14 replies to this topic

[dazzabozza]

Want to mount my LED strip into a reflector, anyone know of DIY kits or reflectors you can buy on their own? Not looking for length, would prefer box type or bowl.

Was just gonna use a stainless steel round bowl but not sure if heat disapation will be lacking? Should I go for aluminum instead? They're not overly high-powered and don't build up much heat.


Daz

[pacco]

LEDs are generally very directional - not sure what a reflector would really do for you...

Cheers
Pacco

[dazzabozza]

Heya Pacco

The strip I have is one of those flexible types with double-sided tape on the back. Was thinking of sticking inside the stainless bowl in a spiral pattern that way I can concentrate them to a small area rather than 1 long length. But if I do this the beams won't point directly downward so thought the reflector would come in handy.

It'll be for the cave area in my Tang tank. Will sit to the right of this fake rock above the cover glass.

http://youtu.be/5QCo0pz3Ivk?hd=1

I also want to "box" the light in so it doesn't spread / leak throughout the hood, can only go downward.


Daz

[werdna]

I might have 3 spare cree leds, I can make you one if you want.
I may have destroyed them when testing max power but if they still work and you are interested...

[Kleinz]

Are they 5050 or 3528 LEDs? They are pretty low heat, so I wouldn't bother about dissipation. It's only the CREEs that you would need a heatsink for.

They have about a 120 degrees spread, with more falling in the middle. Given that spread, you might as well just glue or silicon them in close rows to a sheet of aluminium, or even painted glass. Make some sides of 2 or 3 inches and Bob's your auntie. Wouldn't bother trying to make any sort of parabolic reflector- flat to a board/sheet and height of sides to control spill. You will get an area that is more brightly lit, but it won't be a spotlight effect. If I was trying for a spotlight effect, then the sort of reflector in a GU10 halogen replacement LED might be the thing.

Hint: Don't bother getting a really shiny coating on the reflector; matt white is 91 or 93% efficient, from memory.

[dazzabozza]

I might have 3 spare cree leds, I can make you one if you want.

Not after white light but thx for the offer Andrew

you might as well just glue or silicon them in close rows to a sheet of aluminium, or even painted glass.

Trying to get my head around how I'd put them in rows without damaging / cutting the strips. Let me know if u need pics.

[dazzabozza]

Here's a pic of the same sort of stuff I have mine is a shorter length though.



Not sure how I can lay it out in rows as it only flexes up and down rather than side to side.

[pacco]

I believe where the copper connectors are on the strip you can cut it and then wire between those points, should be relatively easy to make an "array" out of them

Cheers
pacco

[Kleinz]

yep. That is what is required. Chop 'em up. Join with wire. Wire in sequence they were in the strip. Do not reverse any.

Big blobs of silicon should keep water off the joins.

[dazzabozza]

Thanks guys. If I'm up to it I'll dig out the soldering iron and destroy get it sorted. Did I mention I'm good at breaking things? lol

[werdna]

Let me know if you want help

[dazzabozza]

I'll take that as ur happy to do all the work and like a pro too

Next step is where to source an ali box or cheaper alt as I don't think it's going to need a heatsink.

[Kleinz]

I reckon white painted glass (thick coat, or black on the outside as well to block light). Cheap and easy to clean. I'm sure you have some lying about, and you could assemble with the help on the silicon tube you will be using on the LED strip.

I've found these strip lights are hard to kill. Also, they come in 5m lengths, and you can cut them every 3 LEDs, so you have plenty of spare if you need. Theoretically you could divide it into 100 5cm working strips of 3 LEDs each, but you'd need to be a bit OCD to solder them together again...

[mike87]

hi daz have you looked at these?

http://www.heroledst...side-p-380.html

http://www.ebay.com....=item43b1fcaf88

I have tried to solder these light strips, its bloody annoying. the connectors look a lot easier.

Edited by mike87, 01 October 2012 - 01:28 PM.

[dazzabozza]

Cheers Mike. Nice find!