There is a lot of interest in LED growlights and for good reason they are highly efficient, but you know whats better? they r fun and easy to build, not to mention pretty cheap to DIY compared to HPS(based on $ per ppf)
I have threads on those "other" gardening sites which I will copy and paste info out of but will keep this one very simple and not go into the tech stuff too much. Instead I will share some youtube vids of how to assemble and give a few of the best options for us pepper heads to start with. I you do come across my other threads( you will know by the way I type and if you do a google search) plz don't post my alter identity openly here or I would have to close my account and delete all my threads for security reasons which would be a shame for others who will miss out on this info-you can pm me or post in those forums, thanks
I'm going to make some assumptions about you, the reader(if this is not you dont be offended it's just the premise for communication I'm working off): you grow peppers and your not an electrical engineer but you dont mind drilling and possible using a soldering iron if you absolutely have to but you dont wanna go and buy any tools for this project and you want to do it as cheaply and easily as possible. For light recomendations I am assuming you will run your lights 16-18hrs per day and you believe in science so will want a DLI of 18-20+ to fruit and 14-18 for Veg /indoors preseason/seedlings which translates into 310-400ppfd+ for flower(obviously more the better but we aint all as rich as scrooge mcduck) and around 180-250ppfd for veg which is tricky to convert into Lumens because it depends on the efficiency of the chip but we can estimate that 2800-3500+( I honestly think 3000 is the min you should consider) Lumens per sq ft is in the flower range and 1200-1800+ Lumens per sq ft for veg.( this is assuming white LEDs that put out all light within PAR spectrum)
there are plenty of videos on youtube about this but this guy goes slow and uses screws and grease to mount(the only mounting option to consider with high power leds[10w and up]) so its very similar to what we are doing(obviously we are not using the exact same chips) go ahead and watch the first 2 episodes
1)to Build your led grow-light you will need:
Chip(s)
Driver(s)
Heatsink(s)
Bits/tools: screws, wire, TIM(see mechanical design) drill and/or soldering iron(see mechanical design)
2)to choose your parts first select your chips then drivers then heatsinks( this will absolutly make your life easier and avoid ending up with the wrong parts)
I wont say too much about matching components or anything techy(post below if u have questions) ill just provide some decent builds for cheap
Think of these as DIY LED GROWLIGHT KITS, you buy the parts from the links and assemble them yourself
A quick note on design parameters:
1:In all these builds we will be using 40% or more efficient white LEDs and aim for 140Lumens per watt as a minimum and will be aiming for a slightly blue-er spectrum to promote shorter bushier plants.
2:we will be using passive cooling(that is without fans to aid the heatsink-with fans on these sinks heat dissipation will increase exponentially)
3: all designs will be modular so that you can scale them up as needed but more importantly so that you can hand the lights where they are needed in your garden regardless of shape/size
Build Kit #1
the ' I'm not in America ' Kit for Indoor Fruiting
Includes Veg/Bloom mode and is dimmable ( addition parts needed)
[Price: $142.63] [Skills Required: Drilling] [Tools Required: Drill (no soldering needed)] [65watts=9350Lumens=good for fruiting up to 3 sq ft]
free shipping from digikey on orders over $100
DIGIKEY SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT
FASTECH SHOPPING CART SCREEN SHOT
Fruiting model's spectrum(4x3500k+2x5000k=9350Lumens=suitable for up to 3sq ft)
Veg model spectrum(10,000Lumens=suitable for up to 8sq ft)
SHOPPING LIST (fruiting model) (veging model)
(6x solderless connector) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...594-ND/3880994 (x6)
(1x thermal grease) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...1006-ND/340304 (x1)
(4x vero 13 3500K) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...265-ND/5180237 (none)
(2x 5000k vero 13) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...278-ND/5180250 (x6)
(1x[100 pack] #4 self tapping screws) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...H800-ND/333049 (x1)
(1x Constant Current Dimmable driver) http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&itemSeq=184781092&uq=635842340233299643 (x1) (actually u can run all chips on this 1 driver so if u dont want a sperate veg mode dont worry about the fastech driver)
(6x heatsink) https://www.fasttech.com/products/1348407 (x6)
(1x driver for VEG [2x vero 5000k 13] https://www.fasttech.com/products/1612/10008256/1739206 (x1)
BUILD KIT #2
if u really dont wanna wait for deliver from china
the 'All American'
Bloom mode Only and is dimmable (additional parts required)
[Price: $100.14] [Skills Required: Drilling] [Tools Required: Drill] [43W/6200Lumens-good all round kit for fruiting in 2 sq ft or if using all 5000k good for veging in about 4.5 sq ft]
DIGIKEY SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT
HEATSINK SHOPPING CART
SHOPPING LIST
(4inches per cob heatsink u decide if u want 1 long bar or 2 bars or 4 etc) http://www.heatsinkusa.com/4-850/
