I am planning on putting four 260w kits with white LEDs in a 5x5 at each corner, and then two QB18's on a 4' heatsink down the middle. That way my reds and far reds are on a separate channel, I have optimal spread with 4+ lights, and I'm using the most reliable size of meanwell driver, the 240w. It's still fine to go with a larger driver though, as it's usually cheaper to use fewer drivers. As for what boards to use, the 288's are most efficient because they have the most diodes, but it's all up to you. If electricity is cheap then get whatever is cheapest up front which is probably QB96's. If electricity is expensive then get as many QB288's as you can fit in your tent and dim them down as much as possible.Hey guys,
New member here;
Looking at my options to build my own light to cover a 5x5 tent and put 1K HPS to shame. Doing the hid to led switch and don't want to be dissapointed.
For the space I thought of running 6-8x QB96 ELITE V2's simply attached to aluminum angle through the heatsink. Would be running 3-4x HLG 320h drivers, unsure what the best I know it must be a 54a.
Also considered going 4x QB96 with 2 320h drivers and another to power 4x chiled growmau5 v3 red pucks at ~110w each on top of the 4 QB96's
Another option being running 4x QB96 as well as either 4-6 QB288 R spec's with heatsinks and either 2x 240w driver if i'm going with 2 boards per 240w driver or go 3 QB288'S on a 320w driver x 2.
What do you guys think?
Looking for some input on maybe how I should go about layout for any of these options in a 5x5 configuration as well as what would be my best option for bang for buck with either a combo of QB96's and 288's or growmau5 pucks and QB96's or maybe just straight QB96's and run some supplemental red lighting?
Thanks in advance!
Stephen from HLG was talking about this recently I think. Check with him or someone who knows for sure first.I accidentally ordered a 30 uva but in 240v.. can I rewire it for 120?
Four 260w kits in a 5x5 sounds like you're going to *have to* dim them. I can't picture the layout; you said at each corner, so I can't see it in my mind. That's even more output than two 550s in a 5x5, wow - nice. You could manage some really even coverage with that, sounds intense. Haha.I am planning on putting four 260w kits with white LEDs in a 5x5 at each corner, and then two QB18's on a 4' heatsink down the middle. That way my reds and far reds are on a separate channel, I have optimal spread with 4+ lights, and I'm using the most reliable size of meanwell driver, the 240w. It's still fine to go with a larger driver though, as it's usually cheaper to use fewer drivers. As for what boards to use, the 288's are most efficient because they have the most diodes, but it's all up to you. If electricity is cheap then get whatever is cheapest up front which is probably QB96's. If electricity is expensive then get as many QB288's as you can fit in your tent and dim them down as much as possible.
I currently have two of the 260w kits and two QB18's (616w total) in my 5x5. I'm hoping that by my next flower cycle HLG will have released V3 boards and I can pick up another two 260w kits. For a total of 1136w in a 5x5 which is 45w per square foot which gives me lots of room to dim them down and still have 30w per sq ft.
Replied within quote.Yeah, that much wattage would blow my heat budget, even though I probably have enough CO2 to do it. The point in dimming them down is that they're like 15% more efficient dimmed down than they are at full power. It also means less heat per photon, so I can run all summer long without my AC bill being any different than if I wasn't growing. The V2 boards are already like 2.9umol/J if you dim them down enough.
Ahh, cool.
Yeah it's square so I basically put them as far away from each other as possible, but since they're rectangular they are a foot apart in one direction (touching in a 4x4) and leave a big gap in the other direction. I'm currently filling that gap with a 4' heatsink with two QB18's for emerson effect with a 100w driver. I'm also thinking about using the QB18 strips in the more narrow gap, and then tilting the 260w heatsinks so they are low in the middle and high at the walls to do a V-scrog with the QB18 strip like the binding of a book and the 260w heatsinks like the pages.
I think that's an interesting idea.
I could also do it with each one rotated 90 degrees compared to the last one, so there is one against each wall but still in the corners, but I feel like I'd get dizzy or something adjusting them.
This also sounds interesting. I just always want things *centered* in some way, haha.
Yeah, V3 is coming out in Feb, apparently.
I was thinking about attaching two more QB18's to the side of the heatsink and hanging it at an angle, since they don't even need a heatsink, it's just for rigidity so it's ok if it's only attached partially. That way I have red/far-red going to both sides of the V-scrog instead of just down.Replied within quote.
I ran the tangerine dream not long after the cup win and was really disappointed.After Xmas Quantum Bud ..... Stomper
From a recent grow a few weeks back ... spicy nose terps *hell yeah
Waiting on the GOJIBERRY to finish in about 2 weeks , then on the KKP ( throwing purp now ) .... 3x3 got a plant shuffle and some LST , the sour stomper x purp gorilla AUTOS have thrown pistil pubes and are beginning transition. Deputies also “ lassoed “ ( LST ) and will keep on vegging fore more weeks. Popped a Tangerine Dream ( 2-3 year old seed ) from Barney’s BUT was not to impressed with last one. ( I’m going to watch that one carefully.... ) last one was worthless , small , irregular growth and “ meh “ smoke . It came from breeders 5 seed card and have 2 left since the other I tried popping with this current did not germ. If it works out , then great ... if not the rest of seeds goes in bird feeder.
Buds grown with OG QB 304 V1 boards ( 3500k )
STOMPER BUD
View attachment 4443790View attachment 4443791
So I have been thinking about swapping out my FOUR QB288 V1's with V2's or R-spec. Why or why not?
Also, I have FOUR V1's on a Slate 6 in a 5x5 and it is not enough light. What would you add and why?
The Slate 6 is a long narrow quad board heatsink, not a triple. My V1's are 3500K and I thought about just building a second one with V2 or R-Spec and alternating the boards, two of each on each Slate 6.Keep the V1 and do 3 rows of 3. Add 5 rspecs. Put the V1's om the outside corners. Space the boards 6" on the triple fixture. There is certainly a lot of options for you at HLG these days. I incorporated some qb96elites into my setup. I am running 90 watts per board x 13 ( measured by wall meter ) in a 4x8 and feel that is enough. Could go to 100 w per board I suppose. I believe my setup is using less total power as I added more boards. Great for warmer months.
You could also do a 4000k board in the center on its own driver. Good if you incorporate veg in the tent.
yeah ... Barney’s gear is sadly disappointing... ran blue cheese / blue mammoth/ and this tang Dream . Maybe it’s their autos altogether.I ran the tangerine dream not long after the cup win and was really disappointed.
I would wait a couple months until the V3 boards come out, then get 4 of them and another Slate 6. Then you can always swap out your V1's later. I still use my old ones as veg lights.So I have been thinking about swapping out my FOUR QB288 V1's with V2's or R-spec. Why or why not?
Also, I have FOUR V1's on a Slate 6 in a 5x5 and it is not enough light. What would you add and why?
Are you on 1 driver? Or 4? Is it dimmable
Are you on 1 driver? Or 4? Is it dimmable
Four QB288 V2 quantum boards on a 600w driver. Or a spider farmer SF4000.What LED would replace SE 1k hps? I know I'll get shit for this question but what yields are you getting with your LED?