Vero 10's and Microgreens

[Microgreen Cultivator]

Hey,
im looking to build a 4 tier shelving unit for microgreens and have it lit by vero 10's. I'd like to wire them in a series/parallel combo. I'm thinking of doing a series string of 4 LEDs and have those 4 strings wired in parallel.

Is it possible to use a single driver to power 16 - 32 vero 10s? is there a more cost effective alternative?
With a only 14" of height will I get the full benefit of the vero 10's light distribution.

I was thinking of using BXRC-50E1000-B-24

Whatever I finally arrive on ill post some pictures up. I have about 6 shelves do. I've attached a picture of the shelving.

Thanks,
MGC

 

[Rahz]

A 1.4 amp driver split in 4 strings would provide .35 amps per string.

HLG-120H-C1400 would power 16.

 

[PSUAGRO.]

Dli on microgreens is rather low,smaller diodes spread out for an even output(ppf) over the entire canopy, I would take a hard look at the big box store $40-50 led shop light options(ul listed,plug & play) imo.

one of the philly culinary projects(micro upland cress/red vein sorrel/cilantro/broccoli/etc.) is using a lights of america 40w 4000k, 4200lm led fixture(lowes/amazon/$35 at sam's club), very similar production compared to the 4 bulb 4ft t8 fixtures they use over 2x4 tables, planning on swapping all out.

good luck either way

 

[Microgreen Cultivator]

A 1.4 amp driver split in 4 strings would provide .35 amps per string.

HLG-120H-C1400 would power 16.

Thanks for the suggestion. If I wanted to get a good driver, what would you suggest.

Dli on microgreens is rather low,smaller diodes spread out for an even output(ppf) over the entire canopy, I would take a hard look at the big box store $40-50 led shop light options(ul listed,plug & play) imo.

one of the philly culinary projects(micro upland cress/red vein sorrel/cilantro/broccoli/etc.) is using a lights of america 40w 4000k, 4200lm led fixture(lowes/amazon/$35 at sam's club), very similar production compared to the 4 bulb 4ft t8 fixtures they use over 2x4 tables, planning on swapping all out.

good luck either way

Thanks, I was considering using on off the shelf LED light, but the price is so close for a 4' section. I figure my diy will provide more light and be much more efficient. DLI? I assume that is the amount of light a plant requires?

 

[Rahz]

Thanks for the suggestion. If I wanted to get a good driver, what would you suggest.

If you wanted to incorporate a dimmer, Meanwell HLG-120H-C1400B. High efficiency, 7 year rated lifespan. I use them in most of my lamps.

 

[Microgreen Cultivator]

If you wanted to incorporate a dimmer, Meanwell HLG-120H-C1400B. High efficiency, 7 year rated lifespan. I use them in most of my lamps.

Would this also work? ,its slightly cheaper (ELG-150-C1400B)

http://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Mean-Well/ELG-150-C1400B/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvw41ESBAosLJst3x15QJSOpkRxrcJtjZQ=

 

[Microgreen Cultivator]

Never mind, just noticed the input voltage is 180AC.

 

[Microgreen Cultivator]

If you wanted to incorporate a dimmer, Meanwell HLG-120H-C1400B. High efficiency, 7 year rated lifespan. I use them in most of my lamps.

Thanks Rahz, I just put in an order for 32 Vero 10's and 2 HLG-120H-C1400B drivers.

I'm confused as to how to select a proper heat sink. From what I gather I'll need approx 5.5 watts of dissipation per COB (350ma x 25.7v = 8.995 watts) 8.9 watts @ 38.5 effficiency = 5.4735 watts of heat

Not sure how I'm supposed to use this to select a heat sink though.

 

[Rahz]

The general rule here is 120 sq/cm per watt of heat for passive and 40 sq/cm per watt of heat for active cooling, to produce a Tj closer to 40C than 85.

6.45 sq/cm in a sq/inch. Figure out the perimeter of a heatsink's profile and you can estimate the length needed.

