DIY LED Fixture

[john73738]

I have been wanting to build a DIY LED light fixture. I wanted to keep it simple, no fancy drivers and such. So here is what I got.

Keep in mind this is just a rough prototype and is not a finished product. So far it is not a stellar success, but it is also not an Epic Fail. Going to tweak and improve.

 

[Psylant]

You could probably get more light by pushing the LEDs through the board more. Also might be worth trying to put the shiny side of aluminum foil facing out around the light.

 

[john73738]

The foil is a good idea, I am also thinking of using plexiglass rather than wood.

 

[Psylant]

Both would help for sure.

 

[john73738]

So the plan is to use the acrylic painted on the back side with flat white paint. Will see how that helps.

 

[Clay]

LEDs are already directional, and a reflector would do nothing to help. Reflectors work on bulbs that emit light 360deg by reflecting light that is emitted away from the target direction. LEDs emit on a 180 deg and thus, don't benefit. With optics, LEDs emit in a much more focused beam. A 40 deg optic will focus more than 50% of the light emitted in a 40deg cone. Typically, optics come in 40, 60, and 80 deg. HTH

 

[Macomber]

What about the light that bounces off the glass lids? Wouldn't a reflector help shoot some of that lost light back into the glass/tank?

 

[Psylant]

Or make the a convex shape around the LED unit to reflect light that isn't necessarily headed towards the water in the tank.

 

[john73738]

LEDs are already directional, and a reflector would do nothing to help. Reflectors work on bulbs that emit light 360deg by reflecting light that is emitted away from the target direction. LEDs emit on a 180 deg and thus, don't benefit. With optics, LEDs emit in a much more focused beam. A 40 deg optic will focus more than 50% of the light emitted in a 40deg cone. Typically, optics come in 40, 60, and 80 deg. HTH

True, I was thinking like Macomber and wanting to squeeze all the lost light I can. Bottom line is that I need to use the acrylic as my base so I get the most out of the leds and just use more.