Noob trying to work out LED lighting

Poobzilla

Poobzilla

Well-Known Member
Bad Karma said:
@Poobzilla
You know we have an entire sub-forum for LED grows, DIY builds, and advice, right?
https://rollitup.org/f/led-and-other-lighting.124/
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Yeah I know but like everywhere there is so much conflicting information and so many threads that i have seen been shut sown due to arguments arising between 2 different schools of growers that i though i might cut down the chaff by actually asking about it rather than confusing myself further.
And as you can see I had a couple of options in mind in my original post and now I am getting suggestions to go DIY. I think i may be more lost than when I was when I posted originally
 
Poobzilla

Poobzilla

Well-Known Member
Just for example I go to the sub forum and select the thread
IF you are new to LED and want help choosing what to buy, POST HERE!
and its been closed since 2016
 
CoB_nUt

CoB_nUt

Well-Known Member
Poobzilla said:
Yeah I know but like everywhere there is so much conflicting information and so many threads that i have seen been shut sown due to arguments arising between 2 different schools of growers that i though i might cut down the chaff by actually asking about it rather than confusing myself further.
Which is why I posted the site I did.Here.I
IMO,there is a lot if chaff to sift thru for someone who is brand new to or interested diy led here. Definitely the best resource of info once you understand.Or, have been here a while and kniw how to navigate thru to the info you seek.
There,you can get the knowledge direct minus the bullshit.IF you are interested in diy& the basics. It may be out of your comfort zone but there is some knowledge you should acertain prior to purchasing parts IF you want to diy.

Cost wise,you can build a "better"light specific your space with enough power to take your plants from day 1 to chop cheaper than MOST off the shelf options.Sourcing good components is a must.

The time it takes to learn enough to know what your space requires and be comfortable enough to build to your specs is the other cost.
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Poobzilla

Poobzilla

Well-Known Member
@CoB_nUt
Yeah thanks again man. I am wanting to replace my light as quick as I can. I'm not sure I am going to wrap my head around all this in enough time. Brain is already fried from all the research I've done going from cheap blurple to the more expensive blurples and seeing there was a lot of hate for them(not going to name brands) and then learning that lights do use green light to photosynthesise so not all the light of broad spectrum is wasted.
That's when I was considering the COB lights mentioned in original post and was feeling pretty good about my decision even after i had a few suggestions to watch prof bugbee videos.
Now I'm being led down the DIY path, and I am being drawn in because I am interested in it. It's just wrapping my head around the amount of panels I would need, how much power, if there are any limitations or possibilities of blowing up.
I understand that it will provide a cheaper and more powerful product but then again for peace of mind if it was to fry I would have no warranty and would have to buy replacement parts increasing the long time running costs of the setup.
And then there is mounting the damn panel or cob's as I have no power tools and no offence to @SamWE19 as I was getting interested in the prospect, but taping the strips to a baking tray does not sound any better than the first time I heard it. I know you are trying to help and I 100% appreciate all the reply but i think this may be an option for future grows down the line. If i was to get a couple of cob's I may be able to convince a friend who got me interested in growing to upgrade if I do decide to move into the DIY market.
Sorry if you feel I have wasted any of your time.
 
