IF you are new to LED and want help choosing what to buy, POST HERE!

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Zulu Smoker

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appreciate the input.
any advice on a light then?
Budget? I myself had my eyes on A51 lights but ran into the same problem as you. GoGreenLEDs also didn't want to ship internationally, and Pacific Light Concepts didn't look like they were selling at the time. JimmyIndica's lights are badass, I would've gotten those if I had the opportunity but I eventually ended up with 4 Optic Lighting Vero 200W units (almost like a 1k equivalent IMHO). Not the best industrial design but hey it works, ships real easy due to its small size, and ships internationally. They're not the only option out there, other users might suggest better or newer lights.

The only problem I've had is my lights are still sitting in customs for about 5 days now. I hope they don't tax the shit outta me or hold it due to importation limitations and whatnot. Should have gotten an import/customs broker to iron out all this crap - all my other orders that had brokers handling them had no issues going past customs, but they do cost a bit more.

Good luck on your LED shopping!

9those
I had to take few interior pics this morning and thought I would share.
View attachment 3547030

American Craftmanship:bigjoint:
View attachment 3547032
Very very pretty. I appreciate internals when they're as well thought out and cleanly designed like this. They'll certainly be on my shortlist for my next tent!
 
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Positivity

Well-Known Member
Enclosed spaces in tropical areas its best to stay near ambient I think.

This is a 5.8" heatsink usa 18" long in a 24" x 12" x 36" area using 3 3590s Give you an idea of what it looks like..

View attachment 3542146

At 1a it heats up quite a bit passive but a little airflow through the fins cools it right down to cool to the touch.

So you could do 6" per 5.8" profile or maybe a little more to get a little cooler..

Low voltage isn't a bad idea if your new to it, or even old to it. You'll get lots of ideas for improvements after you've done one or two.

Check supras heatsink thread and maybe he can recommend a 100% passive sink. In my experience though fan power is gonna come from somewhere, otherwise the heat will build on itself in a enclosed space.

Edit... Highly recommend whatever driver you decide on have a dimming function. Easy to set up and makes it much more enjoyable to use. Germination through flower.... Heat control...etc

oops...5.375" heatsink.....it's nice with the little edges on the side. Its the little things..
Just a fix on a error...don't get too excited..
 
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ZenOne

Well-Known Member
Budget? I myself had my eyes on A51 lights but ran into the same problem as you. GoGreenLEDs also didn't want to ship internationally, and Pacific Light Concepts didn't look like they were selling at the time. JimmyIndica's lights are badass, I would've gotten those if I had the opportunity but I eventually ended up with 4 Optic Lighting Vero 200W units (almost like a 1k equivalent IMHO). Not the best industrial design but hey it works, ships real easy due to its small size, and ships internationally. They're not the only option out there, other users might suggest better or newer lights.

The only problem I've had is my lights are still sitting in customs for about 5 days now. I hope they don't tax the shit outta me or hold it due to importation limitations and whatnot. Should have gotten an import/customs broker to iron out all this crap - all my other orders that had brokers handling them had no issues going past customs, but they do cost a bit more.

Good luck on your LED shopping!


Very very pretty. I appreciate internals when they're as well thought out and cleanly designed like this. They'll certainly be on my shortlist for my next tent!
Thanks for the swft reply! Budget is probly around $800. That being said the right light might be a bit less or more I'm willing to hear out the options before setting an exact limit.

Sorry to hear about your customs issues
Gotta love when they do that eh?
Well looks like I have some deciding to do
And quick . Need the lights probly by the end of December. So hopefully I can get some more Input by some more of the knowledgeable members on here :)
Thsbks again for your help!
 

Positivity

Well-Known Member
coming soon to a store near you...

The negative pro...

NothIng too fancy on this one..kept it low key. Almost done, just a few things to work out..won't need it for a bit anyways

May have to make a simple one for a friend in need. After making these wiring beasts the simple ones are a breeze.

View attachment 3339994
original design from november 2014

NothIng too fancy on this one..kept it low key. Almost done, just a few things to work out..won't need it for a bit anyways

May have to make a simple one for a friend in need. After making these wiring beasts the simple ones are a breeze.

View attachment 3339994
Alright...got it running.

Fan controller works, even with pwm fans now. Maybe not all types...you never know. Ammeter is online. Had it running side by side and not through the ammeter that was the main problem. The new ammeter with built in shunt had heavier gauge wire for the driver so the other one wouldn't have worked without a shunt...not with the puny wires it had.

All in all, I love knowing what current and temp my 3590s are running at. Build was pretty enjoyable for the most part. Kudos to sds for the idea..

So 2 5k 3590 cd bin, 4 luxeon 450nm, and 2 luxeon 430nm. Everything ready to be swapped out at any time...:grin:

Blindingly bright at 200w..tempted to flower with this thing. Thank god for the dimmers...:wink:


View attachment 3297986 View attachment 3297983 View attachment 3297984 View attachment 3297987

Sold locally from january 2015. :p

image.jpg


p.s.
no problem just yet. Let you know in a bit. Work smarter not harder..
 
