hybridcheef
Active Member
is this kit good for a 4x4 for flower if i got 2 of them? maybe 3 in the future but 2 to start. what you think? heres the link http://www.rapidled.com/vero29-triple-cob-array-kit/
4x4 vero29 quesion
- Thread starter hybridcheef
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- cree 3590 vero29 led vero29
benchfrooser
Member
This bar is to short for a 4x4 tent. A 1m long bar should work better.
HotBunz
Active Member
Like benchfrooser already said jamming 3 COBs into a single 20" long unit in the Rapid kit is useless for the most part. A better option would be a 4 COB Citizen 1212 fixture. Driven with a Meanwell hlg-185H-C1400 it would build out to a 200w fixture using pin heatsinks cost would put you right around $180.00 plus a few bucks for some wire.Or a Luminus cxm22 3 COB fixture driven off a hlg-185h-48A with pin heatsinks gets to your door for around $175.00 plus some wire.
hybridcheef
Active Member
maybe i can see if rapid has a longer heatsink for a little more money. but id be interested in the 4 cob setup. can you show me what exactly i need for $180?
haze010
Well-Known Member
Or just use that kit as a parts list, buy those parts put it together yourself and visit a local metal dealer and get an aluminum plate to the dimensions you want. slap a decent computer exaust fan or two on it and bingo. You'd use abit more power as it would be active cooling but you'd end up paying less to make it. Its what i'd do on a tight budget if i wanted vero's. Im not an expert tho, others may have better options for you.
horribleherk
Well-Known Member
I'm not very knowledgeable on led light construction but could the heat sink be cut into 3 pieces & attached to framework & spread out ? probably would require a fan for each cob I'm using a 6 cob Johnson & it won't quite cover a 4x4 I would consider doubling up on these kits to rock a 4x4 room
haze010
Well-Known Member
Im not a lighting expert by an stretch, but cutting thickass aluminum heatsink would be more work than its worth IMO. The grade and thickness in that heatsink would be almost as difficult as cutting iron. Unless you have the tools needed readily available i would probably rule that out as the best option. Thats why i suggested a local metal dealer as they will cut whatever aluminum you buy to whatever size you want and buying local would mean you wouldnt have shipping costs on a heavy chunk of metal.
hybridcheef
Active Member
whats a local metal dealer? what would i look up on google to find one? i live in las vegas. what kind of driver do i need for 4 vero29"s?
HotBunz
Active Member
In the Rapid "kit" what that really is is not so much a heatsink but it's part of an enclosure without part of the cover on it for the picture. Nothing you would want to cut up anyways.
HotBunz
Active Member
The options are nearly endless like I said. For a 4 COB set up I would start with a Meanwell HLG-185H-C1400 driver, $49.10 from Sanger. This driver makes a nice backbone for a number of different combonations of fixtures. With it you can driver 4 Cree cxb3590 COB's $49.00 each from Rapid with free shipping. Or you can run 4 Citizen CLU048-1212 COB's they are between $13.25-$14.75 each from Cobkits.com. From a cost standpoint the 1212's are the cheapest to build out into a 4 COB fixture. These 2 combos would be a solid 200w fixture. I have a Cree cxb3590 version of this 4 COB set up that I built.
There is the a 3 COB Luminus cxm22 COB($19) driven off a Meanwell HLG-185H-48A driver($54). I just finished a fixture using 3 of these cxm22 COBs and this driver yesterday. This driver can be driven well past it's factory rating and cranked all the way up I am getting over 260w out of this fixture. Granted it is very very hot on the heatsink so for now I have it dialed back to 150w and it is as bright to my eyes as the Cree unit is at 200w.
So I realized my number were off a little but here is what I come up with from Cobkits.com...
3 Luminus CXM22 COBs
3 133mm pin heatsinks
3 Ideal holders
3 thermal pads
1 Meanwell HLG-185H-48A driver
w/RIU discount $207.28 shipped to your US door.
or......
