nflguy
Well-Known Member
I wanna keep it at/around 150 bucks and I know I can do a 250W HPS for well under that, but I would also like to save on electric dollars and avoid (if possible) the heat associated with the HID's
looking for an LED for flowering
- Thread starter nflguy
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rsvp_gardens
Well-Known Member
If youre looking for a cheap LED, youre gonna have a bad time. They're expensive but some are definitely worth it. Check out BloomBoss I use them with great results.
The rough guidelines I've heard kicked around by many growers is 50w/sf for blurples and HPS and 30w/sf for high quality LED. I don't know where CMH falls. This is actual watts at the board/light and not the B.S. equivalent pushed by less than reputable manufacturers. Some people do with more or less, but its a good starting point.
nflguy
Well-Known Member
Not at all looking for anything cheap. I learned long ago that "you get what you pay for" is often accurate. Since I know zero about LED lighting, I'll try and ask the right questions from the pros (you guys) and go from there. If I see that quality is out of my price range Ill just as soon say screw it and go get a HPS which is a proven winner and maybe tackle this LED thing another day
rsvp_gardens
Well-Known Member
I haven't seen any LED worth buying that's under $400.Not at all looking for anything cheap. I learned long ago that "you get what you pay for" is often accurate. Since I know zero about LED lighting, I'll try and ask the right questions from the pros (you guys) and go from there. If I see that quality is out of my price range Ill just as soon say screw it and go get a HPS which is a proven winner and maybe tackle this LED thing another day
I guess that would depend on how much space you're trying to light. If you're growing in a 4x4 you're probably going to be at or above the $400 level. For small spaces like the OPs tent it can be done for considerably less but you might have to DIY. I've got a 2x4 and I spent well under that for V1 quantum boards.
nflguy
Well-Known Member
The tent it's going in is 32"x32"x60" tall
Medicated Bonsai
Well-Known Member
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/260w-xw-qb-led-kit <--- It says sold out but I would shoot them an email. They might have a fixture that would work for you. These guys are great. I also think you can find these from other retailers as well.
https://timbergrowlights.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiApvbhBRDXARIsALnNoK0LNSmX0GFzaFAjfUKD290kkZ_PvMgDXHxoPic4QGvUqxovsA02Z0oaAsK8EALw_wcB <--- Timber grow lights also have a wide selection that could work.
https://www.rapidled.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiApvbhBRDXARIsALnNoK2oiBVvottClvR4D6Q-ydNPhwG1Tta2-Y7cgtl56_3fiRVjEiBetsEaAkn-EALw_wcB <--- similar to timber.
https://chilledgrowlights.com/ <---a little pricey but I like they're concept. And they seem to have a lot of information to back their product.
https://timbergrowlights.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiApvbhBRDXARIsALnNoK0LNSmX0GFzaFAjfUKD290kkZ_PvMgDXHxoPic4QGvUqxovsA02Z0oaAsK8EALw_wcB <--- Timber grow lights also have a wide selection that could work.
https://www.rapidled.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiApvbhBRDXARIsALnNoK2oiBVvottClvR4D6Q-ydNPhwG1Tta2-Y7cgtl56_3fiRVjEiBetsEaAkn-EALw_wcB <--- similar to timber.
https://chilledgrowlights.com/ <---a little pricey but I like they're concept. And they seem to have a lot of information to back their product.
Nothing wrong with the board, but it's not going to be enough for your space and it doesn't have dimming. You'd need 3-4 of them. Pretty much all of the boards from HLG are comparable. They're all using the same diodes (Samsung LM301b for the V2 boards) which are the best available. The differences are how many diodes per board and which driver you use to run them. The one notable exception is the QB96 elite where they have supplemented the white diodes with some additional deep red. Definitely not necessary, but may be where the industry is heading.
