LEDs for lettuce and microgreens

Thanks. The pvc pipes like that are not the way to go for indoor growing with lights. They are going to be moved out and hope they don't reduce current productivity by shading too much

I don't know how I missed this thread. Glad to see I wasn't the only one considering a 9w vero 10 per sq ft for micro greens and lettuce. I'm very interested in seeing where this goes. Marvelous system you've got going ROF42.

Thanks. It might be a little bit before I get the trial going unfortunately. Let me know if you beat me to it.

Very interesting info, yesterday on the news they profiled a company in irvine ca. growing indoor micro greens and lettuce. www.urbanproduce.com and they mentioned on the news they were using led but they didn't go into detail. Check it out.

From what I can see of their system I don't believe it's a good way to go, though I'd like to see one operate in person.

@SupraSPL
What is efficiency loss going from running for vero 10 on the driver you listed vs individually driving them with the one @Mechmike posted
http://m.ebay.com/itm/271316111004?_mwBanner=1

Thinking if individually driven I can play with coverage more.

Thatsa darn good question. I tested the bare version of the one I posted at 88% efficient, which was very surprising, I was expecting about 80%. Also, it is power factor corrected which is nice. I do have one Mike posted on hand. Here is what I measured:

3Vf minimum - 40% efficient - 265mA output
5.6Vf - 60% efficient - 268mA output
12.8Vf - 75% efficient - 268mA output
24.64Vf - 85% efficient - 242mA output
25Vf maximum - 80% efficient - 241mA output
25.5Vf (maximum) 83.4% efficient - 235 mA output
above that Vf, the driver strobes. It may vary slightly from driver to driver and from Vero to Vero, so that is a very close call in terms of Vf range.

I also like to use 150mA drivers to run Vero 10s. The driver is only $1.25 and it can run up to about 50.8Vf. It is 85-88% efficient and should be perfect to drive a pair of Vero10s (~24.7 Vf @ 140mA each)

@3Vf driver squeals and hates life, 30% efficient, 100mA output
6Vf, 58% efficient, 183mA output
9Vf, 70% efficient, 165mA output
12Vf, 80% efficient, 164mA output
15Vf, 84% efficient, 160mA output
32Vf, 85% efficient, 156mA output (CXA3070)
38Vf, 86% efficient, 154mA output
44Vf, 86% efficient, 150mA output
47Vf, 85% efficient, 146mA output
50.8Vf, 85% efficient, 135mA output (maximum Vf)
above that, the driver strobes

I got one of these lights 10 days or so ago for the kitchen herb
garden, and they are loving it so far. canopy is 3.5 sq ft (14"x36"),
light is 20w at 4000k color temp and has very even coverage.
have it over cilantro, mint, and parsley so far. can't wait to swap
parsley for basil and oregano when I find starts at the local market.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_595684-11840-54288141_0__?productId=50277249&Ntt=

Hmm I was thinking of driving them in the 300mA to 350mA range with individual drivers but doesn't look like the one you have will do that.

I was planning on testing them in different amounts in a given space for different plants. Being able to add or remove with out worrying about driver load.

Any recommendations on a driver to drive a single vero 10 at 300-350mA?

Thanks

I think this is a good deal for running single v10s
http://m.ebay.ca/itm/161108527801?nav=WATCHING_ACTIVE
Or for 5 in series
http://m.ebay.ca/itm/400709627626?nav=WATCHING_ACTIVE

And the single one is more expensive than the one to drive 5?

No that link was for 5 drivers that would each drive one cob. So thats 5 drivers for $18.50US.

Ah ok. My brain didn't register it like that. Thanks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-10-1W-LED-External-Driver-Power-Supply-85-260V-Short-Circuit-Protection-/271316111004?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f2bb34e9c

$2.07 each

They also are offering 5% off for 3 or more.

@Mechmike
Supra posted the measurements he took from that driver and didn't look like it ever put out 300mA. Was hoping to get up to 350mA but really didn't want to drop below 3.

Trying to scrounge together to get 8 as a test / prototype.

One thing i find with DIY is that you're never short of options.

ROF42 said:

@Mechmike
Supra posted the measurements he took from that driver and didn't look like it ever put out 300mA. Was hoping to get up to 350mA but really didn't want to drop below 3.

Trying to scrounge together to get 8 as a test / prototype.

Click to expand...

That makes sense. The cheap drivers tend to be optimistic with theire ratings. Keep looking. You may find what you're looking for. I have a few drivers that claim to put out 320ma which run at ~300ma. The only actual 350ma drivers I have found are quality ones like the Meanwell APC-12-350.
They can be had for 7-8 dollars each. Running your emitters soft is more efficient as in more lumens per watt used. You could add a few emitters at a lower amperage and make more light for essentially the same power usage.

Just the trade off in upfront cost vs usage savings

My electricity is $0.151 a kw/h

I ran/run the the Apc12 on my 1st Vero Setup. Good driver, pretty fast on time [no pause in initial turn-on, like I have seen in some].

Cheap, reliable, class 2 driver.

I also have ran the Fasttech drivers and they have been good so far, need to measure output. They do get a fair amount of heat eminating off of them, so I wouldn't recommend clustering 8 of those bad boys altogether...