Second generation led tubes from Sunbrite LED are a massive overhaul of the initial offering

By Jake Adams on Jun 23, 2010

gen 2 LED tube from Sunbrite

The second generation LED tubes from SunBrite are a 180 degree turnaround from the rocky start of SunBrite’s first LED lighting offering. After going back to the drawing table, the company has not only strongly shored up the tubular LED platform but they have also reinvented themselves as a company and the way they make their tubes. Whereas the first generation LED tube was a complete OEM with no heatsink, 5mm LEDs and a crummy power supply, calling the new handmade LED tube a second generation effort is a serious understatement. Sunbrite’s LED tubes are now made from components with five or six custom molds. The significant heatsink distributes over 10 grams of mass per watt of LED. These new tubes are using Cree-based, Edison and BridgeLux LEDs and the diodes are purchased without primary optics so SunBrite can apply their own, custom-designed primary optic with a native directivity of 60 degrees. Finally, all the diodes are hand-soldered to their PCB in SunBrite’s own factory where all the gen2 tubes are assembled in house. Perhaps the only downgrade from the original SunBrite LED tube is the lack of fine differences between color temperatures of the 5mm LEDs and the high powered one watters that are found in the Gen2. However, SunBrite makes up for it by offering a vast diversity of color combinations of lamps with white, blue, royal blue, red and UV LEDs. The even spread of a bank of these LED tubes rocking efficient primary optics makes for some respectably high PAR numbers which we will revisit in a subsequent post. In the meantime, more information about colors, sizing and pricing can be viewed on SunBrite’s own webpage and be sure to follow the break for lots more pictures of the second generation LED tuebs from SunBrite LED.

Sunbrite UVA LED with emission peak at 370nm

Red LED for supporting strong "vegetative" growth

You can see the beam of the 60 degree primary optic against the plastic cover right over it.

: original Sunbrite tube on the left, gen2 on the right

The custom made plastic endcap makes the Gen2 LED tube appear a lot more thought out in design. Original Sunbrite tube on the right, gen2 on the left

original Sunbrite tube on the left, gen2 on the right. The heatsink for the 24", 13 watt model on the right is 148 grams, versus none for the old 11 watter.

gen 2 LED tube from Sunbrite

The LEDs of Sunbrite's second generation tubes are all hand-sodered. Notice the generous amount of solder gripping this diode to it's PCB.

Sunbrite LEDs are blessed with one of the first custom made primary optics with a native 60 degree directivity

Every part of the new gen2 LED tubes from SunBrite are serviceable. We can imagine a lot of DIY efforts getting thrown at this newly ruggedized format for LED lighting.

The power supply driver for the Gen2 LED tubes fits inside of the heatsink of the tube.

gen 2 LED tube from Sunbrite

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Search More: gen 2 • LED • led tubes • Sunbrite • sunbrite led • UV LED

http://ficklewaters.com Jeremai

Wow, quite an improvement! Perfect example of what happens when a company takes the time to listen to and understand its consumers.
http://ficklewaters.com Jeremai

Wow, quite an improvement! Perfect example of what happens when a company takes the time to listen to and understand its consumers.
barbatus

I have 5 of these babies for about 3 months now and my 120 gallon is doing great ! LPS and SPS – anemones and even 3 clams !! A lot of smack was floating around the GEN1 but these guys a great ! The UV tube is a must – talk about colors that pop! I wished they were a little cheaper tho- the 120 tank doesnt get as warm as my 2x 400w MH + 4x t5 system I had on them – one word of caution tho – the transition to this system needs to be planned. I have heard/seen crappy transitions and dead corals. Decrease your current system by 2 hours total every week until you get to only 4 hours a day and then switch – presto !
barbatus

I have 5 of these babies for about 3 months now and my 120 gallon is doing great ! LPS and SPS – anemones and even 3 clams !! A lot of smack was floating around the GEN1 but these guys a great ! The UV tube is a must – talk about colors that pop! I wished they were a little cheaper tho- the 120 tank doesnt get as warm as my 2x 400w MH + 4x t5 system I had on them – one word of caution tho – the transition to this system needs to be planned. I have heard/seen crappy transitions and dead corals. Decrease your current system by 2 hours total every week until you get to only 4 hours a day and then switch – presto !
Mark Poletti

I added one of the Gen II’s to my tank and I am very happy with the color that its produces; especially with my radiums and VHO’s.
Mark Poletti

I added one of the Gen II’s to my tank and I am very happy with the color that its produces; especially with my radiums and VHO’s.
Mike

Barbatus: Cut back your current lighting to 4 hours? So these are a downgrade in lighting intensity at a premium price?
Mike

Barbatus: Cut back your current lighting to 4 hours? So these are a downgrade in lighting intensity at a premium price?
barbatus

