Build Your Own Led Grow Light – To make my growing season preparations more high-tech I built a grow light with over 25000 lumens light output costing less than US$300. During the build I posted pictures/short notes to the Makers, Hackers, Artists and Engineers Google+ community and received many questions regarding LED selection, drivers, build materials and construction details. This article aims to answer these questions and hopefully generate others – please don’t hesitate to ask!
The goal of this project was to produce grow lights suitable for personal indoor gardening – mainly starting vegetables for planting outside sometime in May and possibly extending the growing season into the fall. When trying to determine the required light output I realized that finding good numbers was impossible. After reading numerous indoor gardeners’ forums, I learned that people are getting good results with light sources ranging from household-type compact fluorescent bulbs to high-pressure sodium street lights. After analyzing the pros and cons of all available light sources I decided to use high-power white LEDs. Here’s why:
Build Your Own Led Grow Light
As I mentioned earlier, it was difficult to determine the required light output of the fixture I was going to build. For this reason, I first started looking at available power supplies. After browsing through the offers on eBay, Aliexpress and electronics components supplier sites I sized my supply at 300W – the power is good and the cost is not excessive. A representative supply is the Minwell Model S-320-48. Price is ~US$70 for real and ~US$30 for clone. Dealing with clones involves – at a minimum, you’ll need to a) inspect the power supply inside (includes non-destructive removal of warranty stickers, requires dexterity), b) test for load and ripple (requires some pretty specialized equipment) , such as 300W dummy loads), c) burn-in for a few days under full load (hard to do safely in a residential setting unless you have an empty 2 car garage), and d) if you’re unhappy with the deal Undo one of the previous steps. Internet purchases/returns take time; I suggest not buying from China – the transit time is too long. I had to return 2 supplies; The third turned out to be a genuine Meanwell with a cut-off sticker – for the price of a clone.
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A 300W power supply can drive 250 – 280W LEDs. Currently, high-power LEDs are available in 2 flavors – single emitter and multi-LED modules. A major advantage of a single emitter is the low cost per unit. However, they are more difficult to work with – to make 270W of light from 3W LEDs you would need 90 emitters each requiring 2 mounting holes, 180 drilled and tapped holes. Also, they are soldered on a so-called “star” heatsink with uncertain thermal characteristics – the thermal conductivity of tin is 3.5 times lower than that of aluminum, so the thermal resistance between the emitter and its heatsink depends very much on the thickness of the solder layer under the LED, which is non-existent. . One also tries to control. In addition, some “LED mounters” use lead-based solder that has even lower thermal conductivity – 5 times lower than aluminum. Another major disadvantage of single emitter LEDs is that genuine ones are difficult to obtain. Most of the mounted LEDs sold to me as “Cree” or “BridgeLux” were fake – I have about 30-40 of each name purchased from different places. Interestingly, all the Luxeons I have (the other 50 pieces) are genuine. Finally, single emitter LEDs are almost twice as expensive per watt – the brightest can of the 45W Cree CXA011 costs US$15.23 at Mouser while a “generic 3W Epistar” mounted on stevesleds.com sells for $1.85 (prices at time of writing), and if As we start comparing lumens per watt (assuming we can reliably determine the actual lumen output from a generic emitter) the difference becomes larger.
Now that we know that multi-emitter modules are the way to go let’s take a look at what’s available. The Chinese make decent modules (search eBay for ’30W white led bead’ to see these good looking products mounted on large aluminum bases around 45mm). I’ve used it in my past projects – it works well and it’s easy to operate, typical forward voltage is ~34V at 1A. The problems with Chinese products are that a) the quality is unknown – you can either get a decent product or a part from the reject bin, and b) the actual specifications of the device are unknown. After looking further and comparing watts per dollar, lumens per watt and wattnote, I decided to go with the Cree CXA2011 module ( link to datasheet ). The main reason for choosing this particular module was the ease of mounting. Another reason was price. Finally, the module is available from established US suppliers in the manufacturer’s packaging so the likelihood of receiving a counterfeit is low. The picture on the right shows the module bolted to the heatsink by a pair of #4-40 screws. My grow light uses 6 of these. The CXA2011 has many color temperature and light output variations, the full part number of the one I use is ‘CXA2011-0000-000P00J050F’.