(6x solderless connector) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...594-ND/3880994
(1x thermal grease) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...1006-ND/340304
(6x vero 13 3500K) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...265-ND/5180237
(1x[100 pack] #4 self tapping screws) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...H800-ND/333049
(1x Constant Current Dimmable driver) http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&itemSeq=184781092&uq=635842340233299643%C2%A0
BUILD KIT # 3
the 'Mammoth'
Includes Veg/Bloom mode but is not dimmable-best value for money
[Price: $181.32] [Skills Required: Drilling] [Tools Required: Drill] [139W: as fruiting light=19,200Lumens in Bloom mode/ 6700Lumens in VEG mode(good for 6.5 sq ft) as VEG light(all 5000k)=20,000Lumens(good for up to 13 sq ft]
DIGIKEY SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT FOR FRUIT/VEG LIGHT(6-7sq ft)
DIGIKEY SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT FOR VEG ONLY LIGHT(13sq ft)
FASTECH SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT
SHOPPING LIST (for fruit/veg) (as a veg panel) no blue=same as micro
(12x solderless connector) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...594-ND/3880994
(1x thermal grease) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...1006-ND/340304
(8x vero 13 3500K) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...265-ND/5180237 (none)
(4x 5000k vero 13) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...278-ND/5180250 (x12)
(1x[100 pack] #4 self tapping screws) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...H800-ND/333049
(12x heatsink) https://www.fasttech.com/products/1348407
(6x driver[2 cobs in series per driver] https://www.fasttech.com/products/1612/10008256/1739206
the most cost effective is the 'Mammoth'
and you can add more modules by adding
2 more chips and 2 more connectors to ur digi cart
plus 1 extra heatsink and 1 extra driver to ur fasttech cart
each extra module will give about 3100 Lumens with the 3500k spectrum
WATCH THESE FOR STEPS
dont touch the fried egg
how to connect wires
applying the grease (2:00-3:40)
instructions for hyper deluxe
1)you will mount 2 chips to each heatsink ( 1 per sink for the all american) by drilling holes* for the screws and then apply the grease (youtube vids for all this there r so many out there) and finally screwing the chips down (through the screw holes on the chip) to the heatsink.
2)then we will click the harness into the chips and wire in series** to the driver***, the 4 3500K chips go on the driver from digikey, the 2 5000k drivers go on the other driver from fastech( the american uses only the digikey driver with 4 chips, the mamoth uses only the fastech driver with 2 chips per driver). this is so you can run only the 5000K chips when ur plants are young and tender. also u may need a bit more wire depending on where you wanna put the driver-id prob have the cable long enough to put it outside the cab[incase its hot] but still be able to bring it into the cab for extra heat if i needed it[incase its cold or i wanna use them as a heatmat for germinating].
3) add a plug*** to the drivers ac side and hang the sinks above ur plants- u can wire all your drivers to a single plug to go into the timer( make sure all the - go - together and the + go to +[parallel}
done
*
** wiring in series
***
you can use 2-Way Terminal Block Connectors or anything really
If you wanna play around with spectrum you should.
as mentioned Ive used a blue-er light for the recomended spectrum than some like
http://www.bmlcustom.com/custom-led-strip/(u have to fill all 15 diode slots but just do the same ratio and the spectrum will be right-also dont worry about thier numbers they use less efficient chips then these)
here it is with 4x2700K and 2x5000K
Here is 3000K
All chips from this series(ie that you can swap around whatever u like) will work in these quantities on these drivers with these heatsinks
3000k vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...258-ND/5180230
5000k vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...278-ND/5180250
3500k vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...265-ND/5180237
2700K vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...241-ND/5180213
non dimming driver for 4x vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...078-ND/2786576
(driver for for 1x vero 13) https://www.fasttech.com/products/16...rent-isolation
(best value heat sinks) heatsinkusa.com
use these insteadd for mamoth/ in general if you can get them shipped to your location(i cant)
highlights for passive cooling are
best value( about 20w per ft without fans- eg 14 inches of this per 2 vero13 cobs)
http://www.heatsinkusa.com/2-079/
almost 40w per ft
http://www.heatsinkusa.com/4-850-wide-extruded-aluminum-heatsink/http://www.heatsinkusa.com/2-079/
50w per ft but great for active cooling with a 120mm pc fan run at 5v would handle 150w
http://www.heatsinkusa.com/4-900/
driver for another build )http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Freeshipping-IP67-Waterproof-50W-Dimmable-Constant-Current-LED-Driver-AC-to-DC30-36V-1500mA-for-50W/1960400745.html
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PDA125W-700F/993-1280-ND/4833140
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PDA125B-700F/993-1274-ND/4833134
