CMH Supplemental Lighting

[citeh]

I’m looking for a little advice on lighting. I’ve been using a 315w cmh (vertical Philips 3100k) for the last four years in a 3x3 with great success.

I’m expanding slightly, to a 3x4 area, and want to add some additional lighting to maximize my space. My budget is around $300 and I want to use LEDs.

I’ve come up with two options that appeal to me and am open to other options from experienced growers.

Option 1: move the cmh to the center of the 3x4 and run two 65w, one on each side of the cmh. (https://chilledgrowlights.com/our-products-services/commercial-led-grow-lights/growcraft-x1-mini-65w-led-grow-light-commercial-grade

Option 2: run the cmh next to a single 200w led attempting even spread across the entire area. (https://rapidled.com/products/chilled-logic-2-x-2-led-grow-kit)

Option 3: you tell me

Attached are some photos of my typical grow style in a 3x3 with a 315w

 

[NukaKola]

One of these HLG QB 96 wired to a 185w driver (HLG-185H-54A) would be perfect.

QB96 Elite V2 Engine

QB96 Elite V2 is a white LED Board with boosted red spectrum. Each Board is powered by 64 high power white LED, 16 630nm Red LED and 16 660nm Deep Red LED.

horticulturelightinggroup.com

 

[citeh]

Just one? Is the spread that good?

 

[NukaKola]

Just one? Is the spread that good?

One QB 96 flowers a 2x2 quite well. Another option is wire two QB 96’s which would be around 90w per board. This would allow you to hang one on either side with the CMH in the middle.

That would give about 42w per sq ft which is perfect for a LED/CMH combo.

You have the option to use a HLG-320H-54A driver and dimming it down in case you ever move to a larger space or end up replacing your CMH. You could potentially replace the CMH with a 3rd QB 96 on its own 185H driver down the road for a total of 500w of LED.

 

[chronnie49]

I would go for cmh in the middle and led on the sides. My last run was my first time trying led cmh mix and had good results.

 

[citeh]

One QB 96 flowers a 2x2 quite well. Another option is wire two QB 96’s which would be around 90w per board. This would allow you to hang one on either side with the CMH in the middle.

That would give about 42w per sq ft which is perfect for a LED/CMH combo.

You have the option to use a HLG-320H-54A driver and dimming it down in case you ever move to a larger space or end up replacing your CMH. You could potentially replace the CMH with a 3rd QB 96 on its own 185H driver down the road for a total of 500w of LED.

Is this the same , just with the driver and mounts?

HLG 225

HLG ELITE is 225W LED lamp is powered with our custom designed high efficiency Full Spectrum White LED with boosted Red and Deep Red LED. HLG 225 is equivalent to 315W CMH.

horticulturelightinggroup.com

 

[NukaKola]

Is this the same , just with the driver and mounts?

HLG 225

HLG ELITE is 225W LED lamp is powered with our custom designed high efficiency Full Spectrum White LED with boosted Red and Deep Red LED. HLG 225 is equivalent to 315W CMH.

horticulturelightinggroup.com

Basically but it is sold out and you can DIY two of them on a 320w driver for about the same price, it is not very difficult at all. Links for each item below.

2 QB 96 - $136 shipped with code RIU10
Driver - $85
Wago connectors - $9
18AWG Solid wire - $7
Hangers - $10
Power cord - $8
Junction - $9

Total - $264 (Around $300 w/ tax and shipping)

 

[citeh]

Cool, thanks. I may go that route.

 

[farmingfisherman]

Gonna have hot spots with a 315 and LEDs unless you can figure out proper light distribution. I used 1 315 3100 k along with a pair of China made knockoff boards in a 4x4 and was constantly having to rotate my plants. Granted I'm a newb so maybe I didn't know what I was doing. I would think strips would be the best way to achieve the best coverage.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

I’m looking for a little advice on lighting. I’ve been using a 315w cmh (vertical Philips 3100k) for the last four years in a 3x3 with great success.

I’m expanding slightly, to a 3x4 area, and want to add some additional lighting to maximize my space. My budget is around $300 and I want to use LEDs.

I’ve come up with two options that appeal to me and am open to other options from experienced growers.

Option 1: move the cmh to the center of the 3x4 and run two 65w, one on each side of the cmh. (https://chilledgrowlights.com/our-products-services/commercial-led-grow-lights/growcraft-x1-mini-65w-led-grow-light-commercial-grade

Option 2: run the cmh next to a single 200w led attempting even spread across the entire area. (https://rapidled.com/products/chilled-logic-2-x-2-led-grow-kit)

Option 3: you tell me

Attached are some photos of my typical grow style in a 3x3 with a 315w

Option 1 looks awesome to me. That's definitely what I'd do. If you decide to go with the ChilLed, go through this link for 5% off. I love the CMH and LED combo. Best of both worlds.

2024 Growcraft X-Series | American Made LED Grow Lights

ChilLED Growcraft Commercial LED grow lights - High efficacy - Made in USA. DIY LED Light Kits & Parts. Triple cooled design: ducted, fan & liquid cooling, water cooling options.

chilledgrowlights.com

 

[citeh]

Gonna have hot spots with a 315 and LEDs unless you can figure out proper light distribution. I used 1 315 3100 k along with a pair of China made knockoff boards in a 4x4 and was constantly having to rotate my plants. Granted I'm a newb so maybe I didn't know what I was doing. I would think strips would be the best way to achieve the best coverage.

what do you think @NukaKola ?

 

[NukaKola]

what do you think @NukaKola ?

If you find the right height to hang the lights above canopy you shouldn’t have an issue. The CMH directs the majority of heat downwards which can raise leaf surface temps, whereas the LEDs radiate heat upward from the heat sink/driver which means lower leaf surface temps.

If you play with the hanging heights to try to equalize the leaf surface temps you should be fine.