Cheap but good LED for a 3'x1.5' tent?

[coreywebster]

I'm not trying to eek out every gram. I just need an upgrade from my cfls.

How close can you get these lights to the top of your canopy without risk?

Is this 1000w too much for 4.5 square feet?

The 1000w light he is refering to is actually only a 110w light. Its called a 1000w light because it has 100x 10w diodes, but LED lights do not run at max or they would be too hard to cool and would be super inefficient and would burn out after a week. Not all LEDs use made up wattage as a selling point, some are actually listed as the real power draw, its a habit of cheap manufacturers unfortunately to call a light 1000w or 2000w when its nowhere near.

That said the lumen efficiency of a cfl is around 60lm/w, a cheap LED like those is similar to hps or a bit worse which is nearly 100lm/w



A cheap household LED bulb is around 80lm/w so just by swapping like for like wattage you can pick up an extra 25% light with a better spectrum than cfl. Its just a matter of checking out those bargain shops or finding a good deal online to get them at a good price.
With that option you can buy a few every time you go shopping and spread the cost out.

 

[coreywebster]

Even t5 would be a massive step up.

 

[coreywebster]

A quatum board for example is around 160-180lm/w and a strip build using top samsung diodes built for max efficiency you can hit 200lm/w.

 

[PrometheanLeaf]

I'd probably just grab a 4 pack of the new hlg qb120 v2 and put together a fixture for about $240 diy. If you want to go this route just hit me up.

 

[KlosetKush]

I'd probably just grab a 4 pack of the new hlg qb120 v2 and put together a fixture for about $240 diy. If you want to go this route just hit me up.

I would like to go route

 

[ChronicWonders.]

I’ve been trying to piece things together, but all my setups are getting delayed because items are sold out everywhere I look. Or with the Cree setup my substrate is only on pre-order at the moment.

 

[PrometheanLeaf]

https://www.findchips.com/search/HLG-240H-C2100a

https://www.amazon.com/Horticulture-Lighting-Group-Quantum-Boards/dp/B07KQGLJWT/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543924594&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=qb120+v2&dpPl=1&dpID=41e83UphmnL&ref=plSrch

(You will use the same components, and wiring, as in the below video. But the frame will be like the second video.)

(Use this reference video for the final frame shape)

That should be enough for you to get started on, if you need anything further just ask buddy!

That being said, this diy light gives you the best bang for your buck and would serve you well in even a 2x4 tent, and would absolutely smash a 3x1.5 space.

----------------
If the diy is a bit much, pick up two of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Board-Grow-Bloom-3000K/dp/B07C59J8L2

If you want a kit and don't mind spending a bit more, here is a kit that is on sale because of some minor dents and a scratch in the heatsink that won't effect performance.

https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/260w-qb-v2-led-kit-scrach-and-dent


Hope that helps for now.

 

[Earlyriser76]

I'm thinking of building a Bridgelux strip light now.

5 of these wired in series -> https://www.arrow.com/en/products/bxeb-tl-2750g-3000-a-13/bridgelux
1 of these -> https://www.meanwell-web.com/en-gb/ac-dc-single-output-led-driver-constant-current-cc-hlg--240h--c2100a

About 250w for about $112.

 

[coreywebster]

I'm thinking of building a Bridgelux strip light now.

5 of these wired in series -> https://www.arrow.com/en/products/bxeb-tl-2750g-3000-a-13/bridgelux
1 of these -> https://www.meanwell-web.com/en-gb/ac-dc-single-output-led-driver-constant-current-cc-hlg--240h--c2100a

About 250w for about $112.

Might be some issues with that build, max current is 2amp for those strips and the voltage would be over the drivers capabilities.

 

[Chip Green]

9x BXEB-l0560z-35e-2000-c-b3
running in series on 1
HLG-185H-C1050A

 

[Earlyriser76]

Might be some issues with that build, max current is 2amp for those strips and the voltage would be over the drivers capabilities.

I asked for clarification of what you said and this was the response.

Max current on those strips is 2000mA each. The driver I linked you is 2100mA. The max output of the driver is 100mA over the max of the strips. That's no problem at all.

Each strip is 24 volts. The maximum output voltage of the 240h driver is 119. 24volts x 5strips in series is 120volts required. It's right in the range. If you wanted you could run 4 strips and it would be more comfortably under the range. However these driver do push slightly past their ratings and I know that it would do 5 just fine.

They make several different strips. He may be thinking about some of their lower capacity models.

Besides the driver has an included current dimmer capable of cutting the output current in half to 1050mA if you want. Just pop the rubber cap off the i/o adjust screw and put a small phillips screwdriver in there. Turn it all the way down. It's always better to run a driver a little below it's max output anyway.

