Build Your Own LED Grow Light

[Blew Hiller]

I just got super high internet surfing one night a bit ago and a few days later this kit showed up.

I love when that happens....Santa is real.

 

[Blew Hiller]

Finally got my Timber kit built. I guess since it’s a kit it’s only half DIY, but I’m very happy with the frame I made. Just a couple more tweaks and it’s good to hang.

Looks great...just thinking it would be pretty cool to do a rustic timber frame....how hot do these boards get?

 

[Amy Gardner]

Nice idea blew! You could always just use some Alu strips under any warm parts that contact the frame... would look really nice ... and then really be a Timber light

Super build Doob, as i already told you some where else! (Just keeping the thread continuity clean...)

 

[PurpleGunRack]

I think they are “QB288 V2 using 301B diodes”. I just got super high internet surfing one night a bit ago and a few days later this kit showed up.

They are HLG QB288 V2 boards, using the LM301b diodes

Assembling a kit is a good first step to DIY'ing from scratch

 

[SOG001]

I have a question. For flowering which is best the Vero BXRC27E10KO-D-73 SE OR THE BXRC17E10KO-D-73SE?

 

[PurpleGunRack]

I have a question. For flowering which is best the Vero BXRC27E10KO-D-73 SE OR THE BXRC17E10KO-D-73SE?

2700K 80CRI vs. 1750K 80 CRI (meat chip), right?


The latter is not good on its own, but many people use them to supplement 2700k - 4000K, I think 1/5 of these COBs is fine to supplement the main light with red for a flower boost.

The supplement can also be acheived with 660nm monodiodes.

Soon Samsung is going to release their new LH351B Red News | SAMSUNG LED | Samsung LED Global Website
Depending on how soon they're released and what shape they come out in this will most likely be the best way to supplement some extra red.

 

[Pyr0]

They are HLG QB288 V2 boards, using the LM301b diodes

Assembling a kit is a good first step to DIY'ing from scratch

Is it worth getting the LM301b boards now or are the LM561c based ones still best value ?

Nice build @DrDoob

 

[PurpleGunRack]

Is it worth getting the LM301b boards now or are the LM561c based ones still best value ?
[/USER]

If we're talking about HLG's boards, then I'd go with V2 any day, the price difference per diode is not very big.

Try looking at Atreum boards, LG did some tests and it has the same output as QB288 V2, they're $75 per board and a heatsink is included, pretty good deal.

If you compare Samsung F-series (LM561c) to their H inFlux (LM301b) line there's a decent price per diode difference, but not a big enough for those who love light or those doing small builds to not choose the H inFlux strips

 

[Stunned]

I'm wondering if it's better to go with the new V2's or the 324 boards.....

 

[PurpleGunRack]

324 has Nichia diodes, don't know much about those...

 

[Stunned]

Ah! Ok, this is something I did not know. I was under the assumption that HLG used Samsung diodes exclusively.
On the surface, it looks like a pretty nice setup with the mix of 2700 and 3000K colors and also the mix of 80 and 90 CRI.
It also looks like you get another 60 watts of power at 320 for only a nominal price difference from the V2 260 watt setups.

 

[MiOutdoorsman]

PGR, thanks for posting this thread! I'm looking into QB's in the future. I have some reading to catch up on trying to decide what driver/driver's to get. Thanks again

 

[Chris Scorpio]

PGR, thanks for posting this thread! I'm looking into QB's in the future. I have some reading to catch up on trying to decide what driver/driver's to get. Thanks again

Driver totally dictated by the boards you get, # of bds, and if you want 100% light available, as well as a separate dimmer, none or on the driver

I like a driver with 100% capability and a separate dimmer

I learned the hard way, git the wrong driver, so holler if ya need help

 

[MiOutdoorsman]

Thanks Chris! I'm wanting to get it right the first time. I'll be saving money for it, but I'm a patient guy.

 

[Chris Scorpio]

If you find the driver's spec sheets, most any of them, it will show you the different aspects of the driver's, a d what they mean

Then match it up to the wats and ma of the lights

Easy peasy

But once ya pick yer bds, holler and I can help ya out

 

[MiOutdoorsman]

Much appreciated! I'm planning on lighting up every inch of a 5x10 area as bright as possible. It's going to be a fun project

 

[Mayne]

Driver totally dictated by the boards you get, # of bds, and if you want 100% light available, as well as a separate dimmer, none or on the driver

I like a driver with 100% capability and a separate dimmer

I learned the hard way, git the wrong driver, so holler if ya need help

Yeah , i agree..

Id love to trade my 1400B for 2100B, or could of paid $10 more for it from the start,SMH.

 

[Chris Scorpio]

Yeah , i agree..

Id love to trade my 1400B for 2100B, or could of paid $10 more for it from the start,SMH.

Yup

I got 1750b at 1st

But know I know

 

[Mayne]

Yup

I got 1750b at 1st

But know I know

Everyone gets hypnotized into the whole "efficiency" Bullcrap, " get the 1400b and run them low", pssssssssss, so over rated.

 

[Chris Scorpio]

I usually run em at about 80%, but nice to crank em up if yer space is bigger than the footprint of the lights