I wanted to keep my LEDs as close to ambient temperature as possible. This means I need a forced-air heatsink. The one pictured is a Roseville RCX-Z80-AL AMD CPU cooler designed for 70W loads. It is available from many places for ~US$7.00. It’s several times cheaper than a “made specifically for LED” heatsink and works very well. I learned from reviews that the included fan is good for two years.
The advantage of having a grow light with a fan is that the air movement in the grow room is beneficial for the plants and the 6 fans produce a very decent breeze – strong but not overwhelming. Disadvantages of having a fan are a) additional current consumption and additional power supply, b) noise and c) additional maintenance. However, since convectional cooling is not possible anyway I need to learn how to deal with them.
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After mounting the module using Arctic Silver 5 thermal interface material and running it at 1A (the maximum allowed by the manufacturer) I measured a 1C temperature difference between the module’s case and the heatsink surface next to it. Anywhere else the heatsink measured 22C which was the ambient temperature at the moment. It was possible to have 2 LEDs per heatsink and still dissipate well but in the end I decided to only have one.
Up to this point I did all my tests using a bench power supply. I learned that the forward voltage of the module at 1A is close to 48V while the datasheet shows slightly less than 46V. It also means that the power consumption is 48W instead of the specified 45. I don’t know how this extra power increases the light output so I will continue to use the datasheet numbers for the light. I also know that the LED forward voltage increases slightly with temperature so I need an LED driver that goes up to 48V at 1A. The one I chose is the Meanwell LDD-1000H. The picture on the left shows the 3 drivers mounted on the protoboard. The driver needs at least an extra 3V on the input so I tuned the power supply output to 55V.
The total for the main ingredients is $232.44. It is difficult to estimate the cost of miscellaneous small pieces such as fasteners, aluminum angles, polycarbonate, solder, connectors, etc. (I have all these lying around); It’s still safe to assume the total will be $260 – $280 depending on what you already have.
A few other notes about pricing. First, it is possible to negotiate prices on eBay. Many sellers provide an “make an offer” button which you need to use wisely – don’t try to offer $5 for a $30 power supply as your offer will be rejected without further discussion. Better to offer $20 initially and then add a little during each round. It is also possible to discuss shipping charges (and less).
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Second, dimming these lights is easy – just use a small number of LEDs. You’ll also need to account for the other pieces – a combination of LED, driver and heatsink costs ~US$35. In my opinion, the smallest number that makes sense is 3.
The construction of the light is very simple. The most tedious task is drilling/tapping the holes in the heatsink and the two 22″ 1/4 aluminum angle pieces. After the main structure (pictured on the right) is put together, the LEDs with soldered wires are mounted on the heatsink. It is then necessary to cover the LED with a piece of transparent plastic to protect the lens – I used 0.118″ polycarbonate. The drivers are mounted on the sides of the structure, 3 on each side. The LED wires are soldered to the drivers and zip-tied to the angle pieces. Finally, the fans are mounted on the heatsink and wired together. They are powered from their own 12V 1A wall wort
You Grow Girl
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Author by : Gayla Trail
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2008-06-16
Publisher by : Simon and Schuster
ISBN :
Description : This is not your grandmother's gardening book. You Grow Girl is a hip, humorous how-to for crafty gals everywhere who are discovering a passion for gardening but lack the know-how to turn their dreams of homegrown tomatoes and fresh-cut flowers into a reality. Gayla Trail, creator of YouGrowGirl.com, provides guidance for both beginning and intermediate gardeners with engaging tips, projects, and recipes -- whether you have access to a small backyard or merely to a fire escape. You Grow Girl eliminates the intimidation factor and reveals how easy and enjoyable it can be to cultivate plants and flowers even when resources and space are limited. Divided into accessible sections like Plan, Plant, and Grow, You Grow Girl takes readers through the entire gardening experience: Preparing soil Nurturing seedlings Fending off critters Reaping the bounty Readying plants for winter Preparing for the seasons ahead Gayla also includes a wealth of ingenious and creative projects, such as: Transforming your garden's harvest into lush bath and beauty products Converting household junk into canny containers Growing and bagging herbal tea Concocting homemade pest repellents ...and much, much more. Witty, wise, and as practical as it is stylish, You Grow Girl is guaranteed to show you how to get your garden on. All you need is a windowsill and a dream!...
