Advice on a cob build

[visajoe1]

Ok, so this may be an incredibly dumb question, and Im sure Im misunderstanding something here. 200w is 200w right? I mean if Im running 160lm/w on 200w vs. 110lm/w on 200w... obviosuly 160x200=32000lm and the is 22000lm. Again, Im probably missing something.

You got it right. Efficiency and lm/w go hand in hand. More lumens, more light, less heat (efficient). Less lumens, less light, more heat (less efficient).
So, you'll see on chips with higher lm/w they will run 40%+ efficiency. Lower currents also increases efficiency

 

[visajoe1]

I set my budget cap at $600, so whatever I need to do to get the best results Ill do it. I know ita tough with the 315 in there because its kind of an oddball variable.

You should be able to get your canopy maxed out for less than or around $400. If you go with 1212's be sure to get 80 cri, ppfd is much higher than the 90's.

Eight 1212's ~ $110
Two 240-1750 drivers ~ $145
heatsinks ~ flat aluminum 5.88" active heatsink will be your best bet ~ $40-$80 building a frame and using sstx will cost more, but look better ~ $140+
bjb holders ~ $20
wire, plugs, wagos, etc

 

[KushyMcKush]

You got it right. Efficiency and lm/w go hand in hand. More lumens, more light, less heat (efficient). Less lumens, less light, more heat (less efficient).
So, you'll see on chips with higher lm/w they will run 40%+ efficiency. Lower currents also increases efficiency

So then you actually get more light at lower currents? Depending on chip obviously. I know some are more efficient at different currents so its just a matter of finding the optimal current for the chip you want tongo with?
Ok cool, so I guess final question: between the vero29 and the 1212 at 1750ma, which would be my best option? The vero are a bit more expensive but will they run cooler? Better efficiancy? Output? Better fit on on that driver? I saw someone mention somewhere that vero are more durable chips. Is that even something I should factord in? The tech is changing so fast Ill be upgrading every few years or so anyways.

 

[visajoe1]

You got the hang of it. Lower currents (less wattage) will give you better lm/w, but lower wattage (amps X volts) also means less total lumens. The 1212's at 1750 is just under 40% efficicency, not sure of vero's. You'll need to search to find the numbers for the vero you like with a 1750, I'm sure its out there. Then you'll know which is best for you

 

[KushyMcKush]

Wow, according to that driver calculator the vero29 would fit perct on the 240-1750 driver at exactly 143v and 250.25w lol. I guess these don't pull as much power as the 1212's. Does that make them more efficient?

 

[KushyMcKush]

You got the hang of it. Lower currents (less wattage) will give you better lm/w, but lower wattage (amps X volts) also means less total lumens. The 1212's at 1750 is just under 40% efficicency, not sure of vero's. You'll need to search to find the numbers for the vero you like with a 1750, I'm sure its out there. Then you'll know which is best for you

Looking at vero29, on the charts that Ive managed to find scattered around the interwebs, they seem to be pretty damn close to 3590 at ~1400ma-2100mA and them vero looks like it kind of pulls ahead above that. Then cree pulls ahead below 1400ish, but really not by much. Maybe ~100lu or so at any given current at the most. I can only get an idea though because none of them show the exact same current, Tj, spectrum, cri, etc. so I can only put together a rough guess. Id say its definitely not enough to really stress over though haha.
I think vero29 is gonna be my best bet. I like how it fills out that driver perfectly, and at 62w I can cool them easily. I really like those square splayed sst-x. They look pretty badass too, and that must be factored in

 

[Jimmyclone42]

I am building a 16 vero setup. 2 panels of 8. Each panel with 2 hlg240-1750.. You gotter bud.. 1750 on the 240 for the vero29-d's is a match made in heaven.. Fill the driver out nice.. I suggest the newest vero29 se's, they have poke in connectors, no soldering, no holders or adaptors needed... Check out rapidled..
Cheers

 

[Jimmyclone42]

 

[KushyMcKush]

I am building a 16 vero setup. 2 panels of 8. Each panel with 2 hlg240-1750.. You gotter bud.. 1750 on the 240 for the vero29-d's is a match made in heaven.. Fill the driver out nice.. I suggest the newest vero29 se's, they have poke in connectors, no soldering, no holders or adaptors needed... Check out rapidled..
Cheers

Right on brotha, thanks for confirming that for me. I think that will be my best bet to get started here and Im sure Ill be playing around with other builds as I go. Im already thinking of a cheap citi build for veg

Looking good! Whats that box in the center? A junction or a hobby box i think Ive heard them called? It really cleans it up nice. I think Ill add something like that.

 

[visajoe1]

Looks great @Jimmyclone42, real clean.

 

[KushyMcKush]

@Jimmyclone42 have you actually tested this set up with a multimeter?? Or anyone? I was all readybto start ordering the parts for my build here on monday... and then I was listening to @Growmau5 live show on sat. morning and boom... they start talking about vero29 on the 240-1750 driver and both greengene and growmau5 both agreed that this set up would be less than ideal given the vero29 pulls 37.5v, not 36. Therefore, it would only be usig ~215w of that 250w, essentially wasting about 30w and not pulling the full 1750mA. I even talked to greengene for a few min on IG and he confirmed this for me as 100% what happens in this case.
So... Again... I just want to verify that it will in fact work. Im about to just say fuck it and bite the bullet and order 3590's. This is getting incredibly frustrating. Or should I just run the vero at 1400mA??

