D.i.y. led for small grow

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by G-bo, Jul 19, 2015.

  1. Hi folks,
    I would like to build a small L.E.D. light to cover veg and bloom
    in a 34 x 23 inch closet.Just a couple plants but they will be mainlined and
    have 8 tops per plant.Most likely will go with cree or vero any one have any
    opinions as to which lights (output and spectrum) would be best suited for this
    project,thanks guys appreciate any help you could send me,Cheers.

     
  2. You might want to check out heavenbright. He offers modules @r $50. 2-3 would do well in that space




    Tell him I sent you

     
  3. Hey Peflora,
    Thanks for the reply and I will check that out.
    Really am set on making my own tho,thanks.

     
  4. Hey mate, you and me both.


    Vero 29's running light on around 1400mah seems to be tits for dollar to W/Lumen ratio.


    im looking at 4000k vero 29's or 18's mostly due to cost and easy mounting.


    keen to know how you go about it, keep a list of costs and parts :) ill compare mine when i invest :)
     
  5. Roger that,
    kind of leaning towards vero too for the same reasons.
    My biggest hurtle right now is knowing which way to go concerning lights.
    If I understand correctly weaker power led's (say 3 or 5 watt) do
    not penetrate the canopy very well.I would like to have something
    comparable to a 400 watt hps just not sure how to get there.Have some
    time today so I will see what I can find out.Cheers.

     
  6. Hey G-Bo!
    you should go with some Veros, I would suggest the 18s since they are cheaper and it is easier to find cheap drivers for them (in my experience), Vero 29 would also be great but a bit more expensive and nearing the 40V they require, it gets a bit harder to find the drivers.


    For a full spectrum, I would go with mostly 3000k and 5000k with a couple of 4000k. (3:1 ratio of 3000K : 5000K for flowering and opposite for veg).


    You can make it easily at the 1$/W (and that's in Canadian!! so .85$/W USD hahaha) mark with the Vero 18s and run them a bit harder around 1.2-1.5A (nominal is 1.05A). The arctic Alpine GT rev 2 heatsink is great, around 10$ and is rated for 70W of power so running the Vero18s at 1.5A will be kept almost at ambient temps.


    For a 400W comparative, I think you could easily do it with 200-250W with the Veros, They are bright as F**k!




    If you have a bit more tooling at home, like a press drill and a Tap and Die kit, you could drill and tap the heat sinks to mount them with screws. For me I used some Arctic Silver Thermal adhesive and it works like a charm!




    I loved making my Vero DIY light, easy and very satisfying to have a light that strong that you made on your own!!
     
  7. Yo--Yomandude,
    That awesome that you built your own.Will check out the vero's for sure.
    Had a small monetary setback here but hope to order some parts real soon.

    thanks again Yomandude that info is priceless and just what I needed.Cheers.



     
  8. The great thing if you use Veros with their own heatsink and driver is you can build them one by one if funds are low :p


    I started with 3 Vero18s to test out, now I got four more coming my way! but the ebay chinese drivers take for ever to get shipped... lol
     
  9. Roger that Yomandude,
    You are obviously happy with your lights.
    I'm sold ,I will be placing an order at Newark (canadian dist.) for some
    vero 18's next week.
    Hope you'll be around Yoman as I'm sure I'll have more
    questions before I get this built.


    Thanks again dude,ttyl.Cheers.



     
  10. #10 REALSTYLES, Jul 26, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 26, 2015
  11. Hey Realstyles,
    thanks for that link,had a quick boo and it looks pretty awesome.
    Going to check out your diy led tutorial now.
    thanks again,Cheers.

     
  12. Yeah kingbrite is pretty good!

    Its just too bad they don't have any vero 18s :(

    Theres also digikey.com that is pretty good
     
  13. I think it's also worth mentioning that KingBrite can also sell you some Meanwell drivers, and they are the High voltage output type! :) So you could ultimately save some shipping fees from ordering everything from him.

     
  14. thanks Yoman
    Sounds like a plan,will hopefully be ordering next week.Cheers.

     
  15. Hey, hows it going?

    I just wanted to show you the progress on my light, and if you wanted some design inspiration :p

    I simply screwed the four heatsinks to two aluminium L bars.

    I will be sticking the leds on tonight and start the wiring, will keep you updated :)
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Hey Yo-man,
    Looking good there bro.Unfortunately my plans have been put on hold for now.
    Hopefully not for too long tho.
    That's great idea with the two bars.You're using the vero 18's correct?
    How many ladies will you be able to cover with that bad boy?
    I'm only growing 2 mainlined ladies w/8tops each.I'm thinkin this looks like
    the cat's ass for me.Assuming ya got your drivers?Would love to get your parts
    list when I'm ready to order.
    Regardless thanks for the update Yo-man.Let us know how she fires up.Cheers.







     
  17. Yeah these will be made with Vero 18s. I've got 4 of them with 4x 1.5A drivers. So all in all it will be running at roughly 180W. It would probably be plenty to cover 2 plants. I really don't know how many I will be covering with this because I have big ones and I have small ones :p. I will have that 180W, my other 110W and a 200W solarflare (165W actual) in a 4x4 tent. So in total about 455W, which gets me to 28W per square foot, which is stll a bit low IMO but at least I will be getting some good budz!
    If I can get her done tonight I will definitely post some pictures! :)
     
  18. Yomandude, how's the growing going? Was looking threads on how to build a light and I like yours for the budget I have. How many vero 18s can you attach to a driver? How far do the cobs have to be from one another? Will 3000k and 4000k together do it in veg and flower?
     
  19. #19 ShouldBeLegalInWA, Aug 31, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 31, 2015
    Man, go the Vero 29 [​IMG]


    I did, 3 x 4000k @ 10500Lumens @ 75W~. Total wattage is 225W and around 260~ from the wall.
    They each have there own 75W Samsung driver. Got the lot from Digi-Key, dimmable from 5000-10500Lumens and anywhere inbetween.


    Cost was a bit more than i would have liked around 300. But I got some real LED power and it sure does show!


    take a look at my thread [​IMG]


    and btw for that 300, i built 4 lights, one is seperate for the mother cab when it gets rebuilt.


    EDIT was 380 total cost, add another 30 for heatsinks and pots and wiring odds and ends...
     
  20. I'll look into the 29s. Thanks
     

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