4x8' grow tent, need some LED DIY guidance

[everest_dope]

I have done some reading about LED grow lights but I'd like some expert opinions. I am planning to buy one of these grow tents. I live in a hot climate and heat and power consumption are both an issue for me. I know I want 35-50w per sq. ft. Anyhow, I have about $1k to spend on lights.

I have shopped around and it seems that no one sells a light that meets my needs for inside my budget. I am willing to put in the time to research and build a DIY, but I am relatively new so might need some help. Any recommended DIY builds are welcome. I was thinking of maybe going with two of these kits.

I went through Growmau5's youtube series and I have a basic understanding of what I need in terms of power. Can anyone tell me what gives the most light with the lest amount of heat? That sweet spot is really what I am after. Maybe consider QBs? If there are other things to consider, let me know that too.

I am also open to other suggestions if there are better or more cost effective solutions that I have missed. Thanks in advance.

 

[Airwalker16]

I have done some reading about LED grow lights but I'd like some expert opinions. I am planning to buy one of these grow tents. I live in a hot climate and heat and power consumption are both an issue for me. I know I want 35-50w per sq. ft. Anyhow, I have about $1k to spend on lights.

I have shopped around and it seems that no one sells a light that meets my needs for inside my budget. I am willing to put in the time to research and build a DIY, but I am relatively new so might need some help. Any recommended DIY builds are welcome. I was thinking of maybe going with two of these kits.

I went through Growmau5's youtube series and I have a basic understanding of what I need in terms of power. Can anyone tell me what gives the most light with the lest amount of heat? That sweet spot is really what I am after. Maybe consider QBs? If there are other things to consider, let me know that too.

I am also open to other suggestions if there are better or more cost effective solutions that I have missed. Thanks in advance.

Here's whatcha do homie!
It'll be right under your $1K.
Buy 8 of these, 4 for each 4X4. Put in an offer. They usually will accept a few bucks less.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Horticultural-Lighting-288-V2-LED-Board-Heatsink-3000K-Full-Spectrum-LM301B/192615618997?pageci=3a5b66d5-3616-4907-8c50-f6ddec74804b&epid=2293106833

Then you'll need 2 of these. You will wire each driver up to each fixture of 4 boards. These will be connected in PARALLEL. Meaning that the positive and negatives go to EVERY BOARD from the output lines. Which will be done by plugging in a positive wire and negative wire into BOTH CONNECTORS on every board. Or by running off the main leads, 4 separate extension lines using 5-Lever Wagos, going to each board to be plugged in to just one of each of the pos/neg connectors.
NOT IN SERIES where the first positive goes to a board and the negative of that board connects to the next boards positive, etc, until the final boards negative returns to the drivers negative lead. This is WRONG for these boards.
What you saw in most of Growmau5 vids, will be Series.

https://powersupplymall.com/products/meanwell-hlg-600h-54-power-supply-604-8w-54v-11-2a-ip67?variant=41215941315&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiAqt7jBRAcEiwAof2uK8Q0aXPUj7Q8mhw8CBM9GxJ-TYsB6JQj9zSjGsscsYl7wswaajmK9BoCpjEQAvD_BwE

Grab 8 (2 orders of 4) of these. You'll just simply drill 4 holes into the face corners of the fan and also into the fins of the heatsinks so that the holes line up and can be zip tied right onto the heatsink. Use black ones to keep things Clean and Aesthetic. ;P

https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16835200072?ignorebbr=true&source=googleshopping&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-Mobile&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-Mobile-_-pla-_-Case+Fans-_-N82E16835200072&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAiAqt7jBRAcEiwAof2uK1yJPALZVxPItd_U14JZLxBgjHGToMhsum59gG4nuCVDQf-XIDTushoCx1EQAvD_BwE

And 2 of these to run them for each fixture!:

https://www.arrow.com/en/products/apv-12-12/mean-well-enterprises

And your sweet set of wago connectors, new sweet style including 5pcs ec of 2/3/5 lever models, to make it easy of course:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/15pcs-Wago-Lever-Nuts-2-3-5-Conductor-Terminal-Block-Splicing-Wire-Connector/401711550506?epid=692689505&hash=item5d87dfd02a:g:jM8AAOSwCnpcYMSk:sc:USPSFirstClass!84414!US!-1

Get yourself some 18awe SOLID CORE wire too. Get 25' each of red and black to make things as easy as possible for you.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Southwire-25-100-Black-White-Green-Red-Solid-Copper-Cable-Wire-18-Awg-600V/132472078955?var=431817929918&hash=item1ed7f3826b:g:PlQAAOSwFLBaXRTY

Then just build yourself up 2 frames with 3/4"X1/8" angle aluminum in a # shape using 42" long pieces, and throw the boards on the corners! 2 600 TRUE WATT Fixtures, 1200 total watts, for your 4X8, completely dimmable from 50-100%.

