HardLuck71
Well-Known Member
Both? I know nothing about heatsinks or how to connect them. I’m totally in the dark here, like I said this is new to me. I’ve never made a light before lol
Best light coverage for 10x5x6 tent
- Thread starter HardLuck71
- Start date
diggs99
Well-Known Member
What leds are you buying? the Cutter jseries?
you can use aluminum u channel from the building supply store for both frame and sinks if you want....just have to drill some holes to fasten to the sinks to the frame...My advice for the strips would be using Thermal tape
HardLuck71
Well-Known Member
I don’t know what series they are, I sent a screenshot of the ones in my cart.
HardLuck71
Well-Known Member
So I could use something like this? Its an inch wide. So what, I’ll have to get the same number of heatsinks as strips of lights? Then how do I mount it all to a frame/board?
diggs99
Well-Known Member
Yep just like those you linked.
How many you need will depend on how your building the light.... if your building it 4x4 you would use 4` heatsinks and place 2 strips per sink....if your building it in 2x sections, you would need one heatsink per strip.
The sinks will go screwed to the frame. The strips can be screwed or fastened using thermal tape
HardLuck71
Well-Known Member
If the strips are 5/8” thick and heatsink is 1”, how would I do 1 heatsink per 2 strips? Also, what’s best to use for frame?
diggs99
Well-Known Member
Length wise, if your building a 4x fixture, you can buy 48" heatsinks and put 2 strips on each sink, end on end.
If your building it in 2x dimenions you need 23-24" heatsinks and put 1 strip per sink....This make sense?
Aluminum is lightest but obv more costly, you can find angled steel at building supply stores that work fine.
Search google for diy grow light frames....you will see tons of ideas....some dudes have gotten really creative.
HardLuck71
Well-Known Member
Ok. I was thinking I was building 1 big light to cover 8x4 area lol. I didn’t think of making 2 separate lights at 4’.
HardLuck71
Well-Known Member
Lol, no worries. My tent is 10’L x 5’W x 7’H and was looking to cover a 4’ x 8’ canopy
diggs99
Well-Known Member
I def wouldn't build one big light lol
Honestly I would prob build 4 separate lights, all 2x4. Allows for more versatility and much easier to wire
Peaceness
Well-Known Member
If I were to grow in a 10 x 5 tent, i would put in a 4 x8 ebb n' flow tray and have three , 315 cmh lights evenly covering the tray. Can't go wrong with that.
HardLuck71
Well-Known Member
I would think it would be harder to wire lol. Would I still only need 2 drivers ( Meanwell 480w ) or could I get 4 smaller ones and mount to top of each light? Would that be easier? Again, thanks for all your help bud!
diggs99
Well-Known Member
There's no 315 cmh on the market covering a 4x4 optimally tho, I love my 315 but it won't come close to covering 4 feet in any direction.
diggs99
Well-Known Member
You could do it either way, 2 drivers or 4.
Wiring would be much less congested and chaotic lol
HardLuck71
Well-Known Member
I don’t even know what a EBB light is lol. Plus I’m going with LED
HardLuck71
Well-Known Member
With 4 driver?
diggs99
Well-Known Member
He's referring to grow style. Ebb and flow. Or flood and drain.
The driver wiring is the easy part, the hard and chaotic part is wiring all the strips and wire management.
Peaceness
Well-Known Member
Yes good call. Would have to get a wider/ bigger hood.