Cheap E27 COBs from Aliexpress

[horsebones]

Hi, just wanted to let you folks know that E27 spotlight COB LEDs are available and affordable. Received mine today from AliExpress (China)...

15W (apparently) and passively cooled.





I've also got a red one coming from a different seller.

Here are the pages I ordered form (not affiliated with them):
Got the white ones here
Got the red ones here

As of writing this, the white cost me €2.55 each and the red, €5.72 each (all at 15W). Prices fluctuate though.

My plan is to mix two warm white with one red. I've also got a pH pen coming, so I'm slowing getting my sh*t together.

Let's see how the plants respond to them over the coming months.

[ChilliJez]

Horsebones, thanks for posting this. I've just ordered 15 of the white LEDs from the supplier you posted, GU10 fitting and 12W at £1.40 each. I'll post my experiences here.

[horsebones]

Good luck, I hope they work out.

[horsebones]

Here is a little update to show how the cobs are doing...

I ended up taking out my old transplants and giving the hydroton an Apricot hab from seedling. I think it's done pretty well. I don't think the cobs are powerful enough for fruiting, so my plan is to move the system to a sunny window area when the sun finally makes an appearance.

Also in the picture is oregano grown in a peanut butter jar, with coco coir and perlite as medium, and a lemon tree in a mix of compost / cococoir.

[horsebones]

I've had some issues with these lights (the white ones specifically). Two of them are starting to flicker/strobe and another had one of their LEDs burn out. I've ended up replacing them with this...



@chilliJez, I hope your ones have been better than mine. At least they were cheap ;)

[horsebones]

Took apart the one that had a burnt diode. A little shoddy if you ask me. https://imgur.com/a/aEiUA

The parts are cheap enough though. If I can get a big, cheap hunk of aluminum, I would be really tempted to make my own light.

[ChilliJez]

Took apart the one that had a burnt diode. A little shoddy if you ask me. https://imgur.com/a/aEiUA

The parts are cheap enough though. If I can get a big, cheap hunk of aluminum, I would be really tempted to make my own light.

I console myself with the fact that they put out some light and didn't cost the earth but they are cheap and not very inspiring.

I think making your own is the way to go. Look for Growmau5 videos on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... KYHz2pKqJN

I don't know about for you but those CXA3590s are achingly expensive but if you scout around there's older generation stuff that's half the light for 1/10th of the price.