GrowMau5 LED Kit

BluntMoniker

Well-Known Member
I have a small setup (2x3x5 tent, 150w hps + 2bulb 2ft floros.. 1 plant at a time), and ive been looking into upgrading my lighting to maximize results in my space.

After doing some research, ive come to the conclusion that DIY LED is the way to go, as far as getting the most bang for your buck. So in my research, i began watching GrowMau5's videos on building LEDs, how all that works, etc. But i came across a video where he advertised his grow kits, so i checked it out, they look like they're spot on.. but wanted to get the opinion of others on the build. I see all the blurple lights that have different spectrums, IR, etc, and want to be sure im not missing out on better lights/builds for this one.


5 up in 3000 Kelvin, 90 CRI Kit:
Kit comprises
  • 5 pcs Cree CXB3590, top bins only
  • 5 pcs Ideal 50-2303CR CXB Holder
  • 5 pcs Ideal 50-2300AN Adapter for the Ledil ANGELINA
  • 5 pcs Ledil Angelina 90 Degree reflector
  • 5 pcs Graphite Thermal pad(TIM) 1 side adhesive for simple assembly on the COB
  • 1 pc Meanwell HLG-240H-C1400B 250 watt Dimmable driver allows the 5 COBS to be run at just under 50 watts, the sweet spot of wall plate efficiency
  • 5 Passive Pin fin Coolers suitable for the 50 watt drive( based on eff% calculations), predrilled and tapped for the Ideal Holder and adapter( you will only need a screw driver not a drill press)140mm x 80mm
  • 20 pcs M3 6mm screws for the Holders
  • 20 pcs M4 12mm Screws for mounting to side rails
  • 5 pcs of Wago 221-412 Terminal Blocks
  • 15 ft of Black and Red Silicon 600V rated 18AWG Wire
Only thing i would need to do is build the mount for everything, and slap it all together. Please let me know what you guys think!
 

TintEastwood

Well-Known Member
I have a small setup (2x3x5 tent, 150w hps + 2bulb 2ft floros.. 1 plant at a time), and ive been looking into upgrading my lighting to maximize results in my space.

After doing some research, ive come to the conclusion that DIY LED is the way to go, as far as getting the most bang for your buck. So in my research, i began watching GrowMau5's videos on building LEDs, how all that works, etc. But i came across a video where he advertised his grow kits, so i checked it out, they look like they're spot on.. but wanted to get the opinion of others on the build. I see all the blurple lights that have different spectrums, IR, etc, and want to be sure im not missing out on better lights/builds for this one.


5 up in 3000 Kelvin, 90 CRI Kit:
Kit comprises
  • 5 pcs Cree CXB3590, top bins only
  • 5 pcs Ideal 50-2303CR CXB Holder
  • 5 pcs Ideal 50-2300AN Adapter for the Ledil ANGELINA
  • 5 pcs Ledil Angelina 90 Degree reflector
  • 5 pcs Graphite Thermal pad(TIM) 1 side adhesive for simple assembly on the COB
  • 1 pc Meanwell HLG-240H-C1400B 250 watt Dimmable driver allows the 5 COBS to be run at just under 50 watts, the sweet spot of wall plate efficiency
  • 5 Passive Pin fin Coolers suitable for the 50 watt drive( based on eff% calculations), predrilled and tapped for the Ideal Holder and adapter( you will only need a screw driver not a drill press)140mm x 80mm
  • 20 pcs M3 6mm screws for the Holders
  • 20 pcs M4 12mm Screws for mounting to side rails
  • 5 pcs of Wago 221-412 Terminal Blocks
  • 15 ft of Black and Red Silicon 600V rated 18AWG Wire
Only thing i would need to do is build the mount for everything, and slap it all together. Please let me know what you guys think!
FYI. The Angelinas are not recommended.
Heard it from the Timber rep.
 

Humple

Well-Known Member
I have a small setup (2x3x5 tent, 150w hps + 2bulb 2ft floros.. 1 plant at a time), and ive been looking into upgrading my lighting to maximize results in my space.

After doing some research, ive come to the conclusion that DIY LED is the way to go, as far as getting the most bang for your buck. So in my research, i began watching GrowMau5's videos on building LEDs, how all that works, etc. But i came across a video where he advertised his grow kits, so i checked it out, they look like they're spot on.. but wanted to get the opinion of others on the build. I see all the blurple lights that have different spectrums, IR, etc, and want to be sure im not missing out on better lights/builds for this one.


