320g build/journey/experiment DIY :-)

hillegom · #1 07-18-2010, 01:07 AM

yeah ok, I see. Thanks.
For where there isn't any solder, you could put on some of that thermal compound,,the type they use on cpu's (sparingly of course) But just by being in contact with the aluminum, heat will migrate from the Al to the Cu pipe.

I thought that maybe they finally invented some new solder.

Greenmaster · #2 07-18-2010, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillegom

yeah ok, I see. Thanks.
For where there isn't any solder, you could put on some of that thermal compound,,the type they use on cpu's (sparingly of course) But just by being in contact with the aluminum, heat will migrate from the Al to the Cu pipe.

I thought that maybe they finally invented some new solder.

I was going to use thermal paste to "connect" my pipe to the aluminum but then I did some math and I do not believe it is needed or will make more then 1-5 degrees difference. But to attach the LED's to the aluminum you bet I will be using thermal compound.

Greenmaster · #3 07-18-2010, 03:26 AM

This is a cool acrylic top I saw on someone's set-up so I got some mesh from a guy in the states (if your watching this feel free to post a link to your thread).
I ordered my acrylic... and like my glass nobody wants to give me what I want (they say it's too hard/too much work/they can't do it cause it shatters at that width)... so I buy a saw and an 80 dollar blade and cut it myself (at 1/2" in width there was not even a chip). Then I put it all together.
The saw and the pieces I cut.

The first step is to make the bottom rectangle. If you notice the piece that I put on top of the box is the full width. Making the boxes staggered like that helps to avoid weak spots.

Then you stretch the mesh on the one side and glue/clamp the top piece on.

Then you pull the mesh tight to the other side and stretch it width wise at the same time (difficult to do solo without the right tools).

The you do either side pulling it tight (you may get some mild warping) then put the tabs on to make sure it doesn't fall into your tank.

fishytime · #4 07-18-2010, 03:42 PM

have to agree......great build thread and a great job on all the DIY stuff!

Greenmaster · #5 07-18-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

have to agree......great build thread and a great job on all the DIY stuff!

Thanks, Most of the stuff if I had more time or better tools I could make them look nicer but at least this way you guys get the idea of how to do it yourself if you want.

Greenmaster · #6 07-19-2010, 11:42 PM

I got my LED's today... That was crazy fast... anyways here they are.

90 20 watt Drivers

90 20 watt LED's

A closeup of the LED's the top left is white the top right is blue and the bottom is warm white. If you look closely you can see the 20 individual dies on each chip.

Greenmaster · #7 07-20-2010, 04:33 AM

This is a diagram of how I plan on placing my lights on the aluminum sheet (I did it in paint... I know it sucks but it gets the point across). What do you guys think?