CoB_nUt

CoB_nUt

Well-Known Member
Poobzilla said:
@CoB_nUt
Yeah thanks again man. I am wanting to replace my light as quick as I can. I'm not sure I am going to wrap my head around all this in enough time. Brain is already fried from all the research I've done going from cheap blurple to the more expensive blurples and seeing there was a lot of hate for them(not going to name brands) and then learning that lights do use green light to photosynthesise so not all the light of broad spectrum is wasted.
That's when I was considering the COB lights mentioned in original post and was feeling pretty good about my decision even after i had a few suggestions to watch prof bugbee videos.
Now I'm being led down the DIY path, and I am being drawn in because I am interested in it. It's just wrapping my head around the amount of panels I would need, how much power, if there are any limitations or possibilities of blowing up.
I understand that it will provide a cheaper and more powerful product but then again for peace of mind if it was to fry I would have no warranty and would have to buy replacement parts increasing the long time running costs of the setup.
And then there is mounting the damn panel or cob's as I have no power tools and no offence to @SamWE19 as I was getting interested in the prospect, but taping the strips to a baking tray does not sound any better than the first time I heard it. I know you are trying to help and I 100% appreciate all the reply but i think this may be an option for future grows down the line. If i was to get a couple of cob's I may be able to convince a friend who got me interested in growing to upgrade if I do decide to move into the DIY market.
Sorry if you feel I have wasted any of your time.
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I was in your spot a few years ago.Hence the handle. Fortunately I kinda got in right around the time shit got really good for leds. I was running blurples and hps prior. Some of the forefathers of cob/led grow lights are members or former members here. One of them is posted in a video on the previous page.
There is a lot to take in or understand if you have no background. I dont. The main thing you want to know is how much light will fill your space with proper light. Blurples get a lot of hate,I do know why but I grew exceptional ganja with blurples,until I learned I could go bigger,better,customizable for cheaper with diy.
I'm not trying to lead you down the DIY path brother.Just want you to be open to the knowledge.
There are certainly quality plug-n-play options out now.You'll just pay a lil more for the convenience. You'll still need to know what to look for.
I haven't kept upon the current or latest best lights.
I have cob lights still going from years ago,most would consider them old tech nowawdays.Still going strong. Also,Quantum Boards and QB 96 elites from HLG. I have yet to build a strip light.I want to tho.

I've built a few rigs with no former electrical knowledge,soldering skills or what have you. I learned here and videos on you tube from growmau and greengenes. There was no ledgardener site back then.
Used to be 30 watts per square foot in flower with quality leds will get you right.
I didn't know all or understand all the jargon...par/watts umoles,joules etc. Some of it I still dont. I learned enough to know what I needed at the time and what to do to build safe rigs.

Quantum Boards(panels),Strips,Cobs are all good if they have legit components.
Budget,Knowledge & Time are your only limiting factors as all the info is out on diy and doing it safely and correctly.

No waste of time at all buddy. The important thing is for you to only do something you are comfortable with.
Good luck.
 
S

Screwylouie

Member
Most light sets are made in china,like everything else.
I have 2 Maxissun lites from amazon,one 600w and one 1000w.
I'm sure they dont put out what they say,because their power draw combined is around 400,but they are doing great job.
I dont have a bunch of money,so had to go cheap to start,and for around $110 for both lites,they are doing an amazing job and the plants love em.
 
CptTripps

CptTripps

Well-Known Member
I am a pretty bright guy, and I agree with the OP....this shit is confusing.

I ended up going with the MarsHydro TSW2000 not because I didn't have the ability to build a DIY light, but because I didn't have the time to mess with it. Did I pay a little more? Sure. Will I upgrade in 6mos to a DIY kit? Possibly. But the convenience was more important to me, as I've got enough going on in the tent trying to figure out how to grow the plants properly.

The pain being, I feel like the DIY route is great for a lot of people, but not everyone. Especially new growers that just want to get into the hobby.

I liken it to RC Car racing. I did that competitively for many years. Everyone starts with the kit they buy at the hobby shop that's "Ready to Run" and then, over time, we all ended up with wild custom cars and building our own parts. This is, after all, a hobby for 90% of the people on this board.
 
Poobzilla

Poobzilla

Well-Known Member
CoB_nUt said:
I was in your spot a few years ago.Hence the handle. Fortunately I kinda got in right around the time shit got really good for leds. I was running blurples and hps prior. Some of the forefathers of cob/led grow lights are members or former members here. One of them is posted in a video on the previous page.
There is a lot to take in or understand if you have no background. I dont. The main thing you want to know is how much light will fill your space with proper light. Blurples get a lot of hate,I do know why but I grew exceptional ganja with blurples,until I learned I could go bigger,better,customizable for cheaper with diy.
I'm not trying to lead you down the DIY path brother.Just want you to be open to the knowledge.
There are certainly quality plug-n-play options out now.You'll just pay a lil more for the convenience. You'll still need to know what to look for.
I haven't kept upon the current or latest best lights.
I have cob lights still going from years ago,most would consider them old tech nowawdays.Still going strong. Also,Quantum Boards and QB 96 elites from HLG. I have yet to build a strip light.I want to tho.

