chinese led lights

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by Ianwraab

Growth is up...
I'm lovin these black boxes...

My softies have some noticeable growth already as well.

[Ezpleazur]

Originally Posted by ghrorick

E-mailed sam the other day. He told me to get 3 a6s for a 180 gallon (6x2x2)and 2 a4s for a 120 gallon (4x2x2). I understand 2 a4s for the 120 (which I am debating getting 2 a6s since this is a sps tank and I want to get some violet and uv as well). doesn't 3 a6s sound a little excessive for a 180 gallon? I guess I could go that route and switch out the corals in each tank (have soft corals in the 180 gallon).

I want to order 3 a4 or a6 units for my 210 but not sure of the specs for the LEDs. I noticed you said Sam recommended 3 a6's for your 180... is that what you ended up ordering? What email did you use to contact Sam as I can't locate anything on their site? Thanks in advance!!!

[ghrorick]

I am trying to order 2 a6s to go over my 120, but I am going to see how they look over my 135 before I go and order 3. I am looking for a 180 to replace 135 since it is an old beat up acrylic tank. If I have to go with 3 I may just stick with my 6 bulb 80 watt t-5 because I am going to be using more electricity with 3 a6s and it will take 4 yrs to make up the cost with bulb replacements. I contacted Sam right through the aliexpress page (where it says contact now). My order was canceled by aliexpress so now I am trying to figure out what happened and how I can get it going again and get them ordered, although tankaddict has me a little nervous now (mistakes happen I am interested to see how they handle it). What size 210? if it is 72x30x24tall you will need three to cover the 30 inch width I do believe.

[Travis1787]

That stinks for tank addict you can start a claim for complaint through aliexpress up to 5 days after you get the unit so try that... That stinks! I got 4 violets in my d120 and I had an odd combo on switch one and two and they did it exactly how I asked came perfect and worked and everything I hope they can fix it for you ....

And to someone who asked if the d120 has fans the answer is yes it has 3 fans that run with the power switches on.... I love mine so far ... Looooove it.... 182 total I believe and once I got it I sould my mh setup for 125 so in the end I switched to leds for 57 bucks and save on powerbill and no more 85 dollar mh bulb every 9 months... As long as this unit last me at least 2 years it will be very worth if it last 8 that would be even better haha

[Ezpleazur]

Originally Posted by ghrorick

I am trying to order 2 a6s to go over my 120, but I am going to see how they look over my 135 before I go and order 3. I am looking for a 180 to replace 135 since it is an old beat up acrylic tank. If I have to go with 3 I may just stick with my 6 bulb 80 watt t-5 because I am going to be using more electricity with 3 a6s and it will take 4 yrs to make up the cost with bulb replacements. I contacted Sam right through the aliexpress page (where it says contact now). My order was canceled by aliexpress so now I am trying to figure out what happened and how I can get it going again and get them ordered, although tankaddict has me a little nervous now (mistakes happen I am interested to see how they handle it). What size 210? if it is 72x30x24tall you will need three to cover the 30 inch width I do believe.

I hear ya, good luck tank addict!

My tank measures 72"x24"x30"tall. So only 24" across not 30". Not familiar with how to calculate LED coverage, but if over lighting isn't an issue, I will go with 3 a6s and run them length wise. If anyone disagrees please speak up because I plan on ordering tomorrow. Thanks for the help!

[radbluesfan]

Originally Posted by Ezpleazur

I hear ya, good luck tank addict!

My tank measures 72"x24"x30"tall. So only 24" across not 30". Not familiar with how to calculate LED coverage, but if over lighting isn't an issue, I will go with 3 a6s and run them length wise. If anyone disagrees please speak up because I plan on ordering tomorrow. Thanks for the help!

24"X24" coverage each should be easily attained with those lights. 3 should look great.
For those wondering about the UVs and violets----I have Eshines 48x3 watt lights (2). Each has no UVs and 6 violets 420nm Bridgelux. In hindsight I would use 2 or zero violets per light fixture and replace them with royal blues. I would prefer a little more blue and less pink---some have stated that the UVs are really pink but I cannot say "firsthand". Yes, with dimmers the balance of blue can be adjusted but I would prefer the color I like to be there when both circuits are 100%. The neutral whites add a lot of warm colors that I thought I would need the violets for. If/when I ever do this again I will most likely buy a combo of only blue and whites. I know this sounds too simple and the "full spectrum blah blah" is not covered-----but perhaps there is a reason a majority of LED fixtures from most all manufacturers use only blue and white LEDs. But........color is subjective and this is my opinion after having mine a month or so.

