Samsung Sunboard DIY

[DankDeeds]

I've got a couple of 900x900mm tents I'm looking to light for both veg and flower. I'm not in the USA & my supply is 230/240VAC.

It looks like these boards might be the best bang for buck that I can easily get here & run off a Meanwell driver.

Someone on eBay is selling them in 12 packs, and you can mix & match them with 8x 2700k & 4x 6500k. I've read that you have to be careful with the HLG Quantum boards & not mix & match boards of different colour temps & batches as they can be different voltages. I'm not sure if this is an issue with the Sunboards.

Does anyone have any experience with these? Interested to know what wiring configurations you used and what the coverage was like. Reckon six of them (200w?) would cover a 900mm2 space, or do I need to upscale and use a dimmer? I'm planning to scrog for the first time.

 

[Hugo Phurst]

Good luck with your project.
Keep posting as you go..
You're correct about mixing loads/voltages, but all the boards (should) list their voltages, current& power etc. in the specs.
You can always ask the manufacture about compatibility.
So a 3x3 tent, 9sq ft @ minimum 30w/sqft = 270w. 400w would be a lot better since you'll be scrog
Dimmer is really nice, but not critical - you don't have to raise/lower light so much while plants are growing & being an old school electronics tech I prefer not to run my drivers at 100% more like 90% or lower, which IMO increases the lifespan of the unit and reduces waste heat.

Have fun

 

[DankDeeds]

Good luck with your project.
Keep posting as you go..
You're correct about mixing loads/voltages, but all the boards (should) list their voltages, current& power etc. in the specs.
You can always ask the manufacture about compatibility.
So a 3x3 tent, 9sq ft @ minimum 30w/sqft = 270w. 400w would be a lot better since you'll be scrog
Dimmer is really nice, but not critical - you don't have to raise/lower light so much while plants are growing & being an old school electronics tech I prefer not to run my drivers at 100% more like 90% or lower, which IMO increases the lifespan of the unit and reduces waste heat.

Have fun

Thanks for that advice! It surprised me that there might be variations in specs between batches...hopefully the Sunboards are more consistent.

 

[1212ham]

I've got a couple of 900x900mm tents I'm looking to light for both veg and flower. I'm not in the USA & my supply is 230/240VAC.

It looks like these boards might be the best bang for buck that I can easily get here & run off a Meanwell driver.

Someone on eBay is selling them in 12 packs, and you can mix & match them with 8x 2700k & 4x 6500k. I've read that you have to be careful with the HLG Quantum boards & not mix & match boards of different colour temps & batches as they can be different voltages. I'm not sure if this is an issue with the Sunboards.

Does anyone have any experience with these? Interested to know what wiring configurations you used and what the coverage was like. Reckon six of them (200w?) would cover a 900mm2 space, or do I need to upscale and use a dimmer? I'm planning to scrog for the first time.

Thats a lot of 6500k. Matching voltage is only an issue if wiring in paralell. 270 watts or more recomended for that space.

 

[DankDeeds]

Thats a lot of 6500k. Matching voltage is only an issue if wiring in paralell. 270 watts or more recomended for that space.

Would you stick with the 2700k? When I started out a few years ago I thought it was 2700k for flower and 6500k for veg, but I'm reading that that's bunk. It seems thinking around led lighting has changed a lot.

Previously I only ever had blurples to go with my 65w CFL but they were Chinese crap, didn't put out much light and definitely didn't last long. The CFLs were better but boy did they have a bad power factor.

 

[1212ham]

Would you stick with the 2700k? When I started out a few years ago I thought it was 2700k for flower and 6500k for veg, but I'm reading that that's bunk. It seems thinking around led lighting has changed a lot.

Previously I only ever had blurples to go with my 65w CFL but they were Chinese crap, didn't put out much light and definitely didn't last long. The CFLs were better but boy did they have a bad power factor.

I don't think there's any real advantage to mixing color temps, in other words 3500k is basically the same thing as mixing 3000k and 4000k.
Most are using 3000k or 3500k for a veg/flower light. I believe 3500k is good if it's 90 CRI. For flower only 2700k or 3000k is common.
The higher color temps can control stretch, but I don't think many are using all 6500k.

Color rendering index - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Parallel wiring isn't a problem with strips and is popular since it avoids high voltages. I suggest a Meanwell with AB or A type dimming, so a voltage limit can be set, it prevents all the power going to the remaining strips if one or more fail or there's a wiring issue.

I think there may be better prices out there than sunboards. Bridgelux EB Gen 2 has been popular due to the reduced price since the Gen 3 came out. The 560mm length would fit your tent better than the 400mm long sunboards.

BXEB-L0560Z-35E2000-C-B3 Bridgelux | Optoelectronics | DigiKey

Order today, ships today. BXEB-L0560Z-35E2000-C-B3 – LED Lighting COBs Engines Modules LED Module series White, Warm Linear Light Strip from Bridgelux. Pricing and Availability on millions of electronic components from Digi-Key Electronics.

www.digikey.com

https://www.arrow.com/en/products/bxeb-l0560z-35e2000-c-b3/bridgelux

LED and other Lighting

Growing with LEDs / Inductive / Plasma etc.

www.rollitup.org

DIY Guide - LED Strips

LED strip lights In this chapter, we build an efficient grow light using LED strips and an aluminum frame, that also serves as a heat sink. Power consumption varies between 180W - 480W depending on the LED driver selection and the number of LED strips used.

sites.google.com

DIY LED Strip Build Designs for Samsung H-Series, F-Series, Q-Series, and Bridgelux EB Gen.2 - LED Gardener

DIY LED strip builds have become very popular recently. The mid-power section of our forum is full of threads created by DIYers looking to build their own custom lights, and new builds and ideas are surfacing every day. If you don’t live somewhere where you have easy access to premade lights...

ledgardener.com

 

[DankDeeds]

I don't think there's any real advantage to mixing color temps, in other words 3500k is basically the same thing as mixing 3000k and 4000k.
Most are using 3000k or 3500k for a veg/flower light. I believe 3500k is good if it's 90 CRI. For flower only 2700k or 3000k is common.
The higher color temps can control stretch, but I don't think many are using all 6500k.