I've built a few rigs with no former electrical knowledge,soldering skills or what have you. I learned here and videos on you tube from growmau and greengenes. There was no ledgardener site back then.
Used to be 30 watts per square foot in flower with quality leds will get you right.
I didn't know all or understand all the jargon...par/watts umoles,joules etc. Some of it I still dont. I learned enough to know what I needed at the time and what to do to build safe rigs.

Quantum Boards(panels),Strips,Cobs are all good if they have legit components.
Budget,Knowledge & Time are your only limiting factors as all the info is out on diy and doing it safely and correctly.

No waste of time at all buddy. The important thing is for you to only do something you are comfortable with.
Good luck.
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I know nobody is "leading" me, it may have been a poor choice of words, and its definitely useful information to have, but for a short time frame I'm worried I will fuck something up. I would prefer to understand something first before going down that road and I'm not giving myself the luxury of time to replace this current light.

What I have learned from starting seems exponential and I am glad i did learn the things I have as it has allowed me to see my current light for what it is. Don't get me wrong I am sure you would get some bud off the plants but with my light it has a dimension of 40x17 cm in an 80x80cm tent and to get to 900 ppfd at center you would have to have the light 6 inches from canopy which does not leave enough footprint for light spread to the outer bud sites.

I am looking at some of the DIY kits as seems all I need is a screwdriver and wire strippers, but not sure yet if they have substantially increased cost.
I like the idea of COB lighting as if it is single movable cobs rather than say 4 in a panel design then you have so much more flexibility I feel and I can build up over time as my finances dictate.
 
Poobzilla

Poobzilla

Well-Known Member
CptTripps said:
I am a pretty bright guy, and I agree with the OP....this shit is confusing.

I ended up going with the MarsHydro TSW2000 not because I didn't have the ability to build a DIY light, but because I didn't have the time to mess with it. Did I pay a little more? Sure. Will I upgrade in 6mos to a DIY kit? Possibly. But the convenience was more important to me, as I've got enough going on in the tent trying to figure out how to grow the plants properly.

The pain being, I feel like the DIY route is great for a lot of people, but not everyone. Especially new growers that just want to get into the hobby.

I liken it to RC Car racing. I did that competitively for many years. Everyone starts with the kit they buy at the hobby shop that's "Ready to Run" and then, over time, we all ended up with wild custom cars and building our own parts. This is, after all, a hobby for 90% of the people on this board.
Click to expand...
Cheers, I feel like less of a dumbass now lol
I looked at the marshydro lights along with the spiderfarmer, I'm not sure what led me away from them now but i do recall my space kind of fell into a grey area between the 1000 and 2000 of both brands, being too powerful or too weak.
I know due to my 5ft height and how low lights hang I'm pretty height limited and so have been looking for lights that will give me a good sweet spot at around 12 inches if I can get away with it.
 
CptTripps

CptTripps

Well-Known Member
Poobzilla said:
Cheers, I feel like less of a dumbass now lol
I looked at the marshydro lights along with the spiderfarmer, I'm not sure what led me away from them now but i do recall my space kind of fell into a grey area between the 1000 and 2000 of both brands, being too powerful or too weak.
I know due to my 5ft height and how low lights hang I'm pretty height limited and so have been looking for lights that will give me a good sweet spot at around 12 inches if I can get away with it.
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The MarsHydro lights have dimmers. I was in-between 1000 and 2000 too (3X3 tent), so I bought the 2000 and dimmed it to 60%. My plants are happy campers.

Good luck on your journey!
 