uploading images and then reposting them here takes time-im burned out for today but seems there is no pic count per post so ill just make this an incredibly long post- I have 2 more small designs to share and then a few bigger ones too
I have threads on those "other" gardening sites which I will copy and paste info out of but will keep this one very simple and not go into the tech stuff too much. Instead I will share some youtube vids of how to assemble and give a few of the best options for us pepper heads to start with. I you do come across my other threads( you will know by the way I type and if you do a google search) plz don't post my alter identity openly here or I would have to close my account and delete all my threads for security reasons which would be a shame for others who will miss out on this info-you can pm me or post in those forums, thanks
I'm going to make some assumptions about you, the reader(if this is not you dont be offended it's just the premise for communication I'm working off): you grow peppers and your not an electrical engineer but you dont mind drilling and possible using a soldering iron if you absolutely have to but you dont wanna go and buy any tools for this project and you want to do it as cheaply and easily as possible. For light recomendations I am assuming you will run your lights 16-18hrs per day and you believe in science so will want a DLI of 18-20+ to fruit and 14-18 for Veg /indoors preseason/seedlings which translates into 310-400ppfd+ for flower(obviously more the better but we aint all as rich as scrooge mcduck) and around 180-250ppfd for veg which is tricky to convert into Lumens because it depends on the efficiency of the chip but we can estimate that 2800-3500+( I honestly think 3000 is the min you should consider) Lumens per sq ft is in the flower range and 1200-1800+ Lumens per sq ft for veg.( this is assuming white LEDs that put out all light within PAR spectrum)
there are plenty of videos on youtube about this but this guy goes slow and uses screws and grease to mount(the only mounting option to consider with high power leds[10w and up]) so its very similar to what we are doing(obviously we are not using the exact same chips) go ahead and watch the first 2 episodes
1)to Build your led grow-light you will need:
Chip(s)
Driver(s)
Heatsink(s)
Bits/tools: screws, wire, TIM(see mechanical design) drill and/or soldering iron(see mechanical design)
2)to choose your parts first select your chips then drivers then heatsinks( this will absolutly make your life easier and avoid ending up with the wrong parts)
I wont say too much about matching components or anything techy(post below if u have questions) ill just provide some decent builds for cheap
Think of these as DIY LED GROWLIGHT KITS, you buy the parts from the links and assemble them yourself
A quick note on design parameters:
1:In all these builds we will be using 40% or more efficient white LEDs and aim for 140Lumens per watt as a minimum and will be aiming for a slightly blue-er spectrum to promote shorter bushier plants.
2:we will be using passive cooling(that is without fans to aid the heatsink-with fans on these sinks heat dissipation will increase exponentially)
3: all designs will be modular so that you can scale them up as needed but more importantly so that you can hand the lights where they are needed in your garden regardless of shape/size
the ' I'm not in America ' Kit for Indoor Fruiting
Includes Veg/Bloom mode and is dimmable ( addition parts needed)
[Price: $142.63] [Skills Required: Drilling] [Tools Required: Drill (no soldering needed)] [65watts=9350Lumens=good for fruiting up to 3 sq ft]
free shipping from digikey on orders over $100
DIGIKEY SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT
FASTECH SHOPPING CART SCREEN SHOT
Fruiting model's spectrum(4x3500k+2x5000k=9350Lumens=suitable for up to 3sq ft)
Veg model spectrum(10,000Lumens=suitable for up to 8sq ft)
SHOPPING LIST (fruiting model) (veging model)
(6x solderless connector) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...594-ND/3880994 (x6)
(1x thermal grease) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...1006-ND/340304 (x1)
(4x vero 13 3500K) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...265-ND/5180237 (none)
(2x 5000k vero 13) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...278-ND/5180250 (x6)
(1x[100 pack] #4 self tapping screws) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...H800-ND/333049 (x1)
(1x Constant Current Dimmable driver) http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&itemSeq=184781092&uq=635842340233299643 (x1) (actually u can run all chips on this 1 driver so if u dont want a sperate veg mode dont worry about the fastech driver)
(6x heatsink) https://www.fasttech.com/products/1348407 (x6)
(1x driver for VEG [2x vero 5000k 13] https://www.fasttech.com/products/1612/10008256/1739206 (x1)
BUILD KIT #2
if u really dont wanna wait for deliver from china
the 'All American'
Bloom mode Only and is dimmable (additional parts required)
[Price: $100.14] [Skills Required: Drilling] [Tools Required: Drill] [43W/6200Lumens-good all round kit for fruiting in 2 sq ft or if using all 5000k good for veging in about 4.5 sq ft]
DIGIKEY SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT
HEATSINK SHOPPING CART
SHOPPING LIST
(4inches per cob heatsink u decide if u want 1 long bar or 2 bars or 4 etc) http://www.heatsinkusa.com/4-850/
(6x solderless connector) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...594-ND/3880994
