Epic 5.0
So once again, Im upgrading and changing my setup. Although my attempt at pheno hunting went pretty well, it was just wayy too much effort and took way too much of my time I decided to scale my entire setup back. I harvested something like 800g of bud in my last grow like 9 months ago and I still have like 10 ounces of bud left. I’ve just harvested my pheno hunt grow after flowering 2 of the candidate mothers, and about 20 clones from my chosen mother, I harvested 875g, and I still have 6 plants to cut!
I’ve decided to scale back my grow to just my main tent, and grow 2 plants vegged 60 days with a scrog, but also upgrade my lights.
My trusty Cree CXB3590s have lasted me a good 3 years or so. Well and truly paid for itself (think I paid about 870gbp for the parts back in 2017). They’ve gone through many different configurations and builds, but I think it’s time to retire them - or atleast put them into storage for the time being).
I really liked these Bridgelux EB2s that I built for the sog tent, they provided much more cover, ran cooler, and used about the same amount of power as the COBs. With help from @Mr.Sparkle he advised me that I could run 9 strips in parallel for a total of 18 with each of the drivers I’m currently using for the COBs. So I designed a new setup
So I got to work! This time is the time I do shit properly and not half ass it
Measure each cut and go s l o w
Clamp each cut TIGHT and drill through both pieces at once. Use a set-square to keep it 90deg
The frame made! Excuse the mess, I’m restructuring the insides of the shed while I do this
Went for a walk with the dogs. Back was killing me. Found a patch of Amanita Muscaria! Not for me, but cool.
Lining up the strips. This is where the REAL pain starts. Marking and drilling must have taken me like 2 hours to do. Used my step-bit for this, and did a trick @Tejas suggested by using a nail to make the initial dent for the bit. Worked well at the start but by the end I was getting a few of them wrong, but I think that’s more down to the frame not being PERFECTLY straight, and probably the fact the step bit was dulling out.
DONE. I used long screws ad the sides facing inwards so I can rest them on the floor like @TerpSneeze suggested and it works PERFECTLY
Brought it in so I could watch some stuff whilst wiring it. Equally measured and cut wires, colour coded for each series. My fingers are KILLING me. Those connectors are so frustrating to use. Will wire the other sides as suggested by @Mr.Sparkle so flow is equal and it doesnt get too hot on one side once my fingers stop hurting.
Unwired the potentiometers. Dont think these strips are dimmable, couldnt see anything in the spec sheet, so ill just ditch them. Epic 5.0.0.
50k lux at 12 inches. Dont know why I did 12 inches, last time I did 50cm. Will re-measure and update another time. I know lux isnt the best measurement for light for plants, but its the only meter I got.
The next grow. Skunk Haze CBD. Starting with 3, will finish with 2.
With the new drivers, no flicker! Was getting awful flickering when taking photos with the mars hydro drivers I was using before.
264w, more than the COBs, but not by much.
So total cost for the build:
- Strips x20 = 88.32
- Strips x16 = 70.08
- Aluminium x4 = 36.28
total: 194.68gbp Absolute fantastic value for money
Nuts/bolts/wire/drivers I already owned.
I’ve built 1 light, but I have 2 drivers. So the plan is to build the second light when I need it in a month or so when the plants are more mature. Cant wait! 