Looking for higher end LED lights

You don't see a lot of DIY threads here. I believe that's because we have a certain demographic here. We are a little more laidback, not as concerned with the latest tech or getting the most yield per input. I believe you could make a 12 COB unit for the budget you are looking to spend. Since you already like DIY, I say you jump in. I don't think there is anything close to the price range that will touch a DIY LED COB unit.
:Namaste:
This is why I joined here years back. Thee ENVIRONMENT point blank.which we all know is conducive cognitive learning,growing,living etc. thanks for the advice and chat.
 
Definitely DIY if you can manage. 12 x cxb3070($400) on 3 hlg 185 1400($200)
for 98,000 lumens, 950ppfd in a 4'x4'(top amount of light) for ~600w. Or 8 x cxb3590 ($400) on 2 hlg 240 1750($150) for 92,000 lumens, 900ppfd in a 4'x4'(still top) for ~500w. Probably the best 2 setups to max out a 4'x4' without breaking the bank.
 
Where is the best place to buy the cree leds? I'm in Australia, but buying from USA might be an option. I see cxb3590 on digikey for $64 usd.

Sent from my SM-G900I using 420
 
Definitely DIY if you can manage. 12 x cxb3070($400) on 3 hlg 185 1400($200)
for 98,000 lumens, 950ppfd in a 4'x4'(top amount of light) for ~600w. Or 8 x cxb3590 ($400) on 2 hlg 240 1750($150) for 92,000 lumens, 900ppfd in a 4'x4'(still top) for ~500w. Probably the best 2 setups to max out a 4'x4' without breaking the bank.

Atulip, hello there! I've read your posts on led lighting quite a bit. I'm not sure if it's ok to post pics in this thread.Is it possible to pm you a pic of my tent setup,and get your suggestion on what you would do to add light? Thanks in advance for your response. Also do you guys, use premade shells/casings or source a case as in growmaus' vids? I may have to start check craiglists. For old lights.
StayFrosty,
CanEyeBu
 
How you build will depend on if you are using passive or active cooling. I like the simplicity of passive, but personally would use the 7.28" heatsinks so they don't have to be so long.
 
I used mars300 cases and drivers(eBay, $60) knocked out the glass to fit a bigger heatsink, 2 x 7" long 4.85" profile from heatsinkusa($15). Drivers were 55v-100v .7A. And on the cheaper end, 4x 36v cxb2530 3000k T2($40), 13,000 lumens per light. Best overall, 2x 72v cxb3590 4000k DB, for 19,000 lumens($100). Cutter for the cobs. That was because I had the mars lights already though.

Arctic cpu coolers are definitely a way to do it. Or you could build a bar design fairly cheap from the 4.85" profile($1 an inch) and close it off and pull air across the thing. Or stick fans over the areas with cobs.

For example, the 8 x cxb3590 36v @ 1.75A each, 3 bar design, 30" bars($30 per). 3 cobs on one bar, 12" from center point to the next cob, hang at 18" for a nice 4'x4' spread. 3-2-3 cob design.
 
I've finished the vid series and now have a better grasp. Diy cree is def the way to go for what I see for my current space!:cheer:I see i don't actually NEED a case. The heatsink itself is the "case" Using the bar idea 1 on each side, seems to be a good start up for my first diy led lights.
Atulip, and JuanC, what are your opinions on said design with active or passive cooling. My tent above the lights exhaust never gets 2 degrees above ambient. My canopy hovers between 75-78degress. Again, the cost isn't a determining factor in the design. Efficiency is.
Thank you guys/gals both for responding. I'd rep you but I gotta read more/rep more people....apparently lol.
StayFrosty,
CanEyeBus
Ps. I'm still unaware if it's ok to post a pic of my lighting and where i want the bars to go.
 
Yes, post some pics man. I personally think passive is the way to go. I am a simple guy, it's more heatsinks, but less to wire and I don't have to worry about a fan going out/not coming on and frying anything. That's my personal opinion. It's all theory though, no personal experience. If I were to do it I would build a 12 COB setup, 4 per heatsink, 32" of 7.280" profile heatsinks. Aluminum L bracket running down the sides securing the heatsinks together and then flat aluminum running parallel to the heatsinks to mount my drivers. You can mount the drivers directly to the heatsinks, I believe Greengenes covered that.
 