4 Citizen CLU048-1212 COBs
4 Ideal holders
4 120 pin heatsinks
4 thermal pads
1 Meanwell HLG-185H-C1400
w/RIU discount and shipping is $223.65
The pin heat sinks are a passive heat sink that you can either hang one their own or build a simple frame and hang them together, no cooling fans needed either way for the pin heat sinks.
As for how many you need 400w in a 4x4 is a good start but 600w i.e. 3 fixtures would get you to about 37w per sq ft with is better.
A lot of DIY growers are moving to 3000K or 3500K 90cri COBs are their all in one complete veg to flower fixture.
This by no means is the only options you have and I only wanted to point out that while the Rapid unit is nice the little tiny/short enclosure is it's down fall.
haze010
Well-Known Member
Not sure where you live but in north america anyway scrap metal places and places where businesses purchase raw metals for construction projects ect. Ask any mechanic or tradesman you know they will be able to list plenty for you. In my area theres a business park where i know of at least 3 metal dealers that buy and sell everything from scrap metal to complete iron and steel joists youd use to frame large buildings. They will sell all variety of metal by weight and its usually way cheaper than like home depot.
DaveInCave
Well-Known Member
Aluminum is a super soft metal, 20 minutes max with a hacksaw and you cut quite easily.
One minute with a $30 jigsaw or a reciprocating saw with the right blade.
Definitely not a big deal.
hybridcheef
Active Member
i am gonna do a 9 cob setup . 72 volt 3500k. whats a good driver for it? i was gonna do 3 HLG-240H-C1050, but there 70 dollars a piece. is there a better way i can do this to save some money? or is that my best best. im trying to get the most power out of my cobs
hybridcheef
Active Member
im also thinking of going with some citizen
Citizen CLU058-1825 90CRI
https://cobkits.com/product/citizen-clu058-1825-90cri/
they are actually better then cxb3590 by 10 percent and are cheaper. i could probably get 10 of them. what kind of driver would i need for them?any help would be appreciated. the stats are on the page
haze010
Well-Known Member
Not all aluminum is the same, they call it aluminum but it is a mixed alloy and anodized, drilling and tapping one of those heatsinks is a FAR more difficult task then just working with raw sheet aluminum. Its a different beast all together, ive drilled and tapped a number of those cob pin heatsinks and it took easily 4x longer and i broke a bit when i got a little too agressive with it. If he has the tools like a jigsaw readily available then fine like i said but if youre going to compare it to aluminum window frames or something its way more dense.
DaveInCave
Well-Known Member
It all depends what we are used to
I have been machining and fabricating metals as a hobbyist for a little over a decade, and compared to most metals aluminum no matter what grade is like putty to me
You can do more or less all aluminum with hand tools as well.
haze010
Well-Known Member
Ive cut tons of aluminum in my life as well, construction industry doing demo and abatement work, i was convinced those round 140mm pin heatsinks arent even aluminum they were that hard, but its all good manIt all depends what we are used to
I have been machining and fabricating metals as a hobbyist for a little over a decade, and compared to most metals aluminum no matter what grade is like putty to me
You can do more or less all aluminum with hand tools as well.
. I still say its not worth the hasstle to order a heatsink online, have it shipped and cut it with a hand tool when u can walk into any metal dealer and get what u want made to spec for less money cause of shipping costs.
DaveInCave
Well-Known Member
That's trueIve cut tons of aluminum in my life as well, construction industry doing demo and abatement work, i was convinced those round 140mm pin heatsinks arent even aluminum they were that hard, but its all good man
hybridcheef
Active Member
so if i were to go into one of these places what would i exactly ask for. how thick of aluminum and can fins be made on the aluminum there?Ive cut tons of aluminum in my life as well, construction industry doing demo and abatement work, i was convinced those round 140mm pin heatsinks arent even aluminum they were that hard, but its all good man
HotBunz
Active Member
You would just say you are looking for some aluminum heat sink material.
No they can not fins into it at the scrap yard. Bar type heat sink stock is extruded and not machined.
Frankly I am all for saving a couple of bucks but the time and energy spent running around to junks yards looking for useable heat sink material nust seems like a was for time, gas and energy. Just order pin heat sinks they are $20 a pop or the Heat Sink USA heat sink is .98cents per inch.