Hope that gets you started. There's a few ways to get it done a bit cheaper, but you're ordering from China and these boards I linked you are LEGIT.

I got a bit carried away here.. that should literally be everything you'll need to know. You'll just cut out a small section on the angle aluminum where the pieces perpendicularly cross each other and use a pop rivet or nut and bolt to hold them together. You'll also have to anchor the heatsinks to the frame somehows, but that'll be easy!!

This is MY next dream setup and would be very jealous, but also excited to see someone else throw it together.

 

[mathewscott]

Check out LEDgardener.com. Great info,videos and he will personally walk you step by step through a build. He truly knows his stuff. Super guy. Not a tech snob!

 

[everest_dope]

Check out LEDgardener.com. Great info,videos and he will personally walk you step by step through a build. He truly knows his stuff. Super guy. Not a tech snob!

I did some reading there after Growmau5's videos. Lots of good info. Basics were explained very well in the resource articles. But thanks for the recommendation.

 

[everest_dope]

Here's whatcha do homie!
It'll be right under your $1K.
Buy 8 of these, 4 for each 4X4. Put in an offer. They usually will accept a few bucks less.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Horticultural-Lighting-288-V2-LED-Board-Heatsink-3000K-Full-Spectrum-LM301B/192615618997?pageci=3a5b66d5-3616-4907-8c50-f6ddec74804b&epid=2293106833

Then you'll need 2 of these. You will wire each driver up to each fixture of 4 boards. These will be connected in PARALLEL. Meaning that the positive and negatives go to EVERY BOARD from the output lines. Which will be done by plugging in a positive wire and negative wire into BOTH CONNECTORS on every board. Or by running off the main leads, 4 separate extension lines using 5-Lever Wagos, going to each board to be plugged in to just one of each of the pos/neg connectors.
NOT IN SERIES where the first positive goes to a board and the negative of that board connects to the next boards positive, etc, until the final boards negative returns to the drivers negative lead. This is WRONG for these boards.
What you saw in most of Growmau5 vids, will be Series.

https://powersupplymall.com/products/meanwell-hlg-600h-54-power-supply-604-8w-54v-11-2a-ip67?variant=41215941315&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiAqt7jBRAcEiwAof2uK8Q0aXPUj7Q8mhw8CBM9GxJ-TYsB6JQj9zSjGsscsYl7wswaajmK9BoCpjEQAvD_BwE

Grab 8 (2 orders of 4) of these. You'll just simply drill 4 holes into the face corners of the fan and also into the fins of the heatsinks so that the holes line up and can be zip tied right onto the heatsink. Use black ones to keep things Clean and Aesthetic. ;P

https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16835200072?ignorebbr=true&source=googleshopping&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-Mobile&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-Mobile-_-pla-_-Case+Fans-_-N82E16835200072&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAiAqt7jBRAcEiwAof2uK1yJPALZVxPItd_U14JZLxBgjHGToMhsum59gG4nuCVDQf-XIDTushoCx1EQAvD_BwE

And 2 of these to run them for each fixture!:

https://www.arrow.com/en/products/apv-12-12/mean-well-enterprises

And your sweet set of wago connectors, new sweet style including 5pcs ec of 2/3/5 lever models, to make it easy of course:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/15pcs-Wago-Lever-Nuts-2-3-5-Conductor-Terminal-Block-Splicing-Wire-Connector/401711550506?epid=692689505&hash=item5d87dfd02a:g:jM8AAOSwCnpcYMSk:sc:USPSFirstClass!84414!US!-1

Get yourself some 18awe SOLID CORE wire too. Get 25' each of red and black to make things as easy as possible for you.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Southwire-25-100-Black-White-Green-Red-Solid-Copper-Cable-Wire-18-Awg-600V/132472078955?var=431817929918&hash=item1ed7f3826b:g:PlQAAOSwFLBaXRTY

Then just build yourself up 2 frames with 3/4"X1/8" angle aluminum in a # shape using 42" long pieces, and throw the boards on the corners! 2 600 TRUE WATT Fixtures, 1200 total watts, for your 4X8, completely dimmable from 50-100%.

