Parceveinte4
New Member
I know that everyone hates driverless Cobs, and rightfully so. But, I bought about 5 of them for 10 bucks to do some testing.
I've been growing plants for a long time, however I'm newer to the diy led scene and not experienced in electricity, just decent.
My question is, could I potentially use a driver on these driverless Leds? I would like to try to find a way to make something as cheap as they are, but without the danger and power wasting of plugging into mains.
If I did use a driver, I'm guessing their min. Voltage is 110v (US here)?
I'm just wondering if there is a way to use the Leds themselves, which I think would function pretty decently given they are not being drowned in 110v constantly - basically, reducing the power to maybe 50%-70% to reduce the electricity being drained, and especially the crazy amount of heat they put off.
If a driver wouldn't work, would a dimmer work?
Would it be possible to lower the power enough where they still turn on, but don't draw as much electricity, shine at least 50% as bright, and don't get so damn hot?
I use quantum boards and am making some DIY quantum boards, so this is not what I'll be using for my main lighting, I'm trying to see if there is a cheap way to integrate supplemental lighting for my lower shelves where I keep my seedlings (which don't get much light as they are 4 shelves down).
I included a few pics of what I'm growing now: 5 or 6 passion fruit varieties, bunch of cacti varieties, pineapple, yellow-fleshed watermelon, carambola, pomegranate, kiwi, multiple pepper varieties, and a lot more. Plus the weed is cherry pie and blue mystic, about a week old.
All of this is going into the tent this week for the winter.
Anyone with more electrical knowledge please chime in!
Can I use a driver, or a dimmer, or both? Which would be better in terms of efficiency and practicality? I know the amperage will increase when lowering the voltage but I'm more so concerned with how hot they get.
Please don't jump in to say something negative, I know they're shit, and I don't use them for my main lighting, I also have citizen regular Cobs, I'm just purely playing around in the name of experimentation.
I've been growing plants for a long time, however I'm newer to the diy led scene and not experienced in electricity, just decent.
My question is, could I potentially use a driver on these driverless Leds? I would like to try to find a way to make something as cheap as they are, but without the danger and power wasting of plugging into mains.
If I did use a driver, I'm guessing their min. Voltage is 110v (US here)?
I'm just wondering if there is a way to use the Leds themselves, which I think would function pretty decently given they are not being drowned in 110v constantly - basically, reducing the power to maybe 50%-70% to reduce the electricity being drained, and especially the crazy amount of heat they put off.
If a driver wouldn't work, would a dimmer work?
Would it be possible to lower the power enough where they still turn on, but don't draw as much electricity, shine at least 50% as bright, and don't get so damn hot?
I use quantum boards and am making some DIY quantum boards, so this is not what I'll be using for my main lighting, I'm trying to see if there is a cheap way to integrate supplemental lighting for my lower shelves where I keep my seedlings (which don't get much light as they are 4 shelves down).
I included a few pics of what I'm growing now: 5 or 6 passion fruit varieties, bunch of cacti varieties, pineapple, yellow-fleshed watermelon, carambola, pomegranate, kiwi, multiple pepper varieties, and a lot more. Plus the weed is cherry pie and blue mystic, about a week old.
All of this is going into the tent this week for the winter.
Anyone with more electrical knowledge please chime in!
Can I use a driver, or a dimmer, or both? Which would be better in terms of efficiency and practicality? I know the amperage will increase when lowering the voltage but I'm more so concerned with how hot they get.
Please don't jump in to say something negative, I know they're shit, and I don't use them for my main lighting, I also have citizen regular Cobs, I'm just purely playing around in the name of experimentation.