(1x thermal grease) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...1006-ND/340304
(6x vero 13 3500K) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...265-ND/5180237
(1x[100 pack] #4 self tapping screws) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...H800-ND/333049
(1x Constant Current Dimmable driver) http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&itemSeq=184781092&uq=635842340233299643%C2%A0
BUILD KIT # 3
the 'Mammoth'
Includes Veg/Bloom mode but is not dimmable-best value for money
[Price: $181.32] [Skills Required: Drilling] [Tools Required: Drill] [139W: as fruiting light=19,200Lumens in Bloom mode/ 6700Lumens in VEG mode(good for 6.5 sq ft) as VEG light(all 5000k)=20,000Lumens(good for up to 13 sq ft]
DIGIKEY SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT FOR FRUIT/VEG LIGHT(6-7sq ft)
DIGIKEY SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT FOR VEG ONLY LIGHT(13sq ft)
FASTECH SHOPPING CART SCREENSHOT
SHOPPING LIST (for fruit/veg) (as a veg panel) no blue=same as micro
(12x solderless connector) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...594-ND/3880994
(1x thermal grease) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...1006-ND/340304
(8x vero 13 3500K) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...265-ND/5180237 (none)
(4x 5000k vero 13) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...278-ND/5180250 (x12)
(1x[100 pack] #4 self tapping screws) http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...H800-ND/333049
(12x heatsink) https://www.fasttech.com/products/1348407
(6x driver[2 cobs in series per driver] https://www.fasttech.com/products/1612/10008256/1739206
the most cost effective is the 'Mammoth'
and you can add more modules by adding
2 more chips and 2 more connectors to ur digi cart
plus 1 extra heatsink and 1 extra driver to ur fasttech cart
each extra module will give about 3100 Lumens with the 3500k spectrum
WATCH THESE FOR STEPS
dont touch the fried egg
1)you will mount 2 chips to each heatsink ( 1 per sink for the all american) by drilling holes* for the screws and then apply the grease (youtube vids for all this there r so many out there) and finally screwing the chips down (through the screw holes on the chip) to the heatsink.
2)then we will click the harness into the chips and wire in series** to the driver***, the 4 3500K chips go on the driver from digikey, the 2 5000k drivers go on the other driver from fastech( the american uses only the digikey driver with 4 chips, the mamoth uses only the fastech driver with 2 chips per driver). this is so you can run only the 5000K chips when ur plants are young and tender. also u may need a bit more wire depending on where you wanna put the driver-id prob have the cable long enough to put it outside the cab[incase its hot] but still be able to bring it into the cab for extra heat if i needed it[incase its cold or i wanna use them as a heatmat for germinating].
3) add a plug*** to the drivers ac side and hang the sinks above ur plants- u can wire all your drivers to a single plug to go into the timer( make sure all the - go - together and the + go to +[parallel}
done
*
** wiring in series
***
you can use 2-Way Terminal Block Connectors or anything really
If you wanna play around with spectrum you should.
as mentioned Ive used a blue-er light for the recomended spectrum than some like
http://www.bmlcustom.com/custom-led-strip/(u have to fill all 15 diode slots but just do the same ratio and the spectrum will be right-also dont worry about thier numbers they use less efficient chips then these)
here it is with 4x2700K and 2x5000K
Here is 3000K
All chips from this series(ie that you can swap around whatever u like) will work in these quantities on these drivers with these heatsinks
3000k vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...258-ND/5180230
5000k vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...278-ND/5180250
3500k vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...265-ND/5180237
2700K vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...241-ND/5180213
non dimming driver for 4x vero 13
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai...078-ND/2786576
(driver for for 1x vero 13) https://www.fasttech.com/products/16...rent-isolation
(best value heat sinks) heatsinkusa.com
use these insteadd for mamoth/ in general if you can get them shipped to your location(i cant)
highlights for passive cooling are
best value( about 20w per ft without fans- eg 14 inches of this per 2 vero13 cobs)
http://www.heatsinkusa.com/2-079/
almost 40w per ft
http://www.heatsinkusa.com/4-850-wide-extruded-aluminum-heatsink/http://www.heatsinkusa.com/2-079/
50w per ft but great for active cooling with a 120mm pc fan run at 5v would handle 150w
http://www.heatsinkusa.com/4-900/
driver for another build )http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Freeshipping-IP67-Waterproof-50W-Dimmable-Constant-Current-LED-Driver-AC-to-DC30-36V-1500mA-for-50W/1960400745.html
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PDA125W-700F/993-1280-ND/4833140
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PDA125B-700F/993-1274-ND/4833134
uploading images and then reposting them here takes time-im burned out for today but seems there is no pic count per post so ill just make this an incredibly long post- I have 2 more small designs to share and then a few bigger ones too
