3500k is the best single cct to run. Mixing is also good but most people I see only run the 3500's what's great about DIY and these cobs besides the efficiency is that it doesn't have to be purchased all at once. Singe 2530's are super inexpensive and the drivers from northern grow lights are a great match for them and priced great as well. As for not wanting to swap out the newer Mars I get it but understand that every minute it runs your also wasting energy on less efficient diodes vs efficient cobs. Mars is in the 20-25% efficiency range. Cobs are 50-62% efficiency range. To get 62% your paying serious money but even the cheaper options are still double. 50% less heat and 50% more light.
I have no need to convert it, YET! Its all i have, id rather make one seperate and run 200w rather than 100. I half the materials needed for a diy laying around as scrap (Aluminium plate, heatsink, solder and hangshanging chains)
I've got a 36 x 23cm 1 and one quater mm thick aluminum panel and a cpu heatsink thats like 8half by 7cm or something. Would this deal with the heat of 2 to 4 2530s? And is thermal grease/Silicone/Paste/Silver whatever essentially the same stuff ? If so i've got thermal grease and kapton tape on the way and be able to order a driver and cobs soon. @arty zan your help also would be great or anyone else!
Cheers
 
3500k is the best single cct to run. Mixing is also good but most people I see only run the 3500's what's great about DIY and these cobs besides the efficiency is that it doesn't have to be purchased all at once. Singe 2530's are super inexpensive and the drivers from northern grow lights are a great match for them and priced great as well. As for not wanting to swap out the newer Mars I get it but understand that every minute it runs your also wasting energy on less efficient diodes vs efficient cobs. Mars is in the 20-25% efficiency range. Cobs are 50-62% efficiency range. To get 62% your paying serious money but even the cheaper options are still double. 50% less heat and 50% more light.
Hi BigSm0

Hows it going bro :pass:
Just wondering if you could clear something up for me?
I'm currently working with Northern Grow Lights and one of the things I noticed in your post was you said the the drivers from Northern Grow Lights are a great match for the 2530's.
Northern Grow Lights don't sell LED Drivers on their website, Is it possible there is another Northern Grow Lights? or did you mean another company?
It could be my mistake as I have only become involved with them recently.
Anyway a little clarification would be a great help.
Thanks
arty
 
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I have no need to convert it, YET! Its all i have, id rather make one seperate and run 200w rather than 100. I half the materials needed for a diy laying around as scrap (Aluminium plate, heatsink, solder and hangshanging chains)
I've got a 36 x 23cm 1 and one quater mm thick aluminum panel and a cpu heatsink thats like 8half by 7cm or something. Would this deal with the heat of 2 to 4 2530s? And is thermal grease/Silicone/Paste/Silver whatever essentially the same stuff ? If so i've got thermal grease and kapton tape on the way and be able to order a driver and cobs soon. @arty zan your help also would be great or anyone else!
Cheers
Hi orrganic.
I'm still new to building COBs and in no way have all the answers.
I would defer to the knowledge of the more technically minded members who have more experience in these matters.Big Sm0 & A-tulip should be able to help.
Certain criteria would help when trying to find a solution, What chips your using, what is their voltage, what mA are you running them at,passive or actively cooled heat sinks & is the heat sink anodized etc.
If you include all the important factors then some one with a knowledge of heat sinks can more easily provide an answer.

Thermal grease (also called CPU grease, heat paste, heat sink compound, heat sink paste, thermal compound, thermal gel, thermal interface material, or thermal paste) is a kind of thermally conductive (but usually electrically insulating) compound, which is commonly used as an interface between heat sinks and heat sources (e.g., high-power semiconductor devices). The main role of thermal grease is to eliminate air gaps or spaces (which act as thermal insulator) from the interface area so as to maximize heat transfer. Thermal grease is an example of a Thermal interface material.

As opposed to thermal adhesive, thermal grease does not add mechanical strength to the bond between heat source and heat sink. It will have to be coupled with a mechanical fixation mechanism such as screws, allowing for pressure between the two, spreading the thermal grease onto the heat source. - wikipeadia.

When using kapton tape or a LED holder, pastes/grease or a tim (Thermally Insulated Material) can be used.If you weren't using kapton tape or a LED holder then a two part thermal epoxy would be used to stick it to the heat sink.
 
Hi BigSm0

Hows it going bro :pass:
Just wondering if you could clear something up for me?
I'm currently working with Northern Grow Lights and one of the things I noticed in your post was you said the the drivers from Northern Grow Lights are a great match for the 2530's.
Northern Grow Lights don't sell LED Drivers on their website, Is it possible there is another Northern Grow Lights? or did you mean another company?
It could be my mistake as I have only become involved with them recently.
Anyway a little clarification would be a great help.
Thanks
arty
They are sold out. I'm not sure they will be getting them back since they aren't listed on their website any longer either. But I did get 2 in last week from them. They were smaller 50v max for $15 which is enough to run a single cob. I also had a good experience with them. But let me tell you being active on other forums there are many other companies that sell these parts and a much different opinion for sure.
 
They are sold out. I'm not sure they will be getting them back since they aren't listed on their website any longer either. But I did get 2 in last week from them. They were smaller 50v max for $15 which is enough to run a single cob. I also had a good experience with them. But let me tell you being active on other forums there are many other companies that sell these parts and a much different opinion for sure.
Thanks for the reply, really useful info!
I'll keep you updated as I learn more, there are some exciting things planned for the DIY LED section:yeah:can't say too much right now but watch this space (so to speak).
 
Hey guys, what about "update" your COBs with UV light? Which one, how much, best option?

There is very limited options for uv. I'm trying to remember the link but drawing a blank, I read about uv LEDs. Omg they were over 100 per chip so that goes to show how far away they are from hitting production panels.
 
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