12 x 3590s are a bit overkill for a 4x4(1025ppfd(assuming 1.4A, 600w). Pretty close to 1000w HPS equiv at that point, more suitable for a 5x5. 9 cxb3590 @ 1.4A would be at 780ppfd(450w, 180lm/w). 8 cxb3590 could be ran at 1.75A for 820ppfd(500w, 170lm/w). They can be ran at 2.1A for 160lm/watt.

16x cxb3590 @ .7A gets the better efficiency than all of those. Basically one per sq ft in a 4 cob 4 bar design. 740ppfd (368w, 207lm/w). More of what you'd see in a commercial opperation. Chips would be $800 alone.

Basically choose what kind of efficiency you want from the cobs, then how much efficiency you want from the space. 700ppfd is where you see these guys hitting 1.5+gpw. 400ppfd is where you see some people hitting 2+gpw. 1200ppfd you may hit 1gpw. More light is very inneficient at a certain point(1000+ ppfd), but more light is still more yield. (Balance between more light and more space, gpw vs gpm2) typically aim for 700-900ppfd, unless you just have tons of space then sure, as low as 500ppfd, or if you just wanna push max yield and can't add space, throw 1000+ at it.


Passive is more efficient than active, but it's not a huge sacrifice to efficiency running some 3w fans over 62w cobs. (170 to 160lm/w).
 
Thanks JuanCarlos & Atulip.
Here is a shot of the tent. I could've taken a better one but this is the only one i already have uploaded that kinda shows the lighting . I'm thinking a 4 cob bar where the hps is and one on the other side. The xml in the middle is off-center &so is the tray. I want to nix the 3x3 tray and use the whole floor.
image27526.jpg

StayFrosty,
CanEyeBus
 
12 x 3590s are a bit overkill for a 4x4(1025ppfd(assuming 1.4A, 600w). Pretty close to 1000w HPS equiv at that point, more suitable for a 5x5. 9 cxb3590 @ 1.4A would be at 780ppfd(450w, 180lm/w). 8 cxb3590 could be ran at 1.75A for 820ppfd(500w, 170lm/w). They can be ran at 2.1A for 160lm/watt.

16x cxb3590 @ .7A gets the better efficiency than all of those. Basically one per sq ft in a 4 cob 4 bar design. 740ppfd (368w, 207lm/w). More of what you'd see in a commercial opperation. Chips would be $800 alone.

Basically choose what kind of efficiency you want from the cobs, then how much efficiency you want from the space. 700ppfd is where you see these guys hitting 1.5+gpw. 400ppfd is where you see some people hitting 2+gpw. 1200ppfd you may hit 1gpw. More light is very inneficient at a certain point(1000+ ppfd), but more light is still more yield. (Balance between more light and more space, gpw vs gpm2) typically aim for 700-900ppfd, unless you just have tons of space then sure, as low as 500ppfd, or if you just wanna push max yield and can't add space, throw 1000+ at it.


Passive is more efficient than active, but it's not a huge sacrifice to efficiency running some 3w fans over 62w cobs. (170 to 160lm/w).

Great posts Atulip.
 
I'll go take a few shots real quick. Eh...actually they are asleep.
Here is the pic. Crees only.The idea i have is two bars outside the xml for now. With the ability to upgrade add on in the future.
3 or 4 3590's @50w with the meanwell to accomodate. Passive also.
IMG_172120.JPG
if more pics are needed, i'd be happy to oblige.
Also, i'd like to know what you guys would do. If this were your setup and u wanted to add bars on the sides for now. With specs please.:Namaste:The more and more i read about these diy cob's, I know I'm going to replace that xml in flower. I'll probably veg with it or sell it.it is a good light,It has paid for itself already.
StayFrosty,
CanEyeBus.
 
My advice would be this: decide what your final path is and buy all of your COBs/Meanwells at the same time if you are buying from Kingbrite. I believe he has a 5 COB minimum and charges a $50 fee (may be shipping) on each order. While you are mounting COBs to heatsinks, I would do it all at once.

I personally would review Atulip's posts and determine what you want to do exactly. To me the 9 COB setup at 1400mA sounds like the way to go for the 4x4.
 
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