Thoughts on 90W Led UFO Ebay- 40 USD

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
the thing that sucks is that the ufo linked is prob brighter than the 90W ufos i bought in 2007 for $350. doh!
 

Feetypajamas

New Member
Tomate- I really appreciate those links! Will those components suffice for a 1-2 plant grow? Also, where can I find how to put this all together? I'm sorry I'm just very confused as to how lighting works. I'm a biologist at heart with some background in organic chemistry, so anything engineering related is outside my realm of knowledge.

JorgeGonazles- I will take your word and consider doing COBs. I'm very sorry to bother, but when you get a chance can you throw together a little "what to buy" sheet aside from what you've quoted above (on page 1)? If I have all the parts and a basic "how everything works" video I am sure I can piece it all together. I'll also snoop around for shorter strips like that for the chance of having it "easy mode".

I'll do some research on how 4000k grows have turned out. I am willing to consider everything at this point.

Robincnn- Thank you for the link to the strips. What all would I need to essentially piece it all together to make a working light fixture?

Airwalker16- Thank you so much for that redirect. I think after reading through the first two pages of that I am starting to understand what COB lighting even refers to. I will continue to read up so I can understand. So those LEDs you bought on that post...we're after powerful little yellow diodes, right? I'm still trying to piece this with what other above your post have said.

Bobby_G- I know right?
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Tomate- I really appreciate those links! Will those components suffice for a 1-2 plant grow? Also, where can I find how to put this all together? I'm sorry I'm just very confused as to how lighting works. I'm a biologist at heart with some background in organic chemistry, so anything engineering related is outside my realm of knowledge.

JorgeGonazles- I will take your word and consider doing COBs. I'm very sorry to bother, but when you get a chance can you throw together a little "what to buy" sheet aside from what you've quoted above (on page 1)? If I have all the parts and a basic "how everything works" video I am sure I can piece it all together. I'll also snoop around for shorter strips like that for the chance of having it "easy mode".

I'll do some research on how 4000k grows have turned out. I am willing to consider everything at this point.

Robincnn- Thank you for the link to the strips. What all would I need to essentially piece it all together to make a working light fixture?

Airwalker16- Thank you so much for that redirect. I think after reading through the first two pages of that I am starting to understand what COB lighting even refers to. I will continue to read up so I can understand. So those LEDs you bought on that post...we're after powerful little yellow diodes, right? I'm still trying to piece this with what other above your post have said.

Bobby_G- I know right?
Those bulbs are manufactured with SMD's. Cobs are different. But both are world's better than any cfl could be.
 

Feetypajamas

New Member
I have done a good amount of reading and research, and feel either the SMD LED lights or Cobs would be my light of choice. If I make a Cob build, how many diodes would I need for this space? (Less than 2 cu. ft. and about 1-3 plants). However, if I decide to run a couple SMD LED lights, how many Watts would I need? Again, I appreciate the information everyone!
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
I have done a good amount of reading and research, and feel either the SMD LED lights or Cobs would be my light of choice. If I make a Cob build, how many diodes would I need for this space? (Less than 2 cu. ft. and about 1-3 plants). However, if I decide to run a couple SMD LED lights, how many Watts would I need? Again, I appreciate the information everyone!
Buy a couple of the 20 series crees if you want a lot of cobs you can scale down a bigger one like you've been seeing here.
 

JorgeGonzales

Well-Known Member
I have done a good amount of reading and research, and feel either the SMD LED lights or Cobs would be my light of choice. If I make a Cob build, how many diodes would I need for this space? (Less than 2 cu. ft. and about 1-3 plants). However, if I decide to run a couple SMD LED lights, how many Watts would I need? Again, I appreciate the information everyone!
Maybe 35-50W of led lighting in one square ft.

Can you solder?
 

Feetypajamas

New Member
Evil-Mobo- That's a tad too big for my space, but I appreciate the link.

Airwalker16- I will definitely look those up and contemplate that.