Poobzilla

Poobzilla

Well-Known Member
CptTripps said:
The MarsHydro lights have dimmers. I was in-between 1000 and 2000 too (3X3 tent), so I bought the 2000 and dimmed it to 60%. My plants are happy campers.

Good luck on your journey!
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I must have missed that the mars have dimmers. think the sp2000 may have dimmers but i would have leant mars due to the square over rectangle footprint.
I'm sure I will need it, just glad plants are less stressed than I am lol
 
Poobzilla

Poobzilla

Well-Known Member
Dna78 said:
cheapest china boards i can find https://activity.alibaba.com/promotion/discount.html?spm=a2700.icbuShop.25813.1.47337b32IExPtB&encryptSellerId=nh2Uj/Yh7Ceg5ObNb00ysw== this is the same as diy but you get everything in a kit
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Thanks man, needing the light pretty quickly so my Veg phase might go faster/better. No sure how long its going to take for delivey as ordered off of aliexpress before and the item took a month to arrive. If I gave myself more time to get a light I would be considering every option.
 
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H

HydroBum

Member
Hey Poobzilla.... I purchased the exact light as you to start off with but, the rating of 600 Watts was bit overstated. Sub $80 light on Amazon, so I bought a second one. Running 2 of these things side by side, I have to be honest, The light intensity is not all that great even with 2 running. Read... Read.. and more reading... seems like the 600W claim is really only good for a 2x2 space. So... I invested in the Spiderfarmer 1000w and I have to say its way better than 2 of these 600w lights. I am not a LED guru and just assumed the 600Watt was going to be all I needed, turns out I was wrong.
 
Poobzilla

Poobzilla

Well-Known Member
HydroBum said:
Hey Poobzilla.... I purchased the exact light as you to start off with but, the rating of 600 Watts was bit overstated. Sub $80 light on Amazon, so I bought a second one. Running 2 of these things side by side, I have to be honest, The light intensity is not all that great even with 2 running. Read... Read.. and more reading... seems like the 600W claim is really only good for a 2x2 space. So... I invested in the Spiderfarmer 1000w and I have to say its way better than 2 of these 600w lights. I am not a LED guru and just assumed the 600Watt was going to be all I needed, turns out I was wrong.
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Yeah I have few options set up for when I get paid on friday. I was going to buy individual COB lights but a little too much money as looking at £400 for 2 after shipping. Didn't realise they would have as big a cost as was a europe website but units coming from US.
An acquaintance recommended DIYLEDUK as they do DIY kits but you can have them pre-built. Checked it out and lots of good things said and seems legit. But they are low on stock and unsure if they will have on friday and may be a bit of a wait on the unit arriving also.
If that falls through then I am going with the mars hydro TSW2000 to get me through until I know more regarding DIY. I had looked at the SF1000 and also the TS1000 and they both seemed like they could be a little under powered for the space but I am no expert. Got told about the dimming feature I had missed on the Mars the first time I had looked at them, I knew the sf2000 had this feature. So at this level the choice falls on Mars TSW as the SF has a rectangular footprint where the Mars is square and so is my space.

Edit: I have found that you don't look at the wattage value in the name of the product EVER!!!! Go on the actual wattage draw and I have came across this from multiple sources, you need about 30-40W per square foot of space you have. I do not know what size of space you have but im guessing its larger than 2x2 going from your reply. The SF only draws 100W from the wall and if its not in a small tent it doesn't benefit from as much reflection off walls as the light has dropped off more by that point in the bigger space, so you may still be underpowered. I would suggest if you still have the phlizon lights you could put one on each side of the SF and you would probably have better results.
Again no expert, only going on the information I have read so far that seems to be leading me on the right path.
 
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coreywebster

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
diyleduk.com

80cm x 80cm Area

All our recommendations for a 80cm x 80cm area.
diyleduk.com

If you wanted pre assembled or plug and play options from UK

EDIT, sorry I missed your post above where you have checked them out. :oops:
 
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