HLG Quantum Board Question

iHarvest

Member
What’s up everyone? I am soon going to make the switch from HID to hlg qb. I’m pretty excited but I’m also a little confused.

Let me explain..

Why is this board cheaper than the one below?

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights/products/horticulture-lighting-group-600h-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=8194691170405


The following was my first choice:

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights/products/horticulture-lighting-group-hlg-550


So as you can see, the first board is higher in watts but is cheaper. Why is this? They are both v2. I see that the 600w has a H at the end of it.. I’m guessing that has something to do with the driver. Anyway, I’ll let someone with knowledge of this chime in. Big thanks in advance.
 
I was also just wondering the same about these 2 and also just ordered the 600. Besides the driver being a B, where the 550 is an A, it looks like the 600 is stronger and can dim down lower. 550 has a 3 yr warranty vs 1yr on the 600. To me the 600 was a better buy and being cheaper is a plus. FYI if you choose to order pre assembled and tested it has a 7-9 day lead time.
 

eighties

Member
Basically, the actual quantum boards are exactly the same between the 2 versions. The differences are:
1. The 550 is a pre-made fixture and the 600 is a kit (assembly is available from the distributor for a charge).
2. The 550 uses the HLG-480H-C2100A driver while the 600 uses the HLG-600H-54B. This allows the boards to be driven a little harder in the 600 resulting in the additional wattage, but a small decrease in efficiency at the full power.
3. The 550 is wired in series while the 600 is wired in parallel. No real advantage either way. Just different.
4. The 550 has dimming from 100%-50% directly on the driver using a small potentiometer screw. The 600 has dimming from 100%-0% via an external potentiometer that must be added on. Technically, you don't need to add the external pot, but then the fixture will only run at 100%. Rapid LED has a great little pot with leads for about $7 that is a cinch to add.
5. The physical size is different with the 550 being 26"x20" and the 600 being 29"x15.5".

That's about it. They're both great lights. Personally, if I were going to go this route I would order 4 QB288 V2 boards with the slate 2 heatsink (4x$94.50), a HLG-600H-54B driver ($175), the Rapid LED pot ($7), and the rest of the components separately (all available on Amazon). This would allow you to build a larger basic frame out of aluminum from Home Depot and spread the lights out a little bit more. Tools needed for construction are a hacksaw, a drill, screwdriver, and a pair of wire strippers. Cost would be comparable or even a little less and you get the flexibility to customize the fixture for your space. You can also then mount the driver outside the tent which will really help control the heat.
 
Last edited:

iHarvest

Member
Instead of quoting every single person who help me understand this, thank you all for your time and knowledge! This has definitely helped me a lot. I’m still unsure as to how I’m going to go about this, but now I know exactly what I’m looking at with each one. To PoisonousT, you’re welcome. Hopefully others will see this who are wondering also.

Stay medicated fam.
 

yummy fur

Well-Known Member
Another alternative in the same price range would be to get 4 x Elite96 engines with heatsink for $$400 and then either get 4 185W drivers (which would be my choice for maximum flexibility), or you could run them in pairs or all four off a 600W driver. It depends on how much flexibility you like to have. I think it's cool that I could say run two in a 2'x4' space at 150W each or I could run 3 of them at 100W each. Or say in a big square space you really have a great deal of control especially if you would have plants at different stages. This is the conclusion I have come to after sorting through the multitude of variables as you seem to have done. $0.02c
 

rob333

Well-Known Member
What’s up everyone? I am soon going to make the switch from HID to hlg qb. I’m pretty excited but I’m also a little confused.

Let me explain..

Why is this board cheaper than the one below?

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights/products/horticulture-lighting-group-600h-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=8194691170405


The following was my first choice:

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights/products/horticulture-lighting-group-hlg-550


So as you can see, the first board is higher in watts but is cheaper. Why is this? They are both v2. I see that the 600w has a H at the end of it.. I’m guessing that has something to do with the driver. Anyway, I’ll let someone with knowledge of this chime in. Big thanks in advance.
switching from hps to led might as well get a gun and point it at your head and pull the trigger
 

rob333

Well-Known Member
What’s up everyone? I am soon going to make the switch from HID to hlg qb. I’m pretty excited but I’m also a little confused.

Let me explain..

Why is this board cheaper than the one below?

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights/products/horticulture-lighting-group-600h-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=8194691170405


The following was my first choice:

https://growerslights.com/collections/led-grow-lights/products/horticulture-lighting-group-hlg-550


So as you can see, the first board is higher in watts but is cheaper. Why is this? They are both v2. I see that the 600w has a H at the end of it.. I’m guessing that has something to do with the driver. Anyway, I’ll let someone with knowledge of this chime in. Big thanks in advance.
u will get a better run from lecs then them qb boards
 

rob333

Well-Known Member
that's funny you say that, bc I've only heard of ppl praising the hlg qp! I was looking at buying 2 hlg 600! and your comment is the first negative one I've ever heard!
at 1400 for the quick bloom v2 they can go suck a dick in my books were u can get a 315lec for 230-300 tops that will kill a hlg board
 
Top