Lighting Welcome to the AFN DIY LED Building Forum!

[InexpensiveBeret]

(someone please delete this if it's not kosher):
there's tons of great info (including numbers all the way up to the 600h series) on ledbuilder.org, in the guides sub-forum. most of the stuff you could find on riu without that site's more 'unique' personalities.

@Dudeski i'm not even entirely sure why they would put any decimals into that chart. you couldn't actually run 2.1 cobs; you can only run 2. you could run 2@75w each on the 120, or 2@100w each on the 240. the 185 will probably turn on, but it also may not. i wouldn't take the chance.

 

[pop22]

They put the decimal to show there is a little headroom. Better to run at 80-90% than at 100% for best efficiency. Many of the Meanwell drivers are 90-95% efficient when run at 80-90% load. The other are either maxing out, or slightly over-spec. they sem to have a cushion, but I for one would have it remain a cushion...lol!

(someone please delete this if it's not kosher):
there's tons of great info (including numbers all the way up to the 600h series) on ledbuilder.org, in the guides sub-forum. most of the stuff you could find on riu without that site's more 'unique' personalities.

@Dudeski i'm not even entirely sure why they would put any decimals into that chart. you couldn't actually run 2.1 cobs; you can only run 2. you could run 2@75w each on the 120, or 2@100w each on the 240. the 185 will probably turn on, but it also may not. i wouldn't take the chance.

 

[InexpensiveBeret]

oh yeah that makes sense, but it could also mislead someone who wasn't sure exactly what he was reading. either way, there's a plethora of good information on that site, more or less everything you need to set up a nice, simple diy bar.

 

[pop22]

Dependa what amperage you want to run them at. A C1400 will run 4 36V CXB3590s, a C1050 will run 5.

Will the 185 run 4 of the cobs? My plan was just two for this build. I have this idea later on to try 2700 and or 6500k cobs to broaden the spectrum as the cobs get better

 

[pop22]

Everyone who's interested in DIY LED building should checkout Growmau5 on youtube. He has top shelf information and instructionals.

 

[InexpensiveBeret]

greengenes garden is pretty great too.

also, just googling questions that you're curious about will lead to some results. it's how i found local suppliers (which i won't actually end up using, but still) for all the parts, and most of them were cheaper than their digikey/mouser/etc equivalents.

 

[Dudeski]

I have watched a bunch of growmau videos, he is good. That is part of my information overload. Lol, tryn to learn how to grow too!
I appreciate the help and I will let you know what i do.

 

[pop22]

I think one problem with most DIY info on LED is the "experts" All think you have to build the biggest and baddest light eve,r even if you can't afford it....lol! My thinking is people should dig around for info on their current lighting, with finding PAR and or PPFD information. If you current light produces 300 PPF and you can build a light that runs on 30-50% less power than your current light and makes 400 + PPF, That's an upgrade that would be affordable for someone on a budget. And if so, design your light to be modular, so as to make upgrading/expanding your light feasible.

Of course I figured this out after buying 40" passive heatsinks...lol!

 

[Dudeski]

Lol pop22! I have no plans to run more than, occasionally a third plant in a 4x4 tent. The mars 300s have done a good job, i would like a little better. Modular is the key for me too, makes sense! Ill be doing 2 passives i can move. Ozone69 has a 4 way, working great for him. I thought 2 72v crees would be much better than the mars. Its an amazing difference in the light! Now to just get the distances right n im good.

 

[Dudeski]

Stoopid phone!