DiY LED Grow Lights with CREE CXA3070 COBs and CPU Coolers

Lucius Bundy

Lucius Bundy

Member
Tim Fox said:
thats pretty nice,, for those who either dont have the tools, or the time, or maybe even the "how to" ,, but if a person can read simple instructions and have a basic screw driver set,, they could build that light,, I wonder if it comes with wiring instructions for the beginners
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Very true my friend.
 
Lucius Bundy

Lucius Bundy

Member
Gaius said:
Yeah I have a lovely bubba kush momma in my veggie bin for the next round.



No lenses, as they just diminish the output of the COB. Reflectors can help, but I like the default spread just as it is.


I will be adding 6 deep-red Luxeon LEDs on individual flexible arms soon, and these will mount on the Battlestar for bud-targeting.
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Do you have an update on the reds? I would love to see a screen shot of it.
 
Lucius Bundy

Lucius Bundy

Member
wyteberrywidow said:
Very nice!!! Congrats on the build.
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I was thinking it would be extremely efficient if you use a fan controller (for all the fans of course). This one is touch screen and it have thermal pads (for which you can use for each heat sink). Check out this video as an example:


It's great because you can set it to speed up the fan in reference to higher temps. This means your cobs will last longer....etc.

Just my food for thought guys.
 
Lucius Bundy

Lucius Bundy

Member
smigula

smigula

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone! I LOVE this idea.

I am about to get started on making this light, I have been wanting to for a while!

I am going to make a few changes. I am going to use the CXB3590 LEDs in place of the CXA3070, thanks to Lucius Bandy for the alibaba links :) I am also probably going to add some Cree XP-E Deep Red LEDs dispersed throughout the fixture, connected to a switch and only turn these on for blooming.

To control everything in the grow environment, I am using a Raspberry Pi with some sensors for temp/humidity and relays to control power outlets, and I am also considering designing a mechanism that will modulate the current output of the drivers based on temperature (from different sensors connected to the RPi).

I am thinking of using a digital potentiometer (MCP4151, between the power supply and the drivers) with a Raspberry Pi and write some code that will read in temps and adjust the potentiometers accordingly so that it optimizes light output. What do you think of this idea?
 
Lucius Bundy

Lucius Bundy

Member
smigula said:
Hi everyone! I LOVE this idea.

I am about to get started on making this light, I have been wanting to for a while!

I am going to make a few changes. I am going to use the CXB3590 LEDs in place of the CXA3070, thanks to Lucius Bandy for the alibaba links :) I am also probably going to add some Cree XP-E Deep Red LEDs dispersed throughout the fixture, connected to a switch and only turn these on for blooming.

To control everything in the grow environment, I am using a Raspberry Pi with some sensors for temp/humidity and relays to control power outlets, and I am also considering designing a mechanism that will modulate the current output of the drivers based on temperature (from different sensors connected to the RPi).

I am thinking of using a digital potentiometer (MCP4151, between the power supply and the drivers) with a Raspberry Pi and write some code that will read in temps and adjust the potentiometers accordingly so that it optimizes light output. What do you think of this idea?
Click to expand...
It's Bundy and not Bandy bro...lol
 
Lucius Bundy

Lucius Bundy

Member
smigula said:
Hi everyone! I LOVE this idea.

I am about to get started on making this light, I have been wanting to for a while!

I am going to make a few changes. I am going to use the CXB3590 LEDs in place of the CXA3070, thanks to Lucius Bandy for the alibaba links :) I am also probably going to add some Cree XP-E Deep Red LEDs dispersed throughout the fixture, connected to a switch and only turn these on for blooming.

To control everything in the grow environment, I am using a Raspberry Pi with some sensors for temp/humidity and relays to control power outlets, and I am also considering designing a mechanism that will modulate the current output of the drivers based on temperature (from different sensors connected to the RPi).

I am thinking of using a digital potentiometer (MCP4151, between the power supply and the drivers) with a Raspberry Pi and write some code that will read in temps and adjust the potentiometers accordingly so that it optimizes light output. What do you think of this idea?
Click to expand...
Don't forget to use the CXB3590 3500k for Flowering and the CXB3590 5000k for veg. Or you can have them both on the same fixture and them put the 3500k on a separate driver from the 5000k. During Veg, turn the 5000k up and the 3500k on low. Vice Versa during flowering. So during veg you will have alot of blue and a small amount of red. During flowering, you will have alot of red and a small amount of blue. Also use UV led to increase the THC levels.
 
DeMoNeye

DeMoNeye

Well-Known Member
Love this - but far too big for my needs,,,

Anybody able to help with a much smaller system - I run a micro grow in a 60x60 tent and would love to self build a LED system specifically for it.
 
smigula

smigula

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the video!

I am in the planning process, and have been in contact with Jerry at Kingbrite and he just sent me an email with some new products and I am just wondering what your thoughts are on these? Specifically I am looking at the silicon lens




 
Lucius Bundy

Lucius Bundy

Member
I ordered two meanwell (the newest versions) six 3500k 3590's and six 6500k 3590's.). I also ordered all the necessary parts but no heatsink. I'm going to use M1 arctic cpu heatsink and fan for them. I'm going to have the 'checkers' approach with each one (both next to each other...etc). During seedling and veg, I'll have the 6500k's up and the 3500k's very low. Vice versa during flowering. Look into adding UV's as well. each of the new drivers and hold six cob's each. Good luck with your purchase bro. Have a great day :)

smigula said:
Thanks for the video!

