LED COB for pc micro grow

420Grow · Nov 9, 2016

Hi Guys/Girls,

So i have finally decided to dive into the world of cobs. In my part of the world no one knows what COBs are so most lighting suppliers do not keep them. Ordering from mouser or digikey will be extremely expensive for me (exchange rate) so this is not an option. I have found ONE supplier from where i can order.

I will be growing in a PC 1-2 plants max.
I need one light for veg+flower.

I do not know much about leds except what i have read on various forums. I might have narrowed down my choice to the CXA2530 4000k. I am stuck on which option to get. I am not sure about the binnings and what it means.

Is the CXA2530 a good choice?
What cri should i choose?
Is 4000k sufficient for a full cycle grow light?

Can you guys just confirm if this would be the right choice for my requirements? or if not, any recommendations?

I plan to order from here:
http://www.trxe.com/search.php?sear...chNew=Search&startingRecord=0&displayCount=10

Roasty McToasty · Nov 9, 2016

I like 3500k myself. What is your grow space size/dimensions?
80 or 90 cri is good. Better to do more cobs at lower current imo.

420Grow · Nov 10, 2016

Hi Roasty,

The dimensions are:
L=40cm
H=35cm
D=19cm

The current lighting has changed. I am currently running 2 x 2700k 20w and 1 x 6500k 20w CFLs.

Dion · Nov 10, 2016

you can check my sig for the micro heros

plenty of cheap ideas there

420Grow · Nov 11, 2016

Hi Dion,

Thanks for dropping in. I have read your threads extensively and have learnt a lot from them. However no matter what i read its almost impossible to implement here in South Africa because we are far behind in the led market. Its impossible to get COB Leds or drivers here locally and the problem with places like mouser and digikey is the insane shipping charges. Usually costing as much as the complete build.

I was really interested in The All American build using the veros but.... you guessed it, can't get them locally. So i was thinking if they can be substituted with crees? Which cree cob would be a good fit?
I recently found a supplier where i can get Crees locally.

Dion · Nov 13, 2016

420Grow said:
Hi Dion,

Thanks for dropping in. I have read your threads extensively and have learnt a lot from them. However no matter what i read its almost impossible to implement here in South Africa because we are far behind in the led market. Its impossible to get COB Leds or drivers here locally and the problem with places like mouser and digikey is the insane shipping charges. Usually costing as much as the complete build.

I was really interested in The All American build using the veros but.... you guessed it, can't get them locally. So i was thinking if they can be substituted with crees? Which cree cob would be a good fit?
I recently found a supplier where i can get Crees locally.

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1348407

+

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1739207

+

https://www.fasttech.com/product/2250000

+

https://www.fasttech.com/product/1350300

= :plant grow:

10w total each cob and from memory about as efficient as the CXB3590 run at 50w

3-4 of these would be fine for a standard pc 5 or more would be too much

also you can check out

https://www.fasttech.com/product/4009101

https://www.fasttech.com/product/1106700

https://www.fasttech.com/product/2113900

lots of other cool shit theres

bombadil.360 · Nov 13, 2016

420, I've been having the same issues with shipping costs as well as ridiculous high taxes for imported electronics. So I'm still gear-less for my humble diy until I figure out something else or wait longer until enough funds can be wasted on shipping and tax without compromising the parts wanted.

420Grow · Nov 14, 2016

Thanks Dion i have seen you recommend that build in one of your other threads and was actually considering going with that option. I think it might be the best value for money and i love the free shipping part

i just wonder customs will tax me. Thanks for taking the time to help us uneducated led growers.

I can get those CXAs here is SA and they are available in different temps and bins. Can you recommend the best option for the 2530s?

http://www.trxe.com/search.php?sear...evious=Prev&startingRecord=20&displayCount=10

bombadil.360, Its so sad hey, i get so jealous seeing these other guys building massive LED fixtures and here in SA i cant even get 1 CXB3590 without having to sell my house to pay for shipping...

Dion · Nov 14, 2016

420Grow said:
Thanks Dion i have seen you recommend that build in one of your other threads and was actually considering going with that option. I think it might be the best value for money and i love the free shipping part i just wonder customs will tax me. Thanks for taking the time to help us uneducated led growers.

