Does anyone have a decent COB build for around $150?

Will I be able to run those two clu048-1818s on the 185h driver, and then the 2 heatsink fans on the apv12-12 driver, and my 300w roleadro on GE Grounded 3-Outlet Tap this is rated at 15 amps total. The combined load must be less than 15 amps at 125VAC or 1875 watts. - post from amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UE7SC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_G5vBJ5ANwo1gg) and [Hydrofarm TM01015 Grounded Timer, 15 Amp, 1725 Watt ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055F53HK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_bTOGWJSUCMmV1)?

Pretty sure this will be completely fine, but someone on Amazon is saying don't use a power strip on the timer cause he fried his lights or something... I'm guessing he just had way too much power going through the timer/splitter...

Should this be good to run from an electrical standpoint? I think it should be totally fine but I don't trust myself anywhere near enough to make this call. I already bought the splitter just to do this haha fire safety is important

Hey @CobKits , hate to keep bugging you but I sent you an email a couple hours ago. I'd really like to get my plants under these new lights asap and you had said they should definitely ship yesterday but it doesn't look like there is any movement on the tracking number yet.

Can I get a status update?

Sorry to be so annoying

Edit- He responded to my email, turns out he drove them to another post office since his local one was closed but missed the cutoff at the one he drove to, which I guess results in the tracking not getting updated until later tonight normally. But his amazing customer service has continued! Super happy!

WantsToBuildCheapCOB said:

Will I be able to run those two clu048-1818s on the 185h driver, and then the 2 heatsink fans on the apv12-12 driver, and my 300w roleadro on GE Grounded 3-Outlet Tap this is rated at 15 amps total. The combined load must be less than 15 amps at 125VAC or 1875 watts. - post from amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UE7SC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_G5vBJ5ANwo1gg) and [Hydrofarm TM01015 Grounded Timer, 15 Amp, 1725 Watt ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055F53HK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_bTOGWJSUCMmV1)?

Pretty sure this will be completely fine, but someone on Amazon is saying don't use a power strip on the timer cause he fried his lights or something... I'm guessing he just had way too much power going through the timer/splitter...

Should this be good to run from an electrical standpoint? I think it should be totally fine but I don't trust myself anywhere near enough to make this call. I already bought the splitter just to do this haha fire safety is important

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Yes. I have the same driver, 400w roleadro, and fans on it, no problems. Just need to count your amps. Look at the tags on each device and count it up. I think you're only pulling about 5a from the wall

FWIW i put an AC plug on the driver and ran your apv fan driver off the same plug,so you only need one plug for the whole shebang. its a little, uh, utilitarian with the drivers wired together like that, but its pretty much ready to go with the wagos. if you spend more than 10 minutes from unboxing to having them lighting up your space ill be surprised. the cob/heatsink assemblies have about 3' leads, and i also included some 3' leads and extra wagos to run from the fan driver up to the fans (both the fan driver and fans on heatsinks have short leads.) holler if it doesnt make sense.the new meanwells have brown and blue output leads instead of black and red just remember brown=hot (positive). remember the Hot Bros if you get confused

CobKits said:

FWIW i put an AC plug on the driver and ran your apv fan driver off the same plug,so you only need one plug for the whole shebang. its a little, uh, utilitarian with the drivers wired together like that, but its pretty much ready to go with the wagos. if you spend more than 10 minutes from unboxing to having them lighting up your space ill be surprised. the cob/heatsink assemblies have about 3' leads, and i also included some 3' leads and extra wagos to run from the fan driver up to the fans (both the fan driver and fans on heatsinks have short leads.) holler if it doesnt make sense.the new meanwells have brown and blue output leads instead of black and red just remember brown=hot (positive). remember the Hot Bros if you get confused

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I had been wondering if there was a plug on the wall side of the driver cause I saw pics that were just wires. The amazing customer service continues!

I wouldn't have thought combining them into one plug would work, but that's convenient!

I'm planning on putting the new power strip I bought plus the two drivers on the top of my tent and then running the wires through a ducting vent to keep the inside of the tent clean, so the 3 foot reach from the drivers will be perfect

I'll Google the Hot Bros today and figure out how wagos work. I get the concept just never used them. I've spliced wires before, I imagine they just make it easier, and allow for multiple connections.

Why did someone decide to change from black/red to blue/brown I thought black/red was like a universal thing

Edit - googled the hot bros, nothing that seems related. What am I supposed to remember about the hot bros now?

HOT = BROwn. "Hot bro"

That's my guess anyway.

WantsToBuildCheapCOB said:

I wouldn't have thought combining them into one plug would work, but that's convenient!

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its not pretty but its functional and safe. the cord ends i use are 3-prong leviton with good strain relief. youd have to pull it out of the wall by the cord (which you should never do with any cord) multiple times to have an issue. will last forever nder normal use.

Big Green Thumb said:

HOT = BROwn. "Hot bro"

That's my guess anyway.

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yes. dont make me link gay porn to burn it in your mind

Got my lights today and got them all set up! These things throw so much light!

CobKits went all out for me too, they were so easy to install. The two drivers were wired together to just one plug, and he included some extender wire for the heatsink fans and some extra wagos since the cables are short! Definitely recommending CobKits whenever I can!

I asked Cobby in email already, but I realized others could also explain this I'm sure:

How does Meanwell driver dimming work? I've got the lights as high as I can, but I'm worried they might still burn a top or two of my plant. It looks like there are 2 things I can adjust, one is input and one is output. I'd guess I would just want to adjust the output, using a Phillips head turning right to lower and left to raise brightness?

Also, the driver is much hotter than I expected, but it's outside on the top of my tent, and I put a plate under it to get it off the fabric so I don't think it should be an issue, just surprising!

Thanks everyone! These lights are super awesome

WantsToBuildCheapCOB said:

How does Meanwell driver dimming work? I've got the lights as high as I can, but I'm worried they might still burn a top or two of my plant. It looks like there are 2 things I can adjust, one is input and one is output. I'd guess I would just want to adjust the output, using a Phillips head turning right to lower and left to raise brightness?

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well there is Vo for output voltage and Io for output current. in your case either will dim the cobs, and cranked all the way up the heatsinks can take the power as long as the fans are on so no sweat.

your next purchase- a $30 luxmeter so you can get a metric on how bright they are. then once you know what your tops look like at a given light concentration, bump up or town 10% every couple days until theyre perfect. you'll get it quickly. less is more !

doing that build for you inspired me. im gonna build myself some of those setups

let me know when you do been looking for good small cob kits

CobKits said:

well there is Vo for output voltage and Io for output current. in your case either will dim the cobs, and cranked all the way up the heatsinks can take the power as long as the fans are on so no sweat.

your next purchase- a $30 luxmeter so you can get a metric on how bright they are. then once you know what your tops look like at a given light concentration, bump up or town 10% every couple days until theyre perfect. you'll get it quickly. less is more !

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Looks like this one is only $18 and from a legit company so I might get this one - Dr.Meter LX1010BS with lcd display Digital Illuminance/Light Meter 0 - 100,000 Lux Luxmeter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KP8RE2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Zvqszb6P915AB

From lux you can convert to all the other things like ppfd and par and stuff?

What is the difference between Vo and lo for dimming them? They must be different... is it better to adjust one before the other? Like is one more efficient than the other or something?

That's awesome making mine convince you to make some for yourself haha, going to add them to a tent or swap out some old lights?