Basically switching from COB to Quantum boards. I have been running a Tasty LED t4-2100 that I bought in 2016 and am still using today in a 2x4x7 tent. How long do COBs last? I have been looking at the HLG 350r and am wondering if it would be worthwhile to upgrade and will I see a noticeable difference during flower? The 4 COBs give me good canopy penetration, however there is still a lot of shading being only 4 light sources. Will the Quantum board help fill in those areas since it is more spread out? Is the HLG 350r worth it or should I just keep running the Tasty since it seems to still rock?
Currently using Tasty LEDs t4-2100 from 2016 in my 2x4 tent. Will switching to HLG 350r make a noticeable difference?
- Thread starter hashpuppy
- Start date
weednerd.anthony.850
Well-Known Member
Pull the trigger on the 350R brother I highly doubt you’ll regret it
I just got my 350R last week so haven’t done a full cycle yet with it but I promise the penetration looks to be killer I’m using it in a similar but slightly larger space 3x3 and it rocks so far
I’ll check her with my light meter app at different height tonight to get an even better idea of how good the penetration is to let you know how it is even in the corners of my space
HydroKid239
Well-Known Member
HLG makes some strong lights from all I’ve heard. I’d go for the upgrade. Not sure how powerful the current light is, but I would instantly guess there would be a noticeable difference.
ChrispyCritter
Well-Known Member
Your growing style will play a part in how much you benefit from spending $500 to replace your perfectly good cob to use in a 2x4 tent. I still use cobs but I grow tall plants with four main colas that are thick and full the whole way down. I don't have time to really lst my plants and grow lots of smaller tops. Personally id spend some $$ for a larger grow space/tent. But I certainly understand if you have limited space. Good luck!
Bad Karma
Well-Known Member
I have a Tasty COB light and I did briefly own an HLG QB light.
QB lights put out a lot more heat than you are used to with the Tasty COB.
If you have a way to control said heat you should be fine.
I had to return my HLG QB light because once I installed it the temperature of my tent became unmanageable.
Otherwise, add a second light source to help the Tasty, or simply replace the COB’s in the Tasty if you really think they’re fading.
If you don’t feel safe doing the electrical work, there are plenty of electricians in the world, that will do it for a reasonable price.
QB lights put out a lot more heat than you are used to with the Tasty COB.
If you have a way to control said heat you should be fine.
I had to return my HLG QB light because once I installed it the temperature of my tent became unmanageable.
Otherwise, add a second light source to help the Tasty, or simply replace the COB’s in the Tasty if you really think they’re fading.
If you don’t feel safe doing the electrical work, there are plenty of electricians in the world, that will do it for a reasonable price.
@ChrispyCritter I am very limited in space, and as of now 2x4 is all I can do. I grow 2 plants scrog with 1 week veg time using a hybrid nft/aerosystem. I have a small 18x30 that I keep bonsai moms in and clones as needed. I try to keep cola height 6-8 inches.
This was one of my concerns as one of my biggest battles is with heat. I have the Tasty led under control, but it was not easy.
ChrispyCritter
Well-Known Member
I have a Tasty and a Timber. I didn't know that about hlg QBs and heat. I moved my drivers for my Timber out of my room and there is less heat now. Im always curious about new lights, since cannabis specific technology is exploding right now. Exciting times. @hashpuppy your plants are great! I understand space constraints too. I grew in a 2x3x6 supercloset for years.
Bad Karma
Well-Known Member
If the internally cooled Tasty COB light gave you a challenge keeping temperatures in check, I wouldn't even consider a QB light, seriously.
Some growers have the means to cool such a light, some don't, and there's nothing wrong with being in either category.
I have not found a QB light, or QB Strip light, that runs less than roughly 100 degrees to the touch.
For a grower like you, or I, that is just too much heat to deal with.
You results in that 2x4 tent with the single Tasty light are impressive.
You really just need a second light to help manage the full coverage of that grow space.
Keep up the good work.
weednerd.anthony.850
Well-Known Member
Ya man you nailed it with the heat thing I totally forget some people aren’t lucky like me to have an easily cooled space my central air is very powerful my house can be an icebox if needed, I’m in a tent also but I personally haven’t had heat issues with my HLG just yet but if I did I would return it in a heartbeat no doubt and hashpuppy those are beautiful buds keep up what you’re doing maybe add another light to increase your coverage and call it a day like Bad Karma said
The Dawg
Well-Known Member
. Your tasty t-4 is a 300 watt lamp which gives you 37.5 watts per foot of growing space which is more than enough photons for your 2x4. With the HLG lamp your spending needless money plus your hvac cost will increase due to the extra heat the QB will put off. But if you really want a QB hell Roy go for it. But like my Grandpa always said hell son If it anit broke dont fix it
Thank you all for the great answers! I think I am going to follow all the great advice and stick to what is working. I am happy with my results, just always trying to push limits lol. If I decide after a few runs to switch out the cobs on the Tasty due to age, what cobs should I order to replace?
