Going LED but not knowledgeable on the subject

[Kind Sir]

I started out with a nice 600W Phantom II Ballast running my hooded hps/mh, got good yields but want to lower my electricity bill. Ive done some research on the DIY cree/cob but am completely unsure of which route to take, so I can do more research on the specifics.

I also read that DIY can be pricey, but just not sure where to start.

I read a post where someone said that Gavitas are "better" than HPS and then this certain kind of LED is better than Gavitas. I started growing in February and now feel that HPS isnt the best choice for MY scenario.

What do you guys think? It all depends on quality, etc but Id like to keep my spending limit at about 600$ or so.. Which is still a rather big chunk as Id like to dial in my room rather than get more lights. I saw someone say they flower with T5's and think HPS and thelike are unnecessary.

 

[BecauseIgotHigh]

2 x HLG-185-C700(A/B)
8 X CXB3590 3000K/3500K
Stick them on some heatsinks
Wire them up.

Have 4-8 plants (single heads) under 50w... about 8-12" high.

 

[gonnagro]

Years ago I would have recommended a Blackstar or some equivalent. Now I'd say start your LED experience with Mars Hydro. Lots of successful grows on the web.

Full Disclosure: Personally I do not own any Mars Hydro LED's, but I do grow with LED's.

 

[UncleReemis]

....stay away from 95% of prebuilt LED companies. Including Mars. If you're looking for prebuilts, Area 51 is your brand. Stick to cobs and builds with data sheets.

 

[littlejacob]

Bonjour
You should definitely go diy!
Cxb 3590 3500ºk 36V CD X8
Hlg-185-1400b X2
2 large heatsink + fans +psu
Wires connector screws TIM Potentiometer holders and TIME...
700 $ for 8x50w=400w...real 400w of very efficient cob!
What size is your growbox?
Have a great day ★

 

[littlejacob]

This could replace your 600hps easily!
CU

 

[Kind Sir]

This could replace your 600hps easily!
CU

My grow tent is a 4x4x7 I believe the height is 7.

Id love to replace my 600w HPS, everything you guys posted seems very foreign to me. Wheres the best place to research how to put this together? Thanks guys!!

 

[PerroVerde]

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

https://www.rollitup.org/t/4-cxb3070-meanwell-hlg-185h-c1400b-driver-want-to-order-tonight-need-input.862784/

https://www.rollitup.org/t/greengenes-garden.839682/

https://www.rollitup.org/t/diy-leds-how-to-power-them.801554/

If you read these threads they will bring you closer to the knowledge you seek...

 

[Sxott]

Id say for what you want , get 9 cxb3070 3500k and lay them out for a perfect square pattern. ( 3x3 16" centers)
Put 5 of them on a HLG-240H-C1400 (in a #5 dice pattern)
and the other 4 on a HLG-185H-C1400
Whatevers clever for heatsinks
Use the one on the 240 to veg and flip on the other 4 at flower time.
Use dimmers to save juice when not needed.

Good square patterns are 2x2 3x3 4x4 etc...

 

[BigEasy1]

....stay away from 95% of prebuilt LED companies. Including Mars. If you're looking for prebuilts, Area 51 is your brand. Stick to cobs and builds with data sheets.

If they're all using basically the same parts why is Area 51 better? Maybe a year ago that was true but now I can think of two or three companies that use the same Veros Area 51 uses and Mars just released a light with Crees. Please help me understand. Thanks

 

[BecauseIgotHigh]

If they're all using basically the same parts why is Area 51 better? Maybe a year ago that was true but now I can think of two or three companies that use the same Veros Area 51 uses and Mars just released a light with Crees. Please help me understand. Thanks

Its actually cheaper for me to build a DIY LED than buy a pre-built. The only prebuilt I would get will be the A51, however they stopped sending the product over here. Also it would cost me about $3000 for it now. With 3000, I could build 1200w setup.

 

[BigEasy1]

Its actually cheaper for me to build a DIY LED than buy a pre-built. The only prebuilt I would get will be the A51, however they stopped sending the product over here. Also it would cost me about $3000 for it now. With 3000, I could build 1200w setup.

My question is why? Why one brand over the other if they're running the same LED's?

 

[gonnagro]

It's mostly reputation and past experience. A51 has proven itself to be a winner as far as LED companies go. However there are others that are rated just as high when it comes to "results". My best grow to date was done with a Blackstar 500. I sold this light almost two years ago and now use a completely different panel from a completely different company and it also grows good pot, but has yet to beat "my best" grow to date.

The point is:

1. LED's are rated for 50000hrs. Haven't kept one anywhere near that long to date.
2. More than likely you will not keep your first LED purchase and will re-sell it for "the next best thing".
3. Chances are you will re-sell that one too and get a different one again.
4. IT'S NOT THE LIGHT THAT GROWS GREAT POT! (P.S. Its not the nutes either!)

 

[littlejacob]

QUOTE="Kind Sir, post: 11937512, member: 895558"]My grow tent is a 4x4x7 I believe the height is 7.

Id love to replace my 600w HPS, everything you guys posted seems very foreign to me. Wheres the best place to research how to put this together? Thanks guys!![/QUOTE]
Bonjour
So for a 4x4x7 (120x120x200!) People advice here is 30w/sqft...of cxb!
16sq/ft = 480w...so maybe 2 hlg-240-1400b for 10 cxb 3590 3500ºk 36V CD..about .850 $...
Have a great day ★