Cheap LED fixtures now are dimmable?!?!?!

sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
I was checking out LED lights. You know, just for fun. I have MH combo units with T5 and LED moon lights from the Trader site, and the bulbs are going to need to be replaced sooner or later. Well, if one was to look at replacing with a good MH bulb we are talking about $75.00/pop. So, I always look to see if the LED's are moving in price.
I remember Nissan got the cheap Chinese LED fixtures for a decent price but I did not like that they were not dimmable or controllable. It seems that they solved on of those issues.
I just found this item over on the Bay.

120 Watt DIMMABLE coral reef LED fixture 120w white blue grow light.
Its got 3 watt LEDs and you can dim the unit. $200.00 is not a bad price.
I might need to get one just to try it out.
Just thought I would share.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
The no names are coming down in price a lot and coming with more features. A lot more people are in the DIY LED game now and then selling them on Ebay/Craigslist/local forums. My husband is one of them. The big thing to look for is what TYPE of LEDs they're using. The ones I see on Ebay usually use Bridelux (which these ones you posted do) which aren't terrible, but I'd much rather have CREE's.
If you have half a brain you can build these yourself. Seriously, it's not hard. My husband showed me, and I couldn't believe how easy it was.
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
The Chinese LED fixtures can be ordered customized. Just to order them you have to buy a minimum number and many retailers down here order them in group buys. So ask for specifics and see if you can get what you want.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
The Chinese fixtures are actually looking pretty decent and have been getting decent reviews......As far as Bridgelux vs Cree.....That is totally debate able......Depending on the LEDs Bridgelux does have the upper hand......
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
I'm not so sure that the cheapo stuff should even be considered in the same class as cree or bridgelux. My thoughts are and always will be that you're going to get what you pay for. Generally speaking thats how it works.
Shawn, per our convo ealier about those bridgelux leds these are the ones I'm talking about. Called the Decor Series chip. They have the best CRI (color rendering index) rating over any other led topping out at 97-100CRI. And if you compare them to the best halides that folks are using now they even surpass them with their typical ratings topping out around 90-91 CRI. Cree XPG neutral whites have ratings of 80-90 CRI. So you can see where I might be going for my whites when I do get around to do a build for a tank. Not a better full spectrum led or light bulb on the market that I'm aware of. I'm drooling to see somebody to do a build with these leds and hear their thoughts.
Bridgelux Decor Array Series
The Bridgelux Decor Series delivers outstanding light quality with a very high Color Rendering Index (CRI), enabling lighting designers to truly render a full palette of colors over a wide range of light levels to create stunning and sophisticated lighting effects for retail, hospitality, museums and architectural lighting applications.
With a typical Ra value of 97, an R9 value of 98 to enhance reds, and an R15 value of 98 to allow for realistic human skin representation, the Bridgelux Decor Series delivers the high quality light required for the most demanding lighting applications.
http://www.bridgelux.com/products/decorarray.html







Ra



R1



R2



R3



R4

ng: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">
R5


R6



R7



R8



R9



R10



R11



R12



R13



R14



R15



Bridgelux Decor Series



97



97



100



96



96



98



98



99



98



98



99



92



87

_chart_cells" style="margin: 2px; padding: 2px; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">
98


