Newbie help.

A.K.A. Overgrowem

Well-Known Member
Cannagrow and GF Grow have "New technology heat dissipation" 300 watt Cobs for under $97. Any good? Are there any acceptable ones around $100? Can a Cob be dimmed?
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
Looks like Chinese junk. The only qood lights I've seen on Amazon are HLG Quantum Boards.

"This 300W LED grow light consuming only 135~150 watts(can only use 120v)"
If it consumes 150 watts, it's a 150w light, not a 300w light! The Chinese play bullshit marketing games with power ratings.

Yes, there are good lights for $100. All LEDs can be dimmed, if they use a dimming driver.

White light is what you want, strips, cobs or boards.

If you can DIY, Samsung or Bridgelux strips are great, especially if you have limited vertical space, they can be run withing several inches of plant tops.
http://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/

Some good companies.........

www.timbergrowlights.com
https://atreumlighting.com
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com
www.diyleduk.co.uk
https://true-northern-lighting.myshopify.com
www.pacificlightconcepts.com/product/plc-330-l
www.Cobkits.com
www.bcblondes.com
www.rapidled.com
www.cutter.com.au
https://www.todogrowled.com
 

pulpoinspace

Well-Known Member
to add to what 1212ham said, when you're looking at cobs there are really only a few relevant manufactures.

bridgelux, cree, luminus, citizen come to mind. if a lamp doesnt list who is manufacturing their chips, i would be dubious.

also, another thing i'd be worried about is how they're labeled. there aren't "300w cobs". cobs are usually designated by their forward voltage (36v 50v and 70v being most common), and depending on the current thats put through them (amps) you can get the maximum power in watts(voltage x amperage)

for example, a bridgelux vero29C has a max current of 4.2amps, and a forward voltage of about 69v, (4.2A * 69v = ~289w) so the maximum power of that cob would be 289w, but its not a 289w cob, its a 69v cob. you can also run it at 1.4amps (1.4 * 69 = ~100) and then its being powered at 100w but its still the same cob. hope that makes sense.

in addition to this a single cob running at 300w would need a great big heatsink with active cooling fans (there is no new magical dissipation technology) or it would reach its max temperature very quickly and melt itself. most people run cobs at around 50w. that way you can passively cool them.

check out rapidled.com or timbergrowlights.com if you want a good COB DIY kit or a great COB light
 
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