Hadez411
Well-Known Member
Hi,
I'm a Canadian (Ontario) prescription holder and I'm trying to set up a system for a 4x4 grow area with 4 plants. I'm also keeping an open mind to future expansion as I will be applying for a nursery/research license.
My intent is to make an efficient lighting system while remaining behind the price break point for most items. In other words, I want the best lights available that aren't hyped up and over priced. Most of what I see are 2-4$/Watt for pre-assembled COBs/LEDs. I'm aiming to be around 1-1.50$/Watt with a DIY version.
For reference sake, the light I'm building uses the same COB as the MIGRO lights do. There's tons of info on them in their MIGRO youtube channel, comparing them to CREE 3590s. A MIGRO-100 sells for 350$CAD (3.50$/Watt).
From my research I've determined that full spectrum COBs would be the most ideal standalone lighting to have in terms of lumens/W produced, spectrum coverage and longevity. In combination with aeroponics (that's another conversation), this seems like the way to get the most out of your plants in the shortest time. I intend to under-power the COBs for efficiency, passive cooling and longevity. They'd be wired in series, two per power supply. The COBs are 140W (Max 200W) and I intend to run at 100-110W per COB. Please, correct me if I err.
Send links and info if you know of a supplier that has the same or similar items for a lower price, available to Canadians.
I'm looking at buying:
(4) Luminus CXM-32 COBs 3500K (51.69$CAD each on Mouser) (50-56V, max 3.4A, 200Wmax)
(2) ELG-240-C2100A (63.59$CAD each on Mouser) (240W, CC, 57-115V 2100ma w/ pot)
(4) Cutter HS125SQSPLAY (41.75$CAD each on cutter electronics) (125mmx125mm pin fin, rated for 125W apparently)
(PDF specs attached, I couldn't share links)
It works out to about 550$CAD for 400-440W at the wall. Roughly 1.25$-1.37$/W.
Now I have a few questions that I haven't been able to answer easily and some that I could just use more opinions on:
Is there anything wrong with choosing Luminus CXM cobs? My main concern is a diminishing return on Lumens/W.
Am I better off buying CXM-22 cobs (45W, ~20$ each) and making light bars out of them in regards to light penetration, distribution and lumens/W? I read a lot about having your lights as close as possible and this would allow that. However, I sort of like the idea of having bigger lights with longer distances and having to move them a little less often. Opinions?
Are there any other cheap suppliers of pin fin heat sinks big enough for 100W applications? It seems like the price per heat sink goes up disproportionately when they get larger, was this a weighing factor for anyone deciding to go with 40-50W COBS instead of 100W cobs>?
The ELG-240-C2100A power supply says it's rated for 240W, but when I look in the specs it says the power output is only 180W on 100-180 VAC input. My wall is 120VAC I believe so am I only going to get about 180W? Also, if my understanding of electronics is correct, this power supply should power two of these COBs in series, at or near 100W right?
If anyone knows of a cheaper way to power these COBs, I'm all ears. I've even looked at soldering chip board AC-DC converters with a rectifier but it seems like MeanWELL achieves an efficiency I wouldn't be able to attain on my own. In the long run the electricity cost would over match the savings, imo. Thoughts?
I notice people buy multiple light color temperatures sometimes, is there any significant benefit to using temperatures other than 3500k?
Should I get a lens for the COB? I haven't been able to find a PPFD map of this cob with and without a lens. Suggestions for type and supplier are welcome. Are COBs susceptible to water vapor damage/oxidization if left exposed?
I'm guessing that I can spread my light wider and get more even coverage by using a wide angle lens. But how wide and at what cost in terms of overall PPFD? (MIGRO uses "90 degree borosilicate glass lense with diffuser for maximum penetration")
Do lenses affect far red light at 700-800nm? The most cutting edge research indicates that this range increases leaf size and therefore photosynthesis capacity in the end.
I'm a Canadian (Ontario) prescription holder and I'm trying to set up a system for a 4x4 grow area with 4 plants. I'm also keeping an open mind to future expansion as I will be applying for a nursery/research license.
My intent is to make an efficient lighting system while remaining behind the price break point for most items. In other words, I want the best lights available that aren't hyped up and over priced. Most of what I see are 2-4$/Watt for pre-assembled COBs/LEDs. I'm aiming to be around 1-1.50$/Watt with a DIY version.
For reference sake, the light I'm building uses the same COB as the MIGRO lights do. There's tons of info on them in their MIGRO youtube channel, comparing them to CREE 3590s. A MIGRO-100 sells for 350$CAD (3.50$/Watt).
From my research I've determined that full spectrum COBs would be the most ideal standalone lighting to have in terms of lumens/W produced, spectrum coverage and longevity. In combination with aeroponics (that's another conversation), this seems like the way to get the most out of your plants in the shortest time. I intend to under-power the COBs for efficiency, passive cooling and longevity. They'd be wired in series, two per power supply. The COBs are 140W (Max 200W) and I intend to run at 100-110W per COB. Please, correct me if I err.
Send links and info if you know of a supplier that has the same or similar items for a lower price, available to Canadians.
I'm looking at buying:
(4) Luminus CXM-32 COBs 3500K (51.69$CAD each on Mouser) (50-56V, max 3.4A, 200Wmax)
(2) ELG-240-C2100A (63.59$CAD each on Mouser) (240W, CC, 57-115V 2100ma w/ pot)
(4) Cutter HS125SQSPLAY (41.75$CAD each on cutter electronics) (125mmx125mm pin fin, rated for 125W apparently)
(PDF specs attached, I couldn't share links)
It works out to about 550$CAD for 400-440W at the wall. Roughly 1.25$-1.37$/W.
Now I have a few questions that I haven't been able to answer easily and some that I could just use more opinions on:
Is there anything wrong with choosing Luminus CXM cobs? My main concern is a diminishing return on Lumens/W.
Am I better off buying CXM-22 cobs (45W, ~20$ each) and making light bars out of them in regards to light penetration, distribution and lumens/W? I read a lot about having your lights as close as possible and this would allow that. However, I sort of like the idea of having bigger lights with longer distances and having to move them a little less often. Opinions?
Are there any other cheap suppliers of pin fin heat sinks big enough for 100W applications? It seems like the price per heat sink goes up disproportionately when they get larger, was this a weighing factor for anyone deciding to go with 40-50W COBS instead of 100W cobs>?
The ELG-240-C2100A power supply says it's rated for 240W, but when I look in the specs it says the power output is only 180W on 100-180 VAC input. My wall is 120VAC I believe so am I only going to get about 180W? Also, if my understanding of electronics is correct, this power supply should power two of these COBs in series, at or near 100W right?
If anyone knows of a cheaper way to power these COBs, I'm all ears. I've even looked at soldering chip board AC-DC converters with a rectifier but it seems like MeanWELL achieves an efficiency I wouldn't be able to attain on my own. In the long run the electricity cost would over match the savings, imo. Thoughts?
I notice people buy multiple light color temperatures sometimes, is there any significant benefit to using temperatures other than 3500k?
Should I get a lens for the COB? I haven't been able to find a PPFD map of this cob with and without a lens. Suggestions for type and supplier are welcome. Are COBs susceptible to water vapor damage/oxidization if left exposed?
I'm guessing that I can spread my light wider and get more even coverage by using a wide angle lens. But how wide and at what cost in terms of overall PPFD? (MIGRO uses "90 degree borosilicate glass lense with diffuser for maximum penetration")
Do lenses affect far red light at 700-800nm? The most cutting edge research indicates that this range increases leaf size and therefore photosynthesis capacity in the end.
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