 

[Earlyriser76]

This is what I have decided and already have on order. Cost was $46+$139 = $185

4x QB120 https://www.amazon.com/Horticulture-Lighting-Group-Quantum-Boards/dp/B07KQGLJWT/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1544000451&sr=8-2&keywords=quantum+boards+4x

HLG-185H-24A https://onlinemeanwell.com/en/hlg185h24a-1306.html

I'll run 3 qb120's in my 3x1.5 tent wired in parallel.

It was more money than I wanted to spend but think I will have exceptional light for my little personal grow.

 

[PrometheanLeaf]

If you aren't getting a single driver for the left over board, it would increase your efficiency and ppfd in that area, either way you'll be golden. Again if you need help on something for the build just ask.

 

[coreywebster]

I asked for clarification of what you said and this was the response.

Max current on those strips is 2000mA each. The driver I linked you is 2100mA. The max output of the driver is 100mA over the max of the strips. That's no problem at all.

Each strip is 24 volts. The maximum output voltage of the 240h driver is 119. 24volts x 5strips in series is 120volts required. It's right in the range. If you wanted you could run 4 strips and it would be more comfortably under the range. However these driver do push slightly past their ratings and I know that it would do 5 just fine.

They make several different strips. He may be thinking about some of their lower capacity models.

Besides the driver has an included current dimmer capable of cutting the output current in half to 1050mA if you want. Just pop the rubber cap off the i/o adjust screw and put a small phillips screwdriver in there. Turn it all the way down. It's always better to run a driver a little below it's max output anyway.

Cool man, I just clicked the links you provided and then directly loaded the data sheet from those which shows the voltage as been higher when run at max and the max current as been 2000mA. I imagine they know a lot more about it than me. Most people do.

 

[Chip Green]

I will have exceptional light for my little personal grow

I have never been made aware of ANY regret, from anyone buying QBs. Ever....Not one time. Ever.
Ok well I suppose, "I should've gotten bigger ones" has come up.....

 

[rob333]

Last time I priced LED's was a several years ago and they were pricey. I have CFL's now.

1. How many watts would I need and which LED lights would YOU buy on a tight budget for a small 3'x1.5 foot flower tent?
2. Where is the cheapest place to purchase them?

to be honest dude led lights are for cheap cunts that really dont no how to grow u will get better value from a 250 w hps with a inline and still will work out to be round 120-180$ you will not get a good cheap led and they are a whole unit so if one light or two lights go out good luck replaceing that diode and they only work out to be bout 11cents - 15cents cheaper to run then a hps

 

[rob333]

also each light u get busted with is a charge so if u are gunna go down run at least 4-6 600 hps

 

[PrometheanLeaf]

@rob333 I'm not sure you understand what goes into various led components. I'm not sure you have any electrical experience (say putting a computer together) or any scientific research to back your opinions. I can say definitively that HID lighting has it's place. I can also definitively say that Led lighting is not for "cheap cunts" as you put it.

In this thread you have growers that have real world, successful experiences, with most every type of lighting on the market. The diy options that were suggested, for the most part, are quality components that do not have commercial listings for insurance purposes. This fact and the fact you assemble them and service them yourself saves you in cost of the fixture. This does not make the light "cheap"

A $10 hps bulb is not generally the same quality as a $80 bulb right?

Have you ever personally used a led light? If so please do share your experience because it seems like you are pretty biased and might have purchased a light a few years ago with cheap parts and have been soured.

If you don't have any led experience, ...the fuck dude?

Edit: And what state/country do you live in that your illegality is based on the lights you use and not the plants themselves? That really boggles my mind and I've never heard of that, I'm actually curious on this.

 

[Thegermling]

I have never been made aware of ANY regret, from anyone buying QBs. Ever....Not one time. Ever.
Ok well I suppose, "I should've gotten bigger ones" has come up.....

I regret not buying the 4000k boards DAMMIT!!!

 

[Ryante55]

@rob333 I'm not sure you understand what goes into various led components. I'm not sure you have any electrical experience (say putting a computer together) or any scientific research to back your opinions. I can say definitively that HID lighting has it's place. I can also definitively say that Led lighting is not for "cheap cunts" as you put it.

In this thread you have growers that have real world, successful experiences, with most every type of lighting on the market. The diy options that were suggested, for the most part, are quality components that do not have commercial listings for insurance purposes. This fact and the fact you assemble them and service them yourself saves you in cost of the fixture. This does not make the light "cheap"

A $10 hps bulb is not generally the same quality as a $80 bulb right?

Have you ever personally used a led light? If so please do share your experience because it seems like you are pretty biased and might have purchased a light a few years ago with cheap parts and have been soured.

If you don't have any led experience, ...the fuck dude?

Edit: And what state/country do you live in that your illegality is based on the lights you use and not the plants themselves? That really boggles my mind and I've never heard of that, I'm actually curious on this.

His picture says it all...