Cutter Electronics: Complete DIY COB kits
- Thread starter Growmau5
- Start date
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
@bonhomie To cover a 4 x 4 at a reasonable price point using HPS I think the Sun Systems AC/DE reflector is the way to go. Also it is (somewhat) air cooled so you can run it without an AC. Growershouse stocks kits with a nice ballast and bulb. They also have a par test of the fixture and it did quite well over a 4 x 4.
http://growershouse.com/galaxy-grow-amp-ac-de-double-ended-1000w-light-package
Check their blog for the PAR test it is in there somewhere.
Still, that will cost you about 600 whereas 12 cobs with this kit will run you about 1400 once you set everything up, I think. You'll have to sort out whether or not the electrical savings are worth it to you (keep in mind the cost of exhausting the heat as well). You'll likely be similar in terms of yield but with about five hundred fewer watts (less extra the watts used for exhausting the extra heat).
http://growershouse.com/galaxy-grow-amp-ac-de-double-ended-1000w-light-package
Check their blog for the PAR test it is in there somewhere.
Still, that will cost you about 600 whereas 12 cobs with this kit will run you about 1400 once you set everything up, I think. You'll have to sort out whether or not the electrical savings are worth it to you (keep in mind the cost of exhausting the heat as well). You'll likely be similar in terms of yield but with about five hundred fewer watts (less extra the watts used for exhausting the extra heat).
I like the simple heat sink to 80/20 bracket, but I may have a cheaper and more flexible option.
ServoCity.com has a mechanical platform based on a 0.770" (19.558mm) fastener pattern. This puts the holes less than .25mm off the heat sink. The servocity platform is based on #6-32 fasteners, the heat sink uses 3mm fasteners and the difference in fastener size should make up the .25mm. https://www.servocity.com/html/flat_bracket_c__585586_.html#.VvBUy-YWMYs is a $2 bracket that could use two 3mm machine screws to attach the heat sink and one 1/4-20 with a fender washer (or a fancy 50 cent center hole adapter) to attach to the 1" 80/20.
Let me know what you think.
ServoCity.com has a mechanical platform based on a 0.770" (19.558mm) fastener pattern. This puts the holes less than .25mm off the heat sink. The servocity platform is based on #6-32 fasteners, the heat sink uses 3mm fasteners and the difference in fastener size should make up the .25mm. https://www.servocity.com/html/flat_bracket_c__585586_.html#.VvBUy-YWMYs is a $2 bracket that could use two 3mm machine screws to attach the heat sink and one 1/4-20 with a fender washer (or a fancy 50 cent center hole adapter) to attach to the 1" 80/20.
Let me know what you think.
bonhomie
Member
@flat9 I plan on getting a couple ballast, MH bulb, and hood setups (plus a vertical HPS or two) for like $250 each 1000w light, everything purchased separately on Amazon... at least for like a 4x8 separate vegetative room.
All the while paying attention to this forum and growmau5 & friends videos to build out the larger LED flower room 4x4 or 5x5, eventually extending out to the 20x20 ft. space.
All the while paying attention to this forum and growmau5 & friends videos to build out the larger LED flower room 4x4 or 5x5, eventually extending out to the 20x20 ft. space.
thetr33man
Well-Known Member
Looks good!
Growmau5
Well-Known Member
@Plastidip hey man, great find. Thats what its all about here man, finding solutions just like that and letting everyone know. i am going to order a few of them and see how the geometry works out in real life.
@Airwalker16 yeah man, just flip it. its whatever you guys want to do with it.
@flat9 i don't want to speak for everyone here, but I know some of us are growing tired of your growers house links and theoretical perfect spread talk. step out from behind the computer and calculator and grow something.. anything.. perhaps even start a thread about it so that your "recommendations" are warranted.
@Airwalker16 yeah man, just flip it. its whatever you guys want to do with it.
