...All Things Vero...

[PurpleBuz]

Hello everyone! This is my first post on RIU, but I've been lurking for quite a while. I've been planning a DIY Vero fixture and I'm seeking some feedback on my plan before I start firing off orders.

My grow space (shallow closet) dimensions are 6'(w) x 2'(d) x 8' (h). Realistic canopy dimensions are roughly 5.8'x1.8'... so, let's say 10.5 sq. ft. (or ~1 sq. meter) with 4 plants (5, max). I'll be using the space for both veg & flower. The plan is to run a single "beam" of COBs mounted to Arctic 11 coolers, using aluminum angle or square bar as a rail system.

The setup:
4 x Vero 29 V2 3000K (80 CRI); powered by 1x Inventronics EUC-320S210DT @ 2.1A (dimmable); wired in series.
3 x Vero 18 4000K (80 CRI); powered by 1x Meanwell HLG-120H-C1400B @ 1.4A (dimmable); wired in series.
- I would alternate the COBs, so the string (left-to-right) would be: V29-V18-V29-V18-V29-V18-V29 (spaced at ~10" on center)
- I prefer to minimize the number of drivers for simplicity's sake (and to control cost of the build).

I would have power to each driver on a switch, so I can run the V18 4000Ks for veg, then bring in the V29 3000Ks for flower (running both V18s and V29s), then maybe just the V29s for the last 2 weeks of flower.

Here is my math (this could be way off...):
V29 v2: 37.5Vf x 2.1A = 78.75W x 4 COBs = 315W x 39.64% eff = 128.4 PAR W
V18 v2: 29.83Vf x 1.4A = 41.76W x 3 COBs = 125.29W x 37.94% eff = 47.5 PAR W

So... 440W draw (plus fan power), and ~176 PAR W. Of course those are max numbers, and I would probably dim it down a bit to boost efficiency.

Questions:
1) Does this look like a viable plan?
2) Any errors in my math?
3) Are my spectrum/CRI choices ideal? (should I maybe run 5000K V18s?)
4a) Will a single line of Veros provide ample coverage over the ~2' depth of the space?
4b) Should I run lenses on the COBs? 90-deg or narrower? Or, just run them as is?
5) any comments, suggestions or guidance will be welcomed.

Thanks!

first thing I would do is get a bigger grow space to flower in and use your closet as a veg space.

 

[rosswaa]

Would it be possible to build a cooltube setup type thing with veros? That would be pretty good and help keep the grow area nice and cool

Not seen anyone do anything like this though

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Rollitup mobile app

 

[PurpleBuz]

bottom as in bottoming taps...too
just a little friendly reminder


People need to remember that the drilling depth is about 4-5 mm....screw depth maybe only reaches 2-3mm deep [from flush] in the best case scenario...

Get the tap to turn 2-3 turns and back out...Should be enough...for M3....

is there a disadvantage to drilling\tapping the hole all the way through the heatsink ?

the amount of material for an M3 at the bottom is kind of trivial, isn't it ?

 

[rosswaa]

is there a disadvantage to drilling\tapping the hole all the way through the heatsink ?

the amount of material for an M3 at the bottom is kind of trivial, isn't it ?

Only thing I could think would be it would create spots where heat couldn't transfer to other parts of the sink. But wouldnt result in anything

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Rollitup mobile app

 

[Gundy315]

first thing I would do is get a bigger grow space to flower in and use your closet as a veg space.

Unfortunately, that is not currently an option. I've been growing in a tent that fills half that same closet footprint. I'm expanding to fill the whole closet, doubling my current area. The closet is more than sufficient to produce more bud than I know what to do with.

 

[bicit]

is there a disadvantage to drilling\tapping the hole all the way through the heatsink ?

the amount of material for an M3 at the bottom is kind of trivial, isn't it ?

It doesn't look as nice, but doesn't effect anything. Just make sure you don't drill into one of the fins. It can bugger them up a bit.

 

[PurpleBuz]

Unfortunately, that is not currently an option. I've been growing in a tent that fills half that same closet footprint. I'm expanding to fill the whole closet, doubling my current area. The closet is more than sufficient to produce more bud than I know what to do with.

That sucks, 1.8' is kind of narrow for a full size plant.

I suggest 6 vero18s driven by meanwell hlg-185H-c1050a mounted on the 4.85" profile from heatsinkusa.com
The vero18s fit your narrow space better than vero29s. It is possible to add some mono deep reds on a separate string on this heatsink to turn on when your in deep flower. In that case I would use 4K or 3.5K vero18s instead of 3K. meanwell lpc-35-700 to drive the deep reds.

 

[CanadianONE]

That sucks, 1.8' is kind of narrow for a full size plant.

I suggest 6 vero18s driven by meanwell hlg-185H-c1050a mounted on the 4.85" profile from heatsinkusa.com
The vero18s fit your narrow space better than vero29s.

With some good training techniques the narrow space should pose any problems though. I concur with your suggestion on lighting though.

 

[PurpleBuz]

With some good training techniques the narrow space should pose any problems though. I concur with your suggestion on lighting though.

yeah a bunch of 8' beanstalks! lol but your right it is manageable

 

[Gundy315]

That sucks, 1.8' is kind of narrow for a full size plant.

I suggest 6 vero18s driven by meanwell hlg-185H-c1050a mounted on the 4.85" profile from heatsinkusa.com
The vero18s fit your narrow space better than vero29s. It is possible to add some mono deep reds on a separate string on this heatsink to turn on when your in deep flower. In that case I would use 4K or 3.5K vero18s instead of 3K. meanwell lpc-35-700 to drive the deep reds.

In my 36"x20" tent, under a 400W HPS, with 2 plants/grow, I've been averaging 5.5 oz/plant. Yeah, they are crammed in there, but it works. By moving to the full closet, I should gain 2-3 more inches in depth, which I think will help some. The goal is to grow 4 plants, just to add some variety.

