Bridgelux EB Series Build

3GT

Well-Known Member
are you saying you are going to run 24 strips in a 4x4?

what drivers are you using? 24 seems over kill for a 4x4, 12 per 4x4 at 1050ma will probably be fine. then you could get 2 fixtures built.
I'm planning on running at 700ma 18x 3000k 6 x 5000k? 5000k for veg and maybe some 3000k during veg if I need? I also want 600~ 12.5% blue purple diodes to hopefully enhance the spectrum? Haven't really read anything about them yet
 

muleface

Well-Known Member
I'm planning on running at 700ma 18x 3000k 6 x 5000k? 5000k for veg and maybe some 3000k during veg if I need? I also want 600~ 12.5% blue purple diodes to hopefully enhance the spectrum? Haven't really read anything about them yet
I am sure that will do great. However, I think your cost for this fixture will be a lot higher then it needs to be. If you haven't bought drivers yet, look at something bigger then 700ma. maybe 1050ma. You might be able to run 12 strips on 2 - HLG-240-1050 drivers. Samsung runs a little lower then Bridgelux on FV (forward voltage). I think 12 will do just fine. If you haven't bought anything yet, just go with 3500k strips. I will assume this is your first build. You don't need to get all crazy fancy. Running 12 x 3500k samsung strips @ 1050ma will be fine for a 4x4 space.

if you want to do a 4x8 do something like this (split in half for a 4x4):

4 x HLG-240-1050 drivers (use the A version of the driver, you can adjust them with a small philips screw driver)
24 x 3500k Samsung 4ft strips
Get some Wago connectors (they are awesome)

Optional:
and then get some 12.5% burple strips. Talk with Robin from Northern Grow lights on them, He has some he has tested.

What are you using as your grow medium? NFT, Bato, Aeroponics, Coco, Etc?

Sometime here people tend to get very crazy with their builds, which is great to see, but if you are new to this, just get something that works. Simple is better. Your next run, mix it up a bit if you want.

I run bato (dutch) buckets with coco. I use dry nutrients and a 110 gallon tank. It works very will for me, and isn't crazy expensive or hard to manage.
 
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3GT

Well-Known Member
I am sure that will do great. However, I think your cost for this fixture will be a lot higher then it needs to be. If you haven't bought drivers yet, look at something bigger then 700ma. maybe 1050ma. You might be able to run 12 strips on 2 - HLG-240-1050 drivers. Samsung runs a little lower then Bridgelux on FV (forward voltage). I think 12 will do just fine. If you haven't bought anything yet, just go with 3500k strips. I will assume this is your first build. You don't need to get all crazy fancy. Running 12 x 3500k samsung strips @ 1050ma will be fine for a 4x4 space.

if you want to do a 4x8 do something like this (split in half for a 4x4):

4 x HLG-240-1050 drivers (use the B version of the driver, you can adjust them with a small philips screw driver)
24 x 3500k Samsung 4ft strips
Get some Wago connectors (they are awesome)

Optional:
and then get some 12.5% burple strips. Talk with Robin from Northern Grow lights on them, He has some he has tested.

What are you using as your grow medium? NFT, Bato, Aeroponics, Coco, Etc?

Sometime here people tend to get very crazy with their builds, which is great to see, but if you are new to this, just get something that works. Simple is better. Your next run, mix it up a bit if you want.

I run bato (dutch) buckets with coco. I use dry nutrients and a 110 gallon tank. It works very will for me, and isn't crazy expensive or hard to manage.
First of all thanks for the reply it's appreciated. I was going for 25 strips as they're $15.30 @25 vs 19.50 @12, then I have the added efficiency of 24 strips which makes the price even better? Maybe if I run them all on 2 x 1050ma B drivers 12 @ 3000k 12@ 5000k that way I can only run 1 driver at a time if I wanted? Or I can extend half of the strips and run 12 each 4x4 area later if I want. I know what you mean with keep it stupid simple regarding the colour temps, everyone is having amazing results with 3k so I'm definitely wanting enough of those to potentially run by themselves (12@1050ma), then 12-13 strips left that I can choose a colour temp for? Do you think 5k would be best? Or lower so that they're more helpful during later stages?

Oh wow thanks so much, no one seemed to chime in telling me people are already on the case building a strip with burple! Cheers.

Will be using coco most likely, still up in the air about that. What's special about the bato pots? Also are dry nutes cheaper or something?
 

muleface

Well-Known Member
First of all thanks for the reply it's appreciated. I was going for 25 strips as they're $15.30 @25 vs 19.50 @12, then I have the added efficiency of 24 strips which makes the price even better? Maybe if I run them all on 2 x 1050ma B drivers 12 @ 3000k 12@ 5000k that way I can only run 1 driver at a time if I wanted? Or I can extend half of the strips and run 12 each 4x4 area later if I want. I know what you mean with keep it stupid simple regarding the colour temps, everyone is having amazing results with 3k so I'm definitely wanting enough of those to potentially run by themselves (12@1050ma), then 12-13 strips left that I can choose a colour temp for? Do you think 5k would be best? Or lower so that they're more helpful during later stages?

Oh wow thanks so much, no one seemed to chime in telling me people are already on the case building a strip with burple! Cheers.

Will be using coco most likely, still up in the air about that. What's special about the bato pots? Also are dry nutes cheaper or something?