I am in the planning process, and have been in contact with Jerry at Kingbrite and he just sent me an email with some new products and I am just wondering what your thoughts are on these? Specifically I am looking at the silicon lens




Click to expand...
 
Forrestfirebuds

Forrestfirebuds

Member
Gaius said:


Easily build your own high-power LED Grow Light using COBs!

(Built with assistance of RIU contributors! - Original thread )


[HR][/HR]
Battlestar Ganjatica - A 480 Watt Multi-Mode LED Grow Light


6x CREE CXA3070 @ 3000K - $36ea ($216)

2x CREE CXA3070 @ 5000K - $38ea ($76)

8X Meanwell LPC-60-1400 Drivers - $20ea ($160)

8 Arctic Cool CPU Coolers - $9ea ($72)

Rhino 12v External HDD Power supply - $9 (for powering fans)

1 Tube Thermal Adhesive - $8

3'x1' White Shelving board - $10

4x Bottom Sliders for Drawers - $7ea ($28)
(link is not exact model. I only paid $7 each in-store)

3x 2-way Switches - $4ea ($12)

4 heavy-duty stainless eye bolts - $1ea ($4) (in-store)

10 Pack In-sure easy wire connectors - $2

6-Pack Blue Mid-line connectors - $2

TOTAL PANEL BOM: $599

MISC Other Materials:




Ignore the fan-speed controller. Didn't end up using it.


[HR][/HR]

Wiring is pretty basic. Just scale up the below diagram (provided by RIU member Goud)




[HR][/HR]

And here you go!






3 Modes: Veg, Teen, Bloom







Preliminary Results look good!

First day over plants:


Week or so later:


​
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Hey nice build. Im about to build some myself and was wondering what size area are you uding these 8 cobs on? Thanks
 
4

420Pasadena

New Member
Mellodrama said:
The CXA3070's are pretty much the most powerful/efficient COB's that the retail shopper can get their hands on. But the highest bins are often unavailable. I just bought a couple of 5000K CXA3070's. Had to settle for the CXA3070-0000-000N00Z450F because nobody's offering the higher bins. Not to the person who wants to buy 2 or 3 of them.

You have to be careful about lm/watt. They're more efficient when they're not being driven hard. You can get more light out of the device by driving it harder, but you're losing efficiency as you crank up the amperage. So it's a story of diminishing returns.
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How can you tell the BIN??

Anyway, you are right, plus you get more spread to when lower (driven), if driven at 1400, thats about a 4 lights with driver MAX, getting the 3090(cxa), running at 700 mA and you can drive 8 lights, same wattage. Efficiency is if it is brighter (MOST LE COMPANIES ARE Also stating that TO AVOID BLEACHING THEY SHOULD BE 18-36" away, for real), Anyway, lets say you run 4 drivers at 1400, depending on the volt, depends on how many you can run but it will be bright and HOT and the Photon to heat is like 40% Photon, 60% Heat, driven at 700mA and its reversed but actually higher more like, 65-70% efficient and 35-40% heat. This is why I am wondering why we are not seeing them but you tube it, one guy built a killer machine, cost him 2GS but it would be 5G's retail. The chips were like $35, then spiked to $100.00 What is the output per watt on the newer XL-M2's? (Advanced Lighting), Amare uses the same as this guy, but his is more spread out, and cheaper.

CREE 303 LUMENS PER WATT
 
Lucius Bundy

Lucius Bundy

Member
420Pasadena said:
How can you tell the BIN??

Anyway, you are right, plus you get more spread to when lower (driven), if driven at 1400, thats about a 4 lights with driver MAX, getting the 3090(cxa), running at 700 mA and you can drive 8 lights, same wattage. Efficiency is if it is brighter (MOST LE COMPANIES ARE Also stating that TO AVOID BLEACHING THEY SHOULD BE 18-36" away, for real), Anyway, lets say you run 4 drivers at 1400, depending on the volt, depends on how many you can run but it will be bright and HOT and the Photon to heat is like 40% Photon, 60% Heat, driven at 700mA and its reversed but actually higher more like, 65-70% efficient and 35-40% heat. This is why I am wondering why we are not seeing them but you tube it, one guy built a killer machine, cost him 2GS but it would be 5G's retail. The chips were like $35, then spiked to $100.00 What is the output per watt on the newer XL-M2's? (Advanced Lighting), Amare uses the same as this guy, but his is more spread out, and cheaper.

CREE 303 LUMENS PER WATT
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Do you have link to that youtube video or are you referring to GrowMau5?
 
4

420Pasadena

New Member
Lucius Bundy said:
Do you have link to that youtube video or are you referring to GrowMau5?
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Sure here

But for real, to get a grip and understand, watch this one first.

Might have it backwards but subscribe then watch all!!!

Bottom might make you think its hard, but its not (also BSEE and Certified inComputers, BSEE, Electronics), but still breaks it down really good as the higher the efficiency is to start small! More efficient=more photon's.
 
4

420Pasadena

New Member
420Pasadena said:
Sure here

But for real, to get a grip and understand, watch this one first.

Might have it backwards but subscribe then watch all!!!

Bottom might make you think its hard, but its not (also BSEE and Certified inComputers, BSEE, Electronics), but still breaks it down really good as the higher the efficiency is to start small! More efficient=more photon's.
Click to expand...

I do not know how to select bins, may also look at cheaper but not retail...
 
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