Organic Gardening For Everyone
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Author by : CaliKim
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2019-12-24
Publisher by : Cool Springs Press
ISBN :
Description : If you want to grow healthy vegetables at home, but have hesitated because it seems too hard and time consuming, Organic Gardening for Everyone is your perfect hands-on guide—an “if I can do it, you can do it” case study that addresses your concerns and gets you started. Loaded with practical advice and step-by-step guidance, Organic Gardening for Everyone takes a very personal and friendly approach to a subject that can be intimidating. It is a first-class primer on organic vegetable gardening, and an inspirational story about how anyone can balance the rigors of gardening with the demands of a modern, family-oriented lifestyle. In 2012, a California mom decided to start an organic vegetable garden. But she went about it in an unusual way: she crowdsourced it by launching a YouTube channel under the name "CaliKim" and asking for help. And then she started planting. As questions came up, she turned to her viewers and subscribers and they replied with answers and advice. As she learned, her garden grew successfully—even in the hot, harsh California climate. Her expertise also grew, and now she answers many more questions than she asks and has become a very accomplished home gardener. And CaliKim has a great story to tell: growing healthy organic vegetables for your family is not difficult, even for today’s time-challenged lifestyles. She provides complete step-by-step information on growing the most popular edibles organically, and also gives sound advice on how to take on the challenges of balancing a hectic lifestyle with successful growing—and how to involve the whole family in the process. You'll be rewarded for your effort every time you place a plate of natural, organic vegetables on the family dinner table knowing exactly what they are, what is in them, and where they came from....
The Led Grow Book
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Author by : Christopher Sloper
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2013-08-23
Publisher by : CreateSpace
ISBN :
Description : In The LED Grow Book, Christopher Sloper shares insights gained from years of researching and growing indoors with LED grow lights – the coolest lighting technology to hit the indoor gardening industry in a decade. The LED Grow Book doesn't stop at explaining how LED grow lights work and how to pick one. It continues with an in-depth guide to effective indoor gardening practices with chapters on grow spaces and systems, plant nutrition and feeding, pest control and more.The LED Grow Book is a must-read for anyone who is serious about gardening indoors – even if you never plan to use a LED grow light. It's chock full of indoor gardening tips that will make every indoor gardener more successful. This book will help the reader:• Avoid costly mistakes• Design the perfect grow room• Dispel the myths that surround indoor gardening• Achieve better yields with less energy—both electrical and human• Grow healthier plants that resist pests and produce bountiful harvests...
Coco For Cannabis
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Author by : M. J. Coco
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2018-08-05
Publisher by :
ISBN :
Description : "Manage your Grow like a Pro"The Science and Practice of Growing Cannabis in Coco CoirCoco coir is arguably the best medium to grow cannabis! However, not every grow style takes full advantage of its benefits. Based on scientific principles and informed by personal experience and work with numerous coco growers, this guide clearly explains the information you need to avoid the pitfalls and unlock the magic of Coco for Cannabis!This guide provides clear explanations and recommendations for all the most common questions about growing in coco!¿What size and type of containers should you use?¿Why does coco need Cal/Mag supplement?¿How often should you water?¿How often should you provide nutrients?¿What kinds of nutrients work best for cannabis in coco?¿How strong should your nutrient solution be?Included within the guide, you will find clear instructions for:¿How to buffer your coco and avoid Cal/Mag problems¿How much perlite to mix with the coco¿How to mix nutrient solutions with the correct ratio and strength¿How to fertigate (irrigate with fertilizers) properly¿How to manage Electrical Conductivity (EC)¿How to manage automatic watering systems¿How to responsibly dispose of waste waterAfter reading this guide you will know both what to do and why you are doing it!...
