And so it Begins; The Epic DIY LED Build! (1 Viewer)

[ironman]

If you don't mind me getting technical, what frequency does the PWM run at?

Depends on the chip. This is from Stevesleds.com where I purchased all my drivers.

"This accepts standard PWM for dimming and automation. Accurate linear dimming is compatible with PWM frequencies from 100 Hz to 5 kHz for PWM duty cycle down to 1%. PWM frequencies up to 50 kHz can be supported for duty cycles greater than 10%."

 

[Matt D.]

Do you need to use a quality soldering iron? I have a Hakko soldering station with adjustable temp if you need, and I don't live far from you.

 

[ironman]

Do you need to use a quality soldering iron? I have a Hakko soldering station with adjustable temp if you need, and I don't live far from you.

Shhhhh, the wife won't let me buy my dual hot air/ soldering iron smd system if she sees this.lol Honestly though, thanks for the offer, if I had seen it sooner I would have taken you up on it. But my new system is already on it's way to MN. And borrowing one would have just been prolonging the inevitable purchase of a better system anyway.

 

[Momma_fish]

Shhhhh, the wife won't let me buy my dual hot air/ soldering iron smd system if she sees this.lol Honestly though, thanks for the offer, if I had seen it sooner I would have taken you up on it. But my new system is already on it's way to MN. And borrowing one would have just been prolonging the inevitable purchase of a better system anyway.

And I just saw it.............:doh:

 

[ironman]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got the drivers fixed, everything wired up, tested for shorts, tested each LED, and fired it up...I have one dead True Violet, and one Warm white with a missing lense. Guess I will have to order those:angryfire:. Not a huge deal, the killer though, is that my red LEDs flicker until I turn them all the way up, same with one string of Warm Whites, the other string of Warm whites will not light. :angryfire::censor::swear::bawling:

 

[ArstenA]

Not enough voltage???

 

[ArstenA]

Or is there an over current protection that is kicking in and out? Might have to put an oscope on there.

If you have a variable power supply you could slowly turn it up to see if they light

 

[ironman]

Or is there an over current protection that is kicking in and out? Might have to put an oscope on there.

If you have a variable power supply you could slowly turn it up to see if they light

Perhaps, but I have the greens, reds, Warm Whites, and Cool whites on one variable power supply and the rest of the colors on the other. The Cool Whites and Greens work just fine. I think it has to be a wiring issue since I tried the Warm Whites on a different driver, and they had the same issue there.

Also, I do not have an Oscilloscope, and wouldn't know how to use one if i did lol.

 

[ironman]

You could have one led in the chain backwards. That would Prevent them all from working. Or one led could be mounted backwards on the star. Use two AA batteries and test each led. The two AAs will give you three volts, enough to power one led.

My voltmeter has a diode test function, I used it to verify all my LEDs were working, and to verify they are wired correctly by tracing the flow + to - on each LED. They are all wired correctly as far as I was able to see, this is quite frustrating. lol

 

[ArstenA]

You should also do a continuity test between each + & - to your heat sink. I found a few when I built my fixture. It is easy to have a bad solder because the stars are metal and conduct a small amount.

 

[ironman]

You should also do a continuity test between each + & - to your heat sink. I found a few when I built my fixture. It is easy to have a bad solder because the stars are metal and conduct a small amount.

I did that as well. frankly, I'm at a bit of a loss.

 

[ironman]

OK, problem solved, my wiring is, as I suspected, pristine. I have three faulty drivers. I suspect the PWM chips are burnt out, but I'm not sure. I guess it's time to send these to Steve and have him repair them...ugh. I will NEVER use his drivers again. Next time I will DIY my own.

 

[Momma_fish]

OK, problem solved, my wiring is, as I suspected, pristine. I have three faulty drivers. I suspect the PWM chips are burnt out, but I'm not sure. I guess it's time to send these to Steve and have him repair them...ugh. I will NEVER use his drivers again. Next time I will DIY my own.

Ugh, this is getting so annoying, I want to enjoy it already!
You've put so many weeks into this project, I just wish it would all run
smoothly and stop giving you so much trouble. This is going to be amazing
((when)) it gets done!

 

[ironman]

Well, now that the wiring has been cleared, time for the tedious task of hot glueing all the wires in place, water proofing all the bare contact areas on the stars, and fitting the splash shield. Sorry I haven't posted any pictures, I've taken quite a few though so expect a massive update sometime in the near future.

 

[Username not found]

Ugh, this is getting so annoying, I want to enjoy it already!
You've put so many weeks into this project, I just wish it would all run
smoothly and stop giving you so much trouble. This is going to be amazing
((when)) it gets done!

lol spoken like a true wife

 

[ironman]

lol spoken like a true wife

lol tell me about it.

 

[The_Salty_Sea]

How's the build coming along ? any updates ?

 

[mapierce7]

Updates! I want to see the color spread you got out of this.

 

[Tendo]

Yes, Hurry I need to steal more of your ideas:beerchug::gay1: