Garythegoose
Member
Cool, I've got some chunky aluminum box section that I'm planning to use for a frame so it'll heatsink like a boss!
Veg light for 2.5x2.5 tent help!
- Thread starter Garythegoose
- Start date
tincdink
Member
Thanks for the comeback. I guess Q boards and light strips will be the choice for the future. Amazing developments in lighting, no?
nfhiggs
Well-Known Member
Yup.... The "bulb" is on its way out.
mauricem00
Well-Known Member
if you are going to build a light try 5000k bridgelux eb strips. it is the least expensive way to go for a high quality light. I am currently testing a 7 strip 4000 k light in a 2ft by 2 ft flowering area. with a home made driver it only cost me $65 to build and puts out 17400 lumens while drawing 112 watts from the wall. I am testing it on a white widow and it seems to work as well in flowering as my 150 watt HPS lamp. I still prefer T5s for vegging and T5s or CMH for flowering because they give me a little better taste and potency but you can build a good LED for that area without spending several hundred dollars. these bridgelux eb strips are as efficient as any COB on the market and give more uniform light distribution. I still need to place my light atleast 16 inches above the plant to prevent "light stress" or burning. hope this was helpful.
SunPlix CMH
Well-Known Member
Garythegoose
Member
I've never been sure of dimming HID lights, they are designed to run at a certain wattage, running them at a lower wattage changes the spectrum. I'd rather run a cmh at 315w or not at all. I'm looking to build an led light for veg only that will run at half the wattage of a cmh to save money on electricity
SunPlix CMH
Well-Known Member
I have never heard that LED runs at half the wattage of a CMH.
Humple
Well-Known Member
I think OP's point is that because this light will be dedicated to veg, there is no sense in running that much wattage.
Garythegoose
Member
Correct, I don't need 315w of light for vegging 4 plants, the first couple of weeks from seed I'll have the light dimmed right down, then crank it up to ~150w from there.
Humple
Well-Known Member
You're absolutely correct; you don't need anything near 315 watts for a 2.5x2.5. I grow in 31"x31" tents, so nearly the same space you're dealing with. I have never needed to run my lights higher than 150w in veg, and I get very rapid, healthy growth (provided the other factors - such as temp and humidity - have been dialed in).
diyled
Well-Known Member
Not half but not far off. 2.5 vs 1.5 umol/j......system level not bulb level.
SunPlix CMH
Well-Known Member
Growers care about how many grams per watt they can get and how high the quality is.
Chip Green
Well-Known Member
Right, so some growers use lights that produce enough photon output, in the correct PAR range, to produce fantastical frost laden flowers, with GPW yields upwards of 1.5, over larger footprints, for 30% less energy consumed, than many traditional horticultural lighting sources.....
Garythegoose
Member
Right, I've got my strips, I've got my driver, I've made a frame of aluminium box section.
Now, how do I stick the strips to the aluminium? I was going to drill holes and screw them down, but I don't think that'll work, I'll definitely fuck that up like whenever I try to drill holes for a hinge, they always go slightly off centre. I've looked for thermal tape and I'd have to order it from China, which will take ages. Is there something I can use to get this damn thing built so I can carry on with my life.
Now, how do I stick the strips to the aluminium? I was going to drill holes and screw them down, but I don't think that'll work, I'll definitely fuck that up like whenever I try to drill holes for a hinge, they always go slightly off centre. I've looked for thermal tape and I'd have to order it from China, which will take ages. Is there something I can use to get this damn thing built so I can carry on with my life.
nfhiggs
Well-Known Member
JB Weld with a little Arctic Silver paste works fantastic. I spread it super thin using a toothpick. You could even use the JB Weld by itself.
graying.geek
Well-Known Member
This is what I used with my EB strips:
https://www.amazon.com/Ceatech-Conductive-Double-sided-Adhesive-Chip-set/dp/B071ZP3YD8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530576672&sr=8-1&keywords=ceatech+tape
A year in and it's holding up like super glue.
Garythegoose
Member
All good in the hood!
I found some thermal tape at a local computer shop, spent the last couple of hours putting it all together, now I've got a nice bright, low power veg light!
Say hello to the girls - pineapple express #2, purps #1, franco's lemon cheese, and LSD seedlings.
Also a peek in the flower room- cinderella XX, candida CD1, chocolate Mint OG, 707 headband.
Many thanks to you all for the advice, much appreciated
Edit: oh yeah, that top sticking up in the middle is an auto I started which was meant to go outdoors, but I never got round to taking her out so she's just going to stand there in the middle like a giraffe!
I found some thermal tape at a local computer shop, spent the last couple of hours putting it all together, now I've got a nice bright, low power veg light!
Say hello to the girls - pineapple express #2, purps #1, franco's lemon cheese, and LSD seedlings.
Also a peek in the flower room- cinderella XX, candida CD1, chocolate Mint OG, 707 headband.
Many thanks to you all for the advice, much appreciated
Edit: oh yeah, that top sticking up in the middle is an auto I started which was meant to go outdoors, but I never got round to taking her out so she's just going to stand there in the middle like a giraffe!
