Will's DIY LED Experience or lack of...

Captain's log, star date....

After several weeks reading, Google search and asking questions here. I am happy to say my first DIY LED luminaire is 96.23% complete.

Application: Vegetative fixture

Parts list:
7x CXA2530 4500K
3x CXA2530 2700K
10x Intel CPU coolers
10x Molex holders PN# 180560-0001
1x Mean Well HLG-185H-C500B
1x 100K potentiometer
Cable glands, 18awg wire, cable ties, junction box, Choc box.



Cheers,
Will

good job

Awesome build! The junction boxes are perfect for the potentiometer and input power. Very clean! Where did you find them? Also, what is it drawing for power?

Mishaps and observations:

The biggest ball ache of this build was knocking a 400pcs crimp connector set off the table with the lid open. Bits and bobs everywhere.I also pulled one wire off a fan PCB which also kind of sucked. I did in fact manage to drill a hole through my trousers without drawing any blood as well.
Also I miscalculated the power supply to drive the fans. On start up they draw 4 amps for a second and then settle down to 1.2ish amps. Until the new power supply comes I used my bench top supply (for the first time ever).


My first observation was that running this many cpu coolers and fans is a rookie mistake. I could have gone passive/semi -passive with a lot less effort.
I will more then likely do that when I upgrade the COBs on this. I really just wanted to dabble and gain some confidence with this project.

Power draw running at max on potentiometer


Power Draw with potentiometer turned most of the way down.


Quantum sensor reading (average) @ about 6" max power. New toy not sure what I doing.

Quantum Sensor reading with dimming. I will make a grid and do this properly soon.

Just for giggles here is a Lux reading I took after I noticed I had one on my multimeter. Please remember I am an electronics novice.


Cheers,
Will

I used this build as a practice run as the parts were very cheap and any potential cock ups would not be
a financial disaster.

I am ready for round two with a bit more confidence and also quite a lot of excitement.

Next up:
24x CXB3590 3500k
24x Ideal holders
3x Mean Well HLG-185-700c
18x Osram Olson SSL 150 Hyper red
1x Mean Well LPC-20-350
6x 150mm x 1000mm heat sinks
6x Fractal 140mm fans
6x sheet metal shrouds 1000mm

Cheers,
Will

Maine_Coast said:

Awesome build! The junction boxes are perfect for the potentiometer and input power. Very clean! Where did you find them? Also, what is it drawing for power?

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Thanks, the junction box is pretty common in Europe as are the Choc box (Pot box). The whole project was an impulse buy with very little thought put into it. I watched @Growmau5 video on Youtube and got all excited I had just enough information to order stuff. I spent money first and then joined this forum (opps) and read more into the hobby and know now I could have made better choices (run passive). Oh well, I have popped my cherry so to speak. Onwards and upwards.

Cheers,
Will

Wernionsinks said:

good job

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Thank you!

Well, if your next grow is not spectacular, at least you know you can't blame the lights! LOL

Very nice job on the first one, very clean and well thought out. And the second one is going to be epic. I hope you'll keep posting, I'd like to see them in the grow space and over some plants.

Very nice build, and looks like the next one will be even better. Addictive isn't it?

Will Thayer said:

I used this build as a practice run as the parts were very cheap and any potential cock ups would not be
a financial disaster.

I am ready for round two with a bit more confidence and also quite a lot of excitement.

Next up:
24x CXB3590 3500k
24x Ideal holders
3x Mean Well HLG-185-700c
18x Osram Olson SSL 150 Hyper red
1x Mean Well LPC-20-350
6x 150mm x 1000mm heat sinks
6x Fractal 140mm fans
6x sheet metal shrouds 1000mm
View attachment 3544001
Cheers,
Will

Click to expand...

Humanrob said:

Well, if your next grow is not spectacular, at least you know you can't blame the lights! LOL

Very nice job on the first one, very clean and well thought out. And the second one is going to be epic. I hope you'll keep posting, I'd like to see them in the grow space and over some plants.

Click to expand...

You are very kind! I will update when things progress further.

Rahz said:

Very nice build, and looks like the next one will be even better. Addictive isn't it?

Click to expand...

I am indeed hooked. Thanks for all your help. The photos on your commercial thread are kind of what I was thinking for the new build. I will shroud the sinks but have all the drivers and power suppliers external and separate from the fixtures. You have helped me from day one and I respect your opinions and appreciate your contributions.

Cheers,
Will

Looking great man! This forum is just so filled with impressive builds, knowledge and helpful people

Best of luck with your next grow! No matter what happens, i'm sure it will feel nice to bathe your plants in homemade light hehe

Snaddehat said:

Looking great man! This forum is just so filled with impressive builds, knowledge and helpful people

Best of luck with your next grow! No matter what happens, i'm sure it will feel nice to bathe your plants in homemade light hehe

Click to expand...

Thanks for your kind words. This is a veg light for a small 1.2m x .70m grow tent. Really only needs to veg 3 plants at a time. I will be running a perpetual garden with 3 in and three out. I will have 5 sets of three plants under the 24x COB fixture when it is done. Harvesting three plants at a time makes trimming less of a big job for me and keeps it fun.
I will post a garden journal when everything is in play.

Cheers,
Will

I put the new power supply for the fans on today and everything works a treat.

This is the business end.

Cheers,
Will

Change of plans, I am thinking if the fans or power supply fails the intel heatsinks will not cool passively. COBs fry, possible fire? I just order 10 of 100mm x 165mm (4"x 6.5") passive heat sinks. This will cut down on the power usage slightly but the real benefit will be a worry free veg lamp.

Cheers,
Will