Rehabbing an old seedling stand

Z

Zappa66

Well-Known Member
hello,

I have this 4’x2’ 4 shelved seedling rack currently powered by t8 shop lights. I use them so start annual and perennial seedlings. Usually I get a few weeks after germination before they start to stretch and I have to move into the greenhouse.

I have been considering retrofitting leds to add more power and increase the time before I have to fire up the greenhouse.

I was thinking of doing strips perhaps? Or somewhere I believe I spotted a very large quantum board knock off that looked interesting. I have had good experiences with hlg products but obviously to spendy for such a project.

Currently each level has 4 40w bulbs.

Any advice on how you would go about this?

Regards,

Zappa

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Toaster79

Toaster79

Well-Known Member
I got 30x400mm rigid strips populated with 96 Samsung lm561c chips. I'm running them at 25W each. Got six in a 60x80cm 80cm high veg box. You could fit 2 on each level running them at about 25W each and should be more than enough to get strong seedlings.

Screenshot_20181105_150022.jpg IMG_20181104_230128.jpg

Each strip costs usd 7.5 plos shipping and customs. 3 of them equal 1 qb288. I got 25 2700K and 25 4000K.

The box is ru7nning off a meanwell hlg120hc1050b driver at 145W
 
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Z

Zappa66

Well-Known Member
With the limited headroom on each level I would be concerned that that might be too short to light the edges? Would 50w per level really be enough?
 
Toaster79

Toaster79

Well-Known Member
You could put 4 on each level and drive them at 10W each for the spread. Should get more than double the ammount of light comparing to those t8's.
 
Toaster79

Toaster79

Well-Known Member
You'll definitely get at least double the ammount of light at the same wattage. T8's are obnoxious. And you'll have no maintenance whatsoevere for the next decade. And those strips probably cost the same as t8's.


This is what I put together on a budget

Screenshot_20181105_152548.jpg Screenshot_20181105_152617.jpg Screenshot_20181105_152639.jpg Screenshot_20181105_153050.jpg

And you won't need any heatsinks up to 25W per strip. I have them for the convenience of mounting.
 
Z

Zappa66

Well-Known Member
That’s a very snazzy box you put together there! I appreciate the suggestions, where did you purchase those strips?
 
Toaster79

Toaster79

Well-Known Member
China - alibaba - mufue technology but beaware they have minimum order of 50pcs

And I also got drivers from them at the normal price
 
Z

Zappa66

Well-Known Member
Mm, that min order is a bummer. Do you (or anyone) have a suggestion on where to get a comparable strip elsewhere?
 
Toaster79

Toaster79

Well-Known Member
It's quite a setback I know. I got 790W worth of driver and 2kW worth of strips for 750 usd delivered after customs. I'm also building a 640W unit fo theflower room
 
Z

Zappa66

Well-Known Member
Heh, on the flip side considering the scope of your project it sounds like a heck of a deal. I hope you'll document the build as that sounds fascinating.
 
Toaster79

Toaster79

Well-Known Member
Screenshot_20181105_162136.jpg Screenshot_20181105_162037.jpg Screenshot_20181105_162005.jpg

This is another supplier with slightly different dimensions an slightly higher price but min order of 10pcs. You would need 16.
 
Z

Zappa66

Well-Known Member
A year ago when I first was looking into led I was quite intimidated. Probably would have jumped on those tubes. However running a few wires no longer scares me.
 
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