Want a DIY 730-740nm light, just need alot of help

medicinehuman

Well-Known Member
Hey fellers, I am looking to try and put together a far red sleep light for my plant's but have no Idea on how to or what to do. Just was reading about how the CXA's are lacking in that zone(730-740nm) I have 4 plants in flower at pretty much all times, each with 2 cobs feeding each of them. Would appreciate any input on what I would need and how to go about it. Pictures and instructions are always welcome. Just need economy version with quality parts if possible. :?:
 

bicit

Well-Known Member
Thanks bicit, do you have any idea how many of each I will need for 4 plants in two different cabinets.
I think one set for each cabinet depending on the size should be about right. I'm drawing a blank on which member has been experimenting with 730nm and I don't have time to look it up, or I'd reference that, Sorry. I'd nestle them right between the cobs.

You can drive up too 4 of those leds with each of those power supplies. However I think that would be massive overkill.
 

churchhaze

Well-Known Member
Imo, 1x 730nm doesn't distribute as well as 3x 730nm at 1/3 the power each. That's why I like the aluminum bar with 3 leds on it.

My latest project might get 1 730nm LED per panel. I'm not sure how I will work that out, but I need more 730nm leds now in one way or another..
 

PurpleBuz

Well-Known Member
I checked the indagro pontoon, only stat i could find is 6.6 watt with a 1.1 amp battery pack. so I'm guessing about 6 vdc to cover a 4x4 area ?

I think I'll try a 3+ foot aluminum bar with 3 730 nm leds to cover a 2x4 foot area.
should I run it at 350 or 700mA ?
 

AquariusPanta

Well-Known Member
I spent like 3 hours earlier today looking around for infrared LED's on digikey and mouser, all either low powered/priced or mid-powered/overpriced.

I just about started a thread on the very subject this thread beckons so I'm glad you beat me to it MedicineMon :-o

How about UVB LEDs; is it practical and feasible to apply them to a panel? They seem way overpriced... but I like extra resin on my greens :weed:
 

medicinehuman

Well-Known Member
I spent like 3 hours earlier today looking around for infrared LED's on digikey and mouser, all either low powered/priced or mid-powered/overpriced.

I just about started a thread on the very subject this thread beckons so I'm glad you beat me to it MedicineMon :-o

How about UVB LEDs; is it practical and feasible to apply them to a panel? They seem way overpriced... but I like extra resin on my greens :weed:
I use those 26w UVB lizard lights with reflectors. Ebay was cheapest that I found. I have 3 beating down on one plant a Money Maker.
Thanks Captain, I have a2x4 cabinet and a 2x3 foot cabinet, 2 sounds like enough for each cabinet, would they be passively cooled?
 

AquariusPanta

Well-Known Member
I checked the indagro pontoon, only stat i could find is 6.6 watt with a 1.1 amp battery pack. so I'm guessing about 6 vdc to cover a 4x4 area ?

I think I'll try a 3+ foot aluminum bar with 3 730 nm leds to cover a 2x4 foot area.
should I run it at 350 or 700mA ?
The more LEDs, the better. If your gonna run them for ~10 minutes before nighttime, I don't see a reason not to run them full fledged.

I believe church's reasoning of this is that the more coverage you can afford, the better, regardless of penetration.

If you roll with 3x 730's, you could use the $15 driver CaptN and use it in series. That would mean the amperage from the driver to and through your 3x LEDs would remain at 700mA, while distributing 1.8-2.0 volts to each LED, leaving you with an extra volt or two for your driver to sit on (rated at 3-8 vF). If I'm wrong about this, let me know!
 

AquariusPanta

Well-Known Member
I use those 26w UVB lizard lights with reflectors. Ebay was cheapest that I found. I have 3 beating down on one plant a Money Maker.

Thanks Captain, I have a2x4 cabinet and a 2x3 foot cabinet, 2 sounds like enough for each cabinet, would they be passively cooled?
I came across those UVB's before, just didn't know if LEDs had come around or not. Any results? Three seems like a lot for one plant lol.

I believe the lower powered LEDs, like the 1.25watt @ 700mA infrareds, would be ok on a slab of aluminum without a fan but I could be wrong about this. I have smaller LEDs for display (for decking out my ride) and they don't run any heat. Remember, your going to be running the infrared for ~10minutes PER day.
 

medicinehuman

Well-Known Member
The more LEDs, the better. If your gonna run them for ~10 minutes before nighttime, I don't see a reason not to run them full fledged.

I believe church's reasoning of this is that the more coverage you can afford, the better, regardless of penetration.

If you roll with 3x 730's, you could use the $15 driver CaptN and use it in series. That would mean the amperage from the driver to and through your 3x LEDs would remain at 700mA, while distributing 1.8-2.0 volts to each LED, leaving you with an extra volt or two for your driver to sit on (rated at 3-8 vF). If I'm wrong about this, let me know!
That sounds reasonable, 3 is probably not an overkill.
 

medicinehuman

Well-Known Member
I came across those UVB's before, just didn't know if LEDs had come around or not. Any results? Three seems like a lot for one plant lol.

I believe the lower powered LEDs, like the 1.25watt @ 700mA infrareds, would be ok on a slab of aluminum without a fan but I could be wrong about this. I have smaller LEDs for display (for decking out my ride) and they don't run any heat. Remember, your going to be running the infrared for ~10minutes PER day.
I read a study by marijuana man and they concluded that 3 26w 10.0 UVB Lights would or could increase resin up to 30% more. I think it was marijuana man. Supra or someone had a link to it about 6-8 months ago.
 

AquariusPanta

Well-Known Member
3x 26W 10% (20~30% UVA) UVB CFL's increases ~30% produced resin?! Maybe I'll board that train again..

I was looking around FastTech, wasn't satisfied with the mentioned drivers. I came across: http://www.fasttech.com/products/1612/10001425/1110711-12v-1x3w-high-power-constant-current-led-driver

It would handle 2x of those infrared quite well and at the recommended amperage (~700mA). It does however carry with it an interesting review that anyone should read before reading it. I'm under the impression that if you use 2-4x infrareds, that the driver wouldn't heat up too much but I could be mistaken. CaptN or Chaze may know what it means in regards to our proposed application.
 

AquariusPanta

Well-Known Member
With the driver I mentioned, I suppose one would need a 12V source for input rather than any given wall jack. It would basically need be powered like a cooling fan, using any sort of converter to protect it from the overbearing voltage that comes from within the walls...
 

medicinehuman

Well-Known Member
With the driver I mentioned, I suppose one would need a 12V source for input rather than any given wall jack. It would basically need be powered like a cooling fan, using any sort of converter to protect it from the overbearing voltage that comes from within the walls...
O.K. It's not a AC-DC unit?
 

AquariusPanta

Well-Known Member
O.K. It's not a AC-DC unit?
I guess not - DC/DC maybe? I'm still new with drivers. Instead, I'd rather choose http://shop.stevesleds.com/1-3W-LED-driver-1-3W.htm . It could handle 2x of the infrared but no more. They also offer a cord/plug for quick attachment. The 6" cubed heat sink is cheap, like $1.50. You probably wouldn't need fans for 10minute intervals...

So your looking at an under $40 investment, including shipping with SteveLEDs
 
Top