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Zulu Smoker

Active Member
original design from november 2014

Sold locally from january 2015. :p
That's pretty slick Pos, looks to be more polished and well-thought out of compared to other commercial products (think Chinese with "Pro" labels). Maybe you need some better marketing and "loud" customers lol. I would've gotten soft-driven 3590s over the Vero29s but I just got what's the most economical at the time. The far reds are also nice to supplement the cobs.

Does this unit have a price?
 

Positivity

Well-Known Member
That's pretty slick Pos, looks to be more polished and well-thought out of compared to other commercial products (think Chinese with "Pro" labels). Maybe you need some better marketing and "loud" customers lol. I would've gotten soft-driven 3590s over the Vero29s but I just got what's the most economical at the time. The far reds are also nice to supplement the cobs.

Does this unit have a price?

thanks zulu...light should be fine. just keep your warranty and receipt handy is my advice. New heatsinks and design could have problems.

Wasn't planning on selling it other than locally as it was meant to be a "open source" design for the diyers.
But, if I need to sell a few through the web, etc, I will. Optic has been a bit rude in their lifting of my design and rubbing it in my face. So, I'll sell a few. Will put up a web page page and store with a few lights...maybe. The price will be low as I can get it.
I don't really care if someone sells it but, ummm, don't tell the original designer he can't.

A important lesson for the all the great diyers who have designed their own lights. Research how to protect your personal ideas. I will be, may even need professional consult on this one. I love sharing things but it's not meant to be a free ride for copycats.

ya know, at least make it somewhat unique.

strong opinions? don't we all....

no wonder it's hard to find complete and updated code for arduinos now. People tired of getting ripped off. TRUTH HURTS...
 

Zulu Smoker

Active Member
thanks zulu...light should be fine. just keep your warranty and receipt handy is my advice. New heatsinks and design could have problems.

Wasn't planning on selling it other than locally as it was meant to be a "open source" design for the diyers.
But, if I need to sell a few through the web, etc, I will. Optic has been a bit rude in their lifting of my design and rubbing it in my face. So, I'll sell a few. Will put up a web page page and store with a few lights...maybe. The price will be low as I can get it.
I don't really care if someone sells it but, ummm, don't tell the original designer he can't.

A important lesson for the all the great diyers who have designed their own lights. Research how to protect your personal ideas. I will be, may even need professional consult on this one. I love sharing things but it's not meant to be a free ride for copycats.

ya know, at least make it somewhat unique.

strong opinions? don't we all....

no wonder it's hard to find complete and updated code for arduinos now. People tired of getting ripped off. TRUTH HURTS...
Go for it man. Why don't you license your design to other DIYers in other countries so they can sell it locally? Would be a great way to get the LED grow revolution going around the globe. Save all the poor folks who are using inferior quality lights.

As for your tip - were there any major design changes in the recent Optic Veros that are not publicly known? I still have yet to receive mine so I really can't confirm or anything.
 

m4s73r

Well-Known Member
Have you ever gone back and forth and cant come to a decision? Yeah thats where im at.
Im needing to veg 8 plants to around 28 inches. The floor foot print is 3'x6'. They will then be moved to my bloom room.
I was going to just throw 2 400 mh lights over it. However after plugging in my calculator and see the electric cost, i decided to have a look at LED.
Then I was thinking 3 A51 5k lights. but theyre out of stock.
So I went to amazon of course and had a look. And holy jesus nuts. So after that bombardment. I remembered this thread.
Budget is around 500 bucks. Cheaper is better lol. Main thing is saving on the monthly light bill.
Any suggestions?
Also, im not a DIYer.

Here are the Amazon lights ive been considering. with links
Roleadro
HFS COB
LKE COB
Apollo Horticulture
 
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J Bleezy

Well-Known Member
How many have experience with BML? I'm very intrigued by the Spyder 1200, but it's a very expensive light.
Thanks
 

PurpleBuz

Well-Known Member
Have you ever gone back and forth and cant come to a decision? Yeah thats where im at.
Im needing to veg 8 plants to around 28 inches. The floor foot print is 3'x6'. They will then be moved to my bloom room.
I was going to just throw 2 400 mh lights over it. However after plugging in my calculator and see the electric cost, i decided to have a look at LED.
Then I was thinking 3 A51 5k lights. but theyre out of stock.
So I went to amazon of course and had a look. And holy jesus nuts. So after that bombardment. I remembered this thread.
Budget is around 500 bucks. Cheaper is better lol. Main thing is saving on the monthly light bill.
Any suggestions?
Also, im not a DIYer.

Here are the Amazon lights ive been considering. with links
Roleadro
HFS COB
LKE COB
Apollo Horticulture
all of those are garbage.
 
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