Color rendering index - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Parallel wiring isn't a problem with strips and is popular since it avoids high voltages. I suggest a Meanwell with AB or A type dimming, so a voltage limit can be set, it prevents all the power going to the remaining strips if one or more fail or there's a wiring issue.

I think there may be better prices out there than sunboards. Bridgelux EB Gen 2 has been popular due to the reduced price since the Gen 3 came out. The 560mm length would fit your tent better than the 400mm long sunboards.

BXEB-L0560Z-35E2000-C-B3 Bridgelux | Optoelectronics | DigiKey

Order today, ships today. BXEB-L0560Z-35E2000-C-B3 – LED Lighting COBs Engines Modules LED Module series White, Warm Linear Light Strip from Bridgelux. Pricing and Availability on millions of electronic components from Digi-Key Electronics.

www.digikey.com

https://www.arrow.com/en/products/bxeb-l0560z-35e2000-c-b3/bridgelux

LED and other Lighting

Growing with LEDs / Inductive / Plasma etc.

www.rollitup.org

DIY Guide - LED Strips

LED strip lights In this chapter, we build an efficient grow light using LED strips and an aluminum frame, that also serves as a heat sink. Power consumption varies between 180W - 480W depending on the LED driver selection and the number of LED strips used.

sites.google.com

DIY LED Strip Build Designs for Samsung H-Series, F-Series, Q-Series, and Bridgelux EB Gen.2 - LED Gardener

DIY LED strip builds have become very popular recently. The mid-power section of our forum is full of threads created by DIYers looking to build their own custom lights, and new builds and ideas are surfacing every day. If you don’t live somewhere where you have easy access to premade lights...

ledgardener.com

I think that's why the mixed packs lean towards the 2700k, there are only 4 of the 12 that are 6500k. Of course you can mix & match them however you want; that's just what one seller is offering. Sunboards only come in those two colour temps.

I was reading that Bridgelux are not that efficient. I don't mind paying more for decent lights; I'm expecting them to last a long time. I've put up with inadequate lighting for a long time. Do you think the latest gen Bridgelux are better? I couldn't find many for sale that would ship here.

Thanks for the driver advice!

 

[Government_420]

I think that's why the mixed packs lean towards the 2700k, there are only 4 of the 12 that are 6500k. Of course you can mix & match them however you want; that's just what one seller is offering. Sunboards only come in those two colour temps.

I was reading that Bridgelux are not that efficient. I don't mind paying more for decent lights; I'm expecting them to last a long time. I've put up with inadequate lighting for a long time. Do you think the latest gen Bridgelux are better? I couldn't find many for sale that would ship here.

Thanks for the driver advice!

I would try to see if you can find some samsung lm301H boards as i heard they are the best at the moment anyone correct me if wrong

 

[1212ham]

I think that's why the mixed packs lean towards the 2700k, there are only 4 of the 12 that are 6500k. Of course you can mix & match them however you want; that's just what one seller is offering. Sunboards only come in those two colour temps.

I was reading that Bridgelux are not that efficient. I don't mind paying more for decent lights; I'm expecting them to last a long time. I've put up with inadequate lighting for a long time. Do you think the latest gen Bridgelux are better? I couldn't find many for sale that would ship here.

Thanks for the driver advice!

Not that efficient compared to?
Sure, the Gen 3 are more efficient than gen 2, but more than double the cost. 3500k gen 2 are 175/lm/w and gen 3 are 185 lm/w.

 

[KlompenOG]

I love eBay, but if you want legit LEDs it is not the safest place to shop. Digikey or Arrow will do a lot better for you and will cost less if you're vigilant(Arrow especially has sales). I got a bunch of v-series Samsung strips for less than a dollar each even with the tariffs.

 

[DankDeeds]

Not that efficient compared to?
Sure, the Gen 3 are more efficient than gen 2, but more than double the cost. 3500k gen 2 are 175/lm/w and gen 3 are 185 lm/w.

Someone had compared the Bridgelux to the Samsung & found the Bridgelux lacking in terms of efficiency, but whether it's worth the price difference I don't know.

 

[ch4107]

Please check the spectrum of Brightlux eb gen3 90CRI. It is very good. I think the spectrum of eb gen3 Thrive is awesome. Regarding efficiency, I think a little efficiency can be sacrificed for a better spectrum. Brightlux high color rendering index strips do not need to add other spectrum . If you want to add, I suggest adding a little blue light, about 420NM,I mean 2700K or 3000K.If I remember correctly, eb gen3 CRI 90 3000K is 167 lumens per watt, I used gen3 Thrive 5000K to make a VEG light which is 127 lumens per watt.

 

[Digger47]

Solstrips and PLC strips are also a good option. Solstrips have great customer service