JorgeGonzales- I can absolutely learn how to solder since it seems rather intuitive. I have access to and iron as well. Hm that doesnt sound too bad then.

If I only needed around 35-50W of LED for my given space I COULD just buy 4 of the 100W equiv LEDs and remove the light diffuser such as:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-100W-Equivalent-Soft-White-A19-LED-Light-Bulb-455675/205861840

opinions on the suggestion above are welcome!
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Evil-Mobo- That's a tad too big for my space, but I appreciate the link.

Airwalker16- I will definitely look those up and contemplate that.

JorgeGonzales- I can absolutely learn how to solder since it seems rather intuitive. I have access to and iron as well. Hm that doesnt sound too bad then.

If I only needed around 35-50W of LED for my given space I COULD just buy 4 of the 100W equiv LEDs and remove the light diffuser such as:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-100W-Equivalent-Soft-White-A19-LED-Light-Bulb-455675/205861840

opinions on the suggestion above are welcome!
Yeah. You could use home depot lights, but the 20 series crees are pretty cheap and will last a LOT longer with a Shit TON less heat and throw out quite a bit more lumens. Plus they're flat chips which will give you a LOT more vertical room for that tiny space. I'd go with those if it were me hands down.
 

tomate

Well-Known Member
If I only needed around 35-50W of LED for my given space I COULD just buy 4 of the 100W equiv LEDs and remove the light diffuser such as:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-100W-Equivalent-Soft-White-A19-LED-Light-Bulb-455675/205861840
That is a bad idea. Poor efficiency and poor light spread. The light color isn't optimal either. You have a limited height and that is why I recommended the 4000K citizen cob (for shorter internodes). 5000K could be even better.

I really appreciate those links! Will those components suffice for a 1-2 plant grow? Also, where can I find how to put this all together? I'm sorry I'm just very confused as to how lighting works. I'm a biologist at heart with some background in organic chemistry, so anything engineering related is outside my realm of knowledge.
You have only 4 solder points - two at each cob. 2-3 wires on the mains side of the driver and two at the output.
So you need some wires, kapton tape and thermal grease to fix those cobs on the heatsink and of course the heatsink itself and you are ready to go.
As for the heatsink, I would recommend about 15 inches of this one: http://www.heatsinkusa.com/5-886-wide-extruded-aluminum-heatsink/

I would also suggest you to try it with only one plant and do it the scrog style. This way, you can also control the height of the canopy.

So get some cheap citizen cobs or some of the little bit more expensive (about $20 each) cree CXB2530 like @Airwalker16 suggested, which are slightly more efficient, but in my opinion not really worth the extra cost and start to build this damn thing :bigjoint:
 

Will Thayer

Well-Known Member
Cheap CXA2530s and Monos. https://www.fasttech.com/search?cxa2530 A bit of a wait from China, there may be more practical solutions on offer in USA. I purchased some CXA2530s from Newark over there for around $7 but with shipping to U.K. the price was closer to $10 (Newark fleece customers outside the USA).

COBs would be much easier for a solder virgin. They were for me. I just finished soldering a bunch of supplemental hyper reds and they can be a ball ache. I concur with @tomate you have just over a square ft of space. One plant scrogged with a 4000K would be a easier road to success.

I must advise caution however, Once completed your first build instills confidence and a great sense of achievement. These feeling can produce effects similar to opiates and you will start building fixtures for the sake of it. Everytime I look at a light source now I want to convert it to LED. I consider myself as a novice inspired by artisans like @Growmau5. Thus far the only dodgy creation of his I have seen was a giant growmau5 helmet accompanied by a scary pancho villa mustache.

You strike me as an intelligent and articulate person who is more than capable of creating a fantastic DIY fixture. Theory and sage advice is offered in abundance here but the real learning is in the doing.

Now get that bugger built so we can drown you in applause and adulation.

