DIY Cree LED Build - Need Some Guindance

I found these Cree Chips, $50
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-New-Arrival-5pcs-lot-CREE-XP-L-V5-LED-Emitter-with-20mm-Aluminum-Base-Board/2019600424.html

Warm White XP-L U6
Cool Whites XP-L V5
$50 for 10pcs total, 5 of each spectrum.
That would be about 100 watts, 50 of each spectrum, which I would be happy with for now.


I went looking for a Mean Well driver, $19.56
http://www.amazon.com/Meanwell-Switching-Power-Constant-Ledwholesalers/dp/B007K4XZPG/ref=sr_1_8?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1417081638&sr=1-8&keywords=mean+well+led+driver
Does this ^ work for powering all 100w? Is it the correct type of driver?


Onto the Heatsync, $10?
Would I need a heatsync for these particular led's?
Something like this? - http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Heatsink-Cooling-3W-LED/dp/B008ONCE54/ref=sr_1_13?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1417082222&sr=1-13&keywords=heatsink+for+led


Fan/Active Cooling, (pc fan(s), $2-5)
Something like this? - http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Video-Heatsink-Cooler-Cooling/dp/B008IE1SU6/ref=sr_1_24?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1417082441&sr=1-24&keywords=cpu+fan

Or even better? - http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Video-Heatsink-Cooler-Cooling/dp/B008IE1SU6/ref=sr_1_24?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1417082441&sr=1-24&keywords=cpu+fan


Caseing/Housing Unit,
I would go with a sheet of aluminum if that is sufficient?
I could also do direct mounting onto cpu heatsink fans?


That's about as far as I have gotten. Guide me, and thank you,

Hey amigo good research, here are some competitive options.
Cree XP-L 3900K $5.888
Cree XPL 3900K $5.05
Cree XML 3000K $5
Cree XM-L2 3000K $4.14
800mA driver (my favorite 900mA driver seems to be sold out but this one is decent if you dont mind open frame)
850mA driver open frame

As awesome as those LEDs are though, they pale in comparison to some of the COBs that are now available. In terms of price, efficiency and ease of assembly. The Cree CXA3070, and the Bridgelux Vero line have been working great for DIYers. You can build for maximum efficiency if heat or electric use is a major bottleneck, or you can build for maximum output in a limited space, extreme stealth etc.

That meanwell driver you have linked is only 12v so nope it won't work.

bondoman said:

That meanwell driver you have linked is only 12v so nope it won't work.

Click to expand...

i see no problems to run the XP-L(Vf 2.85 - 3.5V) on this driver.

Although, it does have a low efficiency (83%) and it will get even lower by stepping down from 12V to 3V.

why step down?
3 or 4 in series(depends on current) and we are close to 12V. just a little resistor to control the current... done
this is simply a cheap solution nothing more..

keysareme said:

I found these Cree Chips, $50
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-New-Arrival-5pcs-lot-CREE-XP-L-V5-LED-Emitter-with-20mm-Aluminum-Base-Board/2019600424.html


Onto the Heatsync, $10?
Would I need a heatsync for these particular led's?
Something like this? - http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Heatsink-Cooling-3W-LED/dp/B008ONCE54/ref=sr_1_13?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1417082222&sr=1-13&keywords=heatsink for led

Fan/Active Cooling, (pc fan(s), $2-5)
Something like this? - http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Video-Heatsink-Cooler-Cooling/dp/B008IE1SU6/ref=sr_1_24?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1417082441&sr=1-24&keywords=cpu fan

Or even better? - http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Video-Heatsink-Cooler-Cooling/dp/B008IE1SU6/ref=sr_1_24?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1417082441&sr=1-24&keywords=cpu fan

Click to expand...

I wouldn't use the small heatsink with xpls at anything over 700ma and spaced far apart. Maybe three on this heatsink. I'd look at heatsink USA for a beefier version

I used it in my last light...but only for 3 LEDs at 700ma. And it was about a section and a third. It's really thin and not suited for more then a few watts. With 3 LEDs at 700ma it stays at 35*c ...5*c over ambient. Wouldn't push it anymore than that..



Happy thanksgiving everyone...no building today!

Read all the response, and I am still overwhelmed.

I guess the first choice would be to get set on which LED's I want to use, and build up around those specific led's from there?

Yes you can gear the lamp in different directions depending on your needs and your up front budget. What are your goals? We can probably point you to some projects that work toward those goals or some we could offer some designs if they have not been built yet.

Thanks bro, it is a 4x2 space with a height of 5ft.

I want to build one (or two) more lamps.

I have a generic 90w ufo, and also another 90w ufo that is running only half since the other side gave out sometime last year. Total watts of LED (currently) = 135w.
(Neither of these did I purchase directly or new, both came as part of gear bundles from other patients, so overall it was a decent bargain for what I paid for and acquired in the packages.)

I also have 800+ watts of 2700k/6500k mixed cfl's up above and around the plants.

Total watt consumption from lights, about 935w + Exhaust 500w = about 1400w is what I am currently running, and I know the overall efficiency is not par with what one (or two) custom built LED Lamps would use, for the same/better results.


I'll know how much of a "budget" I have to work with more so by this coming Thursday.

My goal is highest efficiency, with lowest overall watt draw. (Using least amount of watts to produce 1+/gpw yield results, and eventually working it so that I Green Screen my space for maximum results)

I've run the "abundance of cfl bulbs grow style" four times now, and it just doesn't quite reach what I am seeking. I would rather make the up front investment to build a custom LED Lamp, than be continuously paying for a higher electric bill.

Wow you have managed to pack a huge amount of wattage into a 4X2! So you would probably be good for 50W/sq ft. So that would be something like (8 ) CXA3070s @ 1.4A (43.3% efficiency) or (6) Vero29s at 2.1A (38.1%).

Currently you are dealing with about 750W of heat and 185W of light. If you switch to the CXA version it should be about 235W of heat and 180W of light. The Vero version would be about 293W of heat and 180W of light. You should be able to reduce your ventilation wattage to less than 100W.

Lots of potential for gains there