@ Mike – no – sorry I think I wasnt clear enough. So when you transition from “traditional” lighting to these, some/most corals are shocked by the intensity and narrow wavelength they are now asked to survive in . One of the positives about this system is that with a combination of tubes of differing wavelengths you can cover wavelength spectrum in a tailored manner. What I was trying to say is that I have found that cutting back on your traditional lighting day length before you switch over gives you a better chance of corals transitioning minimizing trauma. Once you switch you can work your way back to your 8-10 hours or whatever with the LED system. Some people use different methods- use egg crates stacked between your tank and the LEDs and slowly remove the egg crates…just putting my two cents in- BTW, I have seen a dramatic change (via PG&E bill and killawatt device) in energy consumption, heat in the room (I dont use a chiller anymore, even in close to 100 degree days, house is insulated!) use less RO water as a top off. The sun up and down with their controller is cool too. Hope thats clearer – sorry.
barbatus

@ Mike – no – sorry I think I wasnt clear enough. So when you transition from “traditional” lighting to these, some/most corals are shocked by the intensity and narrow wavelength they are now asked to survive in . One of the positives about this system is that with a combination of tubes of differing wavelengths you can cover wavelength spectrum in a tailored manner. What I was trying to say is that I have found that cutting back on your traditional lighting day length before you switch over gives you a better chance of corals transitioning minimizing trauma. Once you switch you can work your way back to your 8-10 hours or whatever with the LED system. Some people use different methods- use egg crates stacked between your tank and the LEDs and slowly remove the egg crates…just putting my two cents in- BTW, I have seen a dramatic change (via PG&E bill and killawatt device) in energy consumption, heat in the room (I dont use a chiller anymore, even in close to 100 degree days, house is insulated!) use less RO water as a top off. The sun up and down with their controller is cool too. Hope thats clearer – sorry.
http://pjr-reef.blogspot.com pjr

I ran 8 of the early bulbs over my 6 foot tank with good results and great color, but not much in the acro growth. I replaced one of the early bulbs with a 2nd gen HiPAR bulb and saw immediate improvement.

So, I replaced two more about a month later… and would up with acro bleaching! Too much light! I pulled one out and the acros rebounded. Lots of pics and details on my blog.

I can’t say enough positive comments about these fine bulbs. Great color and great growth with minimized heat and energy usage. What else can you want?
http://pjr-reef.blogspot.com pjr

I ran 8 of the early bulbs over my 6 foot tank with good results and great color, but not much in the acro growth. I replaced one of the early bulbs with a 2nd gen HiPAR bulb and saw immediate improvement.

So, I replaced two more about a month later… and would up with acro bleaching! Too much light! I pulled one out and the acros rebounded. Lots of pics and details on my blog.

I can’t say enough positive comments about these fine bulbs. Great color and great growth with minimized heat and energy usage. What else can you want?
G Carlin

I am still looking for a Led system for my oceanic ultimate 120.
Comparing to AI, Pacific Sun, Acan lighting, Maxspect..etc,
I was the lucky one that able to have all of the above systems to demo on my own tank. They all look very much the same.
AI: nice fit and finished,a little over priced.
Pacific Sun: great control unit but I can’t get by with the look.who the hack has time to deal with windows program anyway.
Acan lighting: just plain, it just doesn’t look right and it’s loud.
Maxspect: much better value than AI and it shows, but the colors just doesn’t look right.
All of them require hanging, my wife is not a big fan of putting holes on the walls and celings.
Sunbright seems to fit the bill, has the best look, in and out.
I can purchase one tube at a time to build it up without telling the wife and I can still switch over to a retro fit system if needed. Someone has done his/her homework.
Please tell me a reason not to buy this unit.
G Carlin

I am still looking for a Led system for my oceanic ultimate 120.
Comparing to AI, Pacific Sun, Acan lighting, Maxspect..etc,
I was the lucky one that able to have all of the above systems to demo on my own tank. They all look very much the same.
AI: nice fit and finished,a little over priced.
Pacific Sun: great control unit but I can’t get by with the look.who the hack has time to deal with windows program anyway.
Acan lighting: just plain, it just doesn’t look right and it’s loud.
Maxspect: much better value than AI and it shows, but the colors just doesn’t look right.
All of them require hanging, my wife is not a big fan of putting holes on the walls and celings.
Sunbright seems to fit the bill, has the best look, in and out.
I can purchase one tube at a time to build it up without telling the wife and I can still switch over to a retro fit system if needed. Someone has done his/her homework.
Please tell me a reason not to buy this unit.
murray garnto

where can i find these bulbs
murray garnto

where can i find these bulbs
http://www.facebook.com/hdangaz Hasan Dangaz

ÇOK GÜZEL
http://www.facebook.com/hdangaz Hasan Dangaz

ÇOK GÜZEL

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