My MakersLED Build

chrishet · 09/29/2012, 10:23 AM

When I first saw the MakersLED heatsink on a popular reef building blog I knew at that moment that I wanted one...so here goes...

I ordered a 36 inch Makers LED heat sink, see pics below...I can't say where because they have been banned from RC for some reason, but I am very impressed with the build quality and options. It is a bit heavy but that won't matter much once its hung over my tank.

It includes lots of options for installing decorative panels on the sides, ends, and top...and includes a clear plexi shield for the LED side. It also included 3 fans, a bunch of mounting screws and end caps. Since the design utilized slots for screwing down the LED stars there is no need to drill/top for mounting LEDs.

I have a few goals for the project and would appreciate any feedback on my design.

1) I want a broad spectrum spread, not just your typical RB/W
2) I want independent control of as many channels as possible – photography is important to me and I want to control the color mix periodically
3) I want automation control of each channel, on/off/dim, using my Neptune Apex controller

For LED's I am considering the following:

20 – Cree 3Ups (2xRoyal Blue (RB)/1xNeutral White (NW)) – 6 each cluster
20 – Exotic True Violet (TV) – 6 in each cluster
9 – Exotic OCW (1xBlue (CB)/1xTurquoise (T)/1xDeep Red (DR)) – 3 in each cluster

and for drivers I am thinking 5 x 75W, 700ma Inventronics with a control pot on each one.

chrishet · 09/29/2012, 10:26 AM

Confuse · 09/29/2012, 10:46 AM

Nice build! I'm about to build my 6" fixture with the 3ups, OCW's, and TV's.

chrishet · 09/29/2012, 05:57 PM

Thx Confuse...good luck with your build. Having never built an LED fixture before I hope I can get the mix right...standing on the shoulders of others here...

manfx · 11/02/2012, 09:28 AM

Hey Chris! Any update? I'm seriously considering getting a setup from the same people that i think you got your makersled heatsink from... how was your experience, looks like you got it and it looks good. Question, why'd u go with so much Violets - doesn't seem to be the most common among OEM and DIYs that i've seen.

So Chris since your a step ahead of me...can i ask your opinion.

I'm thinking for my standard 90g is 2 x 12" Makersled heatsink ( i have a canopy )

18 Royal Blue (bridgelux)
12 Cool White (cree xte)
6 Neutral White (bridgelux)
2 True Violet
2 Green
2 Deep Red
4 Turquise

the part im most uncertain about are the drivers... i was thinking the best option would be the Inventronics 120w driver - 2100mA and run all the lights on it with the MakersLEd Dimming ( 2 potentionmeter ) bar on each heatsink.

If im not mistaken with those i can manually dim 2 sets of LEDs on each heatsink although powered by the same driver. Would it be possible to add an Apex Controller to this setup at a later date?

The tank is mostly LPS w/ fish and a few SPS...

09/29/2012, 10:23 AM	#1
chrishet Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greensboro, GA Posts: 945	My MakersLED Build When I first saw the MakersLED heatsink on a popular reef building blog I knew at that moment that I wanted one...so here goes... I ordered a 36 inch Makers LED heat sink, see pics below...I can't say where because they have been banned from RC for some reason, but I am very impressed with the build quality and options. It is a bit heavy but that won't matter much once its hung over my tank. It includes lots of options for installing decorative panels on the sides, ends, and top...and includes a clear plexi shield for the LED side. It also included 3 fans, a bunch of mounting screws and end caps. Since the design utilized slots for screwing down the LED stars there is no need to drill/top for mounting LEDs. I have a few goals for the project and would appreciate any feedback on my design. 1) I want a broad spectrum spread, not just your typical RB/W 2) I want independent control of as many channels as possible – photography is important to me and I want to control the color mix periodically 3) I want automation control of each channel, on/off/dim, using my Neptune Apex controller For LED's I am considering the following: 20 – Cree 3Ups (2xRoyal Blue (RB)/1xNeutral White (NW)) – 6 each cluster 20 – Exotic True Violet (TV) – 6 in each cluster 9 – Exotic OCW (1xBlue (CB)/1xTurquoise (T)/1xDeep Red (DR)) – 3 in each cluster and for drivers I am thinking 5 x 75W, 700ma Inventronics with a control pot on each one. __________________ Regards, Chris * Imaging the Cosmos, Astrophotography by Chris Hetlage * Current Tank Info: 70 Gal Shallow-Rimless Custom Build In-progress, Apex Controller, Canon 5D Last edited by chrishet; 09/29/2012 at 10:37 AM.

09/29/2012, 10:26 AM	#2
chrishet Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greensboro, GA Posts: 945	__________________ Regards, Chris * Imaging the Cosmos, Astrophotography by Chris Hetlage * Current Tank Info: 70 Gal Shallow-Rimless Custom Build In-progress, Apex Controller, Canon 5D

09/29/2012, 05:57 PM	#4
chrishet Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greensboro, GA Posts: 945	Thx Confuse...good luck with your build. Having never built an LED fixture before I hope I can get the mix right...standing on the shoulders of others here... __________________ Regards, Chris * Imaging the Cosmos, Astrophotography by Chris Hetlage * Current Tank Info: 70 Gal Shallow-Rimless Custom Build In-progress, Apex Controller, Canon 5D

09/29/2012, 10:46 AM	#3
Confuse Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 385	Nice build! I'm about to build my 6" fixture with the 3ups, OCW's, and TV's.

11/02/2012, 09:28 AM	#5
manfx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 115	Hey Chris! Any update? I'm seriously considering getting a setup from the same people that i think you got your makersled heatsink from... how was your experience, looks like you got it and it looks good. Question, why'd u go with so much Violets - doesn't seem to be the most common among OEM and DIYs that i've seen. So Chris since your a step ahead of me...can i ask your opinion. I'm thinking for my standard 90g is 2 x 12" Makersled heatsink ( i have a canopy ) 18 Royal Blue (bridgelux) 12 Cool White (cree xte) 6 Neutral White (bridgelux) 2 True Violet 2 Green 2 Deep Red 4 Turquise the part im most uncertain about are the drivers... i was thinking the best option would be the Inventronics 120w driver - 2100mA and run all the lights on it with the MakersLEd Dimming ( 2 potentionmeter ) bar on each heatsink. If im not mistaken with those i can manually dim 2 sets of LEDs on each heatsink although powered by the same driver. Would it be possible to add an Apex Controller to this setup at a later date? The tank is mostly LPS w/ fish and a few SPS...