Cree cob question ..... Is 100w / ft overkill ?

bicit

Well-Known Member
What we need is to get a group of guys together that know LED tech and plant photosynthesis. That group could put together a sticky for this section that could act as a beginners guide to understanding and comparing terms for both. It sounds like a lot of work to put something like that together so that novices could get a grip on this info to make lighting decisions. I think such a sticky would make it easier for novices and the people trying to help them.
Good luck getting any of the mods to sticky anything. We've had a few good tutorials and a few good discussions on plant needs, the math involved, ect. But no moderator support on this forum to get things stickied. SupraSPLs thread on powering DIY led's is about as close as we've gotten so far.

Combine that with conflicting information from other forums and predatory LED companies, we've got a pretty crummy situation.

Maybe I'll document my next build and post it. Just waiting on the heatsinks and a new tap to arrive.
 

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
I have like 6 of these. If I was barely pushing a 100w at like 50w or whatever the lowest I can run them at and still be effective.... Y'all think one of these would cool it ?IMG1776.jpg IMG1777.jpg
 

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
they are out of some old dell computers that were in the shed when i moved in..... the fans are actually little squirrel cages
 

the dopest

Well-Known Member
My first LED grow, I'm running about 56w per cob and planned on running four in my four sq ft space but my plants outgrew the cabinet so I'm only running three now, that makes it about 42w per sq ft and it's pretty intense. I would back down on wattage if I had dimming drivers but I went cheap Chinese drivers with no dimming so I just turned one lamp off.

Again, this is my first grow with LEDs but I have grown for years with 400w and 1k HPS and these are performing as well as the HID so far(I'm on day 35 or so).
 

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
My first LED grow, I'm running about 56w per cob and planned on running four in my four sq ft space but my plants outgrew the cabinet so I'm only running three now, that makes it about 42w per sq ft and it's pretty intense. I would back down on wattage if I had dimming drivers but I went cheap Chinese drivers with no dimming so I just turned one lamp off.

Again, this is my first grow with LEDs but I have grown for years with 400w and 1k HPS and these are performing as well as the HID so far(I'm on day 35 or so).
what would you suggest for my situation ... My room is L shaped i have just been using the corner square of about 10 sqr feet roughly but i just did the math if i used smaller units and spread them out i would be closer to 22 square feet ( i would be maximizing my use of space ).... i have 8' ceilings .... I'm kinda thinking make 2 cobs in a piece of that gutter stand it up right and tilt it down ( like point it at the canopy) .... then screw it to the wall and spread them out in the corners
 

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure about your situation but I have tested similar heatsinks like you pictured with the squirrel cage fans and they did alright at 1500ma(56w).
cool deal !!! im sitting here trying to figure out all of what i can scrounge to build these as cheap but at the same time as safely possible ..... I have some 3/16" aluminum diamond plate and enough of it i think i can make matching housings ( matching but in a manly way not in the do these LED's match my shoes sense )
 

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure about your situation but I have tested similar heatsinks like you pictured with the squirrel cage fans and they did alright at 1500ma(56w).
  • 50W LED Driver:
  • Condition: 100% brand new and high quality
  • Type: 50W LED Driver
  • Power: 50W
  • Input voltage: AC95-240V
  • Out voltage: DC 25-38V
  • Output current: DC1500mA
  • Size: 120 x 41 x 38 mm (L*W*H)
  • Suitable for external LED Day tube lights, ceiling light and other indoor lights
  • Stock NO. 498003
  • 100W Led Driver
  • Power:100w
  • Input voltage:85~265v
  • Power Factor:>90%
  • Output Voltage:25~36v
  • Current:2.1A

in your opinion would this work on a 100w ? i havent figured out the mA part of it yet .... I would need a dim able driver to lower the MA correct ?
 

tekdc911

Well-Known Member
I give up .... I'm going back with a HPS http://www.ebay.com/itm/171758152514



cheers and thanks for the help i did get ......

just figured i'd add this isnt a boohoo i give up tantrum ..... my ballast has finally shit the bed and i dont have the time to go through and learn what ever tech lingo / mathematical equations / months of research yadda yadda yadda ..... kinda past the point of ordering something and it being here this week and assembled so guess other then the CFL's keeping my plants in veg I'm out of options ...... no grow store within 100 miles so ya
 
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tekdc911

Well-Known Member
It's only defeat if you accept it. Slowly tinkler on led stuff while your next batch grows under your hps. You should be ready by your next grow. I like to build and work on projects so I'm constantly trying out new things. It's fun. Don't give up.
I havent given up ;) ..... I had already placed an order for 5 x cxa3070 3000k AD bins when my HPS took a dive ..... I just couldnt figure out which drivers i was wanting to use .... so i may run the 1k hps and use them as side lights ... it was just quicker to order the ballast and hood lights duct ect ect from one place so when it gets here i can install it and run with it ..... i had a list of stuff from like 5 different places to get everything i needed for the led's to be finished .... and knowing my luck i would be waiting on something important and would be stuck until it arrived
 
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tekdc911

Well-Known Member
one of the hlg-185H-c will run 5 vero 3070 or 4 vero3070 depending on the amperage, its not a turkey, and IS one of the best solutions, yet
you ask for other options :) maybe use your brain a little before surrending to HPS ?
im honestly wanting one driver a cob 2 at max and also putting a 12v converter for every fan so if i lose a driver or fan power only one chip is effected
IMG1788.jpg as far as using my brain ..... i did ..........this plant would still be under a chinese ufo and CFL's at the end of next week if i would of waited for everything or it can be under a HPS ...... led's are still getting built ......... and the way i see it i honestly dont mind having a 1k ballast on hand even after these are finished
 
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