CXA3070 DIY

Been reading lots and lots of threads on the Cob DIY it seems pretty easy enough to build. I'm just confused on what drivers to get for them, and how many cobs I should get for my tent , 4x2x5. Usually only grow 3 plants 4 maybe max. So what drivers would work best for these and most efficient? Would individual heat sinks and fans for each cob be better or one big heat sink and one big fan? I'm sure this has been ask a number of times but I'm new to LEDs but I want to make my own seen some pretty awesome results with them.

Good question. Read the following thread and you know everything. https://www.rollitup.org/t/diy-led-cree-cxa3070.789575/

Yeah I've read thru that a few times, I'll read thru it some more.

What is your budget?

nvhak49 said:

Yeah I've read thru that a few times, I'll read thru it some more.

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I'm not in a big hurry to build this and it's still a little cold for me to have all LEDs right now so that why I'm still using a HPS to create heat, but I guess I could always get a small heater. if I buy the parts for these over time it's not a big deal in how much it costs. Just don't want to break the bank. 500$ at the most Id say

nvhak49 said:

I'm not in a big hurry to build this and it's still a little cold for me to have all LEDs right now so that why I'm still using a HPS to create heat, but I guess I could always get a small heater. if I buy the parts for these over time it's not a big deal in how much it costs. Just don't want to break the bank. 500$ at the most Id say

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If you are able to reduce the speed of your ventilation airflow you should be able to avoid using a heater. If you do find that you need a heater no matter what, you would be better off sticking to HPS. If it is an outdoor garage/shed/barn setup, you can use a flip flop system so the heat from the lights-on room keep the lights-off room warm.

It's been pretty cold up here in Alaska right now 2 degrees F and my tent is in my garage so that's why I can't go 100% led Cuz it's like 50-58 in my garage with me lights on and it's around 70-75 with lights on with my exhaust fan going 25%. I'd just like to go cobs Cuz I know they use hardly any energy but than again Id have to get a heater so I dunno if that would equal the watts I'm using now with my vipar600 and 400w hps.

SupraSPL said:

If you are able to reduce the speed of your ventilation airflow you should be able to avoid using a heater. If you do find that you need a heater no matter what, you would be better off sticking to HPS. If it is an outdoor garage/shed/barn setup, you can use a flip flop system so the heat from the lights-on room keep the lights-off room warm.

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What drivers would you recommend tho for my set up?, cuz this spring and summer I can use them, along with growing outside.

nvhak49 said:

What drivers would you recommend tho for my set up?, cuz this spring and summer I can use them, along with growing outside.

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Then Meanwell HLG series is the best available and worth the $ IMO.

Mechmike said:

Then Meanwell HLG series is the best available and worth the $ IMO.

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which model would you recommend for a 4'x2'x5' area, Cuz I know there's a few different ones, I'd like to have good yields but still be pretty efficient.

nvhak49 said:

which model would you recommend for a 4'x2'x5' area, Cuz I know there's a few different ones, I'd like to have good yields but still be pretty efficient.

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That would depend on what kind and how many emitters you want to drive and how hard you want to drive them.

That's what I'm trying to figure out, for my area haha. Guess I'll just have to make a few and start from there. I don't want to work with to high of voltage right now since I've never made one before but it would be cool to get two cobs to one driver and drive them not to hard but enough and still be efficient at the same time. This is all new to me and don't know much about it that's why I'm asking so many noob questions but im reading a lot about it too.

nvhak49 said:

That's what I'm trying to figure out, for my area haha. Guess I'll just have to make a few and start from there. I don't want to work with to high of voltage right now since I've never made one before but it would be cool to get two cobs to one driver and drive them not to hard but enough and still be efficient at the same time. This is all new to me and don't know much about it that's why I'm asking so many noob questions but im reading a lot about it too.

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I use Vero 18 and drive them at 350ma for clones, mother and veg and 700ma for flowering. The reason for driving them soft is that they are most efficient at lower currents. If you want to drive 2 Vero 18s at 700ma, you would need a driver that is rated for ~60v. I understand how it is at first. You can find a driver that will work on ebay for about $15. Just look for one that will power 18x3w. When you get some experience under your belt you will feel lots more comfortable with the whole process.

Mechmike said:

I use Vero 18 and drive them at 350ma for clones, mother and veg and 700ma for flowering. The reason for driving them soft is that they are most efficient at lower currents. If you want to drive 2 Vero 18s at 700ma, you would need a driver that is rated for ~60v. I understand how it is at first. You can find a driver that will work on ebay for about $15. Just look for one that will power 18x3w. When you get some experience under your belt you will feel lots more comfortable with the whole process.

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Yeah I was reading some of supars stuff on driving them less. Thanks a lot for the help man much appreciated. One last question do you think it's more effective to run one big heat sink and one big fan or small heat sinks and fans for every cob?

There need to make some guidlines for new COB solutions.
Like tell people to understand concept of efficiency not brightness and heat...
How much space they have, how about height you can afford...
And how much you are willing to invest?

nvhak49 said:

Yeah I was reading some of supars stuff on driving them less. Thanks a lot for the help man much appreciated. One last question do you think it's more effective to run one big heat sink and one big fan or small heat sinks and fans for every cob?

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You're welcome. I'm a fan of the big heatsink idea but the both are good and effective. The Arctic 11 heatsink/fan is the lower cost option and requires less fabrication skill and with several of them you can move them around for better coverage. The downside is wiring can get messy. It really works best with a single driver per cob. If I were just dipping my toes into the water I would probably do that.

Yeah that's what I was thinking too at a lower mA till I get some builds under my belt. What would be a good one for a 1 to 1

nvhak49 said:

Yeah that's what I was thinking too at a lower mA till I get some builds under my belt. What would be a good one for a 1 to 1

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If you want to drive one Vero 18 at close to 700ma you can get a driver pretty cheap from China. I have never seen an ebay Chinese driver rated at 700ma but there are lots rated at 650ma. Like this one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Constant-Current-Driver-for-6-10pcs-3W-High-Power-LED-in-series-6-10x3w-650mA-/321481592754?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad9cbcfb2

Do you think this would work?
http://m.ebay.com/itm/310948865469?cmd=VIDESC

nvhak49 said:

Do you think this would work?
http://m.ebay.com/itm/310948865469?cmd=VIDESC

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It looks like they sold the last one. I can't see the specs but it looks like a 30w 900ma driver. That should work just fine. I almost mentioned the possibility of using a 900ma driver in my last post. 900ma will make more light with a bit less efficiency.