Ok folks need some guidance help can't make up the mind..

So here goes I use a 150 HPS in a 3x3 tent.. Temps are fine I run a cooltube, I think this is such a weak ass light I can't even get a ounce off 1 plant.

So I been thinking of going the cob route. I have wire and solder exp so thats not the issue.
My issue is what is the absolute recommended parts to buy and cheapest route. I just need to produce enough for me and the lady to enjoy on a perpetual. I am not cultivating huge plants just 1 at a time in flower. Just started learning the lollipop which looks good ill post some pictures.

I know we have Cree and Vero and also the Citizens.
I would like the absolute cheapest and best bargain for a 2x2 tent I will have 2 tents at same size.
I am taking down my 3x3 and 150 hps due to space. I am in a closet lol so fan noise and stuff gets crazy at night lol apartment go figure.

So can the community here help me out so I can purchase now also I was looking at grabbing some parts from the alibaba so help me out thanks.

I will be building 2 led boxes 1 for veg and 1 for flower and remember small grow nothing monster for the streets its just for me and the lady thanks.
 

sixstring2112

Well-Known Member
Vero setup like this runs about 270 bucks plus whatever frame you build and works awesome over a 2.5 x 3.these are top of the line heatsinks and 50v vero cobs.i think you can buy a complete kit with shitizen cobs for around 300bucks with 4 x cobs heatsinks and driver plus all your wiring color coded from timbergrowlights.com as well.
20161219_213909.jpg

Imo,dont go cheap.do it right and do it once :)
 

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
kushmaticjoe, you would need a 400w hps to cover a 3x3 properly so no surprise your not having much luck with only 150w, it would be great for a smaller areas.
Citizen is cheaper but not in a shit way. I would buy USA because between all the guys on here that advertise they are all competitive price wise, timber for pre built or kits, northerngrowlight or cobkits for DIY.
If you do go through Alibaba then kingbrite is tried and tested and sell cree and citizen, possibly others, not sure. They are good prices, as I say factor in import and delivery and USA stuff is just as cheap.

Something else to consider before you get it built, you can just get rid of your fans and filters just because you go COBs. But you may be able to isolate, insulate and lower the fan speed to minimise the noise created.

Have a word with @robincnn (northerngrowlights), @RainDan (timber), @CobKits see what you can come up with. I would of thought 150w in 2x2 would smash it out of the park, might even be a bit overkill. If you are happy to build it then money will be saved.

Good luck man and welcome to RIU
 
Vero setup like this runs about 270 bucks plus whatever frame you build and works awesome over a 2.5 x 3.these are top of the line heatsinks and 50v vero cobs.i think you can buy a complete kit with shitizen cobs for around 300bucks with 4 x cobs heatsinks and driver plus all your wiring color coded from timbergrowlights.com as well.
View attachment 3881067

Imo,dont go cheap.do it right and do it once :)
Holy fuck grower...that's a nice light you have there. Me want to build!
 
So here goes I use a 150 HPS in a 3x3 tent.. Temps are fine I run a cooltube, I think this is such a weak ass light I can't even get a ounce off 1 plant.

So I been thinking of going the cob route. I have wire and solder exp so thats not the issue.
My issue is what is the absolute recommended parts to buy and cheapest route. I just need to produce enough for me and the lady to enjoy on a perpetual. I am not cultivating huge plants just 1 at a time in flower. Just started learning the lollipop which looks good ill post some pictures.

I know we have Cree and Vero and also the Citizens.
I would like the absolute cheapest and best bargain for a 2x2 tent I will have 2 tents at same size.
I am taking down my 3x3 and 150 hps due to space. I am in a closet lol so fan noise and stuff gets crazy at night lol apartment go figure.

So can the community here help me out so I can purchase now also I was looking at grabbing some parts from the alibaba so help me out thanks.

I will be building 2 led boxes 1 for veg and 1 for flower and remember small grow nothing monster for the streets its just for me and the lady thanks.
That would save you a few things. (Heat is lower so humidity is controlled better which in turn = less bugs and mold. ...My no name cheapo LEDs have less output than the bigger names. But my personal grow is for calm, pleasure and for medicine...not selling. My modest 810 watts for a 6'Lx2'Dx6'H budding box usually had one plant up till now. I've been practicing taking cuttings, vegging and plant trimming in budding at a friend's while waiting for that PPL.
I hung it on the wall and we brought all my practice plants over. (bin of cuttings, a few struggling clones in their first container, 2 herbs in their second week of vegging, 2 that were budding starting last week and 2 just starting budding this week). I didn't have seeds waiting...I had a bunch of plants at the ready.
 

