1440 watt project - Cutter strips, Time to build!

oldbeancounter said:

That sucks
Which bus block connector were you using?
You do not need to solder just get a better bus block or connector.
What number of connectors do you need on the bus block?
Max current as well, 120 or 240?

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https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07PJZLV5L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the blocks i bought, chief linked them in the other thread....he linked a bunch of different types, in the cutter wiring thread.

diggs99 said:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07PJZLV5L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the blocks i bought, chief linked them in the other thread....he linked a bunch of different types, in the cutter wiring thread.

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ok
will have a look
easy to lose track on here thanks

oldbeancounter said:

ok
will have a look
easy to lose track on here thanks

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Ya i only chose those because i found them easy on amazon.ca

Im sure any of the ones he linked would be fine, that dude knows his stuff.

I need to look into those blocks. Over 100 holes to drill, my lazy ass knew to go with boards lol. Have any plans for uv supp? Nice build can’t wait to see them hung and working. Why did you choose 80-90 cri are you mixing them?

diggs99 said:

Ya i only chose those because i found them easy on amazon.ca

Im sure any of the ones he linked would be fine, that dude knows his stuff.

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Indeed he does.
Helped me many times.

diggs99 said:

3 frames all finished.

12 feet of led goodness coming up.



If anyone has a link to good 18awg solid core wire , toss it up here please.

I assumed I could buy that local, never had much luck finding anything good today.

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Thermostat wire is good. 300v Max usually. Comes in a sleeve holding 3-9 seperate colors that are all insulated of themselves.

Buy it online though.

budman410 said:

I need to look into those blocks. Over 100 holes to drill, my lazy ass knew to go with boards lol. Have any plans for uv supp? Nice build can’t wait to see them hung and working. Why did you choose 80-90 cri are you mixing them?

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Hey bud, thanks, No plans for UV supplement

The 80/90 mix was suggested by a few growers in this section who had messed with spectrum, they felt the mix was best. Ya man, board builds would seem to be a tad bit easier in regards to all the drilling and all the wiring. I drilled 216 holes for frames. I hope the lights are worth the extra trouble lol. So far they seem good. They only on the floor still yet tho lol

oldbeancounter said:

Indeed he does.
Helped me many times.

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Ya man, we have some very helpful and very knowledgeable people around here. Helps projects like this be possible lol

Airwalker16 said:

Thermostat wire is good. 300v Max usually. Comes in a sleeve holding 3-9 seperate colors that are all insulated of themselves.

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Ya i ended up finding some from NTE electronics on amazon.ca.

Strips are lookin good!

TintEastwood said:

Strips are lookin good!

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Yep, i am happy with the first impression. Be even happier when they are all finished and hanging above the plants lol

diggs99 said:

Omfg I have light!!!!!!!!


@ChiefRunningPhist

@whytewidow

@Randomblame

@1212ham

@Chip Green

@welight

Thanks guys

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It's always nice when they work! How did your wiring turn out? Pics?
Bummer about those strip connectors coming off, it should take significant force to do that. I would expect the foil trace to rip right off the strip before the solder would let go, can you tell which occurred?

The wiring isnt too pretty yet, project boxes still arent here so noway of hiding the mess. Ill grab a few pics of said mess when i get home lol

The blocks were easy to use tho, with chiefs guidance and a quick tutorial i was on my way lol


4 of the push connectors themselves fell / twisted off, the solder is still there, and it didnt seem like it took much, they seem very delicate. i also had 2 others that wont grab the wire when you push it in. so 6 total of 24 so far. i just removed them from the frame with a razor blade and put them to one side, ill solder any that needs it when im all done. The 3rd and last fixture may be completely soldered lol

As long as i have enough to get 2 lights up and running asap ill be happy. I only have 9 girls growing, so dont really need the 3rd light at the moment, not until i start running from clone.

Sorry for lack of updates. Birthday yesterday and fathers day today, production has slowed down a little lol

Second light is all ready for wiring. Im hoping to get to it later tonight, but realistically it will probably be tomorrow evening after work.

FWIW, this is one idea for a wire layout...
1. Run Pos and Neg wires from the strips in opposite directions, to a terminal block located at each end of the center beam.
2. Use small zip ties every few inches to bundle the wires together. Or use a plastic wire duct.
3. Connect wires to terminal blocks in the project box at each end of the beam.
4.

1212ham said:

FWIW, this is one idea for a wire layout...
1. Run Pos and Neg wires from the strips in opposite directions, to a terminal block located at each end of the center beam.
2. Use small zip ties every few inches to bundle the wires together. Or use a plastic wire duct.
3. Connect wires to terminal blocks in the project box at each end of the beam.
4.

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I like it, may try that out on the 2nd fixture

Thanks bud

Looks sweet nice build!

delstele said:

Looks sweet nice build!

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Thanks bud, ill enjoy it much more once they are done and hanging above plants

what tent size is your light build for?

They are for a 7x14 room

each 3x4 light will hang above a 3x4 table.

So why use a CV driver and wire in parallel instead of CC driver and wire in series? Don't you get voltage drop over 18 strips? Sorry, I am learning too.