Hope that gets you started. There's a few ways to get it done a bit cheaper, but you're ordering from China and these boards I linked you are LEGIT.

I got a bit carried away here.. that should literally be everything you'll need to know. You'll just cut out a small section on the angle aluminum where the pieces perpendicularly cross each other and use a pop rivet or nut and bolt to hold them together. You'll also have to anchor the heatsinks to the frame somehows, but that'll be easy!!

This is MY next dream setup and would be very jealous, but also excited to see someone else throw it together.

O wow, lots to unpack here. I guess this is what I asked for. Will I need supplemental lighting in the corners of the tent? I keep reading about 'hotspots' in the center of the board with it fading near the edges. What do you think? Also, don't I need the 'B' model driver to be able to dim these?

 

[Isawthelight]

O wow, lots to unpack here. I guess this is what I asked for. Will I need supplemental lighting in the corners of the tent? I keep reading about 'hotspots' in the center of the board with it fading near the edges. What do you think? Also, don't I need the 'B' model driver to be able to dim these?

Here's more info on those Atrium Lighting 288 boards: they suggest the 480 watt driver for 4 boards & I guess that is for the builders who don't want to use fans to cool their heat sinks.
https://atreumlighting.com/collections/frontpage/products/atreum-288-2-led-board-horticulture-full-spectrum-grow-light-panel-samsung-lm301b
Your LED drivers will get hot & many people hang their drivers outside the garden patch.

 

[everest_dope]

Here's more info on those Atrium Lighting 288 boards: they suggest the 480 watt driver for 4 boards & I guess that is for the builders who don't want to use fans to cool their heat sinks.
https://atreumlighting.com/collections/frontpage/products/atreum-288-2-led-board-horticulture-full-spectrum-grow-light-panel-samsung-lm301b
Your LED drivers will get hot & many people hang their drivers outside the garden patch.

If I run these at 480w I don't think I'll have enough light (comes out to 30w/sq ft) I have a bunch of quality computer fans that I never used, I don't mind wiring up the fans too if it will drop temps. I had heard about people hanging a ballast outside of the tent for the same reason, I guess it makes sense to do so with led drivers as well if they get hot.

 

[Airwalker16]

Here's more info on those Atrium Lighting 288 boards: they suggest the 480 watt driver for 4 boards & I guess that is for the builders who don't want to use fans to cool their heat sinks.
https://atreumlighting.com/collections/frontpage/products/atreum-288-2-led-board-horticulture-full-spectrum-grow-light-panel-samsung-lm301b
Your LED drivers will get hot & many people hang their drivers outside the garden patch.

I contacted them and they said 150 isn't even their Max but a fan would be definitely suggested.

 

[Airwalker16]

If I run these at 480w I don't think I'll have enough light (comes out to 30w/sq ft) I have a bunch of quality computer fans that I never used, I don't mind wiring up the fans too if it will drop temps. I had heard about people hanging a ballast outside of the tent for the same reason, I guess it makes sense to do so with led drivers as well if they get hot.

Absolutely wire your drivers outside of the tent. Unless you have a hard time keeping temps above 75. Then you'd wanna bring em in.

 

[everest_dope]

Absolutely wire your drivers outside of the tent. Unless you have a hard time keeping temps above 75. Then you'd wanna bring em in.

It's settled, then. It gets quite hot where I live so they will need to go outside. So can I splice in an extension cord to give me the extra length to keep them outside the tent? Most light designs I see on here and elsewhere have the drivers right on the frame with the lights. Any limit on how long a cord I can put on there?

 

[Chip Green]

While technically there could be losses over lengthy runs of wiring, unless we're talking about more than 10-15 feet, said losses would be neglible, in my opinion.
"A" model MW drivers have internal potentiometers for dimming purposes, on the back, under the rubber grommets.

