REALSTYLES DIY CXB3590 TUTORIAL

[REALSTYLES]

Realstyles,
Thank you so much for all the time you spend teaching others. I've read your threads on various forums...
I am finally ready to make some lights. I am mechanically inclined but suffer greatly when it comes to electronics. I have tried to learn what I can before asking questions. Don't wanna be a nuisance, but probably will be with the following questions.

Due to heat and electricity consumption issues, I have areas that I wish to use COB LED's.
Long time grower (many decades), outdoors and traditional HPS/MH...

1. I see a lot of references to using one meanwell driver for 4-5 CXB3590's but never 6. I have several areas that I would like to do a 2x3 array of CXB3590's.
Is there a driver available that would work for 6? My plan is to order a large lot of 3.5k CXB3590's. What would you use? 36v or 72v? Which driver? Should I get a driver with adjustable current? Which current should I drive these at? (I do want higher efficiencies, but need light intensity also) Which bin? (I will contact Jerry and tell him you sent me).

I think I can figure out heatsinks, fans, and all construction.

2. I also have a veg area that is about 30" x 40". My plan was to also use 6 COB's for this space. Obviously, don't need the same light intensity. Which COB's would you use and what light spectrum? I was thinking it might be easier to stick with the CXB3590's and dim them, but since I would need a different spectrum (really concerned about limiting stretch), should I use 3070's or Vero's? Also, a matching driver for this set up.

I would be eternally grateful for any assistance. Figuring out this stuff makes me think I'm getting stupid in my old age.
Cheers

You can get away with just 3500k and I use 72v because that was the only thing available at the time. Just use the 3590 they are the best. SupraSpl has switched from 3070 to 3590 why? I know because they are better. A lot of guys are just thinking price not performance. Stay tuned I'll be making a thread of me building the new CXA/2 3590 5600k BD bin 93CRI. I just got today and Digikey and Mouser sells them for $122 but Kingbrite is 1/2 the price. I use HLG-185H-C700A because of the 72v. If you follow my thread you'll have some bad ass lights. PM me when you need help or Skype me and my name is the same so I'm easy to find.

 

[potanist]

Thanks!
It's interesting to educate myself from reading online threads, because I am often reading a year or two's evolution of a technology in a few nights.
I'm a 100% organic, living soil type of guy and the original Coots, Clack, Microbeman, etc. OLS threads changed my life.
I feel like your threads, along with others in the COB LED realm could be of similar importance in the lighting world.
So, when you say I can "get away" with 3500k, 72 v, I guess what I really want to know is, given your evolution in thought, what do you think would be the very best, as of today? I have money to spend and I love over-engineering everything I do.
I understand adding up the voltages of the cobs being run by one driver, but I never hear of anyone using anything larger than the 240H models. Is this the largest available or is there a reason to not use larger drivers?
I look forward to your CXA/2 3590 5600k thread. I'm assuming you mentioned this in reference to my needing a veg light.
Thanks again, Potanist

 

[John LOQUE]

Now i mix 3000 k and 5000 k and plants seem to love it in veg or in bloom.

 

[GDSBurns]

You can get away with just 3500k and I use 72v because that was the only thing available at the time. Just use the 3590 they are the best. SupraSpl has switched from 3070 to 3590 why? I know because they are better. A lot of guys are just thinking price not performance. Stay tuned I'll be making a thread of me building the new CXA/2 3590 5600k BD bin 93CRI. I just got today and Digikey and Mouser sells them for $122 but Kingbrite is 1/2 the price. I use HLG-185H-C700A because of the 72v. If you follow my thread you'll have some bad ass lights. PM me when you need help or Skype me and my name is the same so I'm easy to find.

I'll be looking forward to that new build and will be following suit. What are the specs on the CXA/2 are they better that the cxb3590? Cant wait to check out the new build im gonna be doing the exact one when you are finished.

 

[potanist]

If any body has an answer to this question, I'm really interested in knowing the answer.

"1. I see a lot of references to using one meanwell driver for 4-5 CXB3590's but never 6. I have several areas that I would like to do 2x3 arrays of CXB3590's.
Is there a driver available that would work for 6?"