 

[Microgreen Cultivator]

Alright, So I received my COB and drivers, and I'm still looking for a more cost effective heat sink option. I'm considering using CPU heatsinks, not the thin finned ones. I have access to used heatsinks for AMD CPU's at $1.20 a pound of aluminium. It would cost me about $30 for all the heat sinks I need. This is the exact heat sink, except without the fan. http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1926&page=2

I couldn't find the c/w/3 for the heat sink so I don't know how much it would dissipate compared to the heatsinks on Heatsinkusa.com. Its base is .5" compared to the .3" found on heatsinkusa.com

Questions is, based on the calculation provide here on RIU, they would only provide 4.5 watts of heat dissipation. Thing is I'm going to be connecting 4 of them to an 8' length of aluminium U-channel and I'm wondering if that would dissipate the remaining 1 heat watt for each lead.

That or I could run them under 350ma so there output matches the heatsinks capability.

 

[Microgreen Cultivator]

I found this website usefull to understand heatsinks in more depth, if anyone is as confused as I was/am about them.

http://sound.westhost.com/heatsinks.htm

 

[werm11]

My brother grows microgreens on a shelving system too. Sells them to local restaurants. He uses 200 watts of T5s per shelf so I built him a 50 watt bar with 5000k vero 10s to show him what the cobs are all about. As far as performance over microgreens goes, the 50 watts of vero 10s almost matches the 200 watts of T5s. Another 25 or 50 watts and it would blow the t5s away. If I can dig up a picture I'll throw it up

 

[Microgreen Cultivator]

My brother grows microgreens on a shelving system too. Sells them to local restaurants. He uses 200 watts of T5s per shelf so I built him a 50 watt bar with 5000k vero 10s to show him what the cobs are all about. As far as performance over microgreens goes, the 50 watts of vero 10s almost matches the 200 watts of T5s. Another 25 or 50 watts and it would blow the t5s away. If I can dig up a picture I'll throw it up

Dude, that would be sweet.
What length of shelving were you covering with the 50 watts?

 

[werm11]

Dude, that would be sweet.
What length of shelving were you covering with the 50 watts?

2x4 shelf. I went with what I thought was the absolute lowest amount that could get the job done specifically for his micros.

 

[werm11]

Dude, that would be sweet.
What length of shelving were you covering with the 50 watts?

Here you go. Best I could find. Sorry you can't really see the rig. If I were to do it again I would either add 3 more veros to the bar (9 total rather than 6) or I would just add another 6 cob bar.

 

[Microgreen Cultivator]

What were you running the Veros at Amperage wise?
I'm planning to use a lot less veros than what you had...damn.
My setup is going to be 4 per 8x2' shelf, running at 350 Ma. Each vero is covering approx a 2x2' space.

 

[OneHitDone]

Here you go. Best I could find. Sorry you can't really see the rig. If I were to do it again I would either add 3 more veros to the bar (9 total rather than 6) or I would just add another 6 cob bar.
View attachment 3642618

Those poor things are stretching like long neck geese

 

[OLD MOTHER SATIVA]

my brother uses r , b, and white 55-70 w led bars..they work well..but interesting to compare..i like cobZ

 

[PurpleBuz]

My brother grows microgreens on a shelving system too. Sells them to local restaurants. He uses 200 watts of T5s per shelf so I built him a 50 watt bar with 5000k vero 10s to show him what the cobs are all about. As far as performance over microgreens goes, the 50 watts of vero 10s almost matches the 200 watts of T5s. Another 25 or 50 watts and it would blow the t5s away. If I can dig up a picture I'll throw it up

you will need ~150 watts of vero 10s to match a T5HO 4 tube 220 watt lamp.

 

[Microgreen Cultivator]

Those poor things are stretching like long neck geese

For commercial production, its good when they stretch a little. There's more distance between the leaves and grow medium, making it easier to harvest them.

you will need ~150 watts of vero 10s to match a T5HO 4 tube 220 watt lamp.

For my setup, I'm trying to match the output of (4) 34 watt 4' fluorescents. I'll need to do a comparison with T5 bulbs and wattage, to see if more light really affects their growth.