whites or nuetral whites? warm whites? i guess the biggest goal is more blue then anything right?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Cool Whites. 2:1 Blue:White
It really all depends on the corals your going to keep also. Sofites and LPS 1:1, Clams and SPS and high light critters go 2:1 Blue
Figure 50-60W all depending on the LED, but that would be equivelant to 250W Halides

 

[fragmatic]

My tank is 38" long, 24" wide and 23" deep (VERY close to your size) and I have 54 watts and it is plenty.. there are plenty that will disagree.. and many of them have them turned way down. However, there are some who do run much more power. I have a healthy tank!

So for whatever that is worth.