If I'm making panels with 6, CXB3590's, should I use two drivers instead of one. I never hear of anyone hooking up 6 to one driver.

Is this because the drivers become exponentially more expensive or less efficient as they increase in output? I suppose there is more danger of electrical shock at the higher voltages?

I would assume that using the 36v COBs would make it easier to hook up 6, but I also don't fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of 36v vs 72 v.

 

[REALSTYLES]

If any body has an answer to this question, I'm really interested in knowing the answer.

"1. I see a lot of references to using one meanwell driver for 4-5 CXB3590's but never 6. I have several areas that I would like to do 2x3 arrays of CXB3590's.
Is there a driver available that would work for 6?"

If I'm making panels with 6, CXB3590's, should I use two drivers instead of one. I never hear of anyone hooking up 6 to one driver.

Is this because the drivers become exponentially more expensive or less efficient as they increase in output? I suppose there is more danger of electrical shock at the higher voltages?

I would assume that using the 36v COBs would make it easier to hook up 6, but I also don't fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of 36v vs 72 v.

I forgot the HLG-240H-C1050 would run 6 CXB3590 36v or 5 on a C1400 which is a better match

 

[outofthecloset]

Much respect to Realstyles. no bs just quality build and shares with us all. need more of this in today's world. i will be following realstyles for sure. i have been reading up on lighting tech and really appreciate the straight forward insight shown here. thank you Realstyles.

 

[REALSTYLES]

Much respect to Realstyles. no bs just quality build and shares with us all. need more of this in today's world. i will be following realstyles for sure. i have been reading up on lighting tech and really appreciate the straight forward insight shown here. thank you Realstyles.

Thanks for stopping by. I will be making another light real soon and it will be made differently. I'm thinking a passive heat sink this time.

 

[Deadphish1965]

Thanks for stopping by. I will be making another light real soon and it will be made differently. I'm thinking a passive heat sink this time.

Hey realstyles, do you sell lights? Or recommend some brands? I'm building a 4x2x6.5 and want a quality led. I'm new and don't know what to get. I want something that can do veg and flower with full spectrum.

Thanks

 

[Intimea]

Sorry for my intrusion, but I'm pleased to show you some Italian stuff...take a look at this

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showpost.php?p=7273634&postcount=969

This guy rocks!

 

[DeceiverZ]

Thanks for stopping by. I will be making another light real soon and it will be made differently. I'm thinking a passive heat sink this time.

Thank you for your contribution thus far bro. Very grateful to absorb some of your knowledge.

Looking forward to seeing your new light and making my own very soon.

One quick question if I may.. I see that most of the DIY panels are wired in series and not in parallel. Wouldn't you have more consistent current through all the LED's if you went parallel vs in series. I understand you'd need the driver capable of this, but wouldn't the LED's last even longer and perhaps be more efficient this way?

-DZ

 

[REALSTYLES]

Thank you for your contribution thus far bro. Very grateful to absorb some of your knowledge.

Looking forward to seeing your new light and making my own very soon.

One quick question if I may.. I see that most of the DIY panels are wired in series and not in parallel. Wouldn't you have more consistent current through all the LED's if you went parallel vs in series. I understand you'd need the driver capable of this, but wouldn't the LED's last even longer and perhaps be more efficient this way?

-DZ

Cree doesn't recommend running in parallel but if can be done. You'll have to test every cob in the process which will consume more time. I don't think there will be any change in efficiency as well. I'm starting to think more modular style for better light spread. I gotta get a new heat sink for the new light. I'm thinking passive this time.

 

[Asylum]

I am ordering, Is it okay to get 1 HLG-185H-C700A, and run 4 cree cxb3950? basically half what you have on the panel, then I can add 4 more later with another HLG-185H-C700A?

 

[Asylum]

This is what Jerry Had to say

CXB3590 3500K CD 80RA 36V is available in stock, there are 2 solution as below:

1. Led glass lens:
led + Ideal holder 50-2303CR + LED glass lens KB-HB100-80(diameter 100mm, 80degree)

2. Led reflector:
led + Ideal holder 50-2303CR + Ideal connector 50-2300AN + Reflector KB-D82-90RF(diameter 82mm, 90degree)

MW driver HLG-120H-C: $47.5usd/pcs
MW driver HLG-185H-C: $52.5usd/pcs
MW driver HLG-240H-C: $72.5usd/pcs

Will you use led glass lens or reflector?