So the 6 vero 18's at 1.05A would be ~184W total draw / ~74 Par W. That is less than half the power than what I had planned out. I would rather err on the side of running "overpowered" with the option to dim. I'm a complete noob to the LED world (though I'm reading/learning all I can)... but, 7 PAR W/sq ft seems under powered. Are you sure that will be sufficient light? (just as a baseline... I understand adding deep reds will add to that total)

With that heat sink you linked, I guess your suggestion is to get one long bar (maybe 60") with 2-3 fans mounted to the top side? Lights running right down the middle of the heat sink?

Thanks for the responses... I appreciate the help/guidance.

 

[nevergoodenuf]

Run the vero 29's at 25 watts each and you are getting 164 lumen per watt @ 25*c. Compare that to the vero 18 at 25 watts you are only getting 140 lumen per watt @ 25*c.

 

[PurpleBuz]

In my 36"x20" tent, under a 400W HPS, with 2 plants/grow, I've been averaging 5.5 oz/plant. Yeah, they are crammed in there, but it works. By moving to the full closet, I should gain 2-3 more inches in depth, which I think will help some. The goal is to grow 4 plants, just to add some variety.

So the 6 vero 18's at 1.05A would be ~184W total draw / ~74 Par W. That is less than half the power than what I had planned out. I would rather err on the side of running "overpowered" with the option to dim. I'm a complete noob to the LED world (though I'm reading/learning all I can)... but, 7 PAR W/sq ft seems under powered. Are you sure that will be sufficient light? (just as a baseline... I understand adding deep reds will add to that total)

With that heat sink you linked, I guess your suggestion is to get one long bar (maybe 60") with 2-3 fans mounted to the top side? Lights running right down the middle of the heat sink?

Thanks for the responses... I appreciate the help/guidance.

you could use two of the vero18s+hlg-185H-C1050a sets. one super long one or two shorter ones. personally I would build one first with the plan to build a second one after its done.

at least one 120mm fan on each heatsink.

 

[CanadianONE]

In my 36"x20" tent, under a 400W HPS, with 2 plants/grow, I've been averaging 5.5 oz/plant. Yeah, they are crammed in there, but it works. By moving to the full closet, I should gain 2-3 more inches in depth, which I think will help some. The goal is to grow 4 plants, just to add some variety.

So the 6 vero 18's at 1.05A would be ~184W total draw / ~74 Par W. That is less than half the power than what I had planned out. I would rather err on the side of running "overpowered" with the option to dim. I'm a complete noob to the LED world (though I'm reading/learning all I can)... but, 7 PAR W/sq ft seems under powered. Are you sure that will be sufficient light? (just as a baseline... I understand adding deep reds will add to that total)

With that heat sink you linked, I guess your suggestion is to get one long bar (maybe 60") with 2-3 fans mounted to the top side? Lights running right down the middle of the heat sink?

Thanks for the responses... I appreciate the help/guidance.

You can run this setup x 2 to get required light. I didn't do the calculations before I agreed lol or as @nevergoodenuf said also run the 29's softer to gain efficiency which will give you some headroom to turn them up.

 

[nevergoodenuf]

I have an L shaped room, so most tray configurations don't allow me to get around my plants, but I have a 9' ceiling. 2 or 3 plants flipped at 12" 3 high up the wall with 100 watts per shelf. Will start a thread later as I get it started, but will be same as the grow in my sig., just 40"x 18" for 100 watts.

 

[nevergoodenuf]

Square chips are not wired in and will be removed when or if I need them. The are Bridgelux dies. The heatsink was enough cooling for 200 watts, is now only cooling 100 watts with the driver mounted outside.

 

[array]

Hi guys, which is a good meanwell driver to run for vero18 at a single driver per cob? I plan to grow in a 2 x 2 ft area, start with 2 vero18s 4000k and add some more later.

 

[CanadianONE]

Hi guys, which is a good meanwell driver to run for vero18 at a single driver per cob? I plan to grow in a 2 x 2 ft area, start with 2 vero18s 4000k and add some more later.

If you plan to run strictly the Vero 18's with no other lighting you will need more then two unless you push them hard (2.1A 33.81% eff)
2' x 2' = 4 ft2 @ 30w/ft2 thats 120 watts required.

Vero 18 4000K @ 2.1A 33.81% efficiency x 2 = 131 dissipated watts (44.29 par watts / 86.71 heat watts)

Vero 18 4000K @ 1.05A 40.55% efficiency x 4 = 122.32 dissipated watts (49.6 par watts / 72.72 heat watts)

 

[CanadianONE]

Couple of options.

APC-35-1050 (1.05A) 84% efficiency

LPC-35-1050 (1.05A) 85% efficient

EDIT: Could also run all 4 from HLG-120H-C1050 (1.05A dimable) 94% efficient

 

[array]

If you plan to run strictly the Vero 18's with no other lighting you will need more then two unless you push them hard (2.1A 33.81% eff)
2' x 2' = 4 ft2 @ 30w/ft2 thats 120 watts required.

Vero 18 4000K @ 2.1A 33.81% efficiency x 2 = 131 dissipated watts (44.29 par watts / 86.71 heat watts)

Vero 18 4000K @ 1.05A 40.55% efficiency x 4 = 122.32 dissipated watts (49.6 par watts / 72.72 heat watts)

I have a small chinese led in there now. It's about 150watts draw power. One of them blurple lights. That's why I want to start with two V18s and then add more if needed. That's the reason for the single drivers as well. Which driver will grow a bigger bud? Thanks CanadianONE

 

[array]

The softer I run the cobs the higher the par watts I get the less heat watts I get. Did I get that correct?