Could someone recommend me an LED lamp for 12x12 space

Got some old ballast and hid lamps and the heat is making it difficult to dial in my environment + utilize my co2. LED will surely solve this issue. Looking for the best value! HLG seems to be quite nice but there are so many LED companies I just don't know where to look. I'm not too worried about power consumption. What I'm looking for is for the best bang for my buck, 4'x4' coverage, and obviously a stronger more usable light that can compare to a SE/DE HPS. I'm quite handy so DIY is an option if it saves me a substantial amount of $$. I briefly scoured the forum about DIY LED, it can be a PITA since there are so many companies, so many different recommendations, and a lot of smart individuals using LED terminology that just goes right over my head. So any recommendations on DIY kits/prebuilt lamps?

4x HLG QB 96 on a HLG-480H-54A driver.

6x QB 96 on a HLG-600H-54A driver.

Or one of these strip builds.

steveydvee said:

Got some old ballast and hid lamps and the heat is making it difficult to dial in my environment + utilize my co2. LED will surely solve this issue. Looking for the best value! HLG seems to be quite nice but there are so many LED companies I just don't know where to look. I'm not too worried about power consumption. What I'm looking for is for the best bang for my buck, 4'x4' coverage, and obviously a stronger more usable light that can compare to a SE/DE HPS. I'm quite handy so DIY is an option if it saves me a substantial amount of $$. I briefly scoured the forum about DIY LED, it can be a PITA since there are so many companies, so many different recommendations, and a lot of smart individuals using LED terminology that just goes right over my head. So any recommendations on DIY kits/prebuilt lamps?

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HLG makes some fine equipment indeed. They were a little out of my price range though when I was shopping for my first quantum board. I got a 660W unit in daylight spectrum 3000k and 5000k chips with UV and IR for $504 delivered. I think they're even cheaper now by almost $80/unit. If I had it to do over again though I would opt for two 330W units versus a single 660W unit. Why? You would achieve a better spread of light with separate panels and fewer "hot spots" would occur that cause bleaching / light burn. Light bars are the only effective way to distribute that amount of light / power in my opinion, but the price jumps by nearly $300 because they're more expensive to produce and ship. Quantum boards seem to be significantly more cost effective when it comes to outfitting a room with illumination. I recommend more lower powered boards though versus a few high powered boards. You will achieve a better light spread and ultimately better results.

660W quantum board: (I paid $504 with shipping. It's now about $100 cheaper.)

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Shenzhen-sunlight-lm301b-quantum-Bar-grow_62551149687.html?spm=a2756.order-detail-ta-bn-b.0.0.6e582fc2SMLxdn

110W quantum board x2 I just ordered a few days ago for $187 delivered:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Full-Spectrum-110W-qb288-Samsung-lm301b_62512497620.html?spm=a2756.order-detail-ta-ta-b.0.0.2f272fc2l6xSUV

jonnynobody said:

HLG makes some fine equipment indeed. They were a little out of my price range though when I was shopping for my first quantum board. I got a 660W unit in daylight spectrum 3000k and 5000k chips with UV and IR for $504 delivered. I think they're even cheaper now by almost $80/unit. If I had it to do over again though I would opt for two 330W units versus a single 660W unit. Why? You would achieve a better spread of light with separate panels and fewer "hot spots" would occur that cause bleaching / light burn. Light bars are the only effective way to distribute that amount of light / power in my opinion, but the price jumps by nearly $300 because they're more expensive to produce and ship. Quantum boards seem to be significantly more cost effective when it comes to outfitting a room with illumination. I recommend more lower powered boards though versus a few high powered boards. You will achieve a better light spread and ultimately better results.

660W quantum board: (I paid $504 with shipping. It's now about $100 cheaper.)

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Shenzhen-sunlight-lm301b-quantum-Bar-grow_62551149687.html?spm=a2756.order-detail-ta-bn-b.0.0.6e582fc2SMLxdn

110W quantum board x2 I just ordered a few days ago for $187 delivered:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Full-Spectrum-110W-qb288-Samsung-lm301b_62512497620.html?spm=a2756.order-detail-ta-ta-b.0.0.2f272fc2l6xSUV

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With the 2 330w boards does it require two seperate plugs as I only have 8 slots in my light controller for 240v 600-1000w and not wanting to shell out more cash if not needed for a different controller.

steveydvee said:

With the 2 330w boards does it require two seperate plugs as I only have 8 slots in my light controller for 240v 600-1000w and not wanting to shell out more cash if not needed for a different controller.