[reeferheadlouie]

Originally Posted by jhawkor

http://reefbreeders.com/value_led_fixtures.html

If you want them to be dimmable via Apex, let him know and he can do that for a little bit more.

I have been talking with this guy and all he does is take the wires from the apex vdm and connect to potentiometer or the wires leading to it. I have explained that fixture I have is the plain Chinese black box that is already dimmable. Do you think this will really work?

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by reeferheadlouie

I have been talking with this guy and all he does is take the wires from the apex vdm and connect to potentiometer or the wires leading to it. I have explained that fixture I have is the plain Chinese black box that is already dimmable. Do you think this will really work?

Nobody has tried it yet.

[OneReef]

....

[bhazard451]

Tried the first two wires of the nova driver leading to the Pot (dim- dim+) to the apex. Didn't work as was previously expected, but I'm also new to the Apex.

I take back what I said about the fans. Both drivers are connected to a PCB that then connects to the fans. No idea what is going on there.

I peeled back the PCB board more, and it does have thermal grease on the heatsink. Still confused as ever as to if it is parallel or series wiring, but it looks like series. Remember, there are 6 whites, 6 blues in each circle.



The middle two wires go to the driver. The outer two wires connect to the other led board.



This is how those other two wires look on that same board.

[bhazard451]

More info from Sam:

1. “If one led goes, the whole board needs to be replaced.”
It’s not correct.
Here attached you a picture, IC inside LED .
To protect other LED on the same line, we add an IC in all of our LEDs, which means,
all the other LEDs will continue to work while one LED goes.
Go and replace one LED is what we need to do.

2. “There is no heating sink on D120W.”
Some kind of mistakes. Attached D120W LED board.
This board is wider as well as thicker than old ones, it can well replace the function of heating sink, what’s more, we got three fans.
So the heating problem can be solved well.



D120 board

[tankaddict]

Originally Posted by Travis1787

That stinks for tank addict you can start a claim for complaint through aliexpress up to 5 days after you get the unit so try that... That stinks! I got 4 violets in my d120 and I had an odd combo on switch one and two and they did it exactly how I asked came perfect and worked and everything I hope they can fix it for you ....

And to someone who asked if the d120 has fans the answer is yes it has 3 fans that run with the power switches on.... I love mine so far ... Looooove it.... 182 total I believe and once I got it I sould my mh setup for 125 so in the end I switched to leds for 57 bucks and save on powerbill and no more 85 dollar mh bulb every 9 months... As long as this unit last me at least 2 years it will be very worth if it last 8 that would be even better haha

Sam told me that he can send the violet 420nm LEDs, I just dont see how I would wire the LEDs if they are not stars..
Sam Chen(2012-06-06 21:14:51)
If you very dislike the 440 thought I think it is ok,
Here is our suggestion:
We are going to send lights to USA tomorrow,
with lights are 6pcs 420nm LEDs,
we are talkig with our American friends to help ship thost LEDs to you if possible.
Would you please pay the delivery cost (USA-USA) for 6pcs LEDs?
Sam Chen(2012-06-06 21:15:01)
less than 5usd I think
Tuan Pham(2012-6-6 23:17:19)
How would I go installing the LEDs since the ones on the A6 are not stars but are wired straight into the circuit board?

[jhawkor]

Originally Posted by reeferheadlouie

I have been talking with this guy and all he does is take the wires from the apex vdm and connect to potentiometer or the wires leading to it. I have explained that fixture I have is the plain Chinese black box that is already dimmable. Do you think this will really work?

I'd like to hear more opinions about this.

[Travis1787]

Sooo wait @ tankaddict is he saying you have the 440s in there now?

[Travis1787]

Well I was wrong on the novas there not modular nor can you get crees....

Also sam was saying the 440 violets "will look like royal blues and hard to tell difference" but I have to disagree .... As soon as I turned my light on I slowly turned up each dimmer to count each led and make sure it was all right.... As a turned up the dusk/dawn dimmer ic could instant see 4 purpleish leds all in the middle area of the light couldn't miss it doesn't look anything like the blues and I got the 440nms in mine....

[sunny501]

need help New member here, i have a 92 gallons corner tank..need help with the led lighting..I am thinking of going with the Taotronics 120 w led, how many fixtures do u think i would need..any help would be highly appreciated.

