Just another DIY COB build

[DesertHydro]

my measurements were a tad off. i measured the length of my frame which i shortened a couple inches to fit the tent. so in one direction they are 12" on center and the other direction they are about 9.5". its still gonna blast the shit out of that 2x4 tent lol

 

[CoB_nUt]

Indeed it will. No issue. Was just trying to get a feel for what people's spacing preferences were/are. haven't been "keeping up" on things since I built my bars, and a lot of things have changed and continue to do so. Have a lot more time on my hands now, so I can do some catching up on my re-education. Here I was thinkin' I was thee man turning a few collegues and buddies onto cobs, building and helping them build their own lights...... and the damn technology shot right past me! Can't wait 'till the tent blasting begins!

 

[DesertHydro]

all my stuff came in today! just need to pick up a few things locally, like wire, power cord, shrink wrap etc. thank you Cobkits

 

[DesertHydro]

ran into my first of many snags im sure. my heatsinks are from kingbrite and they are not pre drilled for my holders. i ordered them when they were out of stock on cobkits. another lesson learned lol. now its off to buy a tap or two in case i break one.

 

[Evil-Mobo]

ran into my first of many snags im sure. my heatsinks are from kingbrite and they are not pre drilled for my holders. i ordered them when they were out of stock on cobkits. another lesson learned lol. now its off to buy a tap or two in case i break one.

Or get self tapping screws............

 

[nevergoodenuf]

3mm self tap and, I think, a 7/64 drill bit.

 

[DesertHydro]

haha, thanks guys! i didnt even think of that. excellent. i will use self tappers and pre-drill like you said. i made a cardboard template to make my alignment a breeze.

 

[DesertHydro]

another Q, i know these are 48v drivers that are adjustable to run my 1212's but im not exactly sure the process to dial them down to run the 36v cobs. how does that work?

 

[DesertHydro]

frustration level is at maximum. ive broken two drill bits trying to drill these heat sinks. i literally just got back from lowes and the bit broke on the first go. im getting really pissed.

 

[PerroVerde]

frustration level is at maximum. ive broken two drill bits trying to drill these heat sinks. i literally just got back from lowes and the bit broke on the first go. im getting really pissed.

I was in the same spot as you now a year ago. Try some tap oil when drilling or WD-40 in a pinch...

 

[DesertHydro]

I was in the same spot as you now a year ago. Try some tap oil when drilling or WD-40 in a pinch...

yeah, lubricant was the ticket. all done and no more broken bits

 

[Tyleb173rd]

Lick it before you stick it...

 

[Rayne]

another Q, i know these are 48v drivers that are adjustable to run my 1212's but im not exactly sure the process to dial them down to run the 36v cobs. how does that work?

1. For the drivers to power your COB diodes they have be wired together using a parallel circuit rather than a series circuit. 1a. If you wanted to wire eight COB diodes using a series circuit you needed to purchase a driver with an output of atleast 288 volts. To power four the diodes using a series circuit you would need a driver with an output of atleast 144 volts.

2. After you have finished the parallel wiring circuit and plugged the driver into your chosen power source. Use a screw driver to adjust driver's the built-in potentiometers.

 

[DesertHydro]

1. For the drivers to power your COB diodes they have be wired together using a parallel circuit rather than a series circuit. 1a. If you wanted to wire eight COB diodes using a series circuit you needed to purchase a driver with an output of atleast 288 volts. To power four the diodes using a series circuit you would need a driver with an output of atleast 144 volts.

2. After you have finished the parallel wiring circuit and plugged the driver into your chosen power source. Use a screw driver to adjust driver's the built-in potentiometers.

thank you for that. i didnt realize i would have to wire in parallel but oh well. one more thing to learn and master. still new to all this.

 

[ThaiBaby1]

ran into my first of many snags im sure. my heatsinks are from kingbrite and they are not pre drilled for my holders. i ordered them when they were out of stock on cobkits. another lesson learned lol. now its off to buy a tap or two in case i break one.

get a spiral flute tap and you won't break it.

 

[Rayne]

thank you for that. i didnt realize i would have to wire in parallel but oh well. one more thing to learn and master. still new to all this.

How to Wire a Circuit "In Parallel"

Wago connectors are really useful for parallel wiring.

 

[DesertHydro]

How to Wire a Circuit "In Parallel"

Wago connectors are really useful for parallel wiring.

i know that i also need to place a resistor on the + side. anyone know right off hand which size to use? saw a video on how to calculate it yesterday so i can figure it out eventually. still need to snag a project box to hide all my connections in.

 

[guy_incognito251]

Not sure what you need a resistor for with that driver (HLG-185H-48A) - it functions as both a constant voltage and constant current driver.

 

[DesertHydro]

Not sure what you need a resistor for with that driver (HLG-185H-48A) - it functions as both a constant voltage and constant current driver.

thats what i was told above but after talking to cobkits he said no resistor required. just wire in parallel and let her rip. soon there will be an absurd amount of light coming out of my tent.

 

[DesertHydro]

quick update! light engines are assembled! just waiting on my braided wire sleeve tomorrow and some other odds and ends. need to grab a project box to route my connections into as well as some terminal brackets.