Mau5Capades: builds & grow journal
- Thread starter Growmau5
- Start date
Growmau5
Well-Known Member
it was me waiting and waiting to find time to build the light before I flowered them. i started them super tall . not intentional, but I had to roll with it.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Gotcha. I'm planning to vert ScrOG the shit out of my plants just before putting them in front of the wall o' COBs, and I'm trying to work out the canopy.
What would you say is an ideal COB to canopy distance? I'm currently planning to run 80 degree lenses, I'm sure that makes a difference.
a mongo frog
Well-Known Member
So how much veg time would you say was involved here? Congratulations on the harvest.
pop22
Well-Known Member
you can place blue SMD strip lights directly the the stem of the plant. Don't remember reading of it affecting flowering this way.
Growmau5
Well-Known Member
@ttystikk with these 80 deg lenses, I am going to try 16-18" next time. 24" was too high above, but I had to due to uneven canopy
@a mongo frog the target was my typical 4 weeks, but these babies went 6 weeks. & that is after being WELL rooted in 3" rockwool sitting under an xml2 strip.
@a mongo frog the target was my typical 4 weeks, but these babies went 6 weeks. & that is after being WELL rooted in 3" rockwool sitting under an xml2 strip.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
That's exactly what I came up with, thanks.
nogod_
Well-Known Member
There's another comparison I'd like to see......
Up front cost. Seems like what is scaring folks away from copying this is how much it costs to get a project like this off the ground and how long it will take to see a reasonable ROI.
Are you sticking with this setup?
You are awesome, sir. Sad that SDS waned when you waxed...would have loved to see my two favorite posters under one roof.
Keep it up!
Up front cost. Seems like what is scaring folks away from copying this is how much it costs to get a project like this off the ground and how long it will take to see a reasonable ROI.
Are you sticking with this setup?
You are awesome, sir. Sad that SDS waned when you waxed...would have loved to see my two favorite posters under one roof.
Keep it up!
PDX Joe
Well-Known Member
Hey Growmau5,
I've been keeping up with your COB build videos and of course you're getting a lot of props over on The Dude Grows. Anyway, I'm working on my own COB grow light and have a quick question. Should one wire an inline fuse between the LED driver and LEDs? I saw someone mention this in one of the threads. Or should one install a fuse where the AC power cord comes into the AC terminal block/ splitter? Or is a fuse even really necessary? I will be running 4 CXB3590 in series off of one HLG185H-C1400. The COBs will be attached to 4 Alpine 64 Plus and run with a Mean Well APV 12-12.
Thanks!
Growmau5
Well-Known Member
Thanks nogod_ that really means alot, I enjoy your posts as well. I have never thought of myself as a cheap guy, but I do try to watch my budget. My A-hole puckered up something fierce when I got my quote back from Jerry. Coming up with $2600-2700 for this setup all at once hurt me for a while. As in PBJs for dinner for a month, lol.
As far as ROI, it's going to be so variable based on state, market, etc. It made sense for me based on my city's price per KWH and other economic factors.
And what everyone wants to know. am i happy at 700ma, and am I going to stay there? the short answer is, not enough data to make that call based on one good run.
my current strains are just ok IMO, I don't think I would cut it in a competitive market. Let me see how this second run goes with better genetics like Exotic's Cherry cream pie. I think I will be happier with 1.2 gpw of top shelf than a shit load of mids like I just grew. But that is my fault for running that strain, not the light or the drive current's fault.
cheers
Growmau5
Well-Known Member
Hey Joe, the fuse idea is more for people running parallel wiring configs, I personally don't worry about it on the AC or DC side. Meanwell drivers have several safe guards to protect against shorts. But safety is always a good idea, esp when using CPU coolers that are highly dependent on its fan operating. I would suggest a thermal switch inline.
Can anyone ( @robincnn ) direct Joe to the thread where they were talking about thermal switches? I have never actually installed one, I am ashamed to say.
PDX Joe
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the link!
PDX Joe
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the help!
robincnn
Well-Known Member
@PDX Joe
On DC side not much to worry. Meanwell great design. In meanwell test they short circuit DC side for over an hour and driver still works. Plenty of protection on DC side.
Usually we use Constant current driver and it is not like DC output will jump crazy high current if short.
For high power constant voltage driver like the hlg 185/240/320 42/36. It might be good to use a 2 or 3 amp fuse to protect each cobs incase one or more cob in parallel fails and your remaining cobs get excessive current.
On AC side I think connecting ground important. A fuse would be nice too. But on AC there is high inrush current. So use a 'slow blow' type fuse if you want of slightly higher rating like 10 amps.
A fast blow 2or 5 amp may blow due to inrush current.
About thermal protector.
If metal encased thermal protector then very careful and avoid this mistake.
http://rollitup.org/t/pictures-of-your-diy-lights-post-your-pics.871625/page-22#post-12059686
I prefer plastic encased thermal protectors.
Unfortunately many of these thermal protectors are rated too low for DC. Discrimination against DC
Example 125VAC 8A but only 24 VDC 8A
They are very well suitable to be connected to dimming in drivers as it is between 10-12v and very low currents.
Never tried them on AC side. But they seem more suited for AC side than DC side, which is usually 25-40v for popular cobs
Normally open type better for meanwell dimming.
Normally closed for AC or cob DC side
@Growmau5 I have some extra normally open types 55C cutoff thermal protectors
Great for dimming light incase overheat due to fan fail in active cool design. PM me if you want a few to play around. If you like you can make a video to explain how it works.
On DC side not much to worry. Meanwell great design. In meanwell test they short circuit DC side for over an hour and driver still works. Plenty of protection on DC side.
Usually we use Constant current driver and it is not like DC output will jump crazy high current if short.
For high power constant voltage driver like the hlg 185/240/320 42/36. It might be good to use a 2 or 3 amp fuse to protect each cobs incase one or more cob in parallel fails and your remaining cobs get excessive current.
On AC side I think connecting ground important. A fuse would be nice too. But on AC there is high inrush current. So use a 'slow blow' type fuse if you want of slightly higher rating like 10 amps.
A fast blow 2or 5 amp may blow due to inrush current.
About thermal protector.
If metal encased thermal protector then very careful and avoid this mistake.
http://rollitup.org/t/pictures-of-your-diy-lights-post-your-pics.871625/page-22#post-12059686
I prefer plastic encased thermal protectors.
Unfortunately many of these thermal protectors are rated too low for DC. Discrimination against DC
Example 125VAC 8A but only 24 VDC 8A
They are very well suitable to be connected to dimming in drivers as it is between 10-12v and very low currents.
Never tried them on AC side. But they seem more suited for AC side than DC side, which is usually 25-40v for popular cobs
Normally open type better for meanwell dimming.
Normally closed for AC or cob DC side
@Growmau5 I have some extra normally open types 55C cutoff thermal protectors
Great for dimming light incase overheat due to fan fail in active cool design. PM me if you want a few to play around. If you like you can make a video to explain how it works.
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organic-fanatic
Active Member
Very impressive,
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, experience and data.
Now that you have successfully grown under several lighting systems (hps, spdr, cree + spdr, & cree)& have shown the yield potential.
Could you comment on any noticeable differences in quality, density ect...with these lighting systems ?
thank you, i look forward to all your future posts and videos.
Mary's Confidant
Well-Known Member
Also just want to say thanks. I know all of the congratulatory messages can become white noise but your videos and replies have been illuminating and empowering.
It's all very appreciated. Hope to contribute back soon and show what you've helped create.
It's all very appreciated. Hope to contribute back soon and show what you've helped create.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
I'm sure I'm not alone in saying I'm really looking forward to what you have to share!