Build LED light to replace old cold light head?

[Zelph]

Have a nice older 5x7 Beseler enlarger that has a fluorescent type tube head. Very dim and difficult to print with it.
Anyone know where I can find plans and information on LED lights to put in and replace the tube? Information pointing me in the right direction will help. What lamps to avoid and what problems I may face going forward.

Don't want hot spots and problems and figure some out there have built them and I can benefit from your experience.

 

[spijker]

Read the apug group "the smoking solder iron". It contains a lot of good info.

 

[spijker]

Also this blog is worth reading:
http://www.trippingthroughthedark.com

 

[NedL]

Several informative posts on APUG, including (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

 

[wiltw]

A point of reference for you...one foot of 'high output' LED strip outputs about 450 lumens, or 1' of 'standard output' LED strib outputs about 225 lumens.
I just purchased a 16' roll of 6000K LED with the intention of fabricating my own LED light panel in lieu of incandescent or studio strobes, and plan to experiment with color reproduction tests using it.