5 up in 3000 Kelvin, 90 CRI Kit:
Kit comprises
  • 5 pcs Cree CXB3590, top bins only
  • 5 pcs Ideal 50-2303CR CXB Holder
  • 5 pcs Ideal 50-2300AN Adapter for the Ledil ANGELINA
  • 5 pcs Ledil Angelina 90 Degree reflector
  • 5 pcs Graphite Thermal pad(TIM) 1 side adhesive for simple assembly on the COB
  • 1 pc Meanwell HLG-240H-C1400B 250 watt Dimmable driver allows the 5 COBS to be run at just under 50 watts, the sweet spot of wall plate efficiency
  • 5 Passive Pin fin Coolers suitable for the 50 watt drive( based on eff% calculations), predrilled and tapped for the Ideal Holder and adapter( you will only need a screw driver not a drill press)140mm x 80mm
  • 20 pcs M3 6mm screws for the Holders
  • 20 pcs M4 12mm Screws for mounting to side rails
  • 5 pcs of Wago 221-412 Terminal Blocks
  • 15 ft of Black and Red Silicon 600V rated 18AWG Wire
Only thing i would need to do is build the mount for everything, and slap it all together. Please let me know what you guys think!
I think you can do better, to be honest. How much does the kit cost? I just ordered a new 2x3x5 tent myself, and I'm building a v1 Quantum Board fixture that'll run over 200 watts (at very good efficiency) for well under $200. Personally, I went with an HLG-185H-54A to power it. You will probably NEVER use more than 40w/sq ft, but if you want the headroom to max out the boards, you could opt for a 240w driver instead - the cost will be about the same.

CXB3590s are no longer the bee's knees, man.
 

BluntMoniker

Well-Known Member
I think you can do better, to be honest. How much does the kit cost? I just ordered a new 2x3x5 tent myself, and I'm building a v1 Quantum Board fixture that'll run over 200 watts (at very good efficiency) for well under $200. Personally, I went with an HLG-185H-54A to power it. You will probably NEVER use more than 40w/sq ft, but if you want the headroom to max out the boards, you could opt for a 240w driver instead - the cost will be about the same.

CXB3590s are no longer the bee's knees, man.
So this: https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/products/260w-qb-led-kit

??

My concern, is maximizing light/bud growth in my space.. so if the quantum boards will do that better than a regular Cree COB setup, then thats how ill go. Especially since your right, the quantum board setup is about 30-40% cheaper than the Mau5 setup i was looking at
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
I have a small setup (2x3x5 tent, 150w hps + 2bulb 2ft floros.. 1 plant at a time), and ive been looking into upgrading my lighting to maximize results in my space.

I see all the blurple lights that have different spectrums, IR, etc,
After doing some research, ive come to the conclusion that DIY LED is the way to go, as far as getting the most bang for your buck.
Forget blurple. White light is where it's at, and some are enhanced a bit with far red etc.

LED isn't always the best way to go, the best light is the light that best fits your situation.
The biggest thing LED offers is less power usage and therefore less heat, there's nothing magic about LED that makes plants grow better.

Growing under LED is different and air temperature is a huge variable. 28-29C is what you want with LED, they don't have IR to raise leaf temps like HPS. If you're in a cold basement, it's probably best to stay with HPS. Can you tell us more about your setup, what is the air temp in your tent and the room it's in, etc etc.?

For LED in your 2x3x5, the 260w QB is very good. Personaly, I would DIY with 22" strips (Samsung, Bridgelux) for superb light spread and the ability to run the lights within inches of the canopy. My second choice would be boards, and there are many to chose from.
 

Humple

Well-Known Member
So this: https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/products/260w-qb-led-kit

??

My concern, is maximizing light/bud growth in my space.. so if the quantum boards will do that better than a regular Cree COB setup, then thats how ill go. Especially since your right, the quantum board setup is about 30-40% cheaper than the Mau5 setup i was looking at
You should see better uniformity of light as well. I think two QBs are just about the best option for a 2x3x5 - 576 diodes blanketing the canopy, nearly from end to end, as well as a very low profile, which will give you more headroom for your plants.

Although I'm of the opinion that strips are the last, best word in horticultural LED lighting, in a case like this, for cost and ease, I don't think boards can be beaten.
 

BluntMoniker

Well-Known Member
Forget blurple. White light is where it's at, and some are enhanced a bit with far red etc.

LED isn't always the best way to go, the best light is the light that best fits your situation.
The biggest thing LED offers is less power usage and therefore less heat, there's nothing magic about LED that makes plants grow better.

Growing under LED is different and air temperature is a huge variable. 28-29C is what you want with LED, they don't have IR to raise leaf temps like HPS. If you're in a cold basement, it's probably best to stay with HPS. Can you tell us more about your setup, what is the air temp in your tent and the room it's in, etc etc.?

For LED in your 2x3x5, the 260w QB is very good. Personaly, I would DIY with 22" strips (Samsung, Bridgelux) for superb light spread and the ability to run the lights within inches of the canopy. My second choice would be boards, and there are many to chose from.
Tent is inside of a small walk in closet. The closet itself has no air vent, so it just stays at ambient temps within the house (66-74f). With the 150w HPS with an inline fan sucking air directly off of it, plus fans inside the tent for circulation, temps hover around high 70s-high80s lights off/on, so that was a major turn on for me, was LED having lower operating temps.

And that's with a 150w HPS direct vented. If I moved up to a 400w (which is where I'd like to be for max yield per sqf in my space), there would be no way I could keep temps in a reasonable range, without AC of some kind.

That whole issue can be resolved with an LED. I can get my increased light intensity, without increasing tent temps.

Plus the overall efficiency makes for long term savings... should be a win/win all around in my setup
 
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