New setup ideas

bassman999

bassman999

Well-Known Member
@simply_slide
From what I have seen with the warranty with the Chinese fixtures is if you are lucky enough to get them to reply when you have a failure you will have to install the replacement parts yourself.
Also they drive these lights at a higher than optimal current that leads to the failure, but if ity doesnt fail you are still wasting electricity in the form of heat.
I have 2 different brands of LED lights in use right now.
Both are having issues already.
I am now building my own with HIGH quality parts that I can EASILY replace myself.
I have never built a light before, but there is SO MUCH info and diagrams on here that I feel confident that my light will be great when completed.
I say easily since I dont have to source OEM parts that might not be easy to find, and are crappy in the first place.
If you want to BUY pre-made please dont buy the most popular CHEAP stuff, please buy a GOOD brand.
The AREA 51 is the best bang for the buck IMO. Based on the VERO 29 cob and I believe a mean well driver.
They use quality parts that are available for you to easily replace if need be.
 
simply_slide

simply_slide

Well-Known Member
Okay everybody. i have read all of your comments and its seems that i should be looking into building my own.

do you guys just use 6500 and 2700 temp light or are you getting the colored(650nm,430nm, ect...)

if its as easy as you say, i would love some links to help with purchasing the goods.

i would like to thank everyone for there honest opinion. i hate wasting money...i.e...why i posted the question.
 
bassman999

bassman999

Well-Known Member
simply_slide said:
Okay everybody. i have read all of your comments and its seems that i should be looking into building my own.

do you guys just use 6500 and 2700 temp light or are you getting the colored(650nm,430nm, ect...)

if its as easy as you say, i would love some links to help with purchasing the goods.

i would like to thank everyone for there honest opinion. i hate wasting money...i.e...why i posted the question.
Click to expand...
The most common designs include 3000K or 3500K for flowering, and 4000K or 5000K for vegging.
You can use whatever you like, and even mix and match if you like.
You can driver different spectrums individually so that you can have more or less depending on plant stage.
This is what I plan to do.
 
D

doz

Well-Known Member
I wouldnt go with 4000k for Veg. If its a veg only light, go 5000k. If you want a light that is used for both, 4000k would probably be your best bet.

Depending upon your needs, you could build a light with 8 cobs on it, run 4 @ 3000k for flower and 4 @ 5000k and just switch them on/off. Saves a few bucks on the heatsink assembly/fans.
 
simply_slide

simply_slide

Well-Known Member
do you guys have any links. i just googled diy cob and cree led light and a lot of stuff came up...but like i said before....its all code to me and i have no idea what a good led is or isn't...you LED wisdom would be appreciated
 
Waiks

Waiks

Well-Known Member
You're going to get mixed answers about that one friend.

Some say you can use just 4000k for the full cycle
Some say 2700-3500k for flowering and 5000k for vegging
Some say 4000k supplemented with 660nm for flower

It all comes down to how simple you want the build and how much you want to spend.

If I read this correctly, you're using a 4x4 tent but only covering 2x2? Are you vegging in a separate area?
 
D

doz

Well-Known Member
If you have a choice, I would go with 3000k flower light, and 5000k veg. If you need a hybrid setup, go with 4000k or a 3000k/5000k on the same panel.
 
simply_slide

simply_slide

Well-Known Member
Waiks said:
You're going to get mixed answers about that one friend.

Some say you can use just 4000k for the full cycle
Some say 2700-3500k for flowering and 5000k for vegging
Some say 4000k supplemented with 660nm for flower

It all comes down to how simple you want the build and how much you want to spend.

If I read this correctly, you're using a 4x4 tent but only covering 2x2? Are you vegging in a separate area?
Click to expand...
yessir. im vegging in a small closet with the moms. and you read that correctly. it will be a 4x4 tent divided into 4 sections of 2x2 for the perpetual aspect of it all.
 
Waiks

Waiks

Well-Known Member
https://www.thcfarmer.com/community/threads/diy-led-with-cobs-small-medium-and-large-grows.64252/

One of the first threads I bookmarked. There are plenty tuts but this one is a great intro.

