Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
And that's a really good idea nevegoodenuf. I would just do that as well. Clear 1" heat shrink wrap right? The tube kind?
Switching my socket CFL'S for LED grow Bulbs.
- Thread starter Airwalker16
- Start date
nevergoodenuf
Well-Known Member
Black heat shrink from Harbor Freight.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Would you mind showing me some pics of what you did?
nevergoodenuf
Well-Known Member
Like this.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
That's pretty much what I had invisioned. Very cool. I'd use clear just cause though ;P
So at that point, you just screw them into a socket and away you go?
So at that point, you just screw them into a socket and away you go?
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
It's too bad the cobs aren't on top of the fixture rather than the sides. That would be IDEAL. But I think that those mixed with a few CFLs would do great. Better than the Spirals alone for sure.
Not to be a grumpy grammarian, but those are diodes, not cobs. And, look at the GE. It has the diodes "on top" as you said. That's what looks so appealing about it. Automatically 23% more light replacing a Cree 9.5w A19 in a reflector. And, massively more light than a free-hung CFL (due to the directionality of the "on top" design, making it almost as easy to use as an unreflected CFL while getting the intensity of reflected light -- at 33% less power.).
I want to grow a plant with them. I have a nagging feeling it's not as good as it appears. But, just the measurements of lux (compared to Cree A19 and CFL), it looks *really* good.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
That is the GE Brightstik you were talking about. He just removed the diffuser. The emitters are along the sides of the post. Not the "top" but where my lights are all on a 45 degree angle, it's just fine.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
And they look like little mini cobs. 
I may not understand. If you remove the diffuser of the BrightStik, the diodes all face in one direction (forward). I thought that's what you meant when you said "It's too bad the cobs aren't on top of the fixture rather than the sides."
Just ignore me if I misunderstood.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Nevergoodenuf,
Can you show me a few more pics of the top and a close up of the Shrink Wrap?
Can you show me a few more pics of the top and a close up of the Shrink Wrap?
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
No I thought you meant there were diodes on the top flat circle of the post. But they line the sides up and down
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
There's a lot of wasted light if you use it in a hood like mine. But now I understand why you've been mentioning free hanging cfls. Compared to that style of use, it's way better. Almost like a vertical HPS between 5-6 plants in a big commercial grow, just in a small scale haha.
I needed to do this anway. This is the GE 10w BrightStik with the diffuser removed:
Putting that in a 5-1/2" reflector (Home Depot) results in 23% more lux than the Cree 9.5w A19. (But, removing the globe from the A19 could make them equal. The Cree's diodes are probably more efficient, the GE probably gets its performance boost from the forward-facing diodes.).
But, what I really like about it is that a CFL grower wouldn't need a reflector. It's low-hanging fruit for the average CFL grower. They can get directed light (almost 5x stronger) without getting into reflectors (and the special sockets which reflectors require). And, they get that at 33% less energy. That's a very easy win due mostly to the design of the light.
The only downside is having to use a GFI outlet. But, that's a $10 expense. Probably a good idea anyway (working with water around electricity).
I think these could be a disruptive force (for the CFL guys, maybe people who use T5HO).
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
THIS IS WHAT YOU MEANT!!! AWESOME DUDE. Now I'm excited to use these 
Attachments
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
I just plug stuff in... what's the use of the gfi. I can't remember. Sorry I'm so lame.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
What the hell light did Nevergoodenuf post a picture of then?
Ground Fault Interrupter. It protects against contact with any 120v surface which is exposed by removing the diffusor. I haven't tested what surfaces are shock-worthy. But, at least the two-prong thing sticking up 1/2" above the surface is line voltage. A dab of silicone on that might work. But, GFI is the safest solution, I believe.
That's a Cree A19 or A21. If you looked at the links I posted earlier, you'd see some info about them. I grow with A19 and PAR38. They work very well.
But, I'm really hopeful about these GE BrightStiks. The 16w (100w equiv) looks really promising to me for stronger top-light (fixture) use. I use Cree 18w PAR38s for that. But, they need 8-10" distance. In a shorter tent the GE 16W might work better.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
It's a shame they only come in 2700K & 5000K. 3500 would be amazing
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Where are you seeing 100w bright stiks? I can't find em online to buy