I Have $500

[PoodleBud]

I have roughly $500 +/- to spend on refitting new lights for my tent, which is 48" x 48" x 84" ht. The lights I've been using have been traditional HID but put out way too much heat. The tent is in the garage and the set-up has been effective when growing in the winter, but will be impossible any other time of year. I'd like to get the most bang for my buck (obviously) and find out if that dollar amount is even adequate for what I want to do. I've researched the forums and am getting hung up with some of the technology issues. My questions are: LED, plasma, or something else? Do I need separate lights for veg and flower? Is $500 enough to do what I want, which is creating an environment where plants thrive, and still stays cool temp wise?

TIA!

Edit: OK - just saw another thread that was asking a similar question. SO...assuming money was no object, but keeping in mind I'm a bargain shopper and don't like to spend more than I need to, how much would it cost for an effective LED set up for that space?

 

[bicit]

I think your best bet would be a diy cob build based on vero 18's or cxb2530s. I think it could possibly be done. Maybe optic grow lights might be another option

Or a pair of 315w cmh in your existing reflectors.

Google: advancedtechlighting

 

[PoodleBud]

Thanks, bicit. Could you translate vero "18's or cxb2530s" and "315w cmh" for the technologically challenged? I haven't heard about optic grow lights...

 

[bicit]

Thanks, bicit. Could you translate vero "18's or cxb2530s" and "315w cmh" for the technologically challenged? I haven't heard about optic grow lights...

Im on my Mobil. So can't help to much directly. Google

Opticgrowlights
bridgelux vero 18
Cree cxb2530
Ceramic metal halide, 315w
advanced tech lighting.

Someone with a bit more ability can probably help more. Mobile is clumsy. Gotta meet me half way and do a little bit of research =D

 

[bicit]

https://www.rollitup.org/t/diy-led-grow-lights-with-cree-cxa3070-cobs-and-cpu-coolers.805681/

This is a good thread if diy is your style.

 

[PoodleBud]

Im on my Mobil. Mobile is clumsy. Gotta meet me half way and do a little bit of research =D

No worries - I appreciate any and all help. I can usually ferret it out once I get pointed in the right direction!

 

[PoodleBud]

https://www.rollitup.org/t/diy-led-grow-lights-with-cree-cxa3070-cobs-and-cpu-coolers.805681/

This is a good thread if diy is your style.

It's an awesome thread. I'm big on enthusiasm, short on mechanical skills.

 

[gk skunky]

First off regardless of what lights you run you need to get out of that garage unless it's fully insulated and air conditioned. Then again I live in Texas so I simply couldn't fathom it. Even if your highs are in the 70-80s at most still not cool enough in that garage most likely.

 

[PoodleBud]

First off regardless of what lights you run you need to get out of that garage unless it's fully insulated and air conditioned. Then again I live in Texas so I simply couldn't fathom it. Even if your highs are in the 70-80s at most still not cool enough in that garage most likely.

The way I combat that is I have a portable a/c unit in the tent. It actually works well, but it's not going to be able to handle the HID and HPS lights AND spring/summer heat.

 

[gk skunky]

Ok. Hey want another LG portable ac. May still have one that works fine. Whatever you wanna pay, no bullshit, plus shipping. Have to make sure it's still at the shop. Buddy used it all last 2 summers no problem. He just doesn't need it or want to Fuck with selling it. let me know I'll check. One of these. http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/38/3857b861-cd75-49d7-bbce-d238fe943741_400.jpg

Back to the lighting though. For that area really CMH is the best for your price point and coverage. Hotter than LED but cooler than HPS.

 

[churchhaze]

500 dollars isn't enough budget for DIY led in a 4'x4'. I would keep what you currently have.

At current prices, DIY led in a 4'x'4 would need more like 1000.

 

[bicit]

500 dollars isn't enough budget for DIY led in a 4'x4'. I would keep what you currently have.

At current prices, DIY led in a 4'x'4 would need more like 1000.

yup, $1k would be about right for a quality build with heatsinks from heatsink usa and a nice meanwell driver.

However You could get away with $600 on a vero 18 build like the battlestar ganjantica. (Vero 18+cpu cooler+fasttech 50w driver= ~$35)x16=$560. Which would be about 672w, 37.5% efficient, 14 parw per square foot. $40 left over to cover shipping/wire/kapton tape/chain, ect.