This one does a great job at breaking down the different parts of the build
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=304279



Gotcha. I would do 16 CXB3070s or CXB3590s 3000k for that. Modules of 4 so you can play with the heights for your perpetual thang.
Are you planning on building veg lights for the closet as well?
 
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simply_slide

simply_slide

Well-Known Member
ok so this looks like something i may be able to accomplish....

i guess i need some help with selection of leds. i was looking at getting some of the CXA 3070 but again guys...it Spanish to mean with all these numbers and letters. im taking your advise on this and would love your help or advise.
 
bassman999

bassman999

Well-Known Member
simply_slide said:
ok so this looks like something i may be able to accomplish....

i guess i need some help with selection of leds. i was looking at getting some of the CXA 3070 but again guys...it Spanish to mean with all these numbers and letters. im taking your advise on this and would love your help or advise.
Click to expand...
This is what I ordered and am waiting for , coming from China
 
Waiks

Waiks

Well-Known Member
So basically theres CXA and CXB series... CXB are the newer ones and are better. Then theres 3070 after the letters. Thats the size of cob for that series. Most people run CXB3590s or 3070s. The 3590 is more efficient, (more actual light per wattage) but cost more up front. The 3070s are still great, but run a little less efficient. The upfront cost is lower as well.

The difference in cost for each cob is about 20 bucks. It adds up, but so do the savings over time from using the 3590s running low.

After you have selected the size and color temp cob you want to use, its time for driver shopping. How hard you want to run your cobs depends on how efficient you want to be. Running them lower gives better efficiency, and also allows you to fit more cobs per driver.

So basically, do you want to minimize upfront costs by losing a little efficiency, or do you want to invest more to save more in the long long run?
 
littlejacob

littlejacob

Well-Known Member
Bonjour
Kingbrite opto on alibaba...ask Jerry!
And yes it is reliable...don't forget that you need holders for the cxa...if you want the best cob aim for cxb 3590 3500º 36V CD (46, 50 $)...4 on a MeanWell hlg-185-1400b driver(200w...4X50w) 56% efficiency!
A 200w panel would cost you about 350 $! And 3 would be enough!
I don't understand why you want to divide your box...?
Have you ever think about stairs?
One for every week of the bloom...the highest for the first week and the lowest for the last...!
Have a great day ★
 
bassman999

bassman999

Well-Known Member
Growmau5

Growmau5

Well-Known Member
simply_slide said:
ok so this looks like something i may be able to accomplish....

i guess i need some help with selection of leds. i was looking at getting some of the CXA 3070 but again guys...it Spanish to mean with all these numbers and letters. im taking your advise on this and would love your help or advise.
Click to expand...
Firstly, I like your style S_S. Starting your own thread, asking about prefab lights, doing the research and coming to your own conclusions about what is right for you. Cheers to ya.

- I have a good understanding about your setup & grow space, and based on the first line of this thread, high yield is important to you.
-I read back through the thread, but I did not catch a mention of budget. you mentioned 4x mars400w so I am assuming $800. is this in the ballpark?
 
D

doz

Well-Known Member
simply_slide said:
ok so this looks like something i may be able to accomplish....

i guess i need some help with selection of leds. i was looking at getting some of the CXA 3070 but again guys...it Spanish to mean with all these numbers and letters. im taking your advise on this and would love your help or advise.
Click to expand...
Whats your budget? I would avoid CXA3070 as they run a little high on voltage. CXB3070 are 36v and will allow you to put 4 on a HLG185-1400 driver. If you have the budget, CXB3590 will give you better efficiency than the 3070.

If you have an $800 budget, you can build 2x CXB3590 setups (8 total) w/ 2 Meanwell 185-1400 drivers including the heatsinks and save about $100. That will out do anything MARS-HYDRO has to offer. For about $700, you can have 400w of 56% efficient COB lighting (roughly 200 PAR WATT after light loss). Those 4x 400w MARS HYDRO lights might give you 100 PAR WATT.
 
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