I can get those CXAs here is SA and they are available in different temps and bins. Can you recommend the best option for the 2530s?

http://www.trxe.com/search.php?sear...evious=Prev&startingRecord=20&displayCount=10

bombadil.360, Its so sad hey, i get so jealous seeing these other guys building massive LED fixtures and here in SA i cant even get 1 CXB3590 without having to sell my house to pay for shipping...

CXA2530-0000-000N00U20E5

its not a good chromatic group (the kelvin temp is not exact so not good for shops or photography) so its cheaper but it puts out just as many photons as the one for an extra 80 of whatever currency that is\

are those cheaper than 10 use with shipping? also they seam to have some drivers but that site is impossible to navigate

I've never paid tax on items ordered from china, even when i lived in europe. from australia yes, from the USA yes but never when ordering from china.

420Grow · Nov 14, 2016

I seem to always pay tax on items from china. Got taxed on a herb grinder, downstems, bowls etc

The site is pretty crappy and a PITA to navigate. I will send them an email with my requirements. Currently the price of the chip you recommended is the same price as from fasttech.

I would like to get everything from one place. So far this place is fasttech. Any idea how long shipping usually takes from them?

420Grow · Nov 17, 2016

I am going to go with what you suggested Dion, CXA2530-0000-000N00U20E5 but i am trying to get them in the U4 bin. Spoke to the sales rep who said min order is 100pcs but he will try and sort something out for me.

For now i can just afford 2 of these chips and 2 next month.

CXA2530-0000-000N00U20E5 $10.71 (Converted from zar)
CXA2530-0000-000N00U40E5 $10.67

What would be the best current to drive them at and why?

Dion · Nov 17, 2016

420Grow said:
I am going to go with what you suggested Dion, CXA2530-0000-000N00U20E5 but i am trying to get them in the U4 bin. Spoke to the sales rep who said min order is 100pcs but he will try and sort something out for me.

For now i can just afford 2 of these chips and 2 next month.

CXA2530-0000-000N00U20E5 $10.71 (Converted from zar)
CXA2530-0000-000N00U40E5 $10.67

What would be the best current to drive them at and why?

dude if he has the u4 bin yeah def i only saw u2 on that site

those ones are both 5000Kelvin

420Grow · Nov 18, 2016

Dion said:
dude if he has the u4 bin yeah def i only saw u2 on that site

those ones are both 5000Kelvin

The data sheet says that they are 4000k. Am i missing something?

420Grow · Nov 18, 2016

Can i use this Driver to power 3 of the cxa's ?
Is it better to have 1 driver per cob or multiple cobs per driver?

Dion · Nov 20, 2016

hey yeah sorry, i dunno whats wrong with my brain right now, i was looking at the E5 thinking thats the kelvin temp but you are right.

yeah u can use the 25-36w version of that driver but its drive current will only eb about 280mA

HipsterDoofus1 · Nov 22, 2016

Would there be any issue with the COBs being too close to the plants?

Dion · Nov 23, 2016

HipsterDoofus1 said:
Would there be any issue with the COBs being too close to the plants?

not at that wattage

420Grow · Nov 23, 2016

Hi Dion,

Just wanted to take the time to say THANK YOU for all the help you have provided, not only to me but everyone in your various threads that you have started. I strongly advise that all LED noobs read your threads extensively, the more i read them the more i learn and thats what its all about. I have seen many people try to knock you in various post but pay no attention to them! Keep doing what you doing buddy and keep supplying this forum with all your LED advice and knowledge. Icmag is a better place because of people like you!

420Grow · Dec 7, 2016

So i'll be picking up my CXAs in a little while. Cant wait to get my hands on them.
Just need to wait for the drivers to arrive and then i can start on my DIY.
The wait is killing me lol

420Grow · Dec 7, 2016

Well well well, what do you know.
The local company i ordered the leds from, gets them from Mouser :biggrin:

At least i don't have to worry about them being fake lol

LED COB for pc micro grow

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