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They are not equipped with a piggy back connector. They will add one for you if you ask for a small charge. Less than $10 I'm sure. Or you can use something like this for $7:

https://www.amazon.com/Cablelera-Power-Extension-Splitter-ZWACPQAG-14/dp/B00FRODUR4/ref=asc_df_B00FRODUR4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309881068962&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3102571924905098271&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017531&hvtargid=pla-450496566643&psc=1

Problem solved. I understand your concerns about the light controller. Those puppies are expensive. I'll ask the vendor how much they would charge to add on the piggy back receptacle for you. I'll post their response when I receive it. They're in China, so it's 1:17 AM there presently. I expect to have an answer for you late this evening.

jonnynobody said:

HLG makes some fine equipment indeed. They were a little out of my price range though when I was shopping for my first quantum board. I got a 660W unit in daylight spectrum 3000k and 5000k chips with UV and IR for $504 delivered. I think they're even cheaper now by almost $80/unit. If I had it to do over again though I would opt for two 330W units versus a single 660W unit. Why? You would achieve a better spread of light with separate panels and fewer "hot spots" would occur that cause bleaching / light burn. Light bars are the only effective way to distribute that amount of light / power in my opinion, but the price jumps by nearly $300 because they're more expensive to produce and ship. Quantum boards seem to be significantly more cost effective when it comes to outfitting a room with illumination. I recommend more lower powered boards though versus a few high powered boards. You will achieve a better light spread and ultimately better results.

660W quantum board: (I paid $504 with shipping. It's now about $100 cheaper.)

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Shenzhen-sunlight-lm301b-quantum-Bar-grow_62551149687.html?spm=a2756.order-detail-ta-bn-b.0.0.6e582fc2SMLxdn

110W quantum board x2 I just ordered a few days ago for $187 delivered:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Full-Spectrum-110W-qb288-Samsung-lm301b_62512497620.html?spm=a2756.order-detail-ta-ta-b.0.0.2f272fc2l6xSUV

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I took another look at that 660w qboard man that price is unbelievably low considered to other US merchants.

steveydvee said:

I took another look at that 660w qboard man that price is unbelievably low considered to other US merchants.

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I agree. That's why I bought one. The US based vendors are making people take it to teeth on price. I also bought a Spider Farmer SF 4000 @ 450W for $628 with sales tax for comparison. The 660w 'baba board is about 2 1/2" larger in length and width than the SF unit covering a larger footprint. The 'baba unit contains more diodes than the SF unit. Both units have a dimmer. The 'baba dimmer is on a 6' cord which I found very convenient for mounting the dimmer in an easy to access location rather than on top of the board itself. The SF dimmer is attachded to the top of the board making accessibility more difficult. The only thing the 'baba board didn't have that the SF does is the piggy back plugin connector. However I did not need one for my application. The vendor will install a piggy back connector for a small price if requested. I could find no flaw in my 'baba light and after completing a flower cycle with it I am more than impressed with the results. Not to mention it was $120 cheaper than the SF board with 210W less power.

I had a good enough experience that I just placed my 2nd order with the same company 2 days ago for 2 of their 110w boards.

Gimme 10 minutes and I'll post a picture of my hash plant from the last flower cycle which was flowered from beginning to end under the 660W board.

660W 'baba board:

steveydvee said:

With the 2 330w boards does it require two seperate plugs as I only have 8 slots in my light controller for 240v 600-1000w and not wanting to shell out more cash if not needed for a different controller.

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You can get 2x 330 boards with one 660w driver: flipping 2 drivers at the same time is vest avoided if can be.

stenn33 said:

https://www.yearld.com/?ref=rywh7cl7r92g 600w fixture x 4

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Good god man. With sales tax he'd be at a cool 4 grand. He can have the same wattage and chips on 'baba for half the price per unit.

steveydvee said:

With the 2 330w boards does it require two seperate plugs as I only have 8 slots in my light controller for 240v 600-1000w and not wanting to shell out more cash if not needed for a different controller.

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This is what I use for my LED's on my light controller.

