Bridgelux EB-series on a 2' x 4' SCROG

[Artificia1]

Hey GG,

How heavy is your fixture? The tents I am looking at are saying they max out at 40 lbs.

 

[Pistil Kid]

Are the EB strips still the best value point or have some of the other alternatives like EB gen 2 or Samsung series come down in price to a point were they are worth considering even if it means spending a few more dollars? It would be good to know if some of the people that commented on these lights with builds of their own what their current setup is have they moved on to bigger or better solutions or are you all still rocking the EB builds. GG it would be great to hear some feed back on your continued experience...

 

[graying.geek]

Hey GG,

How heavy is your fixture? The tents I am looking at are saying they max out at 40 lbs.

Don't have access to a hand scales, but a cursory look at the specs on the 1" x 1" x 0.125" angle aluminum -- obviously the heaviest component of the build -- list 1.2 lb / 48" piece. So, multiplying that by 9 (8 to mount the strips on and a half at each end for the cross members) yields 10.8 lb. Add a few lbs for the strips, tape, screws and wire, and you should be well under 20 lb, and I suspect much closer to 15 lb. That said, I also lay 2 box fans facing down on top of the aluminum frame, so that probably brings my weight close to 30 lb, but you may engineer a different solution for air movement.

 

[Artificia1]

Don't have access to a hand scales, but a cursory look at the specs on the 1" x 1" x 0.125" angle aluminum -- obviously the heaviest component of the build -- list 1.2 lb / 48" piece. So, multiplying that by 9 (8 to mount the strips on and a half at each end for the cross members) yields 10.8 lb. Add a few lbs for the strips, tape, screws and wire, and you should be well under 20 lb, and I suspect much closer to 15 lb. That said, I also lay 2 box fans facing down on top of the aluminum frame, so that probably brings my weight close to 30 lb, but you may engineer a different solution for air movement.

Appreciate it GG, I think I can make it work then.

 

[Chip Green]

still rocking the EB builds

As an upstart caregiver in I fell into the DIY LED wormhole just over a year ago, and after exactly 1 COB build, I discovered the EB series and basically tailored the entire operation to builds with the Gen1 560mm strips, and have ZERO desire to ever change a thing......
There will be a point when more builds will be necessary, and the gain in efficiency of the Gen2 EBs will be welcomed, but by no means will it diminish the satisfaction of the performance of my original builds....

These emitters have their limitations obviously, but in the spaces I created, to meet the needs of my situation, the 560mm BXEBs continue to EXEL and exceed expectations......

 

[skoomd]

As an upstart caregiver in I fell into the DIY LED wormhole just over a year ago, and after exactly 1 COB build, I discovered the EB series and basically tailored the entire operation to builds with the Gen1 560mm strips, and have ZERO desire to ever change a thing......
There will be a point when more builds will be necessary, and the gain in efficiency of the Gen2 EBs will be welcomed, but by no means will it diminish the satisfaction of the performance of my original builds....

These emitters have their limitations obviously, but in the spaces I created, to meet the needs of my situation, the 560mm BXEBs continue to EXEL and exceed expectations......

Strips are my jam. Never was a fan of COBs, so never bothered to get into DIY with them. Glad I waited, the strips are better in every way

 

[graying.geek]

Are the EB strips still the best value point or have some of the other alternatives like EB gen 2 or Samsung series come down in price to a point were they are worth considering even if it means spending a few more dollars? It would be good to know if some of the people that commented on these lights with builds of their own what their current setup is have they moved on to bigger or better solutions or are you all still rocking the EB builds. GG it would be great to hear some feed back on your continued experience...

Hey, PK. Yeah, it's been a while. My EB build sat dark during last summer while I took advantage of the free sunlight for an outdoor grow. But I started an indoor grow under the EBs when the fall weather cooled things off in the basement, then I wasted 3 months dealing with a spider mite infestation, so I haven't completed a grow under the EBs since last spring. Sigh...

