First time COB builder, from europe in need of assistance :)

[Mildfruit]

Hi fellow ledpeople

Im (after installing my own relay by myself) feeling a bit more confident in diy electronics

I have read almost every thread on this forum and the guides on ledgardener.com. I think I understand the basics.
After calculating my grow space and using the old rule of 35watt pr square feet. I end up needing around 300watt.

I mostly grow chili and af few greens, all hydroponic.

What kind of COB would you recommend? I don't know if buying 3 COB and running them "high" would be more efficient than buying a few more and running them low.
I have a rather tight budget, but COB seems like the future, both in price and efficiency, so what which chip would make my plant babies give great yields?

Also im from northern europe and would like to hear if anyone had good experience from buying from inside europe?

[LEDG]

For 300W, 6 COBs at 50W a piece would be a nice setup.

Something like:
6x CLU048-1212
6x CXB3590
6x Vero29

Run in series on an HLG-320H-C1400.

[Kiwi_Jezza]

Are you in a 3x3?
2 foot Samsung or Bridgelux strips might also be worth thinking about.

Otherwise - 3000/3500K 90CRI Vero29 SE's are super cheap on DigiKey right now.

[Mildfruit]

Thanks for the answers! After recalculating I only need around 200W due to I already have some CREE LED lights I can use in combination.
I went ahead and contacted kingbrite (is this an okay store?) and got the following offer:

200W DIY Citizen CLU048 1212C4 3500K 80CRI COB led grow light reflector kit
contains the following components:
4pcs of Original Citizen CLU048 1212 3500K 80CRI cob
4pcs of thermal tape
4pcs of Ideal holder 50-2204CT
4pcs of Ideal 50-2100AN
4pcs of KingBrite Reflector KB-D82-90RF
4pcs of Pre-drilled Passive heatsink Φ133*H70mm(for 55-65W)
5pcs of Wago quick connectors
1pcs of Original MW driver HLG-185H-C1400B
1pcs of TOCOS (soldered) 100K linear potentiometer
Cables + Screws
143$ (before shipping and import fees)

https://kingbriteled.en.alibaba.com/pro ... 6dd6qAbt5D

I also got offered lenses instead of reflectors for 155.80$ No idea which is best for me?

@Kiwi_Jezza
Im sorry im not familiar with the 3x3 dimensions. My space is 125cm x 65cm x 120 cm. Which google says is 47.2inch x 25.6 inch x 47.2 inch. That including around 100W cree lights, do you think my 5 pepper plants and some basil+salat would be happy?

[alreaaaa]

Hello

I think this is quite a good price if you don't get killed by transport and customs ! and your plants will be happy for sure cobs are really great I have 3 x vero 29 and never could put my max power because of too much light =)

[majorana]

Thanks for the answers! After recalculating I only need around 200W due to I already have some CREE LED lights I can use in combination.
I went ahead and contacted kingbrite (is this an okay store?) and got the following offer:

I made a similar purchase from KindBrite in the past. Reliable seller, everything quick and in order. The only downside is that the heatsinks turn out to be a big % of the total cost: they're heavy and bulky and besides not being cheap to begin with they make the shipping get pretty expensive.

I'll be keeping mine -- they're good for a lifetime -- but won't be building anything around COBs again because of that. In hindsight I should have simply contended with an active PC CPU heatsink.

[diyleduk]

Im in europe. No shipping or taxes to pay ontop with me in the uk. rest of europe is 20 for shipping.

[TiJay]

Im in europe. No shipping or taxes to pay ontop with me in the uk. rest of europe is 20 for shipping.

I guess you're lucky, for shipping to NL KingBrite charge like $80 (price depends on the heatsinks). Then an extra 3,8% as paypal payment fee and in NL you pay 21% VAT over total order + shipping costs.

The $143 can double so watch out:
$143 order
$80 shipping
$8.50 payment
$47 VAT
$ 15-20 Administration cost DHL for customs declaration
---------------+
$ 298.5

I recently ordered/build a COB LED myself and ordered the components from USA/Germany.