Lighting Full spectrum cob build.

[Mikis]

Alright guys!
I made myself a 200w full spectrum cob light fixture and basically im just wanting to show it off lol!
Its basically 4 50w full spectrum chips, aluminium heatsinks with fans on top, a 12v transformer i took out of a charger plug, aluminium angle, coach screws and some electrical wire.
It still looks a little ghetto just now but i left everything 'open' so if anything fails it would be easier to find. Its been running for a fortnight now and its running fine!
Theres a GDP mother plant under it as we speak and the growth has been just as good as the 600w hps that is normally used.
The next plan is to build a 9 light fixture to fit a 1.2m² tent.
Let me know what you guys think and feel free to ask any questions.
Peace ✌

 

[bad dragon bzzz]

nice neat job,even for a mock up good ol tuppaware

 

[Mikis]

nice neat job,even for a mock up good ol tuppaware

I genuinely dont think ive ever used a tupperware tub for its intended use

 

[MickJ]

What's driving the cobs or are they the full voltage ones?

Sent from my comfy chair.
[emoji16][emoji41] [emoji43][emoji848]

 

[Mikis]

What's driving the cobs or are they the full voltage ones?

Sent from my comfy chair.
[emoji16][emoji41] [emoji43][emoji848]

They are 230v cobs mate. Only cost 2 quid each from ebuy and seem to be doing the trick ✌

 

[DABaracuss]

Good looking light buddy. Whats total cost if it. Is this its maiden voyage ?

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[Mikis]

Good looking light buddy. Whats total cost if it. Is this its maiden voyage ?
Cobs = £2 each
Heatsink/fans = £11 each
Aluminium angle and flat bar =£10
Everything else i had lying around so total cost was £59.
I'll be buying more of the same components so hopefully i can get the cost down a bit ✌
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[Mikis]

@DABaracuss
Not quite sure how i managed to write my reply in your message but all the costs are there lol!

 

[Banjacked]

They are 230v cobs mate. Only cost 2 quid each from ebuy and seem to be doing the trick ✌

Can you find a way to get the temperatures on the heatsinks? And did you use any sort of thermal paste/pad between the cob and heatsink?

These things may be cheap, but there's a reason for that. They're based upon the "cobs" used for outdoor garden floodlights so are designed to be attached to a large heatsink called the casing and used for limited periods of time in a cooler, night-time, environment. As well as the heat from the "light" part to get rid of, you also have to get rid of the heat from the "driver" part and if you don't have that bit right then there could well be a VERY nice "Rice Crispies" moment as something "snaps", then "crackles" before going "pop", so that's why I'm asking about temperatures as it may be a good idea to get an extra fan blowing air across the top of the setup just to aid cooling.

And make sure you have plenty Sprayduster to keep the heatsinks free from dust, etc, clogging up the spaces between the fins. You'll be amazed at how quickly things can build up and that, too, will compromise cooling leading to something blowing off a good 'un as the transformer chip overheats and blows a big hole in everything as the mains AC voltage short circuits.

I don't trust them things, I've seen too many cases where mains voltage goes into cheap electronics and the results can be quite spectacular as they just let go without warning. So please monitor your temperatures, if they're anywhere over 60°C on the heatsink, and anywhere above 70°C on the electronics lumps on the "face" of the COB, then you're going to have problems sooner rather than later.

 

[Mikis]

Can you find a way to get the temperatures on the heatsinks? And did you use any sort of thermal paste/pad between the cob and heatsink?

These things may be cheap, but there's a reason for that. They're based upon the "cobs" used for outdoor garden floodlights so are designed to be attached to a large heatsink called the casing and used for limited periods of time in a cooler, night-time, environment. As well as the heat from the "light" part to get rid of, you also have to get rid of the heat from the "driver" part and if you don't have that bit right then there could well be a VERY nice "Rice Crispies" moment as something "snaps", then "crackles" before going "pop", so that's why I'm asking about temperatures as it may be a good idea to get an extra fan blowing air across the top of the setup just to aid cooling.

And make sure you have plenty Sprayduster to keep the heatsinks free from dust, etc, clogging up the spaces between the fins. You'll be amazed at how quickly things can build up and that, too, will compromise cooling leading to something blowing off a good 'un as the transformer chip overheats and blows a big hole in everything as the mains AC voltage short circuits.

I don't trust them things, I've seen too many cases where mains voltage goes into cheap electronics and the results can be quite spectacular as they just let go without warning. So please monitor your temperatures, if they're anywhere over 60°C on the heatsink, and anywhere above 70°C on the electronics lumps on the "face" of the COB, then you're going to have problems sooner rather than later.

18°C on the side of the heatsink and 24°C on the face of the chip and yes i used thermal paste! The heatsinks have copper cores also to help with the heat transfer!
They are actually designed to run 24hrs a day and with an appropriate sized heatsink they can do this no bother.
I think too many people are too apprehensive when it comes to "cheap chinese" parts. Most electronic components are manufactured in china sso whether you spend a lot or a little there realy isnt that much difference in what you buy and aslong as you know what you are doing there should be no problems.
Each heatsink i have has an 80mm fan screwed to the top of it so no need for dust sprayers, they take care of that themselves and i have a clean growing environment so dust buildup is never a problem for me.