Think about building a light set up

So I have a 2x4x5ft space that I use for flowering. I really want to build a light for this space. Never did anything like that but I read a lot about how cheap it is to just buy the strips and put them together myself. Anyone who’s actually built there own set, maybe even in this size space have any suggestions?

I've been wanting to do this as well

Scroll down to the 2x4 strip build. It even gives you links to everything you need to buy.

bk78 said:

Scroll down to the 2x4 strip build. It even gives you links to everything you need to buy.

DIY LED Strip Build Designs for Samsung H-Series, F-Series, Q-Series, and Bridgelux EB Gen.2 - LED Gardener

DIY LED strip builds have become very popular recently. The mid-power section of our forum is full of threads created by DIYers looking to build their own custom lights, and new builds and ideas are surfacing every day. If you don’t live somewhere where you have easy access to premade lights...

ledgardener.com

Click to expand...

This is literally what I needed lol

bk78 said:

Scroll down to the 2x4 strip build. It even gives you links to everything you need to buy.

DIY LED Strip Build Designs for Samsung H-Series, F-Series, Q-Series, and Bridgelux EB Gen.2 - LED Gardener

DIY LED strip builds have become very popular recently. The mid-power section of our forum is full of threads created by DIYers looking to build their own custom lights, and new builds and ideas are surfacing every day. If you don’t live somewhere where you have easy access to premade lights...

ledgardener.com

Click to expand...

Are smd 2835s any good to use? I found a good deal, 30w boards for like 2$

Macncheesehaze said:

So I have a 2x4x5ft space that I use for flowering. I really want to build a light for this space. Never did anything like that but I read a lot about how cheap it is to just buy the strips and put them together myself. Anyone who’s actually built there own set, maybe even in this size space have any suggestions?

Click to expand...

I did this awhile back, yet to hit flower to try it out. Just another idea.

Building is def the way to go....yea you may not have a warranty, but it's also hella cheaper to build and swap in and out if needed.

J232 said:

I did this awhile back, yet to hit flower to try it out. Just another idea.

F-series strips, side lighting build.

Alright, I been dicking around collecting materials and info, here’s what I cooked up. 4 x 5 strip racks on 4 drivers, 20 strips total. Cost, $2 a strip, $12 a driver, $75 in materials. SI-B8T521560WW 4K strips, delta LNE-48V150WAAA drivers. Built one for now, need to assemble the other 3...

www.rollitup.org

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What type of strips are those tho?

Nvm I see. What are those tho? I find all kinds of deals on strips but idk what lights are what. I’ve seen smd 2835 just don’t know if it’s any good

J232 said:

I did this awhile back, yet to hit flower to try it out. Just another idea.

F-series strips, side lighting build.

Alright, I been dicking around collecting materials and info, here’s what I cooked up. 4 x 5 strip racks on 4 drivers, 20 strips total. Cost, $2 a strip, $12 a driver, $75 in materials. SI-B8T521560WW 4K strips, delta LNE-48V150WAAA drivers. Built one for now, need to assemble the other 3...

www.rollitup.org

Click to expand...

I may just copy this set up lol you did a really nice job bro.

Macncheesehaze said:

I may just copy this set up lol you did a really nice job bro.

Click to expand...

Thanks man, I just keep a eye out for post here leading to decent strips and a lot of digging over at arrow watching for deals. I have 26 L09, older 3500k strips, 96 diode, I might build a full spectrum eventually.

I found these smd 2835 30 watt strips so I’m thinking about combining them with something like the ones you have

Macncheesehaze said:

So I have a 2x4x5ft space that I use for flowering. I really want to build a light for this space. Never did anything like that but I read a lot about how cheap it is to just buy the strips and put them together myself. Anyone who’s actually built there own set, maybe even in this size space have any suggestions?

Click to expand...

Do EB gen 2 with meanwell hlg 600. Or Lrs 350. Heatsink source through HeatsinkUSA. Frame from Tnutz.com

Cheap to build and 2g+ per watt consistently

Jhef said:

Do EB gen 2 with meanwell hlg 600. Or Lrs 350. Heatsink source through HeatsinkUSA. Frame from Tnutz.com

Cheap to build and 2g+ per watt consistently

Click to expand...

Digikey.com for strips and drivers

I built a 2x4 light using 10 L09'S and a 320 watt Delta driver. Like J232 said, gotta watch for the deals on the strips

I built 2 of these for a 4x8. Gonna be building another very soon for a 4x4.

Here is the light I built. Did it as cheap as I could, ended up around $190.
Dirt Cheap Light

That’s what I’m building for, a 2x4 and a 2x2. The 2x4 I want juiced up for flower you know? What’s the over kill in a 2x4 lol

I have a DIY COB LED for my 2x4 tent and I love it. @CobKits helped me out.

CXM22 cobs.

One tip for building your own COB setup. IT's always better to add a few COB's and drive them all softer. This will achieve a better spread, light hitting plants at more angles aiding penetration. The COB's run a little more efficiently at the cooler temps that result from driving them all softer.

I could have done my light with 6 CXM-22's but I went with 8 driven a little softer. I also have a little reserve power if I ever want it, just turn the dimmer knob up lol. Even at full power they aren't being driven really hard.

I built out a bunch of other lights with the CXM-22's. My veg room is converted to them now and I built some side lights to replace the vertical 400 watt HID lights that were on the ends of my rows.

I can see my self moving more and more towards the LED and away from the HPS. It sure is a lot easier on my AC unit and the power bills reflect that. I actually save more kWh on the cooling than I do on the lights themselves.