Rapid LED build

[joelb]

I ordered some stuff from the rapidled.com and it arrived.

Your Order Contains:

• 1 x 24 Ultra Premium LED DIY Kit with Dimmable Drivers
  (Driver Type: P (1-10V Programmable), Lens Color: Black, Lens Width: 60 Degree, Thermal Compound Type: Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive, LED Color Ratio: 11 royal blue, 2 Green, 9 cool white, 2 neutral...)
• 1 x DDC-02 PWM Controller
• 2 x CREE XP-G 5W Neutral White LED with 40°, 60°, or 80° degree Lens
  (Lens Color: Black, Lens Width: 80 Degree)
• 1 x As-is 6" x 20" Black Anodized Aluminum Heat Sink
  (Choose Option: Add Splash Guard +$3)

I am very saticfied with the quality of items, the wires were pre tinned, the lock nuts were greased, and the "as is, used heat sink" was brand new.







I went with the adhesive because i didnt want to drill and tap the heatsink, i ordered an as is one and figured there would be holes in it and maybe a bent fin here and there but it was in mint condition.

[joelb]

Im not an experienced solderer but after the first few it was very easy. soldering took 30 minutes. (that long because I had to cut some of the pre cut wires and re tin them)



The reason for the empty row is since this is my first time with LEDs I wasnt sure what color temp i was going to get, i want full spectrum but I love the blue so that 3rd row is for another driver and 13 more LEDs and the color of LEDs that go on that row will be based on the needs of the tank livestock etc.

[joelb]

The drivers arent just plug n play, a cheap volt meter is required. I just had to throttle back the output a bit for the LEDs. I had to read it about 10 times to finally understand it, only because im a noob when it comes to electricity and using the volt meter. but when i finally understood it, it literally took 2 minutes and that was just unscrewing the 2 drivers.

[sealmeister]

What was your total price?


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[joelb]

The fixture came out so clean and low profile that I didnt want to hang it, rather I wanted it to look like it was floating so i went to lowes and picked up some steel angle iron and a cold rolled flat steel bar, measured, cut and welded a mounting bracket. Up to this point the total cost to get the LEDs to my house and assembled was $265. the steel at lowes was $50 but I had some left over. so total invested was $315

[joelb]

I love it, its going to be hard to choose that 3rd row, the controller can make it as blue as you can possibly want or as bright as the coral can stand... there is tons of shimmer and in the shimmer its like a rainbow. i am very pleased with it

[envy]

nice

[pfcreed]

I got one too but my install is straight gettoooooooo. but im very happy with it.