Quote Originally Posted by mx4intx
Mahalo Weezard! That makes it simpler. I have the LEDs in hand but nothing else yet. I'll be sure to post it all when it's done. I have been reading LED threads all over including this one twice and you've been quite the inspiration in a few of them.


I noticed that you did some reading before posting.
Can't tell ya how much that pleases me!

Mahalo nui right back atcha, brah.
You slogged through all dat mess, twice!?
You deserve a synopsis.:jointsmile:

The LM 317 is an easy beastie
Just hang a 1 ohm, 10 W. resistor in series with your load and tie the load end of the resistor to the Adj. pin.
[attachment=o265844]
It's actually a voltage regulator, but if we pull current through the resistor, the 317 will try to maintain a 1.2V. difference between its output pin and it's adjust pin.
To do so, it is forced to regulate the current for us.

Automagically adjusts all the junction drops for us too.
1 amp. is 1 amp.!
Or, in this case, ~1.25 A.
Max onna regulator, and emitters, is 1.5 Amp
I use a heatsink from a stereo power Ampilifier that I spotted in a dumpster.
One channel was fried, but the heatsinks were beeg!
And free!:hippy:
[attachment=o265845]
And, as it turns out, jus' da right size with a small fan.
I use a single muffin fan to cool the chips and the pwr. supply module.
[attachment=o265847]
Stripped them, polished, drilled, bolted 10. deep red 5W, stars onnem and 3 Royal blue, 5W. Ledengins.
Used dropping resistors for the first grow, then realized it was a great budding light and got serious about safety and longevity.

Retrofitted some cheap current regulation and relaxed a little.:rastasmoke:
[attachment=o265846]

Loaned it to a friend when I built da 2 beeg lights.
He grew fat buds with it!
Now it's back in harness for my momma plants.

Now, aintcha glad ya asked?

I'll be followin' your log.:thumbsup:

Aloha,
Wee 'zard