@flat9 i don't want to speak for everyone here, but I know some of us are growing tired of your growers house links and theoretical perfect spread talk. step out from behind the computer and calculator and grow something.. anything.. perhaps even start a thread about it so that your "recommendations" are warranted.
anomolies
Well-Known Member
i meant like the ones kingbrite has, are those exclusive?
Also, I was considering using the lens that you linked, but do they diffuse/reduce the light output a bit?
bonhomie
Member
Under Optical Properties it says Efficiency: 92% so I suppose the optic distorts 8%, it sure looks a little opaque.i meant like the ones kingbrite has, are those exclusive?
Also, I was considering using the lens that you linked, but do they diffuse/reduce the light output a bit?
After watching Part 7/7 on YouTube and hearing about total weight, lenses don't seem practical to me. I'm not sure how COBs hold up in the room environment for years though. The Angelina reflectors do seem good, but I wonder if they are necessary in a reflective room.
@Growmau5 Glad you can flip it that looks great. As for your other comment, no idea what you're talking about. I ran 8 x 8 rooms but now it's a smaller hobby space as my career keeps me pretty busy. I posted growershouse for bonhomie because he said he wanted to run HPS, and they actually do par tests (not theory -- real data) on many popular DE fixtures. I don't particular care what he runs as long as he is happy, but it's nice to have data.
VegasWinner
Well-Known Member
A 1000w LED is only going to cost around $1000 while a HPS may cost less, $600 up front, add AC/ 6" inline fan, filters, and you have $800 or more perhaps without getting to the electric bill yet. I think your product has it's place, traditional growers, but perhaps not compared to Cree COB's. peace.
VegasWinner
Well-Known Member
I am using the angelina reflectors and they help direct light better. I have cob's without anything and they are like a horse with no saddle, wild, while the reflectors is like a saddled horse. I can look in on the reflectors, but the bare cob I need glasses. just my experience. peace.
Hi Vegas. Very good points! I ran two of these AC/DEs over 4 x 4 each and got great results. There are some cheaper options I've seen comparable par tests for on their blog (the Digilume I think costs about 250, but then you need an AC). I agree with you wholeheartedly that the DIY cob option is better for the long term. I'm excited to receive my kit... Think I'll try to replicate much of Netherfly's build it looked terrific.
Also thanks for the info on reflector. It seems from others tests with a meter that were linked to my original question these do provide improvement.
Hey question to any of you in the know. Other than cleanliness is there any reason to avoid thermal paste? I wonder how this adhesive method compares to thermal paste in terms of efficiency. It'd be cool to see a comparison (if not done already) to see if there's any difference in temp...
hi guys! i ordered the mau5 kit and i have a couple of Q:s about it. keep in mind i´m a beginner at the LED thing so go easy on me.. first, i thought a dimmer was included in the kit but now i cant see it anywhere. reckon the simplest thing to do is to order one from cutter, will this one do the job: Cutter-1-10V Dimmer, Product ID: cut2521?
secondly, this kit is way overkill for my circumstances, i grow in two (adjacent) cabinets - one grow, one bloom - each with a footprint of two square feet. So i plan on dividing the kit up to better suit my needs, and put 3 (3500k) cobs in the flower and one (5000k) cob in the grow. now can i dim the lights individually or should i order one more driver for the grow?
any and all help appreciated/sinnamon
secondly, this kit is way overkill for my circumstances, i grow in two (adjacent) cabinets - one grow, one bloom - each with a footprint of two square feet. So i plan on dividing the kit up to better suit my needs, and put 3 (3500k) cobs in the flower and one (5000k) cob in the grow. now can i dim the lights individually or should i order one more driver for the grow?
any and all help appreciated/sinnamon
VegasWinner
Well-Known Member
I use both, either. I like the self sticking graphite pads, because they are graphite. I also use the TIM paste, for stars and other small components. The paste is a little messier, and i have to wipe my big hands constantly, as well as the diodes.
. I use a small screwdriver to spread the paste around. I am an old electronics guy with some good and bad habits. I like the technical improvements, much cleaner, but the trie4ed and true works. need to learn both styles for self improvement. peace.