What should I do Realstyles?

 

[Asylum]

I ordered the 1 HLG-185H-C700A already

 

[Deadphish1965]

Here's the tutorial I promised a couple of people on here and I'll try my best to explain what I've learned on RIU from the LED guru's and I really don't see any real DIY panel threads on here. Just remember you get what you pay for.

View Image

First off I like running my 3590's at 700ma and I dim them to 350ma it lowers the heat the panels give off and it increases lm/w and efficiency. I use Meanwell HLG-185H-C700A 4 cobs per driver and 8 cobs per panel. Now lets get started here's a list of things you'll need to make a panel like mine.

• Tools: wire stripper, drill ( I have a drill press), drill bits 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 3/16-NC18 tap and a square ruler

• Misc: solder, shrink tubing, 18ga wire I use solid wire not twisted for my application, 2 and 5 conductor Wagos. I stopped using wire nuts makes a much cleaner step up.

Parts for the panel.

1. (8)Cree CXB3590 what ever color you choose.
2. (8) Ideal 2023-CR cob holders
3. (2) Meanwell HLG-185H-C700A
4. (1) Thermaltake Pure 20 fan
5. (1) 10"x24" heatsink from heatsinkusa.com
6. (4) 5/16" x 3-1/4" eyebolts
7. (4) #10-24 x 2" machine screws
8. (4) #8-24 x 2" machine screws
9. (2) 6" of chain
10. (6) spring chain links
11. 15ft extension cord
12. Rhino molex acdc adapter

I'll be making another panel and taking pics step by step this will be my 11th panel.

How many actual watts are these lights? Do you sell them put together?

 

[Koondense]

@Asylum
Yes, your driver supports 4-8 cobs of 36V or 2-4 cobs of 72V, so starting with 4 and adding 4 later should be ok(if 36V cobs). But having 8 and keeping them dimmed to 350mA would be a better start

From the data I read I'd suggest you get reflectors over lenses, of course all depends on what you want. Lenses protect cobs but reflectors have a better spread for cobs at 700mA, making a more focused and intense light.

 

[Asylum]

Thank you, Ill get the reflectors and 8 then =)

 

[DeceiverZ]

Cree doesn't recommend running in parallel but if can be done. You'll have to test every cob in the process which will consume more time. I don't think there will be any change in efficiency as well. I'm starting to think more modular style for better light spread. I gotta get a new heat sink for the new light. I'm thinking passive this time.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I was also thinking along the lines of being more modular with larger heatsink's as well.. or have just two 140mm fans between four COBs.

Have you thought about running 4000K with supplemental single 630's and 660's around each COB? Apparently that's a favorable spectrum and it would be cool to be able to flip these on later in flower for a more targeted spectrum. Could be a great way to push a little more out of the buds towards the end.

-DZ

 

[REALSTYLES]

I am ordering, Is it okay to get 1 HLG-185H-C700A, and run 4 cree cxb3950? basically half what you have on the panel, then I can add 4 more later with another HLG-185H-C700A?

This is what Jerry Had to say

CXB3590 3500K CD 80RA 36V is available in stock, there are 2 solution as below:

1. Led glass lens:
led + Ideal holder 50-2303CR + LED glass lens KB-HB100-80(diameter 100mm, 80degree)

2. Led reflector:
led + Ideal holder 50-2303CR + Ideal connector 50-2300AN + Reflector KB-D82-90RF(diameter 82mm, 90degree)

MW driver HLG-120H-C: $47.5usd/pcs
MW driver HLG-185H-C: $52.5usd/pcs
MW driver HLG-240H-C: $72.5usd/pcs

Will you use led glass lens or reflector?


What should I do Realstyles?

I ordered the 1 HLG-185H-C700A already

Great you can run 8 CXB3590 36v in 1 HLG-185H-C700 driver and reflectors I think will work better. I'm using some lenses to test them out but gonna try reflectors next.