Purpose of this post is to both gain information from the forum as well as provide a DIY education basis for members who are considering building their own COB setup in the future.
Primary Setup Goals:
- 4x4
- Considering either 8 COBs or 12 COBs. Possibly a QB in the middle and some supplemental T5 UV and Far Red in the future but not at current
- Must be Dimmable
- Active cooling w/ adequate ventilation
- 4x4 rig with adjustable, manueverable frame/rig that allows easy access to switch or move lights
- 3-4 seperate "lines" of Cobs going
Materials for 1 COB active cooling engine as shown here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ https://cobkits.com/product/luminus-cxm ... ne-single/
COB (Luminus CXM-22)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ https://cobkits.com/product-category/cob-chips/luminus/
Active Heatsink (Mechatronix IceLED Ultra)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://cobkits.com/product/iceled/
Fan Driver (Meanwell APC 12-12)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://cobkits.com/product/apv-12-12-12 ... -for-fans/
*although someone also mentioned this previously on another post worth noting https://rapidled.com/products/mean-well-scw05c-12 ... which I am unsure of how to actually use
Specified Ideal Holder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://cobkits.com/product/ideal-holder-for-clu048/
Wago Wire Clip Connectors
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://cobkits.com/product/wago-222-series/
*optional replacement for hydro/water spill/humidity concerns
^Side Note: The lighting system will more than likely be rigged together with this canopy substrate kit from RapidLED in California
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~https://rapidled.com/collections/su...e ... 9824223276
Obviously I will also need other miscellanous items for the job tools such as:
Thermal Paste, Screwdriver, wire, Wiresnippers, Cablecutters, Voltometer/Ohmeter
BUT
I have one problem... I have no idea which drivers I should get to power the 8-12 COBs. I know obviously I will need a HLG one, as everyone here raves about them, but I am unfamiliar with electrical specs and am unsure which one would fit best and also comes with a built in dimmer. I also dont know the difference between A B or C on them. Are there any electrical gurus out there? Any Ideas?Which one would work best, which ones are most efficient, as that is the goal.
Also is there anything I am missing?
I guess my questions so far are thus.
1. What is the best wattage to run my Luminus CXM 22s. I have read that half of the recommended running wattage is ideal for efficiency. What would that be the equivalent on with the CXM 22.
2. There are a variety of CXM 22s on the market, in my finding there are horticultum bulbs in the 3rd gen bulbs but not in the 4th, also 3rd gen bulbs are cheap. As far as PAR efficiency per watt, which bulb gives the best bang for buck.
2. I would like to run multiple drivers, two atleast four tops. I would consider running a single driver like the 600 but I fear the eletctric in the house is a little old and wouldnt handle all that load from one socket well. I have read the differences between A and B but I still dont understand C. I have also read that the AB is the best of both worlds if you know what you are doing. Id like to have the AB version even though I know I run the risk of ruining my setup if missused.
Any opinions, recommendations, or input would be greatly appreciated. I can answer questions as well to others interested as this thread will be updated as the build progresses. TheChronic2000
