Lighting DIY mars conversion. Questions and answers here.

[BigSm0]

I’d go with 4-1812’s and run one cob per driver. Would only use 4 drivers for a total for 140 watts. Seems to be a bunch of drivers in there but it’s best to keep a spare or two when one blows up.

 

[2MinutesHate]

For a 2x4 tent I’d go with 100-150watts. With 1212’s you will get 25 watts per cob and 1812’s you will get 35 watts per cob. Is there just one panel in the tent?

I’d go with 4-1812’s and run one cob per driver. Would only use 4 drivers for a total for 140 watts. Seems to be a bunch of drivers in there but it’s best to keep a spare or two when one blows up.

Sorry, I didn't see your updates when posting my last comments.

I currently have 6 panels, and cables to hang all of them - but am currently only using 1 per plant, 2 per tent, 4 in total. Ideally, I'd be able to just use one panel/enclosure per plant.

is 150w your upper limit, or do you think I'd yield better with more of them? If I look at the cost of the 3500k on your site - my budget probably allows for me to buy up to 16 of them.

My initial thoughts were to put one COB in each open square in the enclosure, but if that's too much light, I guess I don't mind saving a few dollars.

 

[2MinutesHate]

Also, thank you all for responding and keeping this thread up! These blurple lights keep going out slowly and have me near my wit's end. I've got two other plants under 3 partially working panels that aren't doing nearly as well as the ones I pictured.

 

[2MinutesHate]

Actually, these were the numbers I took down last night.


300w-400w (desired wattage total, 150-200 per tent)
36 chips max (drivers available)

Citizen
1212 = 36v@7mA - 25w per chip = 12-16 chips per tent
1812 = 52v@7mA - 36w per chip = 8-10 chips

So I guess I was pretty close to right in my estimation, I was just thinking that 5 chips per tent was gonna be my sweet spot rather than 4. I'll go ahead and order 8 and put 2 in each enclosure over both plants.

Any tips on how they should be oriented in relation to the confines of my tents/enclosures?

Thanks!

 

[BigSm0]

Please Don’t feel obligated to buy from me. If you find something that suits you better by all means go for it. I just prefer the 1812’s and that’s why I use them in my recommendations. The higher wattage is nice. It’s also good to stay below the drivers maximum as they are prone to dying. I would go with 100-150 for the whole tent.

I just posted my final weight from my last grow at 15watts per square foot and couldn’t be happier. 2.17 grams per watt and pure fire quality. Cob wattage is no where near any other light source. You can and will do much better with less cobs than more. Coming from someone who sells cobs lol.

 

[2MinutesHate]

Oh, don't mistake me, I never feel obligated to buy from anyone, but... This thread alone, and reading up on some of your other posts these last couple of days has provided me more lighting education than I got in a month of reading up before finding this. You've already been a massive help, and you have what I need at a good price. Big win/win here!

What you say makes perfect sense, and I think my reservoir temps will benefit from having less heat, anyway, assuming I stick with DWC after this grow.

I'm getting my credit card now!

 

[2MinutesHate]

Plus, that'll leave me with loads of extra drivers, so I can take my time deciding on my next lighting upgrade. Maybe I'll machine my own aluminum framework for that deal.

 

[2MinutesHate]

Do you recommend going 3500k for the whole grow, or should I think about other colors? I'll be growing autos exclusively.

 

[BigSm0]

I would stick with the 3500k. Eventually if you wanted to supplement you can do so but I think the prime light should be the all around veg-flower spectrum. Blending cobs isnt easy since they have such a good coverage area.

 

[2MinutesHate]

Makes sense. Placing my order now. Once again, thanks so much! Do you have like a newsletter or anything I can subscribe to?