Low Cost SIL Build

[Saboo the Shaman]

I got into building these over the last year or so after starting out with roleadro blurples and COBs. IMO, with the 15w units putting out over 100 lumens/watt before removing the globe, the efficiency is hard to beat with the cost per watt taken into account.

Can't see the LED's in this one, but a decent look at a SIL garden.

Spectrum and intensity can be easily adjusted and a dead light is screwed out and replaced in seconds with a cheap replacement. There's no fan noise and good heat dissipation. I've got these in all my grow spaces now.

 

[Saboo the Shaman]

My photos aren't showing up for me, yet they did when I posted them. Can anyone else see them, or does anyone know what I'm doing wrong?
Thank you.

 

[badmofo529]

Showing up fine for me. Looks good bro, those screw ins work pretty good for the price.

 

[yougrowyourway]

Close-ups of the colas?

 

[Saboo the Shaman]

Privacy Badger was hiding the pics. Hope I'm all good now.

@yougrowyourway :

 

[Hydro]

Welcome to Paradise @Saboo the Shaman
Just as heads up, your posts have to be approved by a moderator until you get so many posts/likes/or time on the forum. this may be why it takes a few for your stuff to post.

 

[Hydro]

@Jesselikes2Grow can probably really appreciate your build. Great minds think alike eh?

 

[socaljoe]

Cool build.

 

[BigBallzWillie]

Love it! How hot does that light get comparably with HID?

 

[Saboo the Shaman]

Love it! How hot does that light get comparably with HID?

Thanks to you and anyone who left kind words.

I've never grown with HID, but the thermometer that sits on top of the main flowering fixture in the 3x3 grow tent(IE a few inches above the sockets) never gets above 34C and is usually a bit lower than that. There is a speed adjusted 6 inch duct fan pushing out the top of the tent and a small desk fan moving air beneath the canopy.
Down at root level it is usually ~25C. There is a DIY intake filter hooked up to 6" duct. The negative pressure provides good airflow.

 

[Saboo the Shaman]

Great minds think alike eh?

How come nobody ever finishes that quote?

Thanks for the tips and the welcome.

 

[TerpyTyrone]

How long did it take ya to build that sum bitch!!
Whats the sil stand for?
Welcome to PARADISE

 

[Old ST1R]

Welcome from Canada eh!

 

[Saboo the Shaman]

How long did it take ya to build that sum bitch!!
Whats the sil stand for?
Welcome to PARADISE

Not long at all. Designing it in my wee brain was more difficult than building it in the real world. The unit in the first photo was built to cover a 2'x2' tent wall to wall. I also have something similar in a 3'x3', an 18"x30"x36", and a couple DIY cabinets. As is to be expected, each subsequent build went together faster and more efficiently.

Screw-In LED That seems to be kind of an agreed upon acronym among many of us geeks that grow with these.

Thank you, it seems like a pretty cool place so far. The regulars seem smart and friendly.

 

[socaljoe]

How come nobody ever finishes that quote?

Thanks for the tips and the welcome.

I finish it sometimes, and people look at me like I have horns.

 

[Old ST1R]

How come nobody ever finishes that quote?

Thanks for the tips and the welcome.

Poor ones seldom differ.

 

[Big Perm]

Awesome DIY man. You are killing it with those lights!

 

[GCG]

Awesome to see just bought a bunch of bulbs to make something similar. Going to make a small veg one and another little one for clones. May also add a little side lighting with these. Love it. Welcome to paradise.

 

[Saboo the Shaman]

Awesome to see just bought a bunch of bulbs to make something similar. Going to make a small veg one and another little one for clones. May also add a little side lighting with these. Love it. Welcome to paradise.
View attachment 36995

Thank you.

One design note I found significant:
In the pictured build, the sockets are spaced out a little bit. In my experience, this is best for veg. For flowering rigs, I put the sockets touching each other. The overlap of the SIL's greatly increases intensity.

With the veg fixtures, very little headroom is needed, but the flowering ones need more or light burn and/or foxtailing can be an issue.

Approximate build cost:
wood for frame < $5
wiring and plug < $10
Sockets ~$2ea

 

[GCG]

Really appreciate all you DIYers putting your experiences out here for thr rest of us to learn some things. Thanks, boys I don't think you all realize how cool and valued it is.