Thanks to this site- and this site only, I've been able to easily spec and start building my new light. Super Cool !
This is a 2'x2' fixture for a 3'x3' space using 6 F series LT-F564B strips driven by an HLG-480H-48B driver. I've designed it to run at about 386 watts(approx 43 watts/sq foot), which should be 75% of max. I will probably drive it a little softer...
I'm ready to attach the strips and wire it...
Last edited by Sativant on Wed Jun 06, 2018 7:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
How much longer than the light strips did you order the heatsinks cut? I ordered 45" for 44" strips, and am thinking I should have gone 46"...but I only have a 4' cab to work with.
24” heatsinks. The strips fit with about 3/16” to spare. You should be fine if you keep your frame material away from the face of your heatsinks. Attach your frame to the top, perhaps.
I've been busy getting seeds germinated. My lowest success rate ever. But I have been able to do more work on my light. I'm putting the Wagos in the channel. Stuck down with 3M VBH tape. I don't like having lose wires ! The green wire will be grounded to the frame...
There is just enough room left on the heatsink for me to sneak the wires through a hole and into the strip connector. The 18 ga solid wire is protected with dual wall adhesive heat shrink tubing and PET braided sleeving. All the wires will travel in the channel, out of the way.
The driver will be remote, using the Neutrik connector to go through the wall into the grow area. Amazon has them- use the LEDG link to get there...
I bought an HLG-65 to mind the babies. It's such a nice, thin, bright light ! It will go down to the veg chamber once my big light is complete.
Attachments
Neutrik NAC3MPB-1 AC.jpg (4.15 KiB) Viewed 1561 times
Neutrik NAC3FCB AC.jpg (3.02 KiB) Viewed 1561 times
I've been busy getting seeds germinated. My lowest success rate ever. But I have been able to do more work on my light. I'm putting the Wagos in the channel. Stuck down with 3M VBH tape. I don't like having lose wires ! The green wire will be grounded to the frame...
I don't know if this is different because you're using F-strips, and not QB's, but according to Stephen from HLG you do not have to ground the DC side of the circuit. That said, I bought 18/3 cable and left the ground (green) wire taped off to the side, for now.
There is just enough room left on the heatsink for me to sneak the wires through a hole and into the strip connector. The 18 ga solid wire is protected with dual wall adhesive heat shrink tubing and PET braided sleeving. All the wires will travel in the channel, out of the way.
Nice idea with the heatshrink, great idea with the braided sleeve - that might be useful for my project too.
The driver will be remote, using the Neutrik connector to go through the wall into the grow area. Amazon has them- use the LEDG link to get there...
I did an amazon search on the model of Neutrik connector you listed and this is what the description says: Locking 20 A / 250 V ac appliance coupler; The powerCON is a connector without breaking capacity, i.e. the powerCON should not be connected or disconnected under load or live!
I think the one you're looking for is this: Neutrik NAC3FX-W Powecon Tru1 Locking Female Cable Connector, which says: The powerCON TRUE1 is a connector with breaking capacity (CBC), i.e. it can be connected or disconnected under load or live.
I bought an HLG-65 to mind the babies. It's such a nice, thin, bright light ! It will go down to the veg chamber once my big light is complete.
Thanks for sharing your build, it looks great man.
Thanks for your post. I am indeed using the Neutrik connector that can be connected/disconnected under load. It works really well, was easy to wire and has a good feel. It is the black and yellow plug on the left in the attached picture.
The light is beautiful. The coverage is very even, with no hotspots and adjusts nicely with the pot.
I am wondering, though, why I can't turn it up higher than about 364 watts from the wall as indicated by my Sonoff POW2. I thought I would be able to get more than 386 out of it, as that is 75% power. I'm using the HLG-480H-48B driver with 6 LT-F564B strips. I'm currently running it at 250 watts. Plants are droopy post-transplant into 3 gallon smart pots.