 

[Evil-Mobo]

@Jimmyclone42 have you actually tested this set up with a multimeter?? Or anyone? I was all readybto start ordering the parts for my build here on monday... and then I was listening to @Growmau5 live show on sat. morning and boom... they start talking about vero29 on the 240-1750 driver and both greengene and growmau5 both agreed that this set up would be less than ideal given the vero29 pulls 37.5v, not 36. Therefore, it would only be usig ~215w of that 250w, essentially wasting about 30w and not pulling the full 1750mA.
So... Again... I just want to verify that it will in fact work. Im about to just say fuck it and bite the bullet and order 3590's. This is getting incredibly frustrating. Or should I just run the vero at 1400mA??

You want easy man, get some citizen 1818/1812's and your driver of choice and push them between 50-100w a piece and have at it and save some $$$

When I did my 3590 build the Vero's were not available or I would have ordered them but the Citizen COB's are impressing greatly.

 

[KushyMcKush]

You want easy man, get some citizen 1818/1812's and your driver of choice and push them between 50-100w a piece and have at it and save some $$$

When I did my 3590 build the Vero's were not available or I would have ordered them but the Citizen COB's are impressing greatly.

Yea I had been looking at the 1212's and 1818's. I kinda wanted to stick with 36v chips for compatability later on if I wanted to just swap them out for a newer chip or something. The 1818's do look nice though. Looking at vero again, I can't find a single configuration that will fit on a meanwell driver without either just being over, or a lot of space left over. Maybe Ill just do the 1212's at 1750 or 10 of them at 1400 (5 each on 240-1400's). The other option is to run the vero in parallel. Greengene mentioned the 42v series drivers will work great... but when I looked it up, the 240-42a/b driver would run them at around 1400mA not the 1700 I was looking for. Unless Im missing something? The are 5.72a.

 

[KushyMcKush]

the 1818's are a solid option though

 

[KushyMcKush]

I guess if the vero wont work, Ill just go citi 1212 in the same config and that way I can just replace them with new 36v versions of cree/citi when they come out and just do direct swaps. I really like the vero though, it just sucks they use a different design and end up at 37.5 which is a messy fit with most meanwell drivers that Im seeing.
Im gonna go check around and see what drivers people are using with the vero's.

 

[klx]

You can run Vero 29 C at 94 watts and still be over 40% efficient. Cutter has a 93% efficient 400W driver that runs 4 of them. Stick them on some big 140 x 80 sinks and you are off to the races with a 400W light for cheap.

 

[KushyMcKush]

You can run Vero 29 C at 94 watts and still be over 40% efficient. Cutter has a 93% efficient 400W driver that runs 4 of them. Stick them on some big 140 x 80 sinks and you are off to the races with a 400W light for cheap.

Well I need 2 bars to get the light distribution I want, so Id like to have either 2 bars of 4, or 2 bars of 3 with a 50v chip like the 1818. Ill be running one bar on either side of my 315cmh. Thats why I was looking at the 250w drivers because if the price and they seem to work the best for strings of 4 36v chips. I could fit 5 1212's on a 240-1400, or 4 on a 250-1750. As of now its looking like unless I want to run them parallel, Ill have to use either citi 1212 or 3590. I was trying to keep this build at or under $500, and with cree Id probably be closer to $600. Still an option, but Id prefer to do it cheaper obviously.

 

[Evil-Mobo]

Well I need 2 bars to get the light distribution I want, so Id like to have either 2 bars of 4, or 2 bars of 3 with a 50v chip like the 1818. Ill be running one bar on either side of my 315cmh. Thats why I was looking at the 250w drivers because if the price and they seem to work the best for strings of 4 36v chips. I could fit 5 1212's on a 240-1400, or 4 on a 250-1750. As of now its looking like unless I want to run them parallel, Ill have to use either citi 1212 or 3590. I was trying to keep this build at or under $500, and with cree Id probably be closer to $600. Still an option, but Id prefer to do it cheaper obviously.

https://cobshop.net/shop?olsFocus=false&olsPage=products/3x3-tent-special-4-cob-kit

 

[KushyMcKush]

https://cobshop.net/shop?olsFocus=false&olsPage=products/3x3-tent-special-4-cob-kit

Thanks, but Im looking for more coverage than just 4 cobs. Im wanting to do 6 or 8, and $500 is waaaaay too much for just 4. I can do the 8 citi 1212 or 6 1818 build for around $400-500 and get far greater output and coverage. Those are kinda cool though, where are the drivers? It doesn't say what current they use or any technical specs.

 

[KushyMcKush]

Oh nvm the coards are for the fans lol! I thought jt had a tiny driver in there somewhere. Based on the others it looks like citi 1812's. The singles are $50 each... why is a set of 4 over $500?

Id prefer to build myself than order prebuilt kits. Ill not only save money, but get the exact components I want.