A "little" project to pass the time.

Recently myself and others here have been discussing fixtures to illuminate a small grow space. Coincedently I have a friend local to me who has been given permission by his other half to grow one plant in a small tent which is 90cm (l) x 60cm (w) x 90cm (h). This gave me the happy face for a few reasons. Number one he smokes a silly amount of cannabis that he buys. My friend is a nice bloke and a family man so has much better things to spend his coin on. Second reason is I get to build something.

Parts I had for this project:
10 x CXA2530s
1 x MW HLG-185-500B
1 x LPC 20-350
1 x MW NES-15-5 power supply
10 x 100mm x 75mm finned heatsinks
2 x 120mm fans
1 x 200mm fans
1 x 100k potentiometer
14 x Osram SSL 80 hyper reds cannibalised from original fixture
wire, solder, compression gland, 12v female/male connectors, nuts and bolts, grommets, my favorite playlist and a cuppa tea.

At first I kept it simple and added 4 x CXA2530s to the perimeter of a 140w Plant photonics I had lying around.
this is the result.


This was an easy project but to be honest a little boring and did not satiate my hunger for a project of worth.
So because I had two 140w plant photonic panels doing nothing and a pile of bits and bobs to play with I decided to retrofit the case, fans and Osram SSL 80 hyper reds from the original panel.


The original manufacturer used a high heat transfer silicone (that is what he called it) to mount the PCBs to the aluminium plate. This had me reaching into my trusty box of expletives as I try to remove them. Once that was complete I used tin snips to separate the hyper reds. This seemed easier then desoldering each one individually.


Flipped the case over and drilled out holes for the CXA2530s.


Each COB has its own heatsink. I mounted a Meanwell HLG-185-500b, LPC-20-350 and Meanwell 5v power supply. I pigged tailed off the mains earth to the case because 240-400 volts can sting a bit.


A compression gland for 240v power and a 12v female plug for an external 5v desk fan that will circulate air in the grow tent.

I added three fans at 5v on top just to move a bit of air over the drivers and heatsinks. I ran the COBs passive with the heatsinks on another fixture so the fans are not really mission critical but I had them and the power supply so in they go.

I soldered the 10 x CXA2530 in series to the HLG 185 500b mounted the 100K pot to the case and soldered the hyper reds in series to the LPC 20-350.

My original intention was to cover the wiring with a face plate but after installing it I realised that I was losing photons between the case and the face plate.


I suppose I could add reflectors but I was determined not to purchase anything for this project and just use stuff I had to hand. So we will run this fixture "ugly" without the faceplate. Also I cracked the bugger anyway. So into the bin it goes.

More to follow.

Cheers,
Will

Now to test the fixture and see what we have to work with
.

Measurement were taken at 20cm on a wooden floor with no reflective material. The grid was "eyeballed" so scientific purest look away now.

I think there are correction factors or some other mathematical wonders that I have yet to wrap my head around. So these reading may or may not mean anything. I just have the SQ420 sensor and no idea what I am doing with it. If someone wants to explain its correct use to me that would be greatly appreciated.

Temperature behind the COBs on the back of the heatsinks were consistent with each other with the exception of the sinks beneath the fans which were a few degrees cooler. Meat probe is in farenheit.


The idea is for me to provide my friend with a well vegged plant to flower so the fixture is purely for that purpose. After each cycle I will provide him with another for a perpetual cycle. We are setting everything up tomorrow and putting this little gem under it for his first grow experience. I have given him a scrog net, carbon filter, extractor fan and grow tent to begin his journey towards cannabis self sufficiency. I will of course help him along the way until he can manage a grow solo.


Cheers,
Will

I went to check the power draw from the wall and realised the energy monitor I have is a grand example of a mass produced fecal specimen.

From what I have gathered on the interweb the batteries go on these frequently.
Here is a photo of the business end. There are 7 CXAs in a warmer colour (maybe 2700k-3000k from Newark can not remember) and 3 CXAs in a weird colour (4600k) that fasttech had in stock last year.

A top down view of my friend's first plant. I will take photos when I visit him as the grow progresses.


Cheers,
Will

I think you should buy plastic or glass optic lenses for those holes man. Like a gogreen is made. Just get some that will either fit, or will be a tiny bit bigger and just use a stepbit to make the hole bigger. They have a flange in the bottom you'd glue or silicone to the inside of that cover. Dude it would look so fuckin bad ass.

Airwalker16 said:

I think you should buy plastic or glass optic lenses for those holes man. Like a gogreen is made. Just get some that will either fit, or will be a tiny bit bigger and just use a stepbit to make the hole bigger. They have a flange in the bottom you'd glue or silicone to the inside of that cover. Dude it would look so fuckin bad ass.

