Well a CPU cooler isn't expensive and you can buy them from the local computer store. It looks like a vero 29 build could work out around the same price and get you better effeciency overal. You can however get better coverage at a closer distance with the strips.
You could. With a stencil you could be spot on. I placed it on top and made some marks with a sharpie and used a dremel with the cutting blades to cut it out. It didn't turn out great. Doing it again I would try out a router attachment.
Can you take a couple pictures, and show how you attached the lens?
Very nice even light spread. I have ran mine just like that at 700ma with no problem, but not at 1000ma. Please measure the voltage droop from cold to stable. I actually count to 5 and take a measurement, then however long it takes to stabilize. That will tell you a lot about how hot they really are. Inquiring minds want to know!
the lights dropped about 10 watts over about 10 minutes. so about 1 watt per strip, they were pretty warm after 10 minutes, not burning my fingers hot, but pretty warm. I'll take some thermo pictures tomorrow and get a reading.
I'm taking it you are using the "wall watts" to measure droop, and it's a little over 2%. I think if you had a breeze blowing over the backs of those strips it would help a lot. I am running 6 strips at 1080ma, but I have an old T-5 case as a heatsink. It will be interesting to see how you do with your new light. Thanks for the info.
Sorry for disappearing on the thread. Its working out pretty well. (nothing to compare it to as this is my first attempt). Light staying around 80F @600ma with 2 fans blowing around (+vent)in a 48x30 tent. Running in a basement in the low 60s.
The real test is how hot they are after 12 hours. I plan on a 12 board build on a 2x4 aluminum plate and I worry it wont be cool enough.
You might be right. I haven't priced out the Vero's so I'll take your word for it. I have done the whole CPU cooler thing and I'm over it. I am all about keeping it simple these days. Strips on angles is cheap and easy.
True that. Im contemplating how many more strips are needed and the extra cost. They work really well for even light canopy. I run strips in a metal rack to grow lettuce. I dont see myself doing that with big cobs.
I'm not a big fan of the CPU cooling idea. Too many moving parts, too many things to break. Robin had some pretty nice passive heat sinks over at northern grow lights. Are you thinking you can run cobs with angles or strips? I run Vero's and they are nice. If you want to save some hassle, digikey has quick connects for Vero's, they are pretty reasonable, like 1.50 each or so. Otherwise you have to solder them. Which I not great at doing.
Agreed. I'm growing in some small spaces too and the strips have made my life so much easier.
I think COBs emit too much heat to be dissipated by alu angle alone.... unless they were being run mega soft.
So what size of angles are you using and how hard are you running your strips? Thanks.
built in connectors....better imho
