Shores805 DIY Unibody

[KJAG]

Have enjoyed my ATI T5's but its time for a change. Previously did an LED build prior to my T5 fixture, but wasnt a fan of the standard CW/Royal Blue look. Hopefully this build will be more balanced aesthetically.Going to use this thread as a journal/something to refer back to for future builds. Comments welcome.
Build will consist of 3 JBJ Duo 700's( 6 channels), Unibody heatsink, and 54 LEDs consisting of 3W Cree RB,NW,CW,B,TV, a few Deep Red(660nm.)

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

This should be cool. Tagging along so keep us updated!

 

[CJO]

That's a clean looking fixture!

CJ

 

[KJAG]

Thanks Rev and C.Going to start wiring/ soldering tonight.Need to get this build finished-My t5s are on their last leg. A little nervous about acclimating everything.My last build I didn't get the memo on acclimation and ended up frying most of my corals.

 

[KJAG]

This turned into being a 66 led build instead of 54. Unnecessary, but the drivers dim from 0-10v, so Ill be running everything at very low power. Wired up the first string(420nm) everything looks good.Second string( cool blues) are flashing when dimmed down to 1v, so going to re wire the CB and see if that fixes it.

 

[CJO]

If you are using meanwells, they tend to do that if you don't turn the power off before dimming them down that far. The dropoff is at 5%.

CJ

 

[KJAG]

CJ, thanks,they're actually Thomas Research drivers. The solder looks to be correct, theres no exposed wire touching the star or heatsink etc. going to test the connections w a multimeter next. When I dim channel 1( true violets) it dims perfectly and maintains a low current, channel 2 however is still flashing but only when dimmed. If I increase power the string stops flashing. Any thoughts?

 

[KJAG]

Got it. There was a loose + connection within the driver box. I'm far from the led guru so not sure why it caused the flashing only between 0-1v, but it seems to be perfect after securing the connection.

 

[Ensiferum321]

Looks nice, look forward to seeing the progress

 

[KJAG]

Looks nice, look forward to seeing the progress[/QUOTE
Thanks E

 

[KJAG]

Just an update.Almost finished, just gotta heatshrink, put the wire connectors in a project box and wire a few more LEDs.Since theres six dimmable channels I wanted to stack the heatsink with as many LEDs as possible so I could run a higher # of different colors at a lower power while maintaining PAR, and avoid the disco ball effect by not running optics.Had some serious color shadowing on my last build due to gaps between the diodes.The True Violets arent nearly as bright as the rest even at full power, so theyre running higher than the rest of the channels right now, about 50%. Running everything else (NW,CW,B,RB) around 15-20% as of now so as to acclimate. Havent received the Reds yet(660nm) but theyll go in the empty spot in the pics on their own channel. Extremely stoked on the color in the tank. Super easy to blend with the dimmers with no disco effect or washed out colors in the corals. Was debating using a diffuser of some sort as a splashguard to blend, but it wont be needed since the strings are so tight. The driver boxes are controller ready so eventually Ill go that route but still undecided on which controller to buy. To hang the fixture I used an ATI hanging kit and cut one of the vent openings to secure the ball under the faceplate. Just waiting on a few more LEDS to mess around with-turquoise (495nm) and Deep Red(660). Have heard good things about the 495 nm so well see.Thanks for looking.*Not all whites are on in the pic. Still need to wire up the CW.

 

[skunkmere]

Very nice build. i love it. there should be a supplier of nice blank fixtures like this.

 

[KJAG]

Very nice build. i love it. there should be a supplier of nice blank fixtures like this.

Thanks Skunk. PM sent.. Almost done, still waiting on the Deep Reds and Turqoise.Not sure what the holdup is.. Fixtures been over the tank for a couple weeks, already noticeabley better color in corals than while under my T5's, especially Zs/Ps.More rich, "sparkly" for lack of a better word. The only thing that looks about the same are my Red Acans, but those went from Ultra to average looking under my T5s as well.

 

[OceanMinded]

J,

nice build man. Cant wait till we get started on my build

 

[KJAG]

J,

nice build man. Cant wait till we get started on my build

Staf0s, the man,the myth, the legend..Thanks dude. I think I have an extra 660Red for you. Not quite done yet, got the turqouise and reds in a week ago but have been too busy to wire them up.

 

[Onedesign1]

great looking build. pretty high density of LEDs ... hows the heat? any issue? Excuse my ignorance but where does the Unibody originate from? Whats the total footprint size and what size tank is it over?

Any pics over the tank?

 

[KJAG]

Thanks Onedesign. The fixture is temporary until I upgrade tanks, mainly bought the drivers for the next build. True, its a little overkill for my current tank(Solana).I didnt like the color shadowing in my last build due to gaps between the LED's and running optics, and wanted to be able to add a higher ratio of different colors. Pretty hard to avoid spotlighting unless everythings tightly clustered. Im only running everything around 20%, so heats not an issue, I can hold the fixture in my hands and it feels slightly warm but not hot.Turned them up to full power off the tank for a few hours to see how hot it gets and it stayed manageable.But it could possibly run too hot at full blast for an extended time. I keep mainly softies/LPS so not sure if ill ever run it at 100%.The SilenX fans are pretty solid and the heat is evacuated similar to my ATI T5s: the splashguard contains the heat so its more efficiently removed out the top via the fan. The heatsink is 8X10, but ill prob ditch it once i upgrade and go with multiple 10X14"s of the same type of fixture. As far as pics, ill throw a couple up once I can borrow a decent camera. My cellphone cam is terrible

 

[KJAG]

Building another one to throw over my Lady's office tank(JBJ 12) the current PC lighting leaves a lot to be desired. Not gonna do much of a build thread, will just post a cpl pics here.Loving the drivers. Small footprint,dimmers are either manual with sliders or via controller for ramping, effects etc.

 

[Onedesign1]

so are you just buying new units and gutting them to make your lights?

Building another one to throw over my Lady's office tank(JBJ 12) the current PC lighting leaves a lot to be desired. Not gonna do much of a build thread, will just post a cpl pics here.Loving the drivers. Small footprint,dimmers are either manual with sliders or via controller for ramping, effects etc.

 

[KJAG]

Onedesign, was lucky enough to get a couple of raw units from a friend I did some work for awhile back. Bought some new acrylic faceplates to clean them up a bit. Ive had these two and gave one to a friend(Staf0s on R2R) Anyone could easily Mod a brand new one though if they wanted. As Im running them now(about 20-25%) the fixtures running warm, but I can comfortably hold it.Also, this fixture is more temporary until I upgrade tanks. I plan on going to a 180 long, will be using these drivers but may or may not use this style of heatsink...From what I've seen here I think I'm leaning towards a ReefSavvy tank.