They are correct above, A drivers dim with a screw driver. Get them. (i edited the post to reflect the change)

I like bato buckets because I'm lazy. I added a few inches of clay pellets to the bottom of the bucket and filled the rest of Coco. Then i ran water lines to the buckets and put them on a pump and timer. Now it passively drains and actively feeds. I and do nothing but add more water/nutrients to the tank once a week.

Farmtek has a good price on these, shipping is fast and reasonable. You could save a buck or 2 per bucket and make them from lowes yourself, but its not worth the hassle.

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft_seed_starting-ft_pots_trays;pg110049.html


Dry Nutrients vs Liquid (no one has any opinions on this :) )

Dry nutrients are a fraction of the price of bottled liquid ones. I have enough to make 5k plus gallons for around 170 dollars. That will last me a year and i have a large grow area

I think if you are a highly specialized grower and you have a few grows under your belt, perhaps highly specific liquid nutrients might be a good choice. But if you just googled "how do i grow weed" then you will do just fine with dry stuff. I see guys on here that have 10 different bottles of stuff and the formula changes every week of the grow. They end up dropping hundreds of dollars per grow on nutrients. They are trying to put an extra 10th of a gram per watt out of their grows.

I thin out my dry mix over the first few weeks then use the stuff as the label suggests the rest of the time. I don't change light colors during the grow and adjust my light times the same time i adjust the strength of my grow nutrients. I keep it very simple and have no issues with growth. I get good results and save hundreds of dollars.

https://hydro-gardens.com/product/tomato-formula-25lbs-bag-4-18-38/

Please note that i don't grow cannabis, but my understanding is tomatoes grow just about the same.
 

MrTwist1

Well-Known Member
So what size of angles are you using and how hard are you running your strips? Thanks.
So far I have only been able to find 3/4" x 1/16" locally and it is not ideal. I have been running EBs on this at 1050mA and they remain below 50C with a fan nearby. I was looking for the 1" x 1/8" and I'm pretty confident that will handle 1050mA with minimal airflow needed.

I should also qualify that my ambient is 26-29C
 
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muleface

Well-Known Member
So far I have only been able to find 3/4" x 1/16" locally and it is not ideal. I have been running EBs on this at 1050mA and they remain below 50C with a fan nearby. I was looking for the 1" x 1/8" and I'm pretty confident that will handle 1050mA with minimal airflow needed.

I should also qualify that my ambient is 26-29C
i think if you get shorter runs at home depot they come in thicker sizes. I got some 4 foot that were 1/8 inch a couple weeks ago. But they could just be at my local store.
 

MrTwist1

Well-Known Member
i think if you get shorter runs at home depot they come in thicker sizes. I got some 4 foot that were 1/8 inch a couple weeks ago. But they could just be at my local store.
MrTwist are you in the US? If so, OnlineMetals.com is a great source for that stuff.
I'm outside the US - makes sourcing materials very difficult sometimes. I did find the 1" last year, so I will find it again.
 

PicklesRus

Well-Known Member
i think if you get shorter runs at home depot they come in thicker sizes. I got some 4 foot that were 1/8 inch a couple weeks ago. But they could just be at my local store.
So far I have only been able to find 3/4" x 1/16" locally and it is not ideal. I have been running EBs on this at 1050mA and they remain below 50C with a fan nearby. I was looking for the 1" x 1/8" and I'm pretty confident that will handle 1050mA with minimal airflow needed.

I should also qualify that my ambient is 26-29C
Don't goto home depot. look for a local metal supply company, it can be 1/4 of the cost of home depot.
 

brahbbyB

Active Member
Naming this grow "Amateur Night" on account of my first grow and the strippers.

Finally some photos:
Tent currently running @ 900ma ~12" from canopy.
GSC on left : OG Kush x NY Diesel on right
tent.JPG
Light holding steady @ ~76F with 3 fans (one above, one aimed above canopy, and one at ground level)

GSC Vegged for 41 days; currently Day 6 flower w/ Scrog
gsc.JPG gscu.JPG

OG Kush x NY DieselVegged 34 Days; Day 6 flower no scrog
ogkxnyd.JPG

Both in 18 Gallon DWC with ~10 gallons of nutes (GH Trio)
 

PicklesRus

Well-Known Member
What does your parts list look like for a 2'x4'?
It's coming! The build thread is going to be here over on ledbuilder.org
inspired by everyone thank you guys for sharing everything you have - This just keeps getting better doesn't it?

2 of these: 6" x 2" aluminum rectangular tube - 44" long.
  • Air cooled with Fan grills
  • Far Red monos for flower initiator
  • Integrated timer for far red monos
  • Daisy chain two units together for 2x4 (or more for 4x4)
  • 5000K XML to prevent stretch (does that even work?)
  • Inspection switch full bright white
  • Extra space for monos / ?
  • Integrated hangars
  • Integrated thermal sensors and display
  • Thermal shutoff
  • Drilled mounting holes and self tapping hex screws
upload_2017-4-9_1-11-34.png
 

PicklesRus

Well-Known Member
So are you happy with your 4 strips veg build?
Honestly I'm not sure yet. I think it might be too much power for the space - I might take it down to three strips and power it down to 500ma. I better figure it out before the pepper plants go in there. :cool:
 
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