Supplimental DIY LED Light strip or bar advice needed

Huckster79

Well-Known Member
I'm looking for some direction, which other thread to jump on or direct advice. Here is what I'm thinking

I have a 6x6x7 flower area. I light it with 1000w hps in enclosed fixture, two Mars 300w equiv leds and two 4' T5 UV bulbs. With the limited hight the edges and corners get shady once girls get big, as there isn't room to move the light high enough to eliminate this.

I'm thinking I want to build some LED bars that go around the room on on walls pointing down and inward slightly to make sure those edges and especially corners are fully lit. So I don't need a horse power light, I need some assistance to my big lights.

I'm thinking Cobs seems strong but concentrated, I'm looking to spread the light so thinking of individual diodes so I can have a full spread of light not spots of concentrated light.

Am I on the right track in my thinking? All instructions I find are for COBS. Any advice or threads you can point me to to read?
 

verticalgrow

Well-Known Member
I'm looking for some direction, which other thread to jump on or direct advice. Here is what I'm thinking

I have a 6x6x7 flower area. I light it with 1000w hps in enclosed fixture, two Mars 300w equiv leds and two 4' T5 UV bulbs. With the limited hight the edges and corners get shady once girls get big, as there isn't room to move the light high enough to eliminate this.

I'm thinking I want to build some LED bars that go around the room on on walls pointing down and inward slightly to make sure those edges and especially corners are fully lit. So I don't need a horse power light, I need some assistance to my big lights.

I'm thinking Cobs seems strong but concentrated, I'm looking to spread the light so thinking of individual diodes so I can have a full spread of light not spots of concentrated light.

Am I on the right track in my thinking? All instructions I find are for COBS. Any advice or threads you can point me to to read?
Strips = https://www.rollitup.org/t/help-me-build-4-vertical-strips-for-my-tent.953004/
 
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KrazyG

Well-Known Member
You could look into these
IMG_20171114_201230642.jpg IMG_20171114_201201542.jpg
Search SloanLED. I use them for side lighting, I have a mix of 6500k and 3000k. I've seen big improvement since adding them and they give no heat off. I can't give much info about them I them given from a friend in the Sign trade. I've seen similar on eBay but have idea what there like.
1510691390650_2W-COB-LED-Module-02.jpg
Cob led module.
 

psychedelicdaddi

Well-Known Member

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-TCI-Linear-LED-strip-board-23W-4000K-3540lm-154lm-W-CRI80-Drivers-included-/222366306121

These are extra nice quality. Mount on 2" U channel. I personally think a fan is nice but others say they dont use a fan with them. I guess it depends on how much circulation is going on in the tent otherwise. Anyway, they use LM561 diodes and are consumer level affordable. They come with +85% effeciency dimmable drivers too. They'll grow dense buds by themselves.
I keep meaning to grab me a set of these....
 

Huckster79

Well-Known Member
If i got 3w diodes with pcbs and ran about 4 per foot, would a piece of u channel or wide flat stock be enough heat sink?

Theres a lot to learn before doing one of these! But thats cool i like learning new things
 

psychedelicdaddi

Well-Known Member
If i got 3w diodes with pcbs and ran about 4 per foot, would a piece of u channel or wide flat stock be enough heat sink?

Theres a lot to learn before doing one of these! But thats cool i like learning new things
If you drive them @ 40-60% power. So that's like 600ma on a typical 3v, 3w.
 

Huckster79

Well-Known Member
If you drive them @ 40-60% power. So that's like 600ma on a typical 3v, 3w.
There’s a ton n of LED threads is there one or another source you would suggest that goes in a logical order starting from bare basics to finished build the steps you would take to get there and the necessary things one must calculate? I’m trying to learn it but I find a bit of info here n there...not a congruent steps a through z...

I think the reason I’m leaning against the premade strips is not much learning there, just but em mount em wire em- I’d like to learn how to build my own from scratch so I can mess w different spectrums n such as time goes on... and learn the different % of power to drive em and all...
 

psychedelicdaddi

Well-Known Member
Idk where you'd go, I'm sure there's an Insructables.com submission or a few worth checking out. Have you picked out leds already? Id still say buy strips Lol
 

Huckster79

Well-Known Member
Idk where you'd go, I'm sure there's an Insructables.com submission or a few worth checking out. Have you picked out leds already? Id still say buy strips Lol
No i havent... i guess im kind of intrigued by the idea of building one and the strips seem kinda prebuilt to me... almost all the videos and most articles are on cobs and i think those seem too powerful for what im looking for...
 

Huckster79

Well-Known Member
Ok, im thinking now screw this complexity, wait till im not broke and can buy good led stuff... i think for all more i need im going to make a bar with those cheap white plain incadencent bulb bases, buy some cree 2700k 14w led light bulbs for replacing reg incadencents remove the difusers and whala... piggybacked off ideas off another thread on builing a led for small grow cab...
 

Rider509

Well-Known Member
I think the reason I’m leaning against the premade strips is not much learning there, just but em mount em wire em- I’d like to learn how to build my own from scratch so I can mess w different spectrums n such as time goes on... and learn the different % of power to drive em and all...
You have to dive in and start reading. It's the only way regardless whether you chose to assemble a system from COBs or strips. There's a good feeling that is priceless when it all comes together in the end. I cut my teeth on Cree 3590 COBs but it felt like starting from scratch when I turned my attention to the Samsung strips. It's long and boring but you're welcome to take a look at my efforts here:
https://www.rollitup.org/t/riders-first-foray-into-led-strip-lighting-samsung-h-series-gen3.950197
 

Huckster79

Well-Known Member
You have to dive in and start reading. It's the only way regardless whether you chose to assemble a system from COBs or strips. There's a good feeling that is priceless when it all comes together in the end. I cut my teeth on Cree 3590 COBs but it felt like starting from scratch when I turned my attention to the Samsung strips. It's long and boring but you're welcome to take a look at my efforts here:
https://www.rollitup.org/t/riders-first-foray-into-led-strip-lighting-samsung-h-series-gen3.950197
I will!
 

Dave455

Well-Known Member
Ok, im thinking now screw this complexity, wait till im not broke and can buy good led stuff... i think for all more i need im going to make a bar with those cheap white plain incadencent bulb bases, buy some cree 2700k 14w led light bulbs for replacing reg incadencents remove the difusers and whala... piggybacked off ideas off another thread on builing a led for small grow cab...
Try Quantum board 120 ?
 
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