[pwreef]

bhazard you have two strings of 12 LEDs here wired in series. The wires then link to the other board to add the other strings. This fixture would be very simple to re- wire using either 4 drivers with 12 LEDs in each, or 2 drivers with parallel strings. Parallel is going to get challenging since you have to balance.

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by pwreef

bhazard you have two strings of 12 LEDs here wired in series. The wires then link to the other board to add the other strings. This fixture would be very simple to re- wire using either 4 drivers with 12 LEDs in each, or 2 drivers with parallel strings. Parallel is going to get challenging since you have to balance.

Or 24 are in series with both boards connected as they are now I believe, right? For that, I bought 2 drivers that can handle the max forward voltage. 69-90v drivers, at 650mah, 60 watt. Should keep things nice and simple. Drivers should arrive within a week.

This will also make the light brighter, and running closer to 3w.

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by tankaddict

Sam told me that he can send the violet 420nm LEDs, I just dont see how I would wire the LEDs if they are not stars..
Sam Chen(2012-06-06 21:14:51)
If you very dislike the 440 thought I think it is ok,
Here is our suggestion:
We are going to send lights to USA tomorrow,
with lights are 6pcs 420nm LEDs,
we are talkig with our American friends to help ship thost LEDs to you if possible.
Would you please pay the delivery cost (USA-USA) for 6pcs LEDs?
Sam Chen(2012-06-06 21:15:01)
less than 5usd I think
Tuan Pham(2012-6-6 23:17:19)
How would I go installing the LEDs since the ones on the A6 are not stars but are wired straight into the circuit board?

You would have to heat up the solder and pull the legs off the pad. To install, you would line up + and - on the pads, heat a tiny bit of solder on it, and let it solidify. No wires needed, as the traces are connected to the solder pads.

It shouldn't be too hard. Make sure the led is connected firmly though, and don't cut any traces by accident.

[ghrorick]

Just heard back from aliexpress, they want a pic of my drivers license, copy of my credit card and a copy of my credit card statement to let my order go through. I wonder if they want my first born child as well. Sorry to say I am not really up for sending them all that information so I am now looking for an alternate route to go. I may just try and reorder or have my wife order and see what happens. I think it is B.S. that they want all that stuff even though my credit card company already let it go through and I am now waiting for those charges to come off my account. Its like really, you can charge me for it then decided to cancel it for some bs reason which they wont tell me why just that I need to send them all that info.

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by ghrorick

Just heard back from aliexpress, they want a pic of my drivers license, copy of my credit card and a copy of my credit card statement to let my order go through. I wonder if they want my first born child as well. Sorry to say I am not really up for sending them all that information so I am now looking for an alternate route to go. I may just try and reorder or have my wife order and see what happens. I think it is B.S. that they want all that stuff even though my credit card company already let it go through and I am now waiting for those charges to come off my account. Its like really, you can charge me for it then decided to cancel it for some bs reason which they wont tell me why just that I need to send them all that info.

Who did you order from? None of this was needed for my order. I did have to allow the charge via my credit card company though.

[tankaddict]

Originally Posted by bhazard451

You would have to heat up the solder and pull the legs off the pad. To install, you would line up + and - on the pads, heat a tiny bit of solder on it, and let it solidify. No wires needed, as the traces are connected to the solder pads.

It shouldn't be too hard. Make sure the led is connected firmly though, and don't cut any traces by accident.

Sounds pretty easy.. No way I'm going to pay for shipping again though, it's their mistake in the first place.

[jgraz]

Hey everyone. I need a bit of help locating something. I'm looking for one of the. 90 watt UFO LEDs. I want to put this over my 44 corner pentagon. I've found them on the sunshine systems site. The aquaUFO to be exact but I figured I might find one out of china at a more reasonable price. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[bhazard451]

Originally Posted by jgraz

Hey everyone. I need a bit of help locating something. I'm looking for one of the. 90 watt UFO LEDs. I want to put this over my 44 corner pentagon. I've found them on the sunshine systems site. The aquaUFO to be exact but I figured I might find one out of china at a more reasonable price. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

The light is pretty much comparable to the black boxes, just in a pod shape. The chinese boxes would be half the price and perform the same.

[jgraz]

Originally Posted by bhazard451

The light is pretty much comparable to the black boxes, just in a pod shape. The chinese boxes would be half the price and perform the same.

I thought the same I just figured that Because of the odd dimension of the tank, the pod would look a bit better hanging.