Lighting Buying Some Cobs- - - Watts per sq ft/framework--- please advise

[NebulaNuggets]

What's going on AFN

I am taking the plunge into led and decided to go with a cob build. I want to have enough light to cover a good 2x4 (or 1/4 of my 8x4 tent.) The cobs will be run with a 315w cmh and a 600w hps. If I like the cobs I am going to cut out the hps for more cob in the future.

Would the 50w per sq ft apply to cob lighting? seems like 16 cobs in a 4x4 would be overkill.

I have a budget and hope to cover the 1/4 of my tent with 4 or 5 citizen cobs, with a dimmable meanwell power supply. Will this suffice for the space?

Also, I have seen the framework builds with angle aluminum. I have not seen cobs being hung individually enabling them to be placed at different heights of even angled. If someone could point me in the right direction that would be greatly appreciated. Just looking for some simple ideas for placing cobs individually versus a framework build.

 

[White Punk on Dope]

Seriously dude. Check out CobShop.net. I have 4 AutoCobs that I adjust individually. Citizen 1812 cob 3500k.
16 cobs in a 4x4. Not even thought about. That is serious over kill.
I got some monsters coming. Out doing my old led panels.
My white light cobs run 24/0.

 

[White Punk on Dope]

Also, I don't use reflectors. I don't have or need a dimmer. @BigSm0 sent me the last one a few weeks ago. It took 90 seconds tops to open the box, cut the zip tie on the electrical cord and hang the AutoCob with the hanger already attached. It did not even come close to cutting into my smoking time....lol

 

[Proph]

10-12 cobs at 50w a piece could replace a 1000w hps in a 4x4 space. But no one really runs a 1000w of hps on a 4x4.. Kind of overkill..

I basically use 45-50 "cob watts" per sq ft as my baseline. They say 75w of hps per sq ft is optimal. They also say certain cobs driven at certain wattages, are 50% more efficient than hps.. 50% of 75w = 37.5w.. Which is the watts per sq ft that an efficient cob would need for "optimal" coverage. I round it up to 45-50w be safe in case the cobs aren't exactly 50% more efficient.

 

[NebulaNuggets]

Also, I don't use reflectors. I don't have or need a dimmer. @BigSm0 sent me the last one a few weeks ago. It took 90 seconds tops to open the box, cut the zip tie on the electrical cord and hang the AutoCob with the hanger already attached. It did not even come close to cutting into my smoking time....lol

No shit man? 90 seconds? It' s $135 for the AutoCob, at 150w, does that include a power supply? I have checked out a few sights cobs and kits. it's still a little confusing.

The cobshop has the autocob and the almost complete. It seems as if you need a power supply for the almost complete, but doesn't specify what the autocob is?

 

[Proph]

The autocob is 55w per light. But remember... 50% more efficient.. So that 55 watts of light is actually better than a "300w blurple" led that pulls 110-130 from the wall. I saw a post today on here where another autocob user compared par readings from his autocob to his 450w Viparspectra that pulled 200w from the wall. And the PAR numbers were almost identical. Thats huge! The complete cob has a power cord attached and is passively cooled. The almost complete autocob still needs a driver and power chord. Its like halfway finished diy light.

 

[NebulaNuggets]

The autocob is 55w per light. But remember... 50% more efficient.. So that 55 watts of light is actually better than a "300w blurple" led that pulls 110-130 from the wall. I saw a post today on here where another autocob user compared par readings from his autocob to his 450w Viparspectra that pulled 200w from the wall. And the PAR numbers were almost identical. Thats huge! The complete cob has a cord attached

Ah ok so just plug it in to the outlet and it's on? I still don't understand the advantage of the autocob at $135 to a citizen cob at $50. I can buy a mean well driver and 2 citizens for about the same cost, no?

 

[NebulaNuggets]

Ah ok so just plug it in to the outlet and it's on? I still don't understand the advantage of the autocob at $135 to a citizen cob at $50. I can buy a mean well driver and 2 citizens for about the same cost, no?

@BigSm0 Hey man I am looking at cobs and the cobshop. I am a little confused atm. What is the advantage of the autocob versus a citizen almost complete? Considering both but have limited funds right now.

I want to cover at least a good 2x4 section of my tent and add more cobs in the future. What's the best route I should take? I want to rid myself of the hps power draw, while maximizing yield. Would rather make a wise investment now than spend $ foolishly and have to upgrade again. Thanks man!

 

[Proph]

Ah ok so just plug it in to the outlet and it's on? I still don't understand the advantage of the autocob at $135 to a citizen cob at $50. I can buy a mean well driver and 2 citizens for about the same cost, no?

Yup, just plug and play. Its all personal preference.. Just like growing.. Yes.. You can buy everything yourself and build your own if you have all the tools to build frames ect. I almost went the build your own route.. But am no electrician and I heard electricity hurts.. Lol.. The deciding factor for me getting autocobs was the fact I can hang them however I want.. All at different hieghts or angles depending on my canopy. With frames its either all up high or all down low. I run a mixed perpetual tent so i have plants of all different sizes and ages in there and can adjust my light accordingly. Plus they are completely silent. No fans to worry about or
hear.. No noise at all. And no heat. My temps inside my tent are about 8 degrees below ambient with one 6" clip fan in there.. But again.. You have to go with what fits YOU and your growing style and growing goals. Regardless, you are on the right track. Hps, led ect is outdated now. They still work fine, but not like cobs.

 

[NebulaNuggets]

Yup, just plug and play. Its all personal preference.. Just like growing.. Yes.. You can buy everything yourself and build your own if you have all the tools to build frames ect. I almost went the build your own route.. But am no electrician and I heard electricity hurts.. Lol.. The deciding factor for me getting autocobs was the fact I can hang them however I want.. All at different hieghts or angles depending on my canopy. With frames its either all up high or all down low. I run a mixed perpetual tent so i have plants of all different sizes and ages in there and can adjust my light accordingly. Plus they are completely silent. No fans to worry about or
hear.. No noise at all. And no heat. My temps inside my tent are about 8 degrees below ambient with one 6" clip fan in there.. But again.. You have to go with what fits YOU and your growing style and growing goals. Regardless, you are on the right track. Hps, led ect is outdated now. They still work fine, but not like cobs.

Thanks for all of your help :smoking: I am considering my options and what fits my needs. I have no qualms about running the hps this grow. If 2 autocobs will cover 4x2 area, I may just go that route. As I learn more about cobs and what I want to do I can add more. And the benefit of lowering and raising them individually is making me want to pull the trigger. However, it isn't that difficult to wire up a few "almost complete" cobs to a $65 mean well. Under $300 for 4 citizens and a driver. I would just need to figure out a way to hang them individually, can't be that difficult.

I might be over thinking things. However, I worked with electronics and assemblies for 10 years. I know what it costs to buy parts from digikey or jameco and how to solder etc. The autocob is an awesome idea, probably couldn't build it cheaper myself unless I sourced parts through my old employer.