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Danielson999

Well-Known Member
Hey all, came here after finding GrowMau5 on Youtube

I was thinking about going DIY, but I'd like to start premade, then go from there.

What do you guys think about an LED Grow floodlight? Like this one?

I've seen the brand of LED before EpiLed, and the thing is basically a giant heatsink. I figure I could ziptie some fans on it if it gets too hot.
What size area do you need your light to cover? What's your budget? If your budget is small, HPS is the way to go. If you budget allows, you can get into a premade cob system from tastyled, plc and a few others that make pretty nice budget lights.
 

Nathan219

New Member
What size area do you need your light to cover? What's your budget? If your budget is small, HPS is the way to go. If you budget allows, you can get into a premade cob system from tastyled, plc and a few others that make pretty nice budget lights.
It's a fairly small grow, just 3'x2' (3 plants), so I was thinking small and efficient. I'm looking at that TastyLED, and that sounds awesome. Especially for the cost of the parts, that's pretty cheap.
 

frica

Well-Known Member
PS...hps is 1.8-2.0µmols/w...hps is a far better value than HPS...heat included.
That's DE HPS 1000 watt though.
For smaller grows a 100 watt, 150 watt or 250 watt se HPS really lack efficiency compared to their higher powered counter parts.
If it's for a 2x2 or a 2x3 growbox grow then I don't think HPS brings enough efficiency to be worth its value, besides that a 250 watt HPS (se) is almost as expensive/cheap as a 1000 watt se HPS system.
 

ligrow

Well-Known Member
Good days guys,

really glad that I know these HPS killers recently.
Even tho I just bought some hids not even use it. I still want to try those monster CXB-3590
Thanks @littlejacob you are the guy have me eye on those COB
Thanks for @welight for those info. really appreciate that

This is completely new for me. I plan to have 12pcs cxb-3590 this time
Here is the way I think I could probably have the job done easier. as I have not much knowledge on led either ability to do much making.

I found a factory they can sell me half-build panels which is a panel with heatsinks, fans, lens on it in 6pcs COB per panel.
All I have to do is buy chips, holders, and drivers screw on it and wire it up. each panel cost me about 280USD to land here. I know its not the cheapest way to build, but seems like its one I can make myself.

still have some question, and want to make sure i have everything right before I order these monster.

1. They sales of the factory told me the driver model they actually use for lights its HLG-600H-36B. another Meanwell LPF-25D-12 driver to operate six fans. Do you guys think this is the right model I should use for fire up six chips?

2. How much ma would you recommend? see some ppl run 1400ma, some run lower. how do I know which am when I twist the dimmable button?Do I need lux meter to know the PPF in my grow area?

3. would you guys recommend all 3500K in each 6 cobs panels? or mix it up with other color?

cant wait to try these monster on my next grow.
much appreciate guys!
cheers
 
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Danielson999

Well-Known Member
It's a fairly small grow, just 3'x2' (3 plants), so I was thinking small and efficient. I'm looking at that TastyLED, and that sounds awesome. Especially for the cost of the parts, that's pretty cheap.
Yeah, the T3-1750 looks like it's perfect for your tent. The owner, @Rahz is around this forum so you can even get his opinion. Maybe you could get away with two T1's if you're doing 2 plants although there's only one in stock.
 

pop22

Well-Known Member
ok, need some help. I'm building a light using CXA 2530 COBs. I'm building three bars of 5 per bar. I just ordered 2, HLG-185H-C1050B from Arrow. Got them for $112.52 with free shipping. I'm trying to decide on what heatsink to use from Heatsink USA. I'm considering the 4.850" profile with 40" bars. I want to test the light with it running dimmed to about .800ma.
 

kaka420

Well-Known Member
Hey yall,

Im in a position of setting up a new garden, finally a legal med card holder after a bust in 2009. I literally have to buy everything again and money isn't abundant. Going to use at least a 4x8 but more likely 5x10.

Are there some cobs that you could recommend that would have a cheaper entry point that may not run as efficent as newer cobs? The 3590s are sexy but I need to cover the space a little cheaper. Any thoughts? So much has changed in 7 years, getting up to speed has been a challenge.
 

bggrass

Well-Known Member
Hey yall,

Im in a position of setting up a new garden, finally a legal med card holder after a bust in 2009. I literally have to buy everything again and money isn't abundant. Going to use at least a 4x8 but more likely 5x10.

Are there some cobs that you could recommend that would have a cheaper entry point that may not run as efficent as newer cobs? The 3590s are sexy but I need to cover the space a little cheaper. Any thoughts? So much has changed in 7 years, getting up to speed has been a challenge.
Look into Vero 29. Anything lower priced than that is probably waste of money. Maybe Vero 18....

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/BXRC-40E10K0-L-23/976-1308-ND
 

Rahz

Well-Known Member
Yeah, the T3-1750 looks like it's perfect for your tent. The owner, @Rahz is around this forum so you can even get his opinion. Maybe you could get away with two T1's if you're doing 2 plants although there's only one in stock.
The T3 was made for 3-4 foot spaces and the T3-1750 would provide a nice intensity in a 2x3 space.

