Vero 10's and Microgreens

Microgreen Cultivator

Microgreen Cultivator

Member
Hey,
im looking to build a 4 tier shelving unit for microgreens and have it lit by vero 10's. I'd like to wire them in a series/parallel combo. I'm thinking of doing a series string of 4 LEDs and have those 4 strings wired in parallel.

Is it possible to use a single driver to power 16 - 32 vero 10s? is there a more cost effective alternative?
With a only 14" of height will I get the full benefit of the vero 10's light distribution.

I was thinking of using BXRC-50E1000-B-24

Whatever I finally arrive on ill post some pictures up. I have about 6 shelves do. I've attached a picture of the shelving.

Thanks,
MGC
 

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PSUAGRO.

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
Dli on microgreens is rather low,smaller diodes spread out for an even output(ppf) over the entire canopy, I would take a hard look at the big box store $40-50 led shop light options(ul listed,plug & play) imo.

one of the philly culinary projects(micro upland cress/red vein sorrel/cilantro/broccoli/etc.) is using a lights of america 40w 4000k, 4200lm led fixture(lowes/amazon/$35 at sam's club), very similar production compared to the 4 bulb 4ft t8 fixtures they use over 2x4 tables, planning on swapping all out.

good luck either way
 
Microgreen Cultivator

Microgreen Cultivator

Member
Rahz said:
A 1.4 amp driver split in 4 strings would provide .35 amps per string.

HLG-120H-C1400 would power 16.
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Thanks for the suggestion. If I wanted to get a good driver, what would you suggest.

PSUAGRO. said:
Dli on microgreens is rather low,smaller diodes spread out for an even output(ppf) over the entire canopy, I would take a hard look at the big box store $40-50 led shop light options(ul listed,plug & play) imo.

one of the philly culinary projects(micro upland cress/red vein sorrel/cilantro/broccoli/etc.) is using a lights of america 40w 4000k, 4200lm led fixture(lowes/amazon/$35 at sam's club), very similar production compared to the 4 bulb 4ft t8 fixtures they use over 2x4 tables, planning on swapping all out.

good luck either way
Click to expand...
Thanks, I was considering using on off the shelf LED light, but the price is so close for a 4' section. I figure my diy will provide more light and be much more efficient. DLI? I assume that is the amount of light a plant requires?
 
Microgreen Cultivator

Microgreen Cultivator

Member
Rahz said:
If you wanted to incorporate a dimmer, Meanwell HLG-120H-C1400B. High efficiency, 7 year rated lifespan. I use them in most of my lamps.
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Thanks Rahz, I just put in an order for 32 Vero 10's and 2 HLG-120H-C1400B drivers.

I'm confused as to how to select a proper heat sink. From what I gather I'll need approx 5.5 watts of dissipation per COB (350ma x 25.7v = 8.995 watts) 8.9 watts @ 38.5 effficiency = 5.4735 watts of heat

Not sure how I'm supposed to use this to select a heat sink though.
 
Rahz

Rahz

Well-Known Member
The general rule here is 120 sq/cm per watt of heat for passive and 40 sq/cm per watt of heat for active cooling, to produce a Tj closer to 40C than 85.

6.45 sq/cm in a sq/inch. Figure out the perimeter of a heatsink's profile and you can estimate the length needed.
 
Microgreen Cultivator

Microgreen Cultivator

Member
Alright, So I received my COB and drivers, and I'm still looking for a more cost effective heat sink option. I'm considering using CPU heatsinks, not the thin finned ones. I have access to used heatsinks for AMD CPU's at $1.20 a pound of aluminium. It would cost me about $30 for all the heat sinks I need. This is the exact heat sink, except without the fan. http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1926&page=2

I couldn't find the c/w/3 for the heat sink so I don't know how much it would dissipate compared to the heatsinks on Heatsinkusa.com. Its base is .5" compared to the .3" found on heatsinkusa.com

Questions is, based on the calculation provide here on RIU, they would only provide 4.5 watts of heat dissipation. Thing is I'm going to be connecting 4 of them to an 8' length of aluminium U-channel and I'm wondering if that would dissipate the remaining 1 heat watt for each lead.

That or I could run them under 350ma so there output matches the heatsinks capability.
 
werm11

werm11

Well-Known Member
My brother grows microgreens on a shelving system too. Sells them to local restaurants. He uses 200 watts of T5s per shelf so I built him a 50 watt bar with 5000k vero 10s to show him what the cobs are all about. As far as performance over microgreens goes, the 50 watts of vero 10s almost matches the 200 watts of T5s. Another 25 or 50 watts and it would blow the t5s away. If I can dig up a picture I'll throw it up
 
Microgreen Cultivator

Microgreen Cultivator

Member
werm11 said:
My brother grows microgreens on a shelving system too. Sells them to local restaurants. He uses 200 watts of T5s per shelf so I built him a 50 watt bar with 5000k vero 10s to show him what the cobs are all about. As far as performance over microgreens goes, the 50 watts of vero 10s almost matches the 200 watts of T5s. Another 25 or 50 watts and it would blow the t5s away. If I can dig up a picture I'll throw it up
Click to expand...
Dude, that would be sweet.
What length of shelving were you covering with the 50 watts?
 
Microgreen Cultivator

Microgreen Cultivator

Member
What were you running the Veros at Amperage wise?
I'm planning to use a lot less veros than what you had...damn.
My setup is going to be 4 per 8x2' shelf, running at 350 Ma. Each vero is covering approx a 2x2' space.
 
P

PurpleBuz

Well-Known Member
werm11 said:
My brother grows microgreens on a shelving system too. Sells them to local restaurants. He uses 200 watts of T5s per shelf so I built him a 50 watt bar with 5000k vero 10s to show him what the cobs are all about. As far as performance over microgreens goes, the 50 watts of vero 10s almost matches the 200 watts of T5s. Another 25 or 50 watts and it would blow the t5s away. If I can dig up a picture I'll throw it up
Click to expand...
you will need ~150 watts of vero 10s to match a T5HO 4 tube 220 watt lamp.
 
Microgreen Cultivator

Microgreen Cultivator

Member
OneHitDone said:
Those poor things are stretching like long neck geese
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For commercial production, its good when they stretch a little. There's more distance between the leaves and grow medium, making it easier to harvest them.

PurpleBuz said:
you will need ~150 watts of vero 10s to match a T5HO 4 tube 220 watt lamp.
Click to expand...
For my setup, I'm trying to match the output of (4) 34 watt 4' fluorescents. I'll need to do a comparison with T5 bulbs and wattage, to see if more light really affects their growth.
 
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