Help with reptile night lights...

[Voodoo]

After some rudimentary searching, it looks like I may be over my head here but I'll ask anyway

I've purchased some led units to illuminate my reptile enclosures with a "mysterious night time glow." They consist of blue LEDs that are supposed to match the same color wavelength of moonlight. Originally developed to help live reefs in aquariums. So far, so good. The problem is they are way too bright! It may be a "mysterious glow" in a foot or two of water but in my open air enclosure it's a blue blazing sun.

If it helps, here is the manufacturer page...

What I would like to hear from you guys is that I can simply splice something into the cord coming from the power block, or plug the block into some device then into the wall and be able to dim the light. Now let me mention here that I have severely limited experience with the workings of resistors and capacitors, etc. but I do have the skills/equipment to build simple circuitry if someone could come up with a parts list.

Having said all that, would this be what I'm looking for?

Thanks for (hopefully :thumbsup all the help!

 

[balou]

What voltage does the power supply have? As a first step you may want to try to lower the voltage (use another power brick, but make sure polarity is the same). Other Option: disassemble them, add a resistor inline with the LED Btw, the PWM regulator looks like overkill for your project. Not mentioning that it might have the wrong voltage.

 

[evilc66]

Those are buck controlled LEDs. Lowering the voltage might not be a good idea as the driver may fry from trying to overcompensate (common problem with Luxdrive Buckpucks). Without actually modifying the driver to lower the current, your options are limited on the electronics front. The other option is to use something to diffuse the light to lower it's intensity. Something as simple as a sheet of paper could be enough.

 

[LukeA]

Those are buck controlled LEDs. Lowering the voltage might not be a good idea as the driver may fry from trying to overcompensate (common problem with Luxdrive Buckpucks). Without actually modifying the driver to lower the current, your options are limited on the electronics front. The other option is to use something to diffuse the light to lower it's intensity. Something as simple as a sheet of paper could be enough.

Unless there's just a resistor, in which case changing or supplementing it with another will be fine.

 

[evilc66]

That's the thing. I know for sure they are buck regulated. I have taken them apart before.

 

[Yoda4561]

Lowering the LED drive current is the best solution, but this may hold you over in the meantime. Scotch magic/satin tape for diffusion would be the first step. If it's still too bright you'll need to dim it with something, If you have some laying around 10-15% vinyl cling window tinting should work great, otherwise then aformentioned sheet of paper and some tape will work too.

 

[Voodoo]

Thanks for all the replies!:twothumbs

The power brick is listed as a 6vDC with 300ma. The thought had come to mind of trying to run it with a lower voltage brick, but wasn't sure if that would mess up the LED's if it worked at all.

Diffusing the light is a viable option. I had tunnel vision on getting some sort of dimmer setup for it to help simulate moon phases. There is another set of lights that has a controller for this, but reviews say it's unreliable at best. At the time I bought these I read that controller was compatible, or else I may have went with that system. Those lights were even brighter, and more expensive though. Looks like I made the right choice in the end.

The casing holding the LEDs doesn't look like it'll come apart to easily. I'll take a guess the driver is housed in there and not the power block. Guess I'm on the lookout for some window tint...Unless someone could kindly explain how to lower the driver current....

Just so you guys know, there may be a niche in the market place for some lower output led setups that come with dimmers! Even most of the offerings on E-bay look too bright for my needs. I'm fairly sure the boys on the other side of the Atlantic already have something like this, but most reptile keepers over here go for the bare-bones, laboratory look for their enclosures.