97



98
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
My lady bought three of these and we are very impressed with the par levels and over all look of the tank. We are still slowly acclimmating the fish and corals but it looks amazing and the corals respond to it very well. These to are the dimmible and these can be custom ordered with whites blues and violets.
We build a canopy for her 125 to match her stand, stained it and coated it and hung the lights on Monday. LOOLS AMAZING.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/392121/cheap-led-fixtures-now-are-dimmable#post_3480242
My lady bought three of these and we are very impressed with the par levels and over all look of the tank. We are still slowly acclimmating the fish and corals but it looks amazing and the corals respond to it very well. These to are the dimmible and these can be custom ordered with whites blues and violets.
We build a canopy for her 125 to match her stand, stained it and coated it and hung the lights on Monday. LOOLS AMAZING.
I would love to see some pics!!
I am really thinking about getting at leas 1 unit just to try. Did she get them off ebay? Can you PM me a link?
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
I dont know guys. I just have issues with these ebay sellers not posting specific specs on the components being used in them. What about warranty or tech support. How are you going to know what to fix them with? Or are you thinking of these more lik a disposable fixture? I only ask because ive followed numerous threads that a lot of these cheapo fixtures dont even make it a full year. Guys who have purchased the smaller panels to run on thier scrubbers have repoted major failures within just a couple of months. Theyre gonna need maintenance and repairs within the first couple of years regardless. Why not wait and save just a little more for something you know wont be terribly technical to fix with far more capability? I guess I just dont understand. Perhap I read too much.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I've been following the thread over on RC about the Chinese lights and so far they seem pretty pleased, and coming with more options....
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/392121/cheap-led-fixtures-now-are-dimmable#post_3480304
I've been following the thread over on RC about the Chinese lights and so far they seem pretty pleased, and coming with more options....
Yeah and this whole thread is a bit of a gray area unless we're talking about specific components and actually comparing apples to apples. I don't see anything wrong with the way the China folk manufacture their LEDs. As with anything I'm sure they make some very nice ones as well as some cheap and terrible ones. But if you can't get a specific answer as to exactly what components a particular product is using then it's hard to compare anything without the benefit of a lot of research and time. So how do you know what you're buying? Most of these fixtures just aren't there yet. From what I have seen so far, yeah the cheapo leds can produce some nice light, for a while. Outside of this hobby I had already been an avid fan of led lighting for various things. They do and will fail, simple as that. I've never had a cheap led (anything) last me more than 2-3 years with little to moderate use. I've used it for various types of accent lighting over the years. And have replaced quite a few strips because half of the leds are fried after 6 months.. Then I replace them with the same brand and they usually do it again. I just feel like sometimes there are smarter ways to spend money when it comes to some things. But for $75 I wouldn't lose any sleep over it just to try a fixture out and see how it does. You could always end up pleasantly surprised. Never know.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/392121/cheap-led-fixtures-now-are-dimmable#post_3480259
I dont know guys. I just have issues with these ebay sellers not posting specific specs on the components being used in them. What about warranty or tech support. How are you going to know what to fix them with? Or are you thinking of these more lik a disposable fixture? I only ask because ive followed numerous threads that a lot of these cheapo fixtures dont even make it a full year. Guys who have purchased the smaller panels to run on thier scrubbers have repoted major failures within just a couple of months. Theyre gonna need maintenance and repairs within the first couple of years regardless. Why not wait and save just a little more for something you know wont be terribly technical to fix with far more capability? I guess I just dont understand. Perhap I read too much.
We read the same things on RC and I have been in touch with a few of the folks that have bought these fixtures. IMHO not all LEDs are created equal however, this is a hobby and new things must be played with in order to report off to other reefers or aquarists. These fixtures are dimmable and not programamble, however, FWIW 9 out of 10 dentists approve well...... those are pretty good odds.
These fixtures were not purchased on the web site you are referring too.
I do see your point.
Quote:
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I thought somewhere in that thread that 1 of the main posters in the thread has been in touch with the sales/rep whoever, and they did clarify what brand LEDs were being used......Might be mistaken, but I though I did read somewhere on LED brand used.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Sounds vaguely familiar. A small part of me wants these fixtures but a bigger part of me wants the AI's. *Big sigh*
EDITED:
Altho I do love my ATI T-5's........ if it ain't broke, I ain't fix'n it
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///t/392121/cheap-led-fixtures-now-are-dimmable#post_3480336
We read the same things on RC and I have been in touch with a few of the folks that have bought these fixtures. IMHO not all LEDs are created equal however, this is a hobby and new things must be played with in order to report off to other reefers or aquarists. These fixtures are dimmable and not programamble, however, FWIW 9 out of 10 dentists approve well...... those are pretty good odds.
These fixtures were not purchased on the web site you are referring too.
I do see your point.
Well as long as the dentists approve then it's ok I guess.

I'm not knocking your fixtures, Bud. I honestly don't even know which ones you have.
But you're right and no not all are even close to being equal. That's pretty much my point. Know what to watch out for. If you can't get good specs on the merchandise then how in the world would one know if what they're paying for aren't just the cheap leds that all but end up in the trash before they're shuffled off to mass consumers selling them for pennies because they are an inferior products. If we are going to gain knowledge that's going to be helpful in determining what to recommend for a certain situation then you'd think we'd want to understand what exactly it is that we are using.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/392121/cheap-led-fixtures-now-are-dimmable#post_3480347
Well as long as the dentists approve then it's ok I guess.

I'm not knocking your fixtures, Bud. I honestly don't even know which ones you have.
But you're right and no not all are even close to being equal. That's pretty much my point. Know what to watch out for. If you can't get good specs on the merchandise then how in the world would one know if what they're paying for aren't just the cheap leds that all but end up in the trash before they're shuffled off to mass consumers selling them for pennies because they are an inferior products. If we are going to gain knowledge that's going to be helpful in determining what to recommend for a certain situation then you'd think we'd want to understand what exactly it is that we are using.
Nailed it right on the head Corey. I will find the distributor and where we got them and PM you and you can go to work and figuring it out. Always nice to have someone who knows what they are doing look at the product.
My theoory on the cost is if one sells enough of them for "pennys" and the costumers are happy, then they will just hike up the costs later.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Shawn those Cidly fixtures are the ones most sought after when it comes to cheaper alternatives. But they are a well known manufacturer across seas so at least one would know who to contact in the event of an issue. But I dont see on there any mention of using cree leds. And if they are then which models are they and which bins do they belong to? There can be large differences in output depending which bins they come from even if they are the same model.
Keith, this is what Im talking about. Again, not knocking the fixtures but going through that site for those leds if you try tracking down the manufacturer your gonna run into a dead end every time so its buyer beware. Specs are non existant with these. Its been tried by numerous folks already. Its not that the fixtures cost pennies but the leds used in them that do. And nobody knows anything about where they come from or what they are. Other than a few industry insiders who say that yeah, typically they use the leds that are virtually throw aways that dont make the cut to go into more high end and reliable products in the lighting industry.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top