The Prairie Homestead Cookbook
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Author by : Jill Winger
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2019-04-02
Publisher by : Flatiron Books
ISBN :
Description : Jill Winger, creator of the award-winning blog The Prairie Homestead, introduces her debut The Prairie Homestead Cookbook, including 100+ delicious, wholesome recipes made with fresh ingredients to bring the flavors and spirit of homestead cooking to any kitchen table. With a foreword by bestselling author Joel Salatin The Pioneer Woman Cooks meets 100 Days of Real Food, on the Wyoming prairie. While Jill produces much of her own food on her Wyoming ranch, you don’t have to grow all—or even any—of your own food to cook and eat like a homesteader. Jill teaches people how to make delicious traditional American comfort food recipes with whole ingredients and shows that you don’t have to use obscure items to enjoy this lifestyle. And as a busy mother of three, Jill knows how to make recipes easy and delicious for all ages. "Jill takes you on an insightful and delicious journey of becoming a homesteader. This book is packed with so much easy to follow, practical, hands-on information about steps you can take towards integrating homesteading into your life. It is packed full of exciting and mouth-watering recipes and heartwarming stories of her unique adventure into homesteading. These recipes are ones I know I will be using regularly in my kitchen." - Eve Kilcher These 109 recipes include her family’s favorites, with maple-glazed pork chops, butternut Alfredo pasta, and browned butter skillet corn. Jill also shares 17 bonus recipes for homemade sauces, salt rubs, sour cream, and the like—staples that many people are surprised to learn you can make yourself. Beyond these recipes, The Prairie Homestead Cookbook shares the tools and tips Jill has learned from life on the homestead, like how to churn your own butter, feed a family on a budget, and experience all the fulfilling satisfaction of a DIY lifestyle....
The Modern Homestead Garden
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Author by : Gary Pilarchik
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2021-04-06
Publisher by : Cool Springs Press
ISBN :
Description : If concerns about the environment and the health and wellness of yourself and your family leave you longing to make a change, start growing and preserving your own organic foods. With the guidance found in The Modern Homestead Garden, you'll discover how little land and effort it takes to start growing healthy, nutritious food. Modern homesteading is a lifestyle focused on living lightly on the land and increasing self-sufficiency. It doesn’t matter whether “home” is 50 acres in the country, a suburban corner lot, or an apartment in the city; all you need is a desire to reduce your footprint on the earth and live a more sustainable life. To be a modern homesteader, you don’t have to live off-grid and you don’t have to give up contemporary conveniences. For most modern homesteaders, it all starts with making the conscious decision to reduce your reliance on the commercial food supply chain. In The Modern Homestead Garden, author and YouTube gardening star Gary Pilarchik of The Rusted Garden walks you step-by-step through the process of building a homestead garden. From laying out the planting beds,nurturing the soil, and starting seeds, straight through to cooking and preserving the harvest, Gary serves as your warm and accessible guide, no matter how large or how small your homestead is. With the guidance found here, you’ll move at your own pace, learn, share, and enjoy the journey as you slowly transform your home into an edible landscape. Practical advice to site and build your very first homestead garden Crop profiles to get you growing quickly Cost-effective ways to source seeds and plants The low-down on feeding plants in an earth-friendly way Methods for preparing planting beds and containers Soil prep advice every homesteader can use All natural trouble-shooting solutions How to include berries, cane fruits, vine crops, and fruit trees in your homestead plans Food preservation advice that's easy and delicious Modern homesteading is as much an attitude as it is an action. It’s not dependent on how much land you have or even how much food you can grow; it’s about cultivating self-sufficiency and self-reliance, no matter its level. Welcome to The Modern Homestead Garden....
The Complete Guide To Building Your Own Greenhouse
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Author by : Craig W. Baird
Languange Used : en
Release Date : 2011
Publisher by : Atlantic Publishing Company
ISBN :
Description : A step-by-step guide to building your own greenhouse...
