DIY Cree COB light from MarsII 1200

Has anybody converted a MarsII 1200 to use Cree COBs?
While trying to measure the output of these individual drivers, the first one I pulled to test is reading 30-40 milliamps on my multimeter and 113V. I'm looking for some perspective/guidance from someone who has done it with this unit already.
Can anybody corroborate these results or comment on the efficacy of these drivers for repurposing? I've got 4 72V 3590s ready to go already and I'm planning to use 1 per driver.

This is the most advanced DIY I've attempted to date so any advice is appreciated.

This should give you an idea:

Evil-Mobo said:

This should give you an idea:

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, that was my starting point and the mau himself suggested I look here for others results with this particular unit. Mars has had a number of different modules in various products over time.
I'm just wanting to verify that the numbers I'm getting actually match what others have seen on the same device and I haven't found any threads discussing the same 1200 model. I don't know why I'm reading 40milliamps on this one driver and I suppose I can test more of my own drivers, I just didn't want to go stripping all of them unnecessarily and was hoping to compare numbers with someone else in the same boat.

boy as I sit on a Mars 1200 trying to sell it for some DYI. How many COBs can you run?

The Mars series 2 usually use drivers rated from 55v-100v with output of 700ma +-5%.

There have been a couple of other variations on the ratings but for the series 2 these are the main ones.

Not sure that the Amp testing is been done/read correctly... as that figure of 40ma would have resulted in a very dim Mars light.

I've been running 72v CXB3590 on one driver like you plan with no problems.
They draw around 60w from wall on 240v.

I did a Growmau Mars conversion and ran it for one run before stripping it down and converting it to Mars Bars, I can assure you that the spread of light and lower temps as a result are well worth the effort.
Mars 400w conversion ran @38c
Mars bar same wattage from wall runs @ 31c

Anyway good on ya for having a go and this will hopefully give you the confidence to go forward.

Have a look at what can be done.

https://www.rollitup.org/t/finally-some-mars-bars-and-my-lights-are-going-up.912283/

Thanks zulunature, I'll certainly check that out. I'm only planning to use 2 COBs per 3x3 and not planning to do the whole Mars conversion. I'm really just hijacking the drivers I guess.

despotic420 said:

Thanks zulunature, I'll certainly check that out. I'm only planning to use 2 COBs per 3x3 and not planning to do the whole Mars conversion. I'm really just hijacking the drivers I guess.

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thats kinda what i was thinking,just steal the drivers and heatsinks and make my own fixture.but idk those fans and switches are already nicely wired up in there.

but them fans are SOOOO LOUD! It's worth the trip to your local computer parts store to source some quieter replacements.
I've got the big passive heatsinks from northern growlights (https://northerngrowlights.com/collections/all/products/sst120-passive-heatsink-kit).

Yeah i might have a few of those also lol.those fans wont be a sound issue in my room because it already sounds like a 747 is getting ready for take off

Got my 3590's in, 4 x 72V. I've got reflectors, diffusers, COBs, passive heatsinks and power supplies salvaged from the MarsII 1200.

Still a lot of prep-work and research to do but very close to build time.

Pics or never happened

3 to go.

these things are obscenely bright.

I've got this hack-job kinda together for the time being. I needed to get it on some autos. I'll be making a better frame to mount them to in time but for now, this is doing the trick