Closet-Gardenholic

Well-Known Member
Vero setup like this runs about 270 bucks plus whatever frame you build and works awesome over a 2.5 x 3.these are top of the line heatsinks and 50v vero cobs.i think you can buy a complete kit with shitizen cobs for around 300bucks with 4 x cobs heatsinks and driver plus all your wiring color coded from timbergrowlights.com as well.
View attachment 3881067

Imo,dont go cheap.do it right and do it once :)
Love this light man! Your wiring looks very professional. I'm hoping to mimic the wiring setup you use here when I build mine in a week or so.

What guage wire did you use? Did you solder anywhere, or all wagos?

I ordered the b driver, but since this will be for flowering and the last week or two of veg, I'm just going to cap the wires for more power. (Thanks for the tip)

I'm hoping mine comes out half as professional as yours lol
 

sixstring2112

Well-Known Member
Love this light man! Your wiring looks very professional. I'm hoping to mimic the wiring setup you use here when I build mine in a week or so.

What guage wire did you use? Did you solder anywhere, or all wagos?

I ordered the b driver, but since this will be for flowering and the last week or two of veg, I'm just going to cap the wires for more power. (Thanks for the tip)

I'm hoping mine comes out half as professional as yours lol
I used the ez-mate vero connection on the cob side and just used the 5 way wago connection for attaching cobs to driver.im not in love with those ez-mate connection too small imo.the cree cob with ideal holders is much nicer.i have some bender-wirth holders i just got from ngl that look heavy duty as well.the new version vero coming soon are said to have built in connection, would be nice.i use 18ga awg solid wire on a 500ft spool i got from grainger,think it was 45 bucks but i have built like 10 or 11 fixtures and still have a shitload of wire left :)
 

Closet-Gardenholic

Well-Known Member
I used the ez-mate vero connection on the cob side and just used the 5 way wago connection for attaching cobs to driver.im not in love with those ez-mate connection too small imo.the cree cob with ideal holders is much nicer.i have some bender-wirth holders i just got from ngl that look heavy duty as well.the new version vero coming soon are said to have built in connection, would be nice.i use 18ga awg solid wire on a 500ft spool i got from grainger,think it was 45 bucks but i have built like 10 or 11 fixtures and still have a shitload of wire left :)
I am getting the SE version with the poke-in wire connectors. This should be the simplicity of the Cree but without the need for an additional holder. I will grab some wago connectors for the driver connections and 18 guage wire for between the COBs. Other than that, the only things I can imagine I'll need are thermal paste, and a power cord. Do you use wagos to cap your B drivers?
 

sixstring2112

Well-Known Member
I am getting the SE version with the poke-in wire connectors. This should be the simplicity of the Cree but without the need for an additional holder. I will grab some wago connectors for the driver connections and 18 guage wire for between the COBs. Other than that, the only things I can imagine I'll need are thermal paste, and a power cord. Do you use wagos to cap your B drivers?
Sometimes yes i use a wago to cap the dim leads.i have about 50% of my fixtures on dim knobs and the other half capped off with either wago or just electric tape and a wire nut.someday im hoping these will all be on a dim controller.
 

Closet-Gardenholic

Well-Known Member
I used the ez-mate vero connection on the cob side and just used the 5 way wago connection for attaching cobs to driver.im not in love with those ez-mate connection too small imo.the cree cob with ideal holders is much nicer.i have some bender-wirth holders i just got from ngl that look heavy duty as well.the new version vero coming soon are said to have built in connection, would be nice.i use 18ga awg solid wire on a 500ft spool i got from grainger,think it was 45 bucks but i have built like 10 or 11 fixtures and still have a shitload of wire left :)
IMG_2032.PNG

These guys! I can't wait to try them out. They are available on digikey and other online Sellers are getting them (RapidLED, Cutter, etc)
 

Closet-Gardenholic

Well-Known Member
Yeah once rapidled gets some i will most definitely try a few out.they been good to me on the last couple cree orders,here in 3 days or less
He's getting me 6 of those 140x70mm pin heatsinks and the 320h driver 1400 shipped for about $215, CA to New England. Those things are heavy too. It's cool that he's in the U.S and a one stop shop.

So far I'm at about $375 for COBs, Driver and Heatsinks. My frame should be $20-$30. I should come in right around my $400 budget for a custom 18"x36" 2x3 COB 300 watt fixture. Not too shabby!
 

Closet-Gardenholic

Well-Known Member
Vero 29 with built in push wire holder. Numbers in datasheet look the same as Gen7. Will try these
only issue i see is Ledil reflector may not work with Vero 29 SE.
From what I hear, they will need new optics holders and lead times are high. I think they look like an awesome item to get in. Everyone wants the easiest most streamlined process.
 
Top