That said, I'm still pleased with the EBs and don't see any reason to consider upgrading for while. I know the gen-3s are coming out but with my little operation I don't see a compelling reason to change anything. I'll be finishing some clones in June that were started a month ago under the EBs.

I agree with Chip's assessment above. The EBs suit my needs just fine.

 

[HalfBee]

That said, I'm still pleased with the EBs and don't see any reason to consider upgrading for while.

I was running an odd mixture of EB and Vero18 on the run just finished.
Wanted some gen2 strips and finally found some at a price that worked.
For some reason some colors are $12 instead of $8 but that's marketing

When I added some gen2 it was quite a difference in design side by side.
I do prefer the old style connectors but the new diode count and spacing.
Plus the build was a bit cleaner this time around and working with EB only.

 

[Serva]

I was running an odd mixture of EB and Vero18 on the run just finished.
Wanted some gen2 strips and finally found some at a price that worked.
For some reason some colors are $12 instead of $8 but that's marketing
View attachment 4116027
When I added some gen2 it was quite a difference in design side by side.
I do prefer the old style connectors but the new diode count and spacing.
Plus the build was a bit cleaner this time around and working with EB only.

Didn‘t you complained about so many broken connectors? (I may be wrong... half a year ago...)

I liked the gen1 connectors, but love the gen2 ones... nothing which can break off, and even easier wiring for me (stranded, 0,75mm), as I don’t need to push the connectors down while inserting the wire. What you don‘t like?

 

[HalfBee]

Didn‘t you complained about so many broken connectors? (I may be wrong... half a year ago...)

I liked the gen1 connectors, but love the gen2 ones... nothing which can break off, and even easier wiring for me (stranded, 0,75mm), as I don’t need to push the connectors down while inserting the wire. What you don‘t like?

Nah... never had any broken connections.
Only said I prefer the old ones, and I'd rather deal with either type than the engineering genius
behind the fragile feeling Pico EZ-Mate connection they came up with for the Vero line...

 

[skoomd]

Nah... never had any broken connections.
Only said I prefer the old ones, and I'd rather deal with either type than the engineering genius
behind the fragile feeling Pico EZ-Mate connection they came up with for the Vero line...

Have you or really anyone here tried the samsung f series gen 3 connectors? Wondering how they compare to the bridgelux ones. They are really great poke in's and hold the wire deep and sturdy, but the little clips you push to release the wire are flimsy as fuck. Apparently if you break it though, the wire will still poke in fine, just not as securely.

 

[Serva]

Nah... never had any broken connections.
Only said I prefer the old ones, and I'd rather deal with either type than the engineering genius
behind the fragile feeling Pico EZ-Mate connection they came up with for the Vero line...

Haha, ok.... I‘m sorry

But I am still wondering, why you prefer the old ones? Just interested as it‘s the other way for me. I was way quicker doing the wiring.

 

[HalfBee]

Sorry... they are both Superb Quality Elegantly Designed Masterpieces In State Of The Art Connections...
The old style lever mechanism lets you ride the wave to release, where the new one has you blindly
poking around in a hole trying to find the proper spot to fulfill the mission...

 

[Artificia1]

Hey GG,

couple more questions sorry. I am going to try and replicate your build and want to use a 2' x 4' tent that I think may be too small for the lights maybe? Your tent looks DIY (well made of course) and am wondering what the dimensions of the frame of your build is.

edit: saw the post saying 22" x 48" :/

 

[graying.geek]

Hey GG,

couple more questions sorry. I am going to try and replicate your build and want to use a 2' x 4' tent that I think may be too small for the lights maybe? Your tent looks DIY (well made of course) and am wondering what the dimensions of the frame of your build is.

edit: saw the post saying 22" x 48" :/

Hey, Art. My grow space is a closet I lined with stryofoam insulation, so no tent, but it's roughly 24" x 48" so you shouldn't have a problem. The width, of course, can be shrunk down as required, but optimally they should be spread out to the edges of your grow space. The strips are 1120 mm, ~39" so if needed, you cut down your angle Al pieces to 42 inches (39 for the stirps, 1" at each end for the cross members, and an extra inch for MoE) and you'll fit in your tent easily.