 

[brewbeer]

Longer runs may need heavier gage wire, but it usually isn't an issue.

 

[everest_dope]

While technically there could be losses over lengthy runs of wiring, unless we're talking about more than 10-15 feet, said losses would be neglible, in my opinion.
"A" model MW drivers have internal potentiometers for dimming purposes, on the back, under the rubber grommets.

Thanks for the heads up. I won't be needing more than 10' so I suppose I am good. I would prefer to have a knob that's easy to access so I'll probably go with the B model and run wires to a pot. I'd love to do something like Growmau5's light covers. I don't have the equipment to make them myself but I'd love to find a project box or some such that I can put something like that together. But the drivers need must go outside the tent for heat management's sake.

 

[Chip Green]

So, you never really mention how much space we're talking about here....Nothing you've been recommended is poor advice, but without dimensions....If 480w is 30/sq ft, whatdya got a 4x4 tent?....
Ill tell ya this, that 30w per sq ft goes a lot further than most have the balls to give it credit for, with the right diodes....

EDIT: Nevermind LOL, just saw the title...Carry on....

 

[Chip Green]

 

[everest_dope]

So, you never really mention how much space we're talking about here....Nothing you've been recommended is poor advice, but without dimensions....If 480w is 30/sq ft, whatdya got a 4x4 tent?....
Ill tell ya this, that 30w per sq ft goes a lot further than most have the balls to give it credit for, with the right diodes....

EDIT: Nevermind LOL, just saw the title...Carry on....

It's a 4x8' tent. Ha ha, yea. I am all for this QB build if it is better or more efficient and causes less heat than cobs. So are these the right diodes?

 

[Chip Green]

Oh yeah, those are in the mix, and at a worthwhile price too...…. the "right" diode is totally debatable, but those qualify as a contender, no question. Some builders have brand loyalty, or an absolute desire for certified top level components, so they may argue otherwise, but Atreum has the goods, that will get the job done, at a good price....
Here's the thing about heat.... A watt, is a watt, is a watt....Boards, strips, COBs, HID bulbs... all produce heat, Its just a matter of how much light do you get, for the heat you have to deal with...Boards and strips, will offer different layout possibilities than COBs, limited height for instance boards/strips are at an advantage....

 

[everest_dope]

Oh yeah, those are in the mix, and at a worthwhile price too...…. the "right" diode is totally debatable, but those qualify as a contender, no question. Some builders have brand loyalty, or an absolute desire for certified top level components, so they may argue otherwise, but Atreum has the goods, that will get the job done, at a good price....
Here's the thing about heat.... A watt, is a watt, is a watt....Boards, strips, COBs, HID bulbs... all produce heat, Its just a matter of how much light do you get, for the heat you have to deal with...Boards and strips, will offer different layout possibilities than COBs, limited height for instance boards/strips are at an advantage....

Good to hear. I had atrium lighting on my list of potential suppliers and I appreciate the recommendation. I am good with getting good bang for my buck. No loyalties, just trying to get value for my money. I was originally going to buy a grow cabinet kit but I was able to get this 4x8' tent and a 4x4 tent for veg, parts to build my hydroponics system, all the fans, nutrients, and these lights for 3/4 the cost of one of their wardrobe sized closets. I am happy as hell to build with these boards and save some cash. If these and cobs are more or less the same in terms of outcome, I'll use the boards as they seem to be a lot easier to put together.

 

[everest_dope]

So I am wanting to pull the trigger on some lights here soon. Cheapest quote I got for anything off the shelf that's even close to comparable was from LEDZeal but their 600XL which runs at about 520 actual watts for $525 each shipped to the US. Can anyone give me reason why I should NOT build and use these QB lights?

 

[Rocket Soul]

So I am wanting to pull the trigger on some lights here soon. Cheapest quote I got for anything off the shelf that's even close to comparable was from LEDZeal but their 600XL which runs at about 520 actual watts for $525 each shipped to the US. Can anyone give me reason why I should NOT build and use these QB lights?

The only reason not to build is to avoid getting addicted to building lights youve been set up sweet by AW16, all great advice. Great gear at a low price. When you buy your driver make sure its from somewhere you could shipp it back to with ease in case you had a malfunction. Its a great warranty and if you have to ship it to china its less great.