[farmerpirate]

T B M can you suggest a resource for a beginner just jumping into building their own LED panels? I have no idea about the 1w/2w/3w stuff, manufacturers, color placement patterns, ect.

[T_B_M]

Originally Posted by farmerpirate

T B M can you suggest a resource for a beginner just jumping into building their own LED panels? I have no idea about the 1w/2w/3w stuff, manufacturers, color placement patterns, ect.

Google "How to build your DIY LED array"

Its a huge thread, but that is where I started. Theres also another thread labeled:

"Needed lighting concepts to develop LED grow lights"

I read tons of manufacturers data sheets and not many compare to the Osram GD+ and Cree 1 Watt emitters. The 3W and 5W LEDs throw out a bit more light, but run hotter and less efficient. The tiny light gain isn't worth the wasted energy to me. If I want more penetration, I will use optical lenses rather than higher wattage LEDs. There really isn't much more light output when you compare a 1W Cree to a 5W off-brand. LEDEngin are actually worth the upgrade, but are expensive. Most commercial sellers have lights that are underpowered due to inefficient emitters and/or poor thermal design. They still account for LED input wattage and not actual LED output wattage. You want better 3 and 5W emitters since they won't have as many losses to heat. Heat results in emitter instability and light loss. For higher wattage emitters (3-5W), I would recommend LEDEngin. As an example, the deep blue Cree 1W can go up to 500-600mW of output. The 5W deep blue LEDEngin goes up to 1-1.5W (5W rating is only the input power, so thats over 4 watts of heat wasted when converting that 5W into 1.5W). So double the output, but quadruple the heat.

There is way more to know about LEDs than one can cover in a single thread. Read read read. Thats the best advice I can offer.

I use Mouser, Digikey, and Cutter for my parts. Heat sinks I build myself with Aluminum.

[GP73LPC]

thanks for the info T_B_M.

[GP73LPC]

for SOTF420...

a good idea for sure.

Warranty Info on the previously mentioned retailers and models...

Chart outdated, keep reading...

[FreedomGrower]

I wouldn't buy any one of those brands except for the evo

Can we get some of these added as they use Superior led chips; but are similarly as overpriced as the ones already listed ...

Philips Rebel chips

https://www.globaltechled.com/led-grow-light.php
https://www.ebay.com/itm/130468397674...84.m1438.l2649

Osram Led chips
https://www.improvedled.com/

Cree led chips old and new

https://www.apachetechinc.com/

procyan (first CREE led lamps)
https://www.procyondepot.com/
https://homegrownlights.com/100W.html

pro-gro cree
https://hydroponicshut.com/pro-grow-led-grow-lights.html

sure there are even more cree brands out there especially for the coral reefers ....

[GP73LPC]

Originally Posted by FreedomGrower

I wouldn't buy any one of those brands except for the evo

Can we get some of these added as they use Superior led chips; but are similarly as overpriced as the ones already listed ...

Philips Rebel chips

https://www.globaltechled.com/led-grow-light.php
https://www.ebay.com/itm/130468397674...84.m1438.l2649

Osram Led chips
https://www.improvedled.com/

Cree led chips old and new

https://www.apachetechinc.com/

procyan (first CREE led lamps)
https://homegrownlights.com/100W.html

pro-gro cree
https://hydroponicshut.com/pro-grow-led-grow-lights.html

sure there are even more cree brands out there especially for the coral reefers ....

i will start looking at those and see what info i can gather. if you have anything that is in the chart, post it...

[GP73LPC]

ok FreedomGrower...

i collected as much info as possible. the obvious variable is the real output in watts. those that i do not know are clearly noted in the new spreadsheets...

here they are, if everybody likes em, i'll replace what i have already posted...

PRICE PER WATT and PRICE PER REAL WATT charts removed, already updated...

[FreedomGrower]

Very cool MY DIY low cost as possible osram and philips lux rebel arrays ran about $4 a watt so the extra $3 for a semi-professionally made light with a warranty seem slightly reasonable.

here is what they said about the real watts on the pro grow but not confirmed ... other 3 look like you got them on the dot (global tech,improved led ssc, Apache) ... except that I think the procyan real watts is 120 ...

[GP73LPC]

i'll make the changes to the Pro Grow and Procyon units, thanks...

some of those links you provided are definitely to some good units and their prices show that. with that said, some of those offer some of the best LED's on the market.

the procyon i am not that impressed with, but it still deserves to be in the list...

thanks for the links

[FreedomGrower]

Well the procyons are first gen Cree tech but because of this I also see used ones sell for 250 or less from led users that are upgrading ...