6 of these. Cost under $2100 plug and play. Use separate ballasts so you can adjust to meet differing needs across your grow. I do agree that they should be turned on one at a time. Better IR spread in my opinion than HLG. Only problem is you have to extend the power leads to mount the ballast remotely. 2 conductor wire and some wagos. Easy.

Rocket Soul said:

You can get 2x 330 boards with one 660w driver: flipping 2 drivers at the same time is vest avoided if can be.

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what exactly do you mean flipping at the same time? And how to avoid?

steveydvee said:

what exactly do you mean flipping at the same time? And how to avoid?

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Rocket please correct me if mistaken. But 2 ballast create a brief heavy load capable of overloading circuits and theoretically damaging ballasts from the extended high draw. I can safely turn upto 1500W on or 2 650's n a 20 amp circuit with 10AWG wire. But not with 14AWG standard home romex. Tips the breaker every time.

I have a dedicated light controller that runs 50 amps into 8 240v sockets and the controller is hooked up to a timer which essentially will turn on all 8 lights at the same time. Will this be okay?

steveydvee said:

I have a dedicated light controller that runs 50 amps into 8 240v sockets and the controller is hooked up to a timer which essentially will turn on all 8 lights at the same time. Will this be okay?

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im going to guess the inrush will trip the breaker like @MICHI-CAN noted.

what i do is just use multiple timers and have them set a few mins apart so that they dont all flip on at once.

steveydvee said:

I have a dedicated light controller that runs 50 amps into 8 240v sockets and the controller is hooked up to a timer which essentially will turn on all 8 lights at the same time. Will this be okay?

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240 theoretically reduces to my 110 by half. I believe you are 12AWG minimum. If running 6 ballasts you should be good with 320's. If 10AWG as it should be. 600's are fine. Just check for heat or odor the first few days. Just my opinion from having wired things in production settings and life. Fact check me on a licensed electrical supply site. Safety first always.

jonnynobody said:

HLG makes some fine equipment indeed. They were a little out of my price range though when I was shopping for my first quantum board. I got a 660W unit in daylight spectrum 3000k and 5000k chips with UV and IR for $504 delivered. I think they're even cheaper now by almost $80/unit. If I had it to do over again though I would opt for two 330W units versus a single 660W unit. Why? You would achieve a better spread of light with separate panels and fewer "hot spots" would occur that cause bleaching / light burn. Light bars are the only effective way to distribute that amount of light / power in my opinion, but the price jumps by nearly $300 because they're more expensive to produce and ship. Quantum boards seem to be significantly more cost effective when it comes to outfitting a room with illumination. I recommend more lower powered boards though versus a few high powered boards. You will achieve a better light spread and ultimately better results.

660W quantum board: (I paid $504 with shipping. It's now about $100 cheaper.)

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Shenzhen-sunlight-lm301b-quantum-Bar-grow_62551149687.html?spm=a2756.order-detail-ta-bn-b.0.0.6e582fc2SMLxdn

110W quantum board x2 I just ordered a few days ago for $187 delivered:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Full-Spectrum-110W-qb288-Samsung-lm301b_62512497620.html?spm=a2756.order-detail-ta-ta-b.0.0.2f272fc2l6xSUV

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found another light on alibaba with a whole lot more transactions and experience it seems like. 10+ years verified seller. What do you think of this?

As stated above: inrush current is going to be bigger with 2 smaller drivers than with one big, and you can easily run 2 fixtures on the same driver. More than likely your controller dont switch them all on the same time, each channel will switch on with a small delay to avoid this between channels, but youll have to make sure you dont have the conditions of tripping your fuses with one channel.

steveydvee said:

Got some old ballast and hid lamps and the heat is making it difficult to dial in my environment + utilize my co2. LED will surely solve this issue. Looking for the best value! HLG seems to be quite nice but there are so many LED companies I just don't know where to look. I'm not too worried about power consumption. What I'm looking for is for the best bang for my buck, 4'x4' coverage, and obviously a stronger more usable light that can compare to a SE/DE HPS. I'm quite handy so DIY is an option if it saves me a substantial amount of $$. I briefly scoured the forum about DIY LED, it can be a PITA since there are so many companies, so many different recommendations, and a lot of smart individuals using LED terminology that just goes right over my head. So any recommendations on DIY kits/prebuilt lamps?

Click to expand...

Look on Alibaba