Lighting DIY Mars to Cree Cob conversion

[BigSm0]

Those are the same panels I have. I actually priced everything out and think the timber grow light kits are the cheapest and most efficient option. 400 usd free shipping for 4 3590's cd bin, passive cooling pin heatsyncs and meanwell185 driver with the built in potentiometer for dimming. After we spoke atulip I did some serious researching and your comment on the Mars drivers was right.

The savings of using the Mars panel is the driver and fans for cooling actively but then you lose a few watts powering the fan and lose again with the driver efficiency. I think for it to work price wise going with 3070's would be super inexpensive and also be a huuuuuge upgrade over the 20% efficient Mars.

 

[Atulip]

Definitely a big upgrade, and you'll have leds already, drivers are another easy upgrade later. (I expected mine to give out by now so I can replace them lol) he's looking at the 72v cxb3590, so 1 per driver, ~56% through the leds. Should be around half the price of going for a full kit.

Cheap upgrade is the 2530s. They're 46-47% efficient at that current and $11-12 each. 2 per driver.

http://www.cutter.com.au/proddetail.php?prod=cut2827

 

[BigSm0]

Definitely a big upgrade, and you'll have leds already, drivers are another easy upgrade later. (I expected mine to give out by now so I can replace them lol) he's looking at the 72v cxb3590, so 1 per driver, ~56% through the leds. Should be around half the price of going for a full kit.

Cheap upgrade is the 2530s. They're 46-47% efficient at that current and $11-12 each. 2 per driver.

http://www.cutter.com.au/proddetail.php?prod=cut2827

That's a great idea. I was considering doing the 3590's but for the price of 2530's that's the best option for the smaller Mars size. Doing 4 3590's or 8 at 36v to max the driver output would make one hot little light.

 

[Atulip]

You end up with ~1.8umol/j with the 2 x 2530 build. 1 x 72v 3590 build is ~2.2umol/j. 2 x 36v 3070 build is ~2.3umol/j. And ~2.5umol/j with 2 x 36v 3590. Estimated wall efficiencies, cxb series top bins on the mars drivers.

The 72v is twice the price for chips as the 2530 but does increase light output by ~22% for the same wall wattage. 3070s may be worth considering, but the 2 x 3590s gets a bit pricey and it's just better to fully build(or kit build) at that point. (Driver waste and fan waste become weak spots when you're trying to run super efficiently through the chips)

 

[HotBunz]

That's a great idea. I was considering doing the 3590's but for the price of 2530's that's the best option for the smaller Mars size. Doing 4 3590's or 8 at 36v to max the driver output would make one hot little light.

You would be surprised at how cool it would run, most likely cooler than the stock Mars.

 

[Atulip]

25-40 less heat watts when upgrading. Depending on which cobs, but I'd still replace the heatsinks since going from 30 x 2 watt chips to a single source 50watt or a couple 25watt on these flimsy things.

The mars2 heatsinks look better though, and shouldn't need an upgrade. @A-Train has a build going from components from his Mars1200

https://www.autoflower.org/threads/a-trains-diy-mars-1200-led-to-cob-i-need-help.53365/

 

[BigSm0]

My only heat now is from the constantly running 70p dehumidifier. Cobs have been saving me

You would be surprised at how cool it would run, most likely cooler than the stock Mars.

I should have clarified, 8 3590's would be way to intense for the small footprint. 400 efficient watts.

 

[Baxterwolfe]

Hey @Atulip what do you think about running 4 CXA2530 3000k on four corners and 1 CXA2530 5000k in the middle for 1 mars 300 panel? It should run all 5 with the fan if I calculated correctly and it should have a pretty good spread and some good output if the drivers will push everything. If will work it will be a pretty nice panel since Ive found all 5 COB for $55 with shipping. If it works out Im gonna convert all 3 of my panels. I will be using for Autoflowers and Veg/flower on some photos thats why I wanna run multiple spectrums.

 

[BigSm0]

Hey @Atulip what do you think about running 4 CXA2530 3000k on four corners and 1 CXA2530 5000k in the middle for 1 mars 300 panel? It should run all 5 with the fan if I calculated correctly and it should have a pretty good spread and some good output if the drivers will push everything. If will work it will be a pretty nice panel since Ive found all 5 COB for $55 with shipping. If it works out Im gonna convert all 3 of my panels. I will be using for Autoflowers and Veg/flower on some photos thats why I wanna run multiple spectrums.

Where did you find the cobs so cheap?

 

[Atulip]

I'd go for the cxb2530 over the cxa series. Top bin comparison of 3000k 90cri



Huge efficiency jump and they're about the same price(the cxb2530 3000k 90cri t2) $12 per

http://www.cutter.com.au/proddetail.php?prod=cut2827


You need to look for top bin chips as well, the Cree PCT is good for comparing different bin chips.

http://pct.cree.com/dt/index.html


Make sure you're in the voltage range of the driver, the cxa2530 pulls 36.9v at that current, cxb2530 pulls 35.8(same Cree PCT), couldn't fit 3 on one driver if it's 100v Max.




And the 3000k 90cri is the fullest option. Best bang for your buck on the mars drivers I can find. Next jump is the 72v cxb3590, 1 per driver, $45 per.