Cheers,
Will
 

JorgeGonzales

Well-Known Member
image.jpg

$26 with shipping.

Maybe two of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-heat-sink-module-heat-radiation-of-69-27-120MM-black-oxide-/291328498094?hash=item43d48819ae

And two APC-25-350, $11-12 each. Shipping is what sucks there.

Put two cobs on each heatsink, and you can veg in 5000k at 25W, then flip on the 3000k for flowering.

You'd want those heatsinks pressed to the top of the case, and then a proper fan sucking air out at the top. I think that would work well.

That budget is tough when you can't order from one place. Erp. $3 cobs help.
 
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Feetypajamas

New Member
Airwalker16- You and everyone else in conjunction has convinced me to use COBs! That's a solid point on minimal vertical space consumption!

Tomate- Hmm that does not sound bad at all. I think I am getting the overall gist of what is going to go where. The one issue I have and I really would appreciate everyone's input on this is... HOW would I mount the heat sink onto the top of the computer tower, and would I need a fan blowing on the heatsink from above?

I'm leaning more towards the four cobs that @JorgeGonzales suggested for that variation in color! Well, I pretty much would want to do that for the sake of budget right now. However, If I could now make my mind up on the heatsink situation, I would be set. The tower is already on the way and I believe I have a good 8 inches MAX to work with, but I would want to keep the heatsink under 6 inches for marginal error and hand room to curve up and around it.

Will Thayer- Thank you for the words of support and that enlightening video! As soon as I make my mind up with everything I am going to post all the process of making it and a completed tower image for you guys! Though it may be on a new forum and guide others so we can make it a sticky and people can be spared of a few headaches! I will also be posting my grow once this is complete.

JorgeGonzales- Absolutely love the suggestion. I think this is my course of action in regards to the lighting. How would I wire it so that I can alternate between the two types of cobs? I think my next action is to decide on heat sinks and THEN truly get the wiring all figured out.


ALL- You people are all ever so helpful and I GENUINELY appreciate all your insight and input. I have a feeling this is going to be quite a successful venture since I have all these great brains invested on this project with myself! Thank you all!!
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
You'd drill holes in the heatsink and also in the tower top, and use nuts and bolts to mount it. Just have the bolt head on the top of the case so it looks more legit.
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Just know it's gonna stink though man. There's no getting around that because you can't get a carbon filter that will fit in there unless you make one
 

JorgeGonzales

Well-Known Member
You'd drill holes in the heatsink and also in the tower top, and use nuts and bolts to mount it. Just have the bolt head on the top of the case so it looks more legit.
Pretty much this, just some bolts, pull it tight against the top, cut a hole somehow for the fan and any air you suck or blow should flow along the fins since the sides are open, if that makes sense.

Kind of like a cooling duct formed between the case and heatsink. Just make sure you get a static pressure fan, like for cpu coolers.

Editing...hmm actually attaching the fan might be tough with the heatsink in the way. The coolest way to do it would be to use the fan screw holes for 4 bolts through the heatsink. Hell, this is probably a solved problem in somebody's build somewhere.
 

Feetypajamas

New Member
Hey all, quick question: How do I supply power to the APC-25-350? Do I need to purchase any extra wires or will the ones from the driver suffice? I am confused as to how to do all this electrical work.

Airwalker16- I will definitely be constructing a carbon filter and making the box airtight.

Tomate- Thank you for the guides!

JorgeGonzales- I decided to roll with the 4 cobs (5000k and 3000k) swapping. I just need to know how everything is wired together. I'll be handling the cooling real easy.

Bill Lidgate- Thank you for the comparison!
 
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Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Hey all, quick question: How do I supply power to the APC-25-350?
You've gotta add a (grounded) power cord to the meanwell drivers. Most all drivers are this way.
Brown to Black
Blue to White
Green/Yellow to Green. (Not on the APC or LPC models). But still you need to run your ground wire from the cord to the frame of whatever you're putting the driver on to power.
 
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