I bought 4 new ones. Let me say I never knew oil could make such a difference. I may only need the one now. I went from metal shavings to metal slivers with the new bit and a single drop of 3 in 1 oil. Thanks for that tip. I decided to test it out when I got home and finished the rest of the first one in 5 minutes. I was spending that much time per hole before.
Hey @PurpNGold74 can you show me what you did with your driver’s or are you mounting them elsewhere?
I havent even mountd it (another reason I said drill all holes first, went from optional to NO WAY IN HELL IM RISKING A STRIP TO MOUNT THAT DRIVER quickly!). Instead it sits on the drawer by the enclosure (outside of where plants are). Ill get a pick tomaro. But its a fishtank (3x1) on a dresser. Driver beside it. I have a needle thermostat thingy. It reads 100 with the lights on 80 with it off. My house is around 75 and the spot where the lights hang with lights off more 70~. So give it 5-10 degrees leeway. Guess ill check driver temp tomaro
Lol I finally had a good idea to add a piece of U channel in the middle of mine to mount the driver’s. I have just enough extra to make it work… but I have to take part of the first one back apart to do it on that one. But I guess one is better than all 3.
My dad actually recommended we go find a nice L bar shape to mount her. But now that i mention it… i think a U is even better! That’ll finish out this one
Yeah I couldn’t find and L angle in stock local. But they had the U channel and it actually worked out well with the dimensions to turn it on its side and fit the heatsink into it. Plus it seems very sturdy which I was really worried about it being to flimsy.
I figured would be a game changer, glad it worked out for you.
Here’s a few pics of driver mounts. Not sure any of them will help you, but best I can do for right now.
I needed this link somewhere findable.
@PurpNGold74 @dbrn32 I got the strips mounted on the first one. That blue film is a bastard to get started coming off lol. I’ll probably mount the rest of the strips then start wiring. I totally forgot to order dimming pots so I’ll just have to cap those leads of for now.
Yea that doggone tape is a BEAST to get off. Possibly the most time consuming part (aside from waiting on UPS)
Haha right! But it’s definitely sticky tape. I accidentally set one strip on a little crooked only half or less of the strip was touching tape I barely got it back off of it.
Same. Only she didnt come off. So one of mines to the right side is a bit crooked
Lol yeah if I hadn’t been holding the rest up away I’d have left it to. Crazy sticky stuff
Awesome! Looks very nice, good work!
Thank you couldn’t have done it without all the lighting help you’ve provided.
I like doing it, so don’t sweat it. I’ll try to pop in regularly tonight, so let me know if you need anything.
I got all the individual panels wired. I’m about to do a test of function before calling it a night. If it works I’ll disconnect the driver and solder and heat shrink all the wires tomorrow. I had another round of injections in my spine today and I’m exhausted.
Well it worked but was so bright I couldn’t do anything but unplug it for fear I couldn’t locate the plug if I let go of it. But here’s my driver mounting solution. Ignore the ugly wiring I’ll tidy it up tomorrow.
Lol dont u love the test runs? My plants have doubled in size since the switch. Except diesel n she is adjusting. N its only been 3 days . They were sitting at a standstill otherwise. I cant wait to see a week
Awesome! I knew they would be bright but I don’t think I really understood exactly how bright until I plugged it in. And that was just one of the three! I’m gonna need sunglasses lol
You are building 3!!! At 185w drivers a piece?!? Good god man. Now i have to get my second board running… im thinking 11 on seperate drivers but same board… dammit always something