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I hear what you are saying. I made a promise not to spend anything on this light and use what I had available. There is a gap between the faceplate and the fixture that allows light to go behind the faceplate.If you look at the photo above there is a halo effect on the faceplate. I think the only option would be reflectors that would direct the light past the gap.

Saying that,the cover is only perspex painted with white stove paint. I cracked the original but making another would not be too much of a chore I suppose. My only concern is this fixture was only intended for a small tent with limited height. The reflectors would need to be wide angled. I may just make a carbon fibre faceplate because growmau5 said it made plants grow better.

My Mate is coming over today and we are both giddy as a pair of monkeys to set his tent up.
I will give it to him as is. I have a second panel that I am thinking of retrofitting with some CLU048-1212s.

Cheers,
Will

I'd no doubt figure our some way to use lenses. You'd spend very very little.

you're a good friend

Hey airwalker, I bet if you stare at that light face pic for a while it makes your blood pressure rise.... I know your just a little OCD!

thetr33man said:

Hey airwalker, I bet if you stare at that light face pic for a while it makes your blood pressure rise.... I know your just a little OCD!

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Haha sometimes. But what do you mean by "light face pic"?

Well if my lack of a faceplate and reflectors is going to cause angst with another member here than I shall have to remedy the situation. What angle in your opinion, would be appropriate for this fixture. Bearing in mind that the distance to the canopy will be between 8-12 inch. I would imagine the widest angle possible would be best.
Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Will

8-12" with no reflectors is just fine, I know angelinas can come right on and off so the option may be nice if you can take advantage of the full 12<" But 10 cobs at 500ma with that little headroom won't need reflectors,crossover will cover you.

Doesn't have to be pretty, just has to deliver

Scotch089 said:

8-12" with no reflectors is just fine, I know angelinas can come right on and off so the option may be nice if you can take advantage of the full 12<" But 10 cobs at 500ma with that little headroom won't need reflectors,crossover will cover you.

Doesn't have to be pretty, just has to deliver

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I agree with your reasoning 100%. I am happy to sacrifice aesthetics for functionality. I run my CXB3590s @ 700ma and I keep my Glow low. This fixture will be used in the same manner up close and intimate with the canopy.

I may revisit aesthetics further down the road but my Mate was chomping at the bit to get his project up and running.

So this morning we set the tent, carbon filter, extractor fan and scrog net up. My Buddy was well pleased and more importantly we have got his Mrs's final approval.
I have to go back later this evening because his children returned home and we had to put things on pause.

Cheers,
Will

Right, my mate is all sorted now. Feels good to welcome a new initiate into the hobby. I am also happy to have someone to talk face to face with about my favorite subject. My wife does not even know what I do. Though I do enjoy a certain amount of sneaking, it is nice to have someone to teach and grow with. Seeing his enthusiasm filled me with an excitement I have not felt since I started growing 30 years ago. When I think how many mistakes I could of avoided had I had the internet or a good mentor back then. My friend's skills should improve so much quicker than mine did.

I still have another 140w panel that could use an upgrade. I think some CLU048 -1212 are going into this one.

I will update as my mate's grow progresses.

Cheers,
Will

Good on you Will, hell of a friend to have!

Just a quick update of sorts.
The energy monitor I mentioned earlier that died on me has been sorted. I drilled out the "security" screw that held it together and replaced the lithium batteries.
Here is the watts draw. dimmed down all the way and full blast.


Cheers,
Will

Will Thayer said:

Well if my lack of a faceplate and reflectors is going to cause angst with another member here than I shall have to remedy the situation. What angle in your opinion, would be appropriate for this fixture. Bearing in mind that the distance to the canopy will be between 8-12 inch. I would imagine the widest angle possible would be best.
Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Will

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90-120* will be great. MAYBE even mix em!?
I truly hope to see this light equipped with lenses soon. It's Gonna look straight PRO.

Airwalker16 said:

90-120* will be great. MAYBE even mix em!?
I truly hope to see this light equipped with lenses soon. It's Gonna look straight PRO.

Click to expand...

I am going to tidy up the face plate, I ordered some white acrylic sheet. I think my friend would appreciate a nicer looking fixture. He seemed happy but we can always do better.

Cheers,
Will

I saw this photo in another thread. You could use these kinds of lenses for the fixture. I'm telling you man, it'd look so fucking cool!

do you grow with your fixtures or do you want to win a beauty contest?

sethimus said:

do you grow with your fixtures or do you want to win a beauty contest?

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Man, go be a dick somewhere else. It'll be better if he used optics anyways.with how far set back the cobs are on his.