Soldering cobs

when you all solder your cobs and don't use lenses how do you make it safe?

If you just have exposed solder and you accidently touch the solder aren't you going to be zapped?

Can't use shrink wrap on a cob solder joint. What do people recommend you use to cover up the joint? Without using holders?


Cheers

Plasti-Dip is what i use for all my solder points . U could aswell use Kapton-tape , epoxy, hot glue or nail polish.

Edit: Using epoxy, nail polish or Plasti-Dip make sure your working in a well ventilated area.
FYI put a ground on your heatsink and if u dont have a RCD installed in your power supply line for your grow area do it NOW. It can potentially safe your life. (Better safe than sorry)

I have an RCD circuit setup.

How do you recommend I go about grounding heat sinks?

i just dipped both my hands in plasti-dip

problem solved!

George2324 said:

If you just have exposed solder and you accidently touch the solder aren't you going to be zapped?

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Not in my experience...

Can I solder ground wire to ALU heatsink? Or better saying, two ground wires.

just use a ground lug

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-PowerMark-Gold-Neutral-Ground-Kit-TLK20CP/100171173

I don't have this, so looking for other option.

RTV high temp silicone would work well also. I dont know how many people would be likely to touch their solder points on their cobs when its lit... Anything you put over the solder will make it considerably harder to replace cobs if you ever want to.

AC main line earth ground to heatsink, easy.
Plasti-Dip , Kapton (not recommended from me) and Hot glue is removeable without any Acetone .

I'm building a vertical system so if I leave the lights on low and squeeze past them to check on the plants I could possibly brush past the solder joints. Not like I'm deliberately putting my hands on them. I could just turn them off completely and use a torch though. I'd rather. Be safe than sorry. Only plan on replacing if one blows.

In regards to grounding can anyone explain exactly how you would do it?

George2324 said:

In regards to grounding can anyone explain exactly how you would do it?

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all you need to do is connect your frame to ground. its wise to master grounding before you start messing with AC and DC current, it could save your life. there are all kinds of resources for basic electrical knowledge on youtube

My frame is going to be massive, 10 feet by 4 feet cobs on each side

Do you recommend I connect the frame to ground at multiple points multiple times?

no. aluminum is extremely conductive and the pieces screwed together are enough to conduct current from one rail to another

CobKits said:

no. aluminum is extremely conductive and the pieces screwed together are enough to conduct current from one rail to another

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If you had the earth 10 feet away and you touch it would the current not choose to flow through you first as you are closer?

if the aluminum is grounded there wont be current. if theres current it will trip teh breaker. also youre a lot less conductive than aluminum. distance has nothing to do with it (well maybe miles but you get the idea.)

Kapton tape sounds the best way to go, when you wanna move/change/reuse cob, just peel it back...

CobKits said:

no. aluminum is extremely conductive and the pieces screwed together are enough to conduct current from one rail to another

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So better put one screw in ALU heatsink and to that screw mount ground wire?

yeah wrap the wire around the screw like youre wiring a receptacle if you know what im talking about

The wall plug runs to my junction box where the ground, positive and negative wires all get plugged into wago's. Then I run a wire from the ground wago outside the junction box where it gets screwed into the frame.