A CXA3590 thread.

[luvdemshrooms]

The un-boxing:



I drilled and tapped two 4-40 holes in one end of the heat sink (4.9" X 22") and then drilled two holes in one end of the hood:



There was no easy way to secure the far end so I drilled and tapped a 1/4-20 hole into the heat sink, cut a piece of threaded rod and used it to push that end of the heat sink into the flange curve so the heat sink doesn't float:



Here's the heat sink as installed:

 

[luvdemshrooms]

With the CXA3590's:



The home built driver attached (with a female end to plug the fan into):



These CXA3590's are simply amazing and kick the CXA3050's butt.

Using Cree's current test spec's to compare my CXA3050 unit with this CXA3590 unit:

(3) CXA3050's @ 5043 lumens = 15129 lumens (current test 1.4A)

(2) CXA3590's @ 9250 lumens = 18500 lumens. (current test 1.2A)

Measured at the LED (after the driver):
79vdc, 1.4A, 110watts. Each LED has it's own driver in that one box so that's a true 110 watts through each. Cree claims 100lm/W so that's a bit more than current test, 11000 lumens per, 22,000 lumens for both.

And... there's room for one more should I desire (and likely will... I'm weak and a sucker for a bright light).

Also, as hempfield's comments on keeping the lenses of the LED's clean was a good one, this time I used a flow through hood without the cooltube so I can simply pop off the glass and give them a cleaning. Thank you for the great suggestion hempfield!

The temperatures of the CXA3590's is 53C with 1.4A running through them and a 250cfm fan.

 

[PetFlora]

What was your reason for placing the COBs closer to the sides rather than equally spacing across the heat sink?

 

[luvdemshrooms]

I wanted to maximize the spread and canopy penetration.

Edit: Perhaps "reduce shading" would have been a better way to put it.

 

[hempfield]

Very nice and clean build !

Is there any chance that you post the schematics of your home built driver ?

 

[hestah]

Question from a LED noob: whats the main difference between these and cxa3070?
Anyhow, nice build!

 

[luvdemshrooms]

Among other things at current test the 3590 gives you about 2500 more lumens while drawing .6 amps less. The 3070 is a smaller package.

 

[cocogrower]

Yes, very clean setup! What K and cri numbers? Is 1,2 -1,4 Amp the sweet spot, or would they perform as well at lower current?

 

[luvdemshrooms]

Huh. I thought I had put the K value in my post.

2700K, 80CRI

I spent some time searching for 2300K and 93CRI but none were to be had.

When they are I can swap them out in short order. As I made 2 of these I'll initially swap out the LED's in one unit and see if I can see a difference in how the plants react.

1.2 is specified by Cree as "current test" (aka... the sweet spot) As the cooling works so well and saving a few cents a day wasn't high on my priority list, I cranked them up a bit.

 

[cocogrower]

Thanks for letting me know. I'm really interested in thees lights! I can't fin any spectrum diagrams for the 2700k light but the 3000 80 cri looks good! Is this a pure flower-light or will you use it for veg as well?

a guy on a orchid-forum made tests with cxa 3050 and found that it ran most efficiently at 1,05 amp. (30W) 3590 is a bit expensive to run that low, if its even economical efficiency-vice.

I have a very small grow cabinet 3x1,5 foot, and think that running several weekly driven 3050 or maybe 3590 would give good coverage and bang for the watt. Maybe 3-4000 k for full flower cycle, or maybe even cooler with a few 630nm's hooked up to a dimmable driver..

Will you log how thees lamps perform?

 

[cocogrower]

One more question: how big is the area you intend to cover with these lights?

 

[rik78]

Very nice and clean build !

Is there any chance that you post the schematics of your home built driver ?

please!?!?!

 

[luvdemshrooms]

My business partner is an EE. The design is his. I'm quite sure he'd be less than impressed were I to hand it out.

Frankly, I think he'd be less than impressed if he knew what I was using it for.

 

[Firebrand]

Any chance of more photos of the finished build? I would like to see it energized, any chance of that happening?

 

[luvdemshrooms]

The unit in the middle has the (3) CXA3050's.

The two outer units have the (2) CXA3590's.

 

[crbs]

Hello Luv! liked the idea of ​​a sink inside the reflector, it is easier to maintain temperature control. A pity not to have the schematics of the driver, I also became interested. Thanks for sharing your project. Peace!

 

[oneshot]

These new Cree's are fucking amazing. I really need to sit down and finally do a DIY light with them. Great job man.

 

[luvdemshrooms]

Thanks. They are amazing. My business is all about LED's and even I was impressed with the CXA's. When the time comes for you to build one... heat removal is crucial. These babies can get quite hot in a very short span of time.

 

[Dawn Patrol]

Amazing job!! If you were going to use a manufactured driver for these what would you choose?

I have a pair of these and don't want to DIY the drivers.

 

[FunkBomb]

I'm very impressed with those lights you and your business partner have made. Do you intend to design and build your own reflectors with the CREE leds in them? If you can make one of those lights that comes as a stand alone unit with air-cooling flanges, V hook holes, and a 6-10 ft power cord you will have some serious demand. Most folks who run HID already have the fans and ducting setup as is or in storage.

You can market it as just like any other LED light, but have the advantage of doing a simple switch out from an HID type setup. Less heat = less AC = less electric = more money in wallet.

If you allowed a customer to choose the particular CREE leds to be used in the light before it is built would be a serious game changer.

Maybe it is time to go file the paperwork to setup an LLC with your business partner. Just a thought.

Keep up the good work,

-Funk