Rocket Soul
Well-Known Member
It depends on the cobs and the driver. Cree have 36 and 72V of those old cobs. Though with most likeliness its the 36V version. Can snap a shot of the text in the driver? Voltages and model nr and such?
tstick
Well-Known Member
Plants will grow well under any number of kinds of lights. They don't differentiate on brands! Photons are photons. The big difference is in the efficiency and the build quality of the lights. Just a few years ago, LED fixtures needed fans to keep them cool. Since the fans were a constantly moving part, they were prone to wear out and/or fail. But, now many lights are passively cooled and usually run very cool, regardless. Overall, I feel that they are safer to use.
HLG users have almost always reported rave reviews of their lights and the company seems to be constantly moving forward as technology advances. Some models can be expensive, but, overall, appear to give a bigger bang for the buck quality-wise -especially if you opt for one of their kits.
I still use my 2013 Area 51 light alongside my Nextlight and the plants love the combination! Again, photons are photons!
HLG users have almost always reported rave reviews of their lights and the company seems to be constantly moving forward as technology advances. Some models can be expensive, but, overall, appear to give a bigger bang for the buck quality-wise -especially if you opt for one of their kits.
I still use my 2013 Area 51 light alongside my Nextlight and the plants love the combination! Again, photons are photons!
I had to look up the old spec from an email and I believe the Tasty T4-2100 used 4x CXB3590 CD bin 3000K 80CRI, Meanwell HLG-320H-C2100B
To be honest, I have no idea what that means lol. I will see if I can get a picture later When I have access.
I agree, part of the reasons I went with the Tasty LEDs was the build quality and efficiency of their lights. They were built by a member on here who longer builds them, they are built like a tank. I have been happy with the results. Being 6 years old with constant use, it has and still is extremely reliable.
I was concern with bulb life, as I have no idea. It is very exiting that the industry is making advancements in technology and I am curious on what the latest and best that works for my situation since I do not really keep up with the times lol.
tstick
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I remember the Tasty LED guy! He built some awesome lights as I recall.
I guess another way of saying what I was trying to convey, is that, a quality light (such as my old Area 51 light) will last a long time as long as they are kept clean (blow out the dust that the fans accumulate over the course of a grow) and not banged around too much....The Cree diodes are high-quality. And, even though the technology is antiquated by today's standards, the plants still don't know the difference. I know there must be some kind of measurable degradation of the diodes over time, but maybe I'm getting to be a better grower with each and every run -thus compensating for whatever level of degradation the lights are suffering...right?
Eventually, I'll just transfer use of the old lights to grow my orchids or start my outdoor garden seedlings. Use them until the fans wear out and/or something breaks. After that....recycle!
I guess another way of saying what I was trying to convey, is that, a quality light (such as my old Area 51 light) will last a long time as long as they are kept clean (blow out the dust that the fans accumulate over the course of a grow) and not banged around too much....The Cree diodes are high-quality. And, even though the technology is antiquated by today's standards, the plants still don't know the difference. I know there must be some kind of measurable degradation of the diodes over time, but maybe I'm getting to be a better grower with each and every run -thus compensating for whatever level of degradation the lights are suffering...right?
Eventually, I'll just transfer use of the old lights to grow my orchids or start my outdoor garden seedlings. Use them until the fans wear out and/or something breaks. After that....recycle!
The Dawg
Well-Known Member
How about some education. Your T4-2100 means that your lamp has 4 cobs ran at 2100mA which tells me that the cobs voltage is 36.6. Now take 36.6 x 2.1mA=76.8 watts per cob now times that by 4 which = 307.4 watts which is your total output. Im or was running my original Bridgelux Vero build from 2016 and I haven't had any decline in photons. I would say your Tasty T4-2100 should last you another 5-7 years. Cobs are rock solid
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Thank you for the great response. Experience makes the biggest difference and definitely compensates for any light degradation, I can totally agree. From all the great answers so far I plan to rock the Tasty out until it no longer produces lol.Yeah, I remember the Tasty LED guy! He built some awesome lights as I recall.
I guess another way of saying what I was trying to convey, is that, a quality light (such as my old Area 51 light) will last a long time as long as they are kept clean (blow out the dust that the fans accumulate over the course of a grow) and not banged around too much....The Cree diodes are high-quality. And, even though the technology is antiquated by today's standards, the plants still don't know the difference. I know there must be some kind of measurable degradation of the diodes over time, but maybe I'm getting to be a better grower with each and every run -thus compensating for whatever level of degradation the lights are suffering...right?