Since price appears to be a main factor in your decision and you're a bit hesitant on the DIY, I would pretty strongly recommend the QB132 if you're going to go the LED route. A 4 pack (which is what you need) is $129+shipping and no heatsinking is required. For a driver I would go with a meanwell HLG-240H-C1750A ($57). This driver will allow you to wire the boards in series (the easiest way) and has onboard dimming via a screw. On the input side of the driver you just install a plug and use an extension cord to run to your outlet. On the output side, the boards get daisy chained together. Its very simple and we can get you a diagram if you get to that point. For misc. parts you'd need 2 wagos (lever lock wire nuts), a length of 18ga solid core wire, and maybe a couple nuts and bolts for attaching the driver to the boards (which then serves as the ground). That leaves only the frame which can be as simple or complicated as you like, but uses some angle aluminum available from any hardware store. If you built the frame 2'x2' you could even purchase those lengths and not have to cut anything. Short of ordering a kit (which drives the price further above your budget) this is as simple as it gets. Hope that helps.
BurnzyBurnz
Well-Known Member
HLG 100% Can't go wrong.
bullfrog84
Member
After a lot of research I settled on a viparspectra for my "grow box" that I made out of recycled pallet wood. I cross referenced and researched a few different sites, forums, ratings vs. performance reviews and I have the links if you would like me to send them to you. For me it was a close decision between three options; Meizhi, Mars, and Viparspectra, all 600 watt as per the grow area which is very similar to yours (mine is 2.5 x 2.5 so the Vipar may be a little small for your needs, but who knows). What I noticed about the Mars reviews, or rather what I read was, that they tend to be a little light on the blue spectrum for vegging and I didn't want that and since I have an HPS and I'm hoping to have the best of both worlds. However I can't post the actual link yet as I just joined and I need some likes and more posts, but google was extremely helpful and I can send you all the links if you'd like (there are about 7). The HPS is Sun Systems 600 watt HPS and ballast since it was conveniently cheap and I picked it up since I've heard that it can help during flowering even if you have balanced spectrums.
Also: I just found this https://www.rollitup.org/t/if-you-are-new-to-led-and-want-help-choosing-what-to-buy-post-here.633304/
Also: I just found this https://www.rollitup.org/t/if-you-are-new-to-led-and-want-help-choosing-what-to-buy-post-here.633304/
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nflguy
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info bullfrog. At this time, I think I'm gonna stick with the tried and trusted HPS. When I get more knowledge I may take the plunge into LED
DC BIG BUD
Member
Hps is a cheaper option to start with. That cost is recovered rather quickly via lower electric bills, less cooling cost, and bulb changes. Just some food for thought.
guy has been growing hps/mh for years. he is looking to convert
When i converted to LED a year and a bit ago. i bought some cheap lights that were " 1000watt hps equivalents"
i had some horrid results. my 400 watt hps/mh that i was trying to replace was far superior.
After that disappointment i decided to really research and educate myself as to what really makes a great grow light and what specs on a grow light have any relevance to what we do with them.
Blurple LEDs and cheep shit is saturated all over the internet. boasting numbers that do not mean shit for growing, putting up charts and hold no value.
I have been going threw this with a friend that has been getting into growing and having poor results. I laid out the the real numbers of his lights. his 1200watts worth the cheap Blurple LEDs put out about what a 400watt hps dose but in a smaller space.
in the end i built my own light with a DIY kit from Timber grow light.
im running 550watts of COBs pushing 1440PAR its way ahead of my 800watts hps/mh in the same space. with way eayser heat management
i had some horrid results. my 400 watt hps/mh that i was trying to replace was far superior.
After that disappointment i decided to really research and educate myself as to what really makes a great grow light and what specs on a grow light have any relevance to what we do with them.
Blurple LEDs and cheep shit is saturated all over the internet. boasting numbers that do not mean shit for growing, putting up charts and hold no value.
I have been going threw this with a friend that has been getting into growing and having poor results. I laid out the the real numbers of his lights. his 1200watts worth the cheap Blurple LEDs put out about what a 400watt hps dose but in a smaller space.
in the end i built my own light with a DIY kit from Timber grow light.
im running 550watts of COBs pushing 1440PAR its way ahead of my 800watts hps/mh in the same space. with way eayser heat management
Scolwell19
Well-Known Member
Just finished putting this together. 4 qb 132. Very even light coverage. 250w with the driver I have and cost less than 200$ 