DIY QB for vegging a 3x3
- Thread starter Monty420
- Start date
NevadaBudz
Active Member
diggs99
Well-Known Member
180 watts of legit Leds will veg a 3x3 perfectly fine. You could prob get away with less to be honest.
Cobs strips or boards, any will do. Run them on the harder side and keep them high for optimal coverage.
For flower i would aim to use a 320w driver, 320w would smash a 3x3.
Cobs strips or boards, any will do. Run them on the harder side and keep them high for optimal coverage.
For flower i would aim to use a 320w driver, 320w would smash a 3x3.
Thanks man! And yes I’m still in need of help@Monty420 Are you still looking into a diy qb? theres many good options to choose from ! let me know if you need help myself & others here can put you on the right track! Peace
NevadaBudz
Active Member
Ok my friend got my days off! Im by no means no expert just built my first lights a few months back using bridgelux gen2 strips, they work great for the price cuz im not trying to keep up with the Jones'es! my beer wallet cant afford to keep up with a champagne pallet lol !! id go strips or qb's just have to decide if you want strictly veg or flower. whats your budget & ability to build a diy and obtain the necessary components? Me im an old school mechanic i build my own cars & trucks i dont buy them off the lot, depends on what you want! Peace my friend
HolyAngel
Well-Known Member
I just picked up two of the HLG QB288 V2's in 4k for veg for like $110. Already had a 120h-54a driver but they're cheap, could also do a 185h-54a or one of the constant current drivers. whatever is cheap. Don't need a heatsink at all as long as you keep each board under 75 watts. I'd think you could get a nice veg setup for like ~$200 or less going a similar route.
HolyAngel
Well-Known Member
I did
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
HolyAngel
Well-Known Member
nope don't need to. Cool to the touch and on HLG's site for the QB288 says:
"May require an Aluminum plate or heatsink if running 75+ watts. Heatsink requirements depends on application and power. "
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
Erm.. They say 50+ watts, not 75.
From this page: https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/pages/qb288-board-guide
HolyAngel
Well-Known Member
yeah that's weird because if you look at the qb288 v2 board pages themselves:
QB288 V2 Quantum Board
Ultra High Efficiency LED Boards for DIY. QB288 V2 has 288pcs Samsung LM301H top Bin Diodes.
horticulturelightinggroup.com
QB288 V2 Rspec Quantum Board
Ultra High Efficiency LED Boards for DIY. QB288 V2 has 288pcs Samsung LM301H LED
horticulturelightinggroup.com
QB288 V2 Bspec Quantum Board
Ultra High Efficiency LED Boards for DIY. QB288 V2 BLUE spec has 272pcs Samsung 301H top Bin Diodes and 470nm Blue
horticulturelightinggroup.com
they all say up to 70 or 75 watts without a heatsink is fine. The V1 page says up to 60 watts without a heatsink is fine.
either way my v2 4k's are cool af without heatsinks at 60-70watts.
Stephenj37826
Well-Known Member
Correct you want to keep them around 50 watts with no heatsink. If you purchased the boards from us the heatsinks are discounted. Way better to buy the heatsink and run them at over 100 watts. It's a much better value.
EDIT
Actually I spoke with @robincnn and he says it is indeed up to 75 watts no heatsink.
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Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
That's very interesting. But we should always keep in mind, just because you CAN doesn't always mean you SHOULD. That old adage rings true in LEDs just the same. At 75watts WITH A HEATSINK, Your diodes are going to run SO MUCH cooler and ultimately give you more light output and life span longevity.
Now, anything 40watts or below, I'd feel comfortable with no heatsink.
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Stephenj37826
Well-Known Member
I agree 100%