DIY LED strip suggestions for 3x4 room?

Nwtexan

Nwtexan

Well-Known Member
Probably like a lot of people, I got excited about building a strip system for my flower room using the PLC photo boost, and then had the let down as I was sourcing parts to find that these are seemingly permanently back ordered. They seem like such a great solution and I love the idea of building something that exactly fits my space and needs(and is quite a bit more affordable).
Are there any similar strips performance wise that i could use to put together a light that had a good flower based spectrum, or am I looking at alternating different strips with each.

The closest one I can find is https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/samsung-semiconductor-inc/SL-B8V3N80LAWW/8536580
would I want to source a separate source for red? IR? Anyone have experience and/or links to threads of people building units with these?
I were only using the H series, i would imagine i would be looking at 12 boards to cover my space.

I guess at this point i want to make sure I have a solid source for boards before I look into frame and drivers.

thoughts?

Tex
 
Nwtexan

Nwtexan

Well-Known Member
I'm now looking at the Bridgelux Gen 2 3500 due to pricing @ $8.40 per board/ I was looking most closely at 3500's.

Is there any reason to include any 660 Red diode strips in the board? It seems that a lot of folks think it isn't justifiable/

If I'm going for 40W per SF then I'm looking at around 12 strips, which lines up with this helpful deign guide/ https://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/
He comes up with 470W, which i can see is from running the strips at 1A. If i dial voltage down to 39, that would run the strips a bit cooler, at 700mA, around 330W. HLG-480H-42 would cover to full wattage/

I was hoping to not have to use heatsink, and just use aluminum U channel. Would i be doing this?
 
L

loco41

Well-Known Member
You could maybe try out some of the gen3 bridgelux strips in the 90cri options if you were worried about adding a bit extra red. These would give you a nice boost in the red spectrum built into your white lights. Something like these 2700k 90cri strips at futureelectronics, https://www.futureelectronics.com/p/semiconductors--lighting-solutions--light-engine-led-assemblies--light-engines/bxeb-l1120z-27g4000-c-c3-bridgelux-3115971

Seems as though they would be a little less efficient with the higher cri options, but does the spectrum help "make up" for that little loss in output? I'm no expert and can't even answer the question I just posed to be honest. There are a lot more knowledgeable and experienced people here that could hopefully help steer you in a better direction, just figured I'd throw my 2 cents out there. I see people growing nice plants under all different lighting/spectrums, so I'm sure whichever way you go will give you some quality results as long as you have a grasp on growing in general. I just personally like the broader red spectrum from the 90cri spectrum knowing that I get a fairly substantial boost especially in the 700+ nm region compared to the 80cri spectrum without having to supplement.

Good luck on the build and hope it all comes together nicely for you though.
 
Nwtexan

Nwtexan

Well-Known Member
loco41 said:
You could maybe try out some of the gen3 bridgelux strips in the 90cri options if you were worried about adding a bit extra red. These would give you a nice boost in the red spectrum built into your white lights. Something like these 2700k 90cri strips at futureelectronics, https://www.futureelectronics.com/p/semiconductors--lighting-solutions--light-engine-led-assemblies--light-engines/bxeb-l1120z-27g4000-c-c3-bridgelux-3115971

Seems as though they would be a little less efficient with the higher cri options, but does the spectrum help "make up" for that little loss in output? I'm no expert and can't even answer the question I just posed to be honest. There are a lot more knowledgeable and experienced people here that could hopefully help steer you in a better direction, just figured I'd throw my 2 cents out there. I see people growing nice plants under all different lighting/spectrums, so I'm sure whichever way you go will give you some quality results as long as you have a grasp on growing in general. I just personally like the broader red spectrum from the 90cri spectrum knowing that I get a fairly substantial boost especially in the 700+ nm region compared to the 80cri spectrum without having to supplement.

Good luck on the build and hope it all comes together nicely for you though.
Click to expand...
Thanks! All help is helpful. I think the 2 biggest issues with this are price and availability. I can get the 4' bridgelux strips for $100 bucks cheaper and they are in stock/ I have spent a lot of time trying to see what is available vs what would work best
 
Nwtexan

Nwtexan

Well-Known Member
Chip Green said:
View attachment 4863733
This is a mid level side branch, after 50 nights, under 560mm 3500K BXEB Gen1 @1050 ma, on 1/8th" x 3/4" aluminum U channel.
That lamp has been running in a perpetual flower area since 2017.
Click to expand...
Wow! That is quite an endorsement! You are running the strips at a little over 1A then? How big of a rig are you using? what kind of driver?
would love to see pics of the light, if you have any?
 
Chip Green

Chip Green

Well-Known Member
I don't have any pics of the lights, not sure I've ever took one actually.... That rack, has two blocks of 8x 560mm strips, spread evenly (ish) over a 5' length. Each set of 8, runs on an HLG-185-C1050. Im pretty sure all my BXEB units, are Gen1 versions. I know I built one with Gen2s, but I think I passed that one on to another fella.
I have multiple "racks" of a few different configurations. Those were my first builds 4 years ago, when I found this forum, and got swallowed up into the DIY LED abyss.

Run a search for EB series threads, you'll undoubtedly see many of my shameless plugs for these emitters.
 
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Nwtexan

Nwtexan

Well-Known Member
I think i'm pretty sold! For the price point its pretty amazing.

So you are running CC at 160V and pushing an 1A load? How big is the space? it sounds like 320-330W

I have a 3x4, but might end up doing the 470W that i linked, using the HLG 480 driver. One of the things I'm working on is understand light need. Right now i have 2 qb 200W for my other 3x4(really more of a 3x3) and its pretty serious light in there. I have up to 1100 Par on my top flowers/ Not seeing any bleaching or anything. I guess the way i see it, i can dim them down if needed, but nice to have the power.
 
Chip Green

Chip Green

Well-Known Member
Those 560mm Gen1 EBs are 23V each. That HLG-185H-C1050 has 190V, so 8 fits it. They end up coming out to 215W draw, so double that, over an about(ish) 3x6. Usually two plants in 7gallon pots under it.
My early builds all were on CC drivers.
 
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