Extruded heatsink substitutes

Seems like because of covid-19 and the shutdown in Michigan, heatsinkUSA is not fulfilling orders. I just set up a small tent for clones and seedlings and the only thing I could find to mount the strip was some 2 inch flat aluminum. I was hoping to find c-channel but had no luck. The light seems to work just fine. It’s a 5000k Samsung f564b running off a HLG-60h-48a. Since it’s for clones it’s turned down all the way. I’m going to get a proper heatsink for it as soon as I can, but I want to know if the strip is going to get fried or if it will be okay.

There are a lot of commercial lighting applications for these same kinds of strips. The strips in commercial office lights run at about 30-40 watts and they don’t have heatsinks. They’re just mounted to the sheet metal light housing.

I like the way the strip on the flat piece of aluminum looks, but it’s definitely kinda hot. It’s hard to get an accurate read with a laser thermometer but I’m guessing the aluminum is around 130 degrees with the strip running as low as the driver will let me turn it down.

@Greengenes707

Hell yeah that looks nice. Says it fits Samsung strips. I wanted it to be 22” but the extra inch shouldn’t matter. If I really need to I can cut it. It’s in a really small tent. Anyway it’s been running for a while and it doesn’t even get as hot as the heatsinks on the f series strips in my flower light. Those are on full blast and I wouldn’t run this strip at full power but I think I’m safe to run it like this until I can get a better heatsink.

They only ship to California? I can’t change the state. Oh well the flat aluminum seems to work.

TerrapinBlazin said:

They only ship to California? I can’t change the state. Oh well the flat aluminum seems to work.

Click to expand...

No you can ship anywhere to us

HeatsinkUSA is fulfilling orders, they just aren't shipping them out until April 30th due to the state's lock down. Tell them your order is for agricultural use and they may ship yours out earlier than that.

TreeFarmerCharlie said:

HeatsinkUSA is fulfilling orders, they just aren't shipping them out until April 30th due to the state's lock down. Tell them your order is for agricultural use and they may ship yours out earlier than that.

Click to expand...

I can wait a few days. Maybe I need to try the other site on my computer. I couldn’t change the state from California on my phone.

TerrapinBlazin said:

I can wait a few days. Maybe I need to try the other site on my computer. I couldn’t change the state from California on my phone.

Click to expand...

Yeah use a PC browser

Learned this myself recently, that yellow top will allow light to pass through and should be covered or painted maybe. I plan on using black apholstery dye on mine for the next run with time for the fumes to not affect things

Hotshotmaple said:

Learned this myself recently, that yellow top will allow light to pass through and should be covered or painted maybe. I plan on using black apholstery dye on mine for the next run with time for the fumes to not affect things

Click to expand...

Rust-oleum flat black spray paint and primer(bonds to plastic) is what you want. Sand the yellow lid first. Then run it under water or wipe down well. Get it dry and paint 2 coats.

Air Walker, happy to hear from you, might have some led build ?s for you in the feature! The reason I want to try my method is that there would be no sanding, with paint I worry about it flaking down the road. I will post some pics how things work out

Hotshotmaple said:

Air Walker, happy to hear from you, might have some led build ?s for you in the feature! The reason I want to try my method is that there would be no sanding, with paint I worry about it flaking down the road. I will post some pics how things work out

Click to expand...

That's what the sanding is for!
I gotta think there's a better way to light proof it though, maybe you'll figure it out.

Airwalker16 said:

Rust-oleum flat black spray paint and primer(bonds to plastic) is what you want. Sand the yellow lid first. Then run it under water or wipe down well. Get it dry and paint 2 coats.

Click to expand...

and then a nice coat of appliance white to aid reflection back into the canopy.