DIY LED grow light help wanted

Bumping Spheda

Well-Known Member
I kinda like the idea of these carclo rereflectors, no glass between things

Haven't proven they are the bomb or anything. They do seem to collect the light that was shooting out sideways and lighting up the walls.

Wish I had a par meter. Could have done a before and after which would have explained a lot.
Could you laminate the star with a White reflective adhesive and then place the secondary reflectors on top? Would this help at all?
 

Abiqua

Well-Known Member
Digikey has reflectors for the Bridgelux RS's that I want to use. But some of them are crazy 40 and 16 degree angles. That's a lot of point source!
 

Bumping Spheda

Well-Known Member
Agreed. Reflectors for the Vero 18 are all narrow as well. The largest one I can find is 46 degrees, I think they're meant for down lighting. That doesn't sound half bad, though. The Vero 18 is ~30W, comes in a 95 CRI Warm White, and I think it's basically the Decor plot line in their SPD graphs.
 

Abiqua

Well-Known Member
Agreed. Reflectors for the Vero 18 are all narrow as well. The largest one I can find is 46 degrees, I think they're meant for down lighting. That doesn't sound half bad, though. The Vero 18 is ~30W, comes in a 95 CRI Warm White, and I think it's basically the Decor plot line in their SPD graphs.
I thought that the decor wasn't going to come out for ANY for of the Vero's? I guess it was just 29's then. The RS are just a touch above the 18's in power, but no Decor line :boo:

46 is steep, but I do believe that could give you some headspace if you needed it too...
 

Positivity

Well-Known Member
Could you laminate the star with a White reflective adhesive and then place the secondary reflectors on top? Would this help at all?

It would be nice if there was a bottom with a cutout. Or maybe just a smaller base to cup the led. I was trying to get some ledil reflector types to try out but there were none in stock anywhere. They had a more tapered base.

it seems most of the light doesn't hit the reflector, just the outer edges of the beam get straightened out. Should be efficient enough.

the only thing I worry about is I'm sure there's more heat buildup at the led. Time will tell if it shortens the led lifespan.

Wow..there was almost a thousand available at mouser...sold out. That's okay, there's a few others with even better potential. Should have bought more before I posted this..lol

heres the light spread from data sheet
 

Attachments

jackbukc

Member
http://www.flytrapcare.com/phpBB3/diy-building-my-own-led-5-band-grow-light-t19166.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JktWq303GBw

This guy uses a power supply like the one i want direct. But i rather regulate it.
Looking at the DC DC converters i think ill need to get a step up converter. Not guna use it to go over the original Volts but simply because the step down converters dont give me what i need. 40v and at least 180-360w. im pretty sure if i find a good converter i can run my panels with one. Found a 600w step up converter. But id only max it out at 360w. Another reason why i want that 48V power supply is because i would like to add some LED chips later on, on each corner. Would regular LED light be interfered by warm white and cool white led chips?
 

jackbukc

Member
Yea i think ill go with pex. Heck yea i can see the light at the end of the tunnel thanks to all of you. Cant wait to show you my prototype.
 
http://www.flytrapcare.com/phpBB3/diy-building-my-own-led-5-band-grow-light-t19166.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JktWq303GBw

This guy uses a power supply like the one i want direct. But i rather regulate it.
Looking at the DC DC converters i think ill need to get a step up converter. Not guna use it to go over the original Volts but simply because the step down converters dont give me what i need. 40v and at least 180-360w. im pretty sure if i find a good converter i can run my panels with one. Found a 600w step up converter. But id only max it out at 360w. Another reason why i want that 48V power supply is because i would like to add some LED chips later on, on each corner. Would regular LED light be interfered by warm white and cool white led chips?
I think it depends on the certain spectrums.. if 2 of same Spectra then yes, otherwise no.. just like frequencies... :) but i think its very narrow Spectra, that will have that effect.. :)
 

Abiqua

Well-Known Member
Would regular LED light be interfered by warm white and cool white led chips?
look up something called "Disco Effect". See if that doesn't help. I will argue that you only need NW and WW, if your going to add in extra, maybe 1-2% of UV and 3-5% of far red.

Cool white has too much blue for my tastes and I am trying to steer clear of it altogether. But I am thinking of using 45w's worth in my 200w array,max.

No color will be "interfered" so to speak, it is just up to the plant on how it utilizes that spectrum.
 
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