100gal Build: New Pics

[sphelps]

Working on the LED layout.... Thoughts? (The back is at the bottom with the gap centered over the overflow)



Don't ask me why this helps but it made more sense when I started, looking now I'm not sure if this qualifies as useful data

White beams


Blue beams


Blue and White



Here's the red and yellow, this will really only be used as a sunset/rise effect, doubt they'll even be on during regular hours but we'll see.

[sphelps]

The welding will be done tomorrow but since this weekend will be a right off I won't be doing any mounting/soldering until next week.

I did get some hinges mounted today:



This will just allow me to lift and lower the fixture without removing it for maintenance and such if needed.

Here's a little look at the grooves I put in for the shield as well, nothing special but worth pointing out.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Here's a little look at the grooves I put in for the shield as well, nothing special but worth pointing out.

That's actually called 'scribing' and a very nice example of it

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by lastlight

That's actually called 'scribing' and a very nice example of it

I don't think so, I used a table saw prior to assembly so I'd call it cutting with a plan. Now if I used a knife to cut them after everything was said and done I'd let you define it as "scribing" but that's not a skill I could pull off

[lastlight]

Lol stick with your way unless you want to give your forearms a run for their money =)

The fans seem even more important to your design than fixtures with fins as these won't do much without the fans is that right? Will you have a way to monitor temp or air flow in case they slow down or fail?

[Parker]

I do remember reading a build thread on another forum where the aluminum tubing itself dispated enough heat that fans weren't warented. However, I believe he was running less diodes. It would be interesting to know what the temps would be with and without the fans.

[claymax]

interesting build tagging along

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by lastlight

The fans seem even more important to your design than fixtures with fins as these won't do much without the fans is that right? Will you have a way to monitor temp or air flow in case they slow down or fail?

Yes more than likely if the fans fail things will get pretty warm, however depending on the design on many fixtures and how they are enclosed this could be common issue with LEDs. I also ran some LEDs on my previous nano on just plain old flat bar without fans, they did run very hot but still appear to work as new a year later so worst case scenario doesn't really mean frying everything.

Some testing will give better answers but the design may still work if only one fan fails and if it does appear to be a serious threat I do have some plan B's to integrate as safety devices, temperature monitoring is certainly one of them. The other thing is the drivers will be mounted on the same heat sink and they will shut down if their temp rises above 150C.

The fans should however be pretty reliable seeing that they are the same used in some flat panel TVs which would also be pretty reliant on them. Plus I do have two back up fans on hand for a quick change if needed.

[The Grizz]

With the tube style heat sink if the fans stopped the air in the tube would just keep getting warmer with no air circa. Regular heat sinks with open fins will dissipate a little of the heat.

I think you have a good thing going here sphelps, fairly inexpensive heatsink & I really like your design, well planned.