Just depends on what he want's to deal with.

 

[a senile fungus]

For $500 you could just get a gavita 6/750e flex and run it at 750w and cool with a fan pretty easily.

I've got 2x gavita 6/750e and I love them. I've also got 2x CMH from advancedtecighting. In that sized space, with quality in mind, I'd go for the gavita.

Edit: just realized this was in led and other lighting section. 2x CMH from advanced with reflectors would work, but after cost of sockets, step up/down transformers, and reflectors you would go over budget.

I got my gavitas for 450 each.

 

[bicit]

For $500 you could just get a gavita 6/750e flex and run it at 750w and cool with a fan pretty easily.

I've got 2x gavita 6/750e and I love them. I've also got 2x CMH from advancedtecighting. In that sized space, with quality in mind, I'd go for the gavita.

Edit: just realized this was in led and other lighting section. 2x CMH from advanced with reflectors would work, but after cost of sockets, step up/down transformers, and reflectors you would go over budget.

I got my gavitas for 450 each.

Still a valid suggestion IMO.... The OP may be better off just getting a better AC from the hardware store and saving a bit until he could afford a better LED array.

My suggestion would be 16 CXB3590's, 4000k, 80CRI, on a pair of meanwell HLG-185H-C700. Two parallel strings of 4 emitters in series per driver. Each emitter on an individual 5.886x6" heatsink from heatsink usa. 400w power draw, 15 parw/square foot. ~60% efficient, estimate BOM: $1300.

 

[PoodleBud]

Ok. Hey want another LG portable ac.

Thanks, but 1 is plenty!

 

[PoodleBud]

500 dollars isn't enough budget for DIY led in a 4'x4'. I would keep what you currently have.

At current prices, DIY led in a 4'x'4 would need more like 1000.

Thanks. So if I wanted to spend $1000 +/-, what would be my most efficient option that would give great results?

 

[PoodleBud]

Still a valid suggestion IMO.... The OP may be better off just getting a better AC from the hardware store and saving a bit until he could afford a better LED array.

My suggestion would be 16 CXB3590's, 4000k, 80CRI, on a pair of meanwell HLG-185H-C700. Two parallel strings of 4 emitters in series per driver. Each emitter on an individual 5.886x6" heatsink from heatsink usa. 400w power draw, 15 parw/square foot. ~60% efficient, estimate BOM: $1300.

BTW, "he" is a "she" (the real kind, not the Bruce Jenner kind) and not particularly savvy about putting stuff together. Would the set up you mention above be relatively easy to assemble?

 

[alesh]

BTW, "he" is a "she" (the real kind, not the Bruce Jenner kind) and not particularly savvy about putting stuff together. Would the set up you mention above be relatively easy to assemble?

Relatively...
It would require some drilling perhaps tapping holes, simple wiring and a lot of patience. Could be done solderless.

 

[bicit]

BTW, "he" is a "she" (the real kind, not the Bruce Jenner kind) and not particularly savvy about putting stuff together. Would the set up you mention above be relatively easy to assemble?

It's not what I would consider difficult. With ideal cob holders, it can be solderless build. However you would have to drill and tap holes for the holder. If you want to avoid drilling/tapping you could always use the kapton tape method, however you'll have to solder the electrical leads onto the LED.

You could also use the vero 29, to get around soldering and drilling/tapping. The cob holder is built into the chip, and there is the solderless pico-EZ mate connector. Use kapton tape to secure. Then it would be 8 wired in series per driver.

This is what I would consider a relatively easy build. However I have all the tools for the job and some experience in a machine shop... YMMV.

 

[PoodleBud]

OK - relatively easy is definitely "relative". If I'm honest, what I need is plug and play. Of the ones listed below, anyone have either positive or negative experience to relate?

http://growershouse.com/kind-led-k3-l600-grow-light
http://growershouse.com/900w-blackstar-led-grow-light
http://growershouse.com/review/product/list/id/1952/category/19/
http://growershouse.com/california-light-works-solar-storm-800w-led-renewed

I'm looking at Growershouse because they have a 15% off sale on LEDs right now.