Another DIY help thread.

GivingTree

Active Member
Whats up RIU !!! Just have a few questions for you knowledgeable COB builders, before I start my build. So here is what im thinking about ordering:

Screenshot_20170625-225722.jpg

Will this build work with the components I have chosen?

I know 18g solid wire, angled aluminum, and hardware to connect it together is still needed. I will be picking them up locally.

Beyond that is anything else needed to complete this build?
 

verticalgrow

Well-Known Member
Whats up RIU !!! Just have a few questions for you knowledgeable COB builders, before I start my build. So here is what im thinking about ordering:

View attachment 3967224

Will this build work with the components I have chosen?

I know 18g solid wire, angled aluminum, and hardware to connect it together is still needed. I will be picking them up locally.

Beyond that is anything else needed to complete this build?
Sure but how many volts are the vero COB:confused:
 
Last edited:

GivingTree

Active Member
Just found this post from SupraSPL:

"If you are planning on run softer, the 36V might make more sense:
HLG-185H-C700 can run 8 COBs at 23W ea
HLG-185H-C1400 can run 4 COBs at 49W ea

If you are thinking of running harder the 72V might be the way to go:
HLG-185H-C500 can run 6 3590s at 350mA 23Wea
HLG-185H-C700 can run 4 3590s at 49W ea
HLG-185H-C1050 can run 2 3590s at 76W ea
HLG-185H-C1400 can run 2 3590s at 85W ea"

I was planning on running them hard. Is it not possible with the 36v COBs?
 

GivingTree

Active Member
What size are you covering?
What's your height?
I use cxbs, 36v at 50 watts per sq ft with good results
:cool:
1 meter x 1 meter area, 8ft tall. Trying to make a copy of timbers 400watt vero light. Here is the PPFD they claim.

Screenshot_20170626-141822.jpg

not sure if I can get there with the 36v COBS? Do i need to be looking for 72v COBS to achieve this?
 

Moflow

Well-Known Member
Have you checked out Cobkits.com?
A great one stop shop for all things DIY. :D
I'm sure he would give you sound advice for that area
@CobKits ....?

I only have cxbs, citizen 1212s and qbs.
:cool:
 

CobKits

Well-Known Member
im guessing timber is running 4 vero Cs at 100W there. 1825 gen 5 would be the closest match i have if you want to do it with 4 cobs. luminus would work at well, but 100W is pushing them hard

hlg480-48A+ 4 chips would get you there

thats really pushing 140mm passives tho, i would recommend actives at 100W
 

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Yeah figured i better add those so i dont jam a bamboo stake into my COB accidentally lol
Im not sure about the specs of those stella lenses, if they are focusing lenses, and running your cobs at 100w each you could experience crappy coverage, hotspots and having to hang the light very high. Reflectors and diffusers might be a better way to go if the main reason is to protect your cobs. But looking fron the pic they kinda look like diffusers. Just that ive usually seen diffuserlenses that stick on to reflectors. Also, ive seen people here on riu talking about thermalpads as not sufficient for hard run cobs, but im sure someone more knowledgeable can chime in. You can run any cobs hard or soft, independent of voltage. But a high voltage cob run soft you would have to use a high voltage driver, high voltage is a no-no for some due to safety issues. Allways ground the frame. In the example of of supra he is using cree cxbs, they come in 2 versions 36 and 72V were they run the same at the same wattage, just one version uses a double voltage but half current for same performance afaik. Generally higher voltage cobs are usually more powerfull and efficient, at least within the same series/manfacturer. Anyways, you got cobkits on the thread, hes more knowledgeable than me, disclaimer: im happy customer of him.
 

Tim Fox

Well-Known Member
Im not sure about the specs of those stella lenses, if they are focusing lenses, and running your cobs at 100w each you could experience crappy coverage, hotspots and having to hang the light very high. Reflectors and diffusers might be a better way to go if the main reason is to protect your cobs. But looking fron the pic they kinda look like diffusers. Just that ive usually seen diffuserlenses that stick on to reflectors. Also, ive seen people here on riu talking about thermalpads as not sufficient for hard run cobs, but im sure someone more knowledgeable can chime in. You can run any cobs hard or soft, independent of voltage. But a high voltage cob run soft you would have to use a high voltage driver, high voltage is a no-no for some due to safety issues. Allways ground the frame. In the example of of supra he is using cree cxbs, they come in 2 versions 36 and 72V were they run the same at the same wattage, just one version uses a double voltage but half current for same performance afaik. Generally higher voltage cobs are usually more powerfull and efficient, at least within the same series/manfacturer. Anyways, you got cobkits on the thread, hes more knowledgeable than me, disclaimer: im happy customer of him.
hey buddy long time no see
 

GivingTree

Active Member
im guessing timber is running 4 vero Cs at 100W there. 1825 gen 5 would be the closest match i have if you want to do it with 4 cobs. luminus would work at well, but 100W is pushing them hard

hlg480-48A+ 4 chips would get you there

thats really pushing 140mm passives tho, i would recommend actives at 100W
Im not sure about the specs of those stella lenses, if they are focusing lenses, and running your cobs at 100w each you could experience crappy coverage, hotspots and having to hang the light very high. Reflectors and diffusers might be a better way to go if the main reason is to protect your cobs. But looking fron the pic they kinda look like diffusers. Just that ive usually seen diffuserlenses that stick on to reflectors. Also, ive seen people here on riu talking about thermalpads as not sufficient for hard run cobs, but im sure someone more knowledgeable can chime in. You can run any cobs hard or soft, independent of voltage. But a high voltage cob run soft you would have to use a high voltage driver, high voltage is a no-no for some due to safety issues. Allways ground the frame. In the example of of supra he is using cree cxbs, they come in 2 versions 36 and 72V were they run the same at the same wattage, just one version uses a double voltage but half current for same performance afaik. Generally higher voltage cobs are usually more powerfull and efficient, at least within the same series/manfacturer. Anyways, you got cobkits on the thread, hes more knowledgeable than me, disclaimer: im happy customer of him.
Well it seems my build isnt as solid as i thought. @CobKits and everyone else that has been helping. Can I build a 800+PPFD 3X3 Coverage light for ~$500?
 

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
~$550 and probably closer to 950-1000 ppfd in that space. dimmable of course
I love it how nicely that 3 luminous /1 hlg185 driver combo works. If youre price sensitive (cause you will still need frame, wiring, hangers) you can easily do your first grow with 2 sets and upgrade to to another with profits from the grow. If you got the dosh, go for 3 sets and dim them slightly for better efficiency cause thats 600+ watts in a 3x3, wich looks a quite high to me if its your first grow. With that kinda wattage you need to have your enviroment on point and probably add CO2 in order to reap al the benefits of the light. But hey, you might also wanna upgrade to a 4x4 for your second grow. Anyways cobby is your guy for a cheap but high quality build. I think ppfd 1000 is actually a low estimate; would make a ppf/w of around 1.6 which seems to low for top chips on reasonable wattages. Either way, 2 sets or 3sets it beats what you had listed in first post.

Edit: either in to stupid to read or cobby has edited cause he raises same issues as me. And remember to use RIU discount code if still valid ;)
 
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