DIY LED light strips. Which is best?

[LoStDots25]

Looking to build a led strip growlight and am seeing mention of Bridgelux and different series Samsung led strips. Wondering which is best efficiency and which is best value. Are there any options besides Bridgelux and Samsung?

Also, is there a better route to go then diy led light strips. Have done the quantum boards and am very happy but I'm liking the spread these strips provide along with the fact that if I run enough of them low enough I might be able to avoid some heating issues and hot spots I've been running into running to quantum boards at high intensity. Also I believe a diy led strip build might be cheaper than quantum boards? Am I right to believe these are the most affordable leds based on value?

Thanks for your time!

 

[TEKNIK]

Looking to build a led strip growlight and am seeing mention of Bridgelux and different series Samsung led strips. Wondering which is best efficiency and which is best value. Are there any options besides Bridgelux and Samsung?

Also, is there a better route to go then diy led light strips. Have done the quantum boards and am very happy but I'm liking the spread these strips provide along with the fact that if I run enough of them low enough I might be able to avoid some heating issues and hot spots I've been running into running to quantum boards at high intensity. Also I believe a diy led strip build might be cheaper than quantum boards? Am I right to believe these are the most affordable leds based on value?

Thanks for your time!

You have plenty of options, the main decision you need to make is how much are you willing to spend on efficiency, cheap strips like bridgelux are good value for money, or you can get the top samsungs and spend alot more for efficiency

 

[diyled]

Bridgelux dont come close to the H influx if you ignore the datasheets and actually measure the light output. They are quite poor in performance.

 

[Chip Green]

In now way, am I saying Bridgelux comes close to the measurable output. I will say, that I do not find anything poor about the performance, when it comes to actually growing, and flowering cannabis plants with EB series emitters.

 

[LoStDots25]

I'm looking for middle of the park in terms of efficiency and price. Really looking for the best value. I am not chasing efficiency by any means and seeing as the technology is advancing so quickly i don't want to spend money on the highest quality now when it will be replaced by better, cheaper tech in the near future.

If the bridgelux are substantially cheaper with only marginally worse efficiencies I would like to go with those. If the samsung are substantially more expensive with much higher efficiencies then I would go with those.

Value is really what I'm looking for. Thanks for your help guys. Lot of info out there but I'm just having a hard time finding a direct comparison between Bridgelux and Samsung.

 

[coreywebster]

You have plenty of options, the main decision you need to make is how much are you willing to spend on efficiency, cheap strips like bridgelux are good value for money, or you can get the top samsungs and spend alot more for efficiency

Where do you see those cree cutter strips you tested in comparison to the EB strips or H influx? Both in efficiency and price point?

 

[Rocket Soul]

Bridgelux vesta strips offer great value:
2 channels, 98 diodes each, 5000/2700k 90 cri both.
Midline efficiency, about the same as bridgelux gen1.
The kicker is that theyre real cheap
Around 10 $ each. Which means you can run them soft without breaking the bank. We run them at around 20w each.
Using both channels you get a middle 3850k 90 cri spectrum which flowers ok. The 2700 k spectrum flowers great.

 

[Rocket Soul]

Where do you see those cree cutter strips you tested in comparison to the EB strips or H influx? Both in efficiency and price point?

I think they are very nice if you want a specialty spectrum like 3000k 90cri.

 

[cleverpiggy]

Pacific Light Concepts are restocking real soon, great strips!
https://www.pacificlightconcepts.com/product/photo-boost-strip-light-engine/

 

[diggs99]

Where do you see those cree cutter strips you tested in comparison to the EB strips or H influx? Both in efficiency and price point?

Ya this. Would love to hear his opinion on the cutters vs these other strips. I'm also looking at building another light, I bought fseries for the 4x8 table but they weren't cheap, hinflux are even more expensive. Was looking at the bxeb this time for cost, am considering all options like OP.

@TEKNIK

Whytewidow suggested I look at the cutters, Where are they being sold?

Good thread op, I'm going through the same thing lol

 

[TEKNIK]

This site is lagging really bad for me today, you can purchase cutter strips from Cutter electronics.
I think they are very good value for money, I would need to test the other strips to let you know how they perform exactly.
If you give your grow area dimensions I will possibly be able to do a room set up simulation using cutter strips if I can log on later.

 

[1212ham]

Bridgelux dont come close to the H influx if you ignore the datasheets and actually measure the light output. They are quite poor in performance.

How far from spec are the Bridgelux?

 

[TEKNIK]

I can't respond well sorry, admin said they have messed with my account for calling someone a name that they definitely deserve to be called.
I have a few email addresses of people who will be able to post some of the information I provide them with for you. Sorry I can't help further, the lag is really bad and I can't be bothered playing the game to get things sorted. They are deleting things to make me look like I'm an arsehole to everyone although I'm only an arsehole sometimes. I hope you all get some monster grows, bye

 

[whytewidow]

@TEKNIK is pretty much banned unfortunately I'm am staying in contact with him through email. Any info he gives me on the j series strips I will post for him.

 

[whytewidow]

How far from spec are the Bridgelux?

The bridgelux are under rated by far. I've pushed 2.1A through them on actual sinks. Not single problem. But they really are at the sweet spot at 1050mA. That is the best place to run them especially if you're in a hot climate. They produce very little heat at 1050mA. At 1050mA and under to 700mA they produce virtually no heat.

 

[ANC]

3x 4ft double row F series on a 320W is probably the cheapest entry level DIY rig you can build that can grow serious amounts of weed.

 

[diggs99]

@TEKNIK is pretty much banned unfortunately I'm am staying in contact with him through email. Any info he gives me on the j series strips I will post for him.

well thats sad, i didnt always agree with his posting methods, his early posts were a little knowitall-ish lol, but he is a smart guy with obvious knowledge of the LED industry, willing to do testing and report back findings, it would seem the community would want guys like that around.

Especially with all the crazy claims being made and the various lighting options to choose from.

Glad your keeping in touch, would love to hear more on those jseries

 

[whytewidow]

3x 4ft double row F series on a 320W is probably the cheapest entry level DIY rig you can build that can grow serious amounts of weed.

You love them double rows dont you. Lol. I really like my 96 double row sunboards. I jus wish they came in a longer length. They are only 500mm instead of the usual 560mm.

 

[ANC]

Nothing like being able to put the needed density into a small area when needed. I have one rig with 4 strips on, but it is an unyielding large beast of a thing.
The 3 strips units put down just about the same amount of light minus about the output of a 20W CFL bulb.

When you look at the pattern on the wall, you can see how serious those three strip units are.

 

[ANC]