leds ordered

bluwinghawk · Jan 13, 2012

oh boy took the plunge just put my order in for my 1st leds kit from reefleds thanks for all the help bill now the waiting game waiting wating waiting
i will try to post pics of the journey lol

trplxj · Jan 14, 2012

Sweet!!! I did the same thing earlier this week. I feel like a 5 year kid the week before Christmas.

bluwinghawk · Jan 14, 2012

lol yeah man

bluwinghawk · Jan 17, 2012

:angel:update sent to yahoo yay now waiting waiting lol

bluwinghawk · Jan 19, 2012

THERE HERE THERE HERE lol help

bluwinghawk · Jan 19, 2012

dose it matter how close i put led to each other?

trplxj · Jan 20, 2012

bluwinghawk said:
dose it matter how close i put led to each other?

I would think so. What kit did you get? I'm still waiting on mine, I ordered a Apex at the same time and it's on back order. :sure:

CJO · Jan 20, 2012

bluwinghawk said:
dose it matter how close i put led to each other?

Assuming you are using a decent sized heat sink, you can put them right next to each other. I did mine in groups of 3- two blues and a white. This cuts down on color fringes and still keeps the shimmer.

CJ

cdness · Jan 20, 2012

Yeah with a heatsink it shouldn't be an issue. I was planning on the same as what CJO mentioned with 2 blues and 1 cool white in a cluster pattern. Kinda would be like the AI SOL LEDs. It depends on the sink though so keep that in mind.

I may even go with an RGB type of setup and do 2 blues, one white, one red, and one green in a cluster and see how it looks... Acccording to ReefBuilders a new cheaper version of the crees may be out soon

bluwinghawk · Jan 20, 2012

I got the 48 cree xp-e kit plus the high noons from reef lights I plan on putting more light later with all the new stuff comeing out wanted to make sure had the room. reading all the comments i changed my mine and instead of glueing Im drilling and taping, but i broke my last 2 drill bits:cry: HD and lowes should be open 24 hrs lol. do i have to use a conductor paste between the led and heat sink ? and if so can i get it at the store or do i have to get it online? and whats the proper name for it?

boxer · Jan 20, 2012

bluwinghawk said:
I got the 48 cree xp-e kit plus the high noons from reef lights I plan on putting more light later with all the new stuff comeing out wanted to make sure had the room. reading all the comments i changed my mine and instead of glueing Im drilling and taping, but i broke my last 2 drill bits:cry: HD and lowes should be open 24 hrs lol. do i have to use a conductor paste between the led and heat sink ? and if so can i get it at the store or do i have to get it online? and whats the proper name for it?

lol I had the same prob with drill bits. are you using a press or hand drill i used a drill press and it stopped the breaks. also when tapping only tap about a 1/8" at a time and back it out and use cutting oil. I know it sounds like alot of work and time and it is but trust me you dont want to break the tap inside the heatsink. i rushed it and thats what happend and it really sucks. yes you need to use thermal paste between the led and heatsink I cant remember what kind it was i think arctic silver or something like that.

bluwinghawk · Jan 21, 2012

thank you yeah im taping with # 4 sheet metel screws and 3/32 bit and machine oil have no drill press srews are working great found nylon washers to work perfect take 1 washer and put oil in it for bit i catch a fin and snap the point ugh i seen artic b4 have to find it again ugh hate waiting is there a store thats sells it?

boxer · Jan 21, 2012

bluwinghawk said:
thank you yeah im taping with # 4 sheet metel screws and 3/32 bit and machine oil have no drill press srews are working great found nylon washers to work perfect take 1 washer and put oil in it for bit i catch a fin and snap the point ugh i seen artic b4 have to find it again ugh hate waiting is there a store thats sells it?

oh cool I never thought of using self tapping screws good idea. Um Radio Shack has some its thermal grease it says its rated up to 302 degrees im just not sure if it rated for your specific application. But you should be able to cross ref. it some how.

bluwinghawk · Jan 21, 2012

it figures the 1 by me closed down last year lol

boxer · Jan 21, 2012

lol holy crap dude. well good new best buy has some too.

bluwinghawk · Jan 21, 2012

whats the rating for an led temp wise you dont think it get hotter than 300 does it? i will be using fans too

boxer · Jan 21, 2012

On the cree xpe data sheet it say the max temp Junction is 130 degrees Celsius thats 266 degrees f. My leds drivers are set at 750ma and when i shoot the led with a temp gun i get a reading of 108-110 so im sure as long as its thermal grease you will be alright. you got your leds from reefledlights right? i would ask them if they know of a better place to get it locally.

bluwinghawk · Jan 21, 2012

k thanks going to bed so i can get to best buy quicker lol

bluwinghawk · Jan 21, 2012

help techs whats the pro and cons running leds in series/parrell? my org. thought was to do series? and dimmable

ReefLEDLights · Jan 21, 2012

boxer said:
i would ask them if they know of a better place to get it locally.

That's a rough one...

Locally they all sell them in small units. (2.5g) for typically 7-11$ depending on where you live and where you can buy. We use the ratio of 48LEDs per 14g tube.
If you can't find any and need to order from us the self tapping screws and paste they are small enough to fit in a small box. Use the code " smallbox " at checkout.

bluwing, I responded to your thread about the wiring diagrams because everyones situation is different and its dependent on how many LEDs you want to run and at what power.

I love build threads and am excited to see it come together!

-Rick