Can I Run Those Three COBs on a 60W Marshydro Driver?

@Atulip nuttin wrong with that bro !
i don't use that kapton as I want to be able to re-work my lights at anytime
i'm the type who loves to build
& the holders make popping/switching up cob's easy peasy
much like changing CPU's in PC
 
flexy123 said:
t. So in other words it's already attached (or there is a way to attach it directly). Just didn't remember from opening my lights :)
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some mars driver have the fan leads & some don't all have the fan header look @ my pix of the 3 pin spot on driver PCB
all mine have this on the PCB some are wired to fan leads
 
Super happy to see what you've done to that Mars 300!
I was going to order some lights to do the same, but when ordering some CXA1512's, the site I am using only has them in the 36V versions.

I figured I could still use them in the following setup:
1 HS -> CXB3590 (72V) & Fan
and
1 HS -> CXB3590 (72V) & CXA1512 (36V)

..I would just align them diagonally in the fixture (CXB -> CXA -> CXB)
Do you see flaws in this assumption that I'm making?
 
Atulip said:
Mars Hydro 300w (60x5)
View attachment 3590451

I went with mouser for chips. I wanted to run a 3000k fixture and a 5000k fixture together. I got 2 x cxb3590 3000k 72v CB. The12v fan is shared on a driver, so one 72v cob is on that driver, and with extra available voltage on the other, I decided for 2 x 18v Cree cxa1512 6500k to add to the second driver. These will be in parallel with each other, and series with the cxb3590.

The heat sink in here is trash, my sneezes dissipate heat better than this flimsy thing. The issue inside the box becomes space. Upgrading the heatsink requires removing the glass to mount the heatsink lower down. I went with 4.85" x 7" from heatsinkusa.com, 2 of them in this mars, short enough to fit inside nicely, and much better heat management. There are different model Mars 300(60x5), so measure your space and height in it. This one is from last March, fits 2 heatsinks kinda loose. Doing another one now (60x5) and it took some prying to fit 2 in.

View attachment 3590459

Then just spread arctic silver 5 evenly on each chip, presses them on the heatsink(after lightly sanding and cleaning with alcohol) and kapton tape on it.


View attachment 3590461
View attachment 3590463

Then into the fixture for wiring. Nothing holding it in but a bunch of silicone. Chose to leave a gap between heatsink at the center for wires. One wired alone with the fan. The other in series parallel, simple enough.

View attachment 3590467

I plugged it up for a test run then let the silicone dry and its been in my tent for about 12 hours now.

View attachment 3590468

View attachment 3590469

I also did a lux reading at different points between this light, another Mars Hydro 300w(60x5) and a 600w HPS. Cheap eBay lux meter but should be fine enough for a quick comparison. Mainly wanted to see the spread.

Mars Hydro 300 eBay model(60x5($65))(135w wall)
12" high, center 33,500 lux
12" high, 12" from center 9,500 lux
18" high, center 21,000 lux
18" high, 12" from center 7,500 lux

600w Hortilux HPS(4 month old bulb)(measurements from center of bulb, higher heights because I can't put it at 12" without torching my plants.)
18" high, center 81,500 lux
18" high, 12" from center 50,500 lux
24" high, center 55,000 lux
24" high, 12" from center 35,000 lux

New Mars to Cree(120w)
12" high, center 65,500 lux
12" high, 12" from center 31,000 lux
18" high, center 38,000 lux
18" high, 12" from center 21,000 lux


The spread of the Mars Hydro lights are garbage, but I'm sure everyone here knew that lol.
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I just picked up two of these Mars 300s and I am looking forward to hacking them, I know this is an older thread but I had to say something
 
I have (2) Roleadro 300 models (125w actual). Each has a dedicated 12v dc driver for two case fans coming from the mains. In addition, there are (2) 80-110v, 560 mA drivers powering the 60×5w array.

Im guessing from what I've read here I can use a single 72v cob + a single 18v cob per driver for 4 cobs total for each of them? Or (3) 36v cobs per driver for 6 cobs per light? Is that correct?

Obviously at 560 mA they would be running pretty soft - is this even worth the trouble and expense?

I would need to order heatsinks as well.

I only used these lights for one run before I discovered QBs so that is what I am using currently. I hate to just let these sit unused. I've got my beady lil eyes on that 260 XL LED Quantum Board over at HLG, and I'll probably get it for my 2×4. Should I try to refit these lights or forget it and just get the 260 XL QB? I feel like it's a lot to spend to refit the lights for so-so returns, but maybe someone else can offer good advice. Thx.
 

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Can anyone here tell me if I can add a 100k pot inline on the Mars drivers? I have 2 Mars 300.... 2017 models I'm going to change it to cobs
 
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