First Cree Build

TomBombadil420 · Apr 8, 2019

Hello my friends, I want to let it go the Mars Hydro 300W and I have read that it can be upgraded with 2 Cree CXB3950 but I do not trust in the driver and I prefer to build something myself.

My tent is small 24x24x48" I think you told 2x2 right? So I i´m reading a lot and see that 2 CREE CXB3590 (3000K 90 CRI) will be enough for the space and a Mean Well Driver HLG-240H-C2100B. I have this heatsink too: Size: 11.8"(L) x 5.51"(W) x 0.79"(H) / 300 mm (L) x 140 mm (W) x 20 mm (H).

So I think I can build a great light right? What do you think? Maybe some advice to build something better? I only have 130-140$ for it. How many watts will run this DIY?

I´ll buy the components at RapidLed.com

This will beat the Mars Hydro 300w right?

Airwalker16 · Apr 8, 2019

That's a bit much of a driver for a 4X4 but dimmed down should be fine. Definitely throw some PC fans that are always on when the lights are to actively cool those heatsinks.

TomBombadil420 · Apr 8, 2019

Airwalker16 said:
That's a bit much of a driver for a 4X4 but dimmed down should be fine. Definitely throw some PC fans that are always on when the lights are to actively cool those heatsinks.

Thanks! Yes I have fans for it. I really don´t know anything about DIY but I´ll learn to make it easy, do you said that´s too much for my tent? How I can dimm that?

DesertPlants · Apr 8, 2019

TomBombadil420 said:
Hello my friends, I want to let it go the Mars Hydro 300W and I have read that it can be upgraded with 2 Cree CXB3950 but I do not trust in the driver and I prefer to build something myself.

My tent is small 24x24x48" I think you told 2x2 right? So I i´m reading a lot and see that 2 CREE CXB3590 (3000K 90 CRI) will be enough for the space and a Mean Well Driver HLG-240H-C2100B. I have this heatsink too: Size: 11.8"(L) x 5.51"(W) x 0.79"(H) / 300 mm (L) x 140 mm (W) x 20 mm (H).

So I think I can build a great light right? What do you think? Maybe some advice to build something better? I only have 130-140$ for it. How many watts will run this DIY?

I´ll buy the components at RapidLed.com

This will beat the Mars Hydro 300w right?

I am assuming you are talking about the 36 volt version. That will well outdo the Mars light. You will be pushing out 149.1 watts total at 37.275 watts per square foot. The Mars Hydro 300W pulls 135 watts and puts out 4400 lumens (on the high side), so that's about 32.59 lumens per watt. The Cree COBs will be pushing about 19,250 lumens or 130.46 lumens per watt. That should do nicly for you.

DesertPlants · Apr 8, 2019

DesertPlants said:
I am assuming you are talking about the 36 volt version. That will well outdo the Mars light. You will be pushing out 149.1 watts total at 37.275 watts per square foot. The Mars Hydro 300W pulls 135 watts and puts out 4400 lumens (on the high side), so that's about 32.59 lumens per watt. The Cree COBs will be pushing about 22,000 lumens or 147.55 lumens per watt. That should do nicly for you.

To be honest, with such a short working height, you might want to consider running them at 1750 mA (122.2 watts).

TomBombadil420 · Apr 8, 2019

DesertPlants said:
I am assuming you are talking about the 36 volt version. That will well outdo the Mars light. You will be pushing out 149.1 watts total at 37.275 watts per square foot. The Mars Hydro 300W pulls 135 watts and puts out 4400 lumens (on the high side), so that's about 32.59 lumens per watt. The Cree COBs will be pushing about 22,000 lumens or 147.55 lumens per watt. That should do nicly for you.

This is so nice to read

yes, the cree are 36V. Thanks for the input!

TomBombadil420 · Apr 8, 2019

DesertPlants said:
To be honest, with such a short working height, you might want to consider running them at 1750 mA (122.2 watts).

And how I can run with that specs? Sorry for too many questions...

DesertPlants · Apr 8, 2019

TomBombadil420 said:
This is so nice to read yes, the cree are 36V. Thanks for the input!

I had a slight calculation flub. I corrected it, but the reccomendation still stands.

DesertPlants · Apr 8, 2019

TomBombadil420 said:
And how I can run with that specs? Sorry for too many questions...

Well, that's actually a problem. None of the major HLG CC drivers works with only two COBs at 1750mA. You would need to use an HLG-150H-36A/B. That would come out to 122.2 watts, but make sure you wire them in paralell instead of in series.

TomBombadil420 · Apr 8, 2019

DesertPlants said:
Well, that's actually a problem. None of the major HLG CC drivers works with only two COBs at 1750mA. You would need to use an HLG-150H-36A/B. That would come out to 122.2 watts, but make sure you wire them in paralell instead of in series.

And this: https://www.rapidled.com/mean-well-hlg-185h-c1050b/ will work?

DesertPlants · Apr 8, 2019

TomBombadil420 said:
And this: https://www.rapidled.com/mean-well-hlg-185h-c1050b/ will work?

No, that's a constant current driver running at 1.05 A. For two CXB3590 36V COBs, you need a constant voltage driver if you want to be as efficient as possible. Arrow is out of HLG-150H-36A drivers, but mouser has them in stock for $45.70. $7.99 shipping, $53.69 total.

Airwalker16 · Apr 8, 2019

Or he could use the 72v CXB cob chips.

TomBombadil420 · Apr 8, 2019

Thanks to everyone for the answers but like I said I´m so noob about diy. If I decide use the previous driver HLG-240H-C2100B what I need to do? I dont understand how calculate anything and for that reason I asked a lot

Airwalker16 · Apr 8, 2019

You've already purchased the cobs?

TomBombadil420 · Apr 8, 2019

Airwalker16 said:
You've already purchased the cobs?

No, anything yet.

Airwalker16 · Apr 8, 2019

TomBombadil420 said:
No, anything yet.

Oh well in that case man, just buy 4 citizen clu048-1212's and an hlg-185h-c1400b and run them in series that way.

Airwalker16 · Apr 8, 2019

https://cobkits.com/product/citizen-clu048-1212-80cri-gen6

Airwalker16 · Apr 8, 2019

Or 4 of these on an HLG-185H-C1050B

https://cobkits.com/product/luminus-cxm22-gen3-3000k-90-cri/

TomBombadil420 · Apr 8, 2019

Airwalker16 said:
Oh well in that case man, just buy 4 citizen clu048-1212's and an hlg-185h-c1400b and run them in series that way.

And that will be better Option? How May watts from the wall will be? I want to save in the bill too.

And the heatsink i have will be good for 4 cobs?

Airwalker16 · Apr 8, 2019

TomBombadil420 said:
And that will be better Option? How May watts from the wall will be? I want to save in the bill too.

And the heatsink i have will be good for 4 cobs?

Show us a picture of the heatsink. And as long as you strap on a fan or two to the back it should be fine.

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