If you didn't catch it, I provided a full parts list and some points on strip spacing on pg 4. Let me know if you have more questions.

These strips are killer and the specs on the next gen are even more amazing. I would recommend them to anyone.

 

[Artificia1]

Hey, Art. My grow space is a closet I lined with stryofoam insulation, so no tent, but it's roughly 24" x 48" so you shouldn't have a problem. The width, of course, can be shrunk down as required, but optimally they should be spread out to the edges of your grow space. The strips are 1120 mm, ~39" so if needed, you cut down your angle Al pieces to 42 inches (39 for the stirps, 1" at each end for the cross members, and an extra inch for MoE) and you'll fit in your tent easily.

If you didn't catch it, I provided a full parts list and some points on strip spacing on pg 4. Let me know if you have more questions.

These strips are killer and the specs on the next gen are even more amazing. I would recommend them to anyone.

Right on, and just so I understand this right you hooked 4 of the strips to one of the Meanwell drivers? These drivers I believe have a built in potentiometer too (Do you need a kill a watt to get them identical when dimmed?). Will they dim enough for seedlings? Hoping to only use 1 light. Also, do you think there would be a problem if the tent was touching the frame? Plan on having a small fan blow over the fixture so it does not get super hot.

Sorry for so many questions appreciate the help big time!

 

[graying.geek]

Right on, and just so I understand this right you hooked 4 of the strips to one of the Meanwell drivers (do you need a kill a watt to get them identical if so)? !

Correct. With 4 strips each, the drivers are running the strips at about 44 V at 1 Amp, which is right in the middle of their min/max power.

These drivers I believe have a built in potentiometer too. Will they dim enough for seedlings? Hoping to only use 1 light. !

Correct. The "A" version (note the A3 on the end of the part number) comes with a potentiometer that you can dial down to 50%. I use 1 bank (4 strips) at 50% for seedlings and early veg, then turn on the 2nd bank as my canopy expands under my scrog screen and turn up the power as the grow progresses, going full power during flower.

Also, do you think there would be a problem if the tent was touching the frame? Plan on having a small fan blow over the fixture so it does not get super hot.

Yeah, no problem. At 50% power the angle Al holds at ~30'C, and at 100% they are ~45'C, which is warm to the touch, but not hot. With my box fans blowing down through the light (see some of my earlier photos) the Al frame is at 26'C.

Appreciate the help big time!

My pleasure. Happy to spread the enthusiastic word on these jewels.

 

[Randomblame]

Hey, Art. My grow space is a closet I lined with stryofoam insulation, so no tent, but it's roughly 24" x 48" so you shouldn't have a problem. The width, of course, can be shrunk down as required, but optimally they should be spread out to the edges of your grow space. The strips are 1120 mm, ~39" so if needed, you cut down your angle Al pieces to 42 inches (39 for the stirps, 1" at each end for the cross members, and an extra inch for MoE) and you'll fit in your tent easily.

If you didn't catch it, I provided a full parts list and some points on strip spacing on pg 4. Let me know if you have more questions.

These strips are killer and the specs on the next gen are even more amazing. I would recommend them to anyone.

Do you have any information about generation 3? It sounds so?

 

[graying.geek]

Do you have any information about generation 3? It sounds so?

I wish. A frame of reference dichotomy. My strips are gen-1, so next gen for me are the gen-2 strips.

 

[Randomblame]

I wish. A frame of reference dichotomy. My strips are gen-1, so next gen for me are the gen-2 strips.

Ahh, okay! My bad! Gen.2 # are well known.