I have a batch of 32 lamps in the works. All 2100 series and T4-1750s. I've sold exactly one T3-1750s so far. The T2-1400 and T2-1750s have sold, but only when I have no T2-2100s in stock. I've sold exactly zero T1-1750s. I can't keep T1-2100s in stock. This makes it difficult to justify building the lower current lamps... but at least I have put the option out there to see where the interest is.
 

klx

Well-Known Member
Good days guys,

really glad that I know these HPS killers recently.
Even tho I just bought some hids not even use it. I still want to try those monster CXB-3590
Thanks @littlejacob you are the guy have me eye on those COB
Thanks for @welight for those info. really appreciate that

This is completely new for me. I plan to have 12pcs cxb-3590 this time
Here is the way I think I could probably have the job done easier. as I have not much knowledge on led either ability to do much making.

I found a factory they can sell me half-build panels which is a panel with heatsinks, fans, lens on it in 6pcs COB per panel.
All I have to do is buy chips, holders, and drivers screw on it and wire it up. each panel cost me about 280USD to land here. I know its not the cheapest way to build, but seems like its one I can make myself.

still have some question, and want to make sure i have everything right before I order these monster.

1. They sales of the factory told me the driver model they actually use for lights its HLG-600H-36B. another Meanwell LPF-25D-12 driver to operate six fans. Do you guys think this is the right model I should use for fire up six chips?

2. How much ma would you recommend? see some ppl run 1400ma, some run lower. how do I know which am when I twist the dimmable button?Do I need lux meter to know the PPF in my grow area?

3. would you guys recommend all 3500K in each 6 cobs panels? or mix it up with other color?

cant wait to try these monster on my next grow.
much appreciate guys!
cheers
When deciding what current to run at (1400, 1750, 700 etc) you need to start with how big space you are trying to light. You can then use the DIY calculator to work out the ppfd at different currents - http://rollitup.org/t/diy-cob-led-calculator.890214/page-6#post-12398441

Do you have a link to these half built panels you are buying?
 

Hybridway

Well-Known Member
The T3 was made for 3-4 foot spaces and the T3-1750 would provide a nice intensity in a 2x3 space.

I have a batch of 32 lamps in the works. All 2100 series and T4-1750s. I've sold exactly one T3-1750s so far. The T2-1400 and T2-1750s have sold, but only when I have no T2-2100s in stock. I've sold exactly zero T1-1750s. I can't keep T1-2100s in stock. This makes it difficult to justify building the lower current lamps... but at least I have put the option out there to see where the interest is.
I like your approach!
 

The Loafter

Well-Known Member
Im a bit bored and curious. Just about have all of the parts for my build. not sure what kind of wire Im going to need to wire: 8 cxb2530 at 700ma. Using Hlg 185 c700b. Can anyone recommend the wire to use with that?
Also I'm not too sure about what dimming device (lol) i need. I haven't looked too much into that, I wasn't sure if I bought a dimming driver.

Was reading a page or so back. looks like some people complaining about people here spreading the good word. I havent grown in a while. Just bought some mars 300 to start again. 6 units. 2 veg 2 in flower. flower seems decent compared to my 400 hps grow. im pretty noob though. clones root nice. veg is stretchy. then i read up more about this diy stuff. first i found some ledwizard praising his 1000wats of chinese leds diy. then i found some more stuff, which eventually lead me here. so i learnt those cheap cobs are not worth my while, nor was the mars light probably. Though i have the mars lights and am using them now, and they were cheap. cant complain. this 400w build i am working on has cost significantly more, and i believe will out perform the 6 mars lights.

i was going somewhere with this i think... not sure where it went now.

Building the light gives one a sense of what they are giving to the plant when the lights go on. That also takes a lot of time to research. I`ve had a lot of time lately working seasonaly to justify spending hours reading on the subject. Much I still can`t grasp unfortunately.

For those with less time to spend reading and building, perhaps buying a light from one of the sponsors here who make and share how to make the light is your better bet.

So. if anyone could point out the wire I ought to use, and maybe the dimmer, id sure appreciate it.
Take care
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Get a 100k Potentiometer & a 10k 1/2watt resistor. Add the blue and white dimming leads that DO COME on a "B" version driver and vuah lah.
Only difference in this pic is that I have TWO drivers on ONE 50k Potentiometer. 20160212_220215.jpg
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
How is your lamp working out for you?
Wonderfully. I actually replaced it with 2 4' t8 cool whites I had lying around I had to just wire up though for vegging. I don't want them getting used to that cob intensity just yet. Although it was dimmed way down, still I felt I should swap em so these clones grow nice and slow. All have roots coming through the hydroton and net pots now so it was perfect timing.
Is there any difference really between T5,8,&12's other than size?
Every growlight you see commercially using tube fluoros are almost always T5's but I had 8's on hand ssssooooooo, I used em. Haha.
I'm sure that T5 bulbs would fit too though? Might get 2-4' reptile bulbs for it though when I flower l. Replacing the empty veg spot with my 2 homemade hoods I'm sure you've seen on here before at some point.
 

ligrow

Well-Known Member
When deciding what current to run at (1400, 1750, 700 etc) you need to start with how big space you are trying to light. You can then use the DIY calculator to work out the ppfd at different currents - http://rollitup.org/t/diy-cob-led-calculator.890214/page-6#post-12398441

Do you have a link to these half built panels you are buying?
Thanks for the feedback! I think I am will running at 1400ma

this is the half made panel that I am going to buy. Its also on alibaba
Have any one heard this company?
http://pdgrow.en.alibaba.com/product/60128549588-800260045/grow_tent_250w_led_grow_lights_for_iceberg_lettuce_growing.html
 
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