Lighting DIY LED Grow lights

[Fuggzy]

Hi guys, and grats on building your own light Pop. I agree with Balarama on RIU having some good info, There is a guy that goes by supraspl that offers a ton of info on there. You can also just google his name and get his info from multiple sources. I have 4 vero 10. 2 @ 3000k, and 2 @ 3500k. Ran at 350ma. ~26.7v * .35a=9.345w *4= 37.38w total in a micro, and LOVE it. It is based off a guys who learned from supraspl 1st hand. (supraspl has more money than me or I would have followed him xD) I also have 24 more I am building a light for a 4x2' tent.

In regards to what Xagor said, not only are bridgelux cheaper, but some models are actually more efficient when under driven compared to the equivalent Cree. Not many, and I don't have the listing on hand, but some. If I had the money I would have got the cree. Performance wise though, I feel like the vero are more than up to par.

Xagor thanks a metric shit ton for this info... "If you got an e.g. android mobile, you can usually access its lightsensor with an app. Helps for all relative % measurements." I never thought of checking there, and am going to it next!!! I can't afford a Lux meter, and relative % is good enough for this guy.

Edited to add my light specs.

 

[pop22]

Great posts everyone! Tomorrow I plan to wire up my leds for a test. Found a bunch of old cpu heatsinks I'll use. I'll be building a frame in about 2 weeks, then mount them on that and test over a plant. I'm picking up another 50watt driver to run the blue LED from.

Check this guy's DIY and grow videos!

 

[Xagor]

In regards to what Xagor said, not only are bridgelux cheaper, but some models are actually more efficient when under driven compared to the equivalent Cree. Not many, and I don't have the listing on hand, but some

Which one? I think cxb good bin is always ahead of vero.
In this thread you find tons of data on various cobs and bins.
http://rollitup.org/t/cob-efficiency-spreadsheets.865238/

Basically the main difference between cree cxb and bridgelux vero V2 cobs is a that cree is a bit better and their chips have bigger efficiency gains when you drive them softer. And I think Vero doesnt have bins.
Running vero29 at about 50W/ 1,4Amps is a good idea, cree isnt much ahead there. About 43% efficiency.
Also Vero29 has the holder included with the basic cob and its much cheaper.
Vero 3500K equals about Cree 3000K in terms of spectrum.
I think the "average cheap 3W led" has an efficiency of about 20-25%...

 

[Fuggzy]

I agree with everything you said. You are right there are no bins for the vero, just a -/+tolerance. The reason I said some is I don't have the info on hand. I also don't remember the exact thread or test. It has been about 2.5 months sense I have done hard core research on current cobs. Sorry I know thats kinda vague. I just don't want the bridgelux thought as of an eco line (lack of better terms). It should be more of a competitor in my experience. Cheaper, yes, worth it, also yes.

Sorry. I'm so stoned my eye lids are sticking to my eye balls... Maybe I'll take a look in my notes tomorrow. See if I can find the test.
Take care.

 

[pop22]

everything I've read says the Vero chips are an excellent choice also. However, I have to choose one or the other, as I can't afford to experiment at that level, though I wish I could! I'll probably go with the Cree just because I want the best I can afford with this light. And if done right, it should last me a long time. We will see though, budget may dictate the Vero chips after all. Later this morning I'll start testing the cheap leds I bought.

 

[J Icky]

Just remember when you start your budget that the cobs themselves are jut the tip of the iceberg. You also need to think about wires, driver/s, heatsink/s. Also depending on what you have around your house, which cobs you buy and how you want to set it up, you may also need solder and a soldering iron, wire connectors, holders, lenses, something to mount or hang them, screws, tap and drill or kapton tape and maybe even reflectors and driver/s for the fans.

 

[xizzix]

Subscribed.
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This is where I am in my own build- DIY lights.
Happy to piggyback off someone else's research- thanks to original poster

(/me Balls up all his notes and starts over... again!)

It happens when you're self taught...

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Considering vegging under 100W full spec cob's one cob / plant (14 inch square areas)
Flowering under 5x 100W full spec cob's (4 foot x 3 foot area) spaced like the #five pips on a six sided die

 

[Purplethumb]

Hello everybody, been reading up on these cobs, there's a ton of info out there. Try goggling diy cob led, or cree cxb3590 diy led. If you just want to try and see if it works. You can buy one cob, one driver, one cpu heat sink, and a couple power cords. About $80. If you like it, buy more when you can afford to. Just Google and read anything by supraspl.

 

[Purplethumb]

Oh yeah! I can't wait to see how the light works! Good luck!

 

[shotgun10111]

Hey guys thought I would share my new led build I just finished Monday it consist of 8 Cree cxb3590 CB 3000k 36v, 2x HLG-185-1400b Drivers, 8 Ideal chiploc cob holders, 2x 5.888"x44" heatsinks for passive cooling and misc items like wire, wago connectors, Tim (pk-3), taps and drill bits and a few other things. It's definitely not cheap over a $1000 it cost me but the next one will be cheaper as I bought alot a stuff in bulk next time should be around $700 or less. I did add 2 fans for extra cooling from what I understand the cooler they are the more efficient. I came here first lookin for info on a DIY led but couldn't find anything on it which sucks cause I feel more comfortable on this site since I grow autos so I had to do alot of my research on riu never asked one question just alot of reading so if you go there for info I would search first ask questions last it seems that's how they role over there so if anyone needs help just hit me up and maybe I can help or point you in the right direction. My light specs: About 400 Watts 65,600 Lumen 390 (dissipation W) * .5167 (COB efficiency) = 202 PAR W
202 PAR W/8 ft² = 25 PAR W/ft²
25 * 10.7 (ft² in 1 m²) = 267.5 PAR W/m²
267.5 * 4.88 (umol/PAR W for CXA 3000K) = 1305 PPFD. (minus small % for lateral and upward scatter), these spec's are what someone else on riu came up with since my light consist of the same stuff I thought i would share the technical spec's for those wanting to know.
Here's a few pics i got 2 Sour Diesel autos and a THC Bomb auto which are 49 days old under her right now. Alright guys let me know if you need any info I'll gladly help, Peace ✌