Questions about Diy led fixtures and ebay cobs

Hello everyone, my alias is Jackal (Jack for short) and I am brand new to growing this amazing medicine. I figured I'd use this post, my first one in fact, to introduce myself and to ask some questions about LED lighting.

First the introduction. I am a long time avid user of cannabis. Absolutely love these plants and just recently decided to educate myself throughly on growing it specifically with LEDs. I have several years of agriculture and horticulture experience thanks to a farm hand job I had and several advance high school classes I took years ago, so I am not new to having a green thumb. I've obtained a AAS degree in Industrial tech and currently working towards my bachelor's in science.

I have a brother who has several years experience growing cannabis using traditional lighting methods and hydroponic systems. Needless to say his wealth of knowledge has been an asset, except when it's came to LED lighting inquiries. He actually laughed until I showed him some of RIUS members results demonstrating 1.5g/w capabilities. It blew hid mind.

So with several months of creeping the forums ( huge shout outs to Supra and Growmau5. You two have helped the community in so many ways with the info you both have cataloged and presented. We all owe you some dabs) I have armed myself with enough knowledge to build my own fixture.

Now I realize I might get flamed for my choice in cobs and drivers, but I have had actually very good results. So with no further ado allow me to give specs on my setup.

Veg box: 2x2 (slightly smaller actually)

Mars Hydro 300w 145w actual 5wx60 diodes- 4 plants love the shit out of it

Bloom box: 4x2( actually smaller- 7 sqft)

205w total actual draw
2 100w warm white gpi cobs
1 50w warm white gpi cob
6 10w 625nm gpi cobs
3 5w 5050 smd led grow light strings
Chinese divers 3 30w and 2 50w

First I'd like to know if that bloom box has enough wattage for intents and purposes.

Second, the manufacturer of the chips is Genesis Photonics(GPI) which is based in Taiwan. From the info available that I have found, I'd compare them to Epistar. I am just wondering if anybody here has any more spec info on these chips other than the data sheet that states Fv and Fi

I realize the wealth of info here on the forum pertain to Cree and Vero. As soon as financial means allow, I intend to build a mean Vero light. However until then I hope you guys can help me fish up some info on these cheap Cobs.

Any opinions, comments or concerns are appreciated. I am sure I'll have more questions as time goes on.

Don't get those low watt diodes, just 4 cobs 2 drivers.

4 good cobs would kill in a 4x2

Sounds like a good plan. If you end up upgrading later you will have wasted every dime spent on it though. Why not buy a little vero at a time until you hit your end goal?

I can use the set up I have as a work bench light after it becomes obsolete for growing purposes. Thanks for the concern though

So I decided to make a quick 3d model of my fixture I made that holds the 100ws and 50w cob. I'll make my red only fixture here in a bit.

Alright this probably was the best way to post them but it was the quickest.

I kinda color coded it. The LEDs are the yellow squares, the heat sink and fan combo are represented by the blue cylinder and the channel is the actual fixture.

did all this in about 7 minutes.

grouch said:

Sounds like a good plan. If you end up upgrading later you will have wasted every dime spent on it though. Why not buy a little vero at a time until you hit your end goal?

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or at least some good meanwells or one of those LSD drivers. for 200W were talking $50 and it will last virtually forever.

id buy less veros/crees and just run them harder until you can afford more

superbak3d said:

Don't get those low watt diodes, just 4 cobs 2 drivers.

4 good cobs would kill in a 4x2

Click to expand...

I already have all the cobs plus plenty extras. I have an extra 50 watt driver that can be hooked up but I will need another heat sink and fan combo. BTW I have been getting good results with these very abundant intel cpu heat sinks. I get the model with the copper core for $7 a piece and have a pretty good heat dissipation rating for stock. Temps have been staying at 77 degrees Fahrenheit on each sink.

Jackaltheonly said:

I already have all the cobs plus plenty extras. I have an extra 50 watt driver that can be hooked up but I will need another heat sink and fan combo. BTW I have been getting good results with these very abundant intel cpu heat sinks. I get the model with the copper core for $7 a piece and have a pretty good heat dissipation rating for stock. Temps have been staying at 77 degrees Fahrenheit on each sink.

Click to expand...

Its the temperature of the chip you need to measure not the heatsink
Cheers
Mark

I have a infrared laser thermometer. So you say point it directly at the light emitting surface? What should be the operating temp range? I was measuring the temp of the sink right next to the cob and the cobs thermal pad.

Thanks for the input.

Jackaltheonly said:

I have a infrared laser thermometer. So you say point it directly at the light emitting surface? What should be the operating temp range? I was measuring the temp of the sink right next to the cob and the cobs thermal pad.

Thanks for the input.

Click to expand...

yes, the difference in temp between the sink and led will normally indicate the sink is working properly, ie sink is just warm and led is smoking hot, then you have an issue and vice versa
Cheers
Mark

Jackaltheonly said:

So I decided to make a quick 3d model of my fixture I made that holds the 100ws and 50w cob. I'll make my red only fixture here in a bit.

Alright this probably was the best way to post them but it was the quickest.

I kinda color coded it. The LEDs are the yellow squares, the heat sink and fan combo are represented by the blue cylinder and the channel is the actual fixture.

did all this in about 7 minutes.

Click to expand...

Bro spread your cobs out as much as practical.

testiclees said:

Bro spread your cobs out as much as practical.

Click to expand...

Yep, I plan on make the bar a wee big longer. I have plenty of channel left for fixture building. I plan on upgrading after I finish two plants under the first fixture then using it as a work bench light once obsolete

The 2nd one will have more spread and more, better cobs.

Giving you guys an update. After 2 weeks of flower the plants love the light. These cobs aren't to shabby at all. Very pleased with it performance thus far.