Hope everyone is well. I want to see if an upgrade is worth it after all I’ve heard and seen about qbs. Right now I have (2) 1200w Viparspectras that pull 530w each. I’ve looked at buying (2) HLG 550 v2 rspecs and have looked at building my own as I’m very hands on and am familiar with electric. I’ve been weighing my options for my next grow. Let me know guys any feedback is great and any other recommended qb.
What size is your space? Is the starting point, your footprint is an important consideration when designing a diy build Is it going to be one large space or a dedicated space for veg and one for flowering? I ask because you can get away with way less power in veg .
I’m sorry I left out that key info. But my space is 5x5 right now I just have one tent set up now may add a second in the next year. I saw this link posted before but I’m still very unfamiliar with a DIY build. Haven’t done much research yet was thinking about just spending the money on the (2) HLG 550s. Not sure though want to reach out and see what others are doing. https://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/ Below is my set up now. Under the 2 1200w viparspectras.
Those strip builds are more on the advanced side of DIY. The 550s are a nice choice but I would consider 4 of the 260 watt kits instead as it would be more versatile and probably be configured for better coverage. I've heard good things about the Kingbrite kits from China. They are cheap and if I was buying that much light at once I would check in to it.
I will check out the kingbrites now. As for DIY I’m not talking a typical easy diy. I’m very familiar with electrical work as I’ve done a whole lot of it so as long as I have a material list or know what I need I can set it all up. The only problem I foresee is I’m so busy so buying them will just be a time saver I have to weigh out my options. But you think (4) 260 kits are the way to go?
If you can build your own I would go with buying all the parts (not kits) and assembling yourself, you will save a lot of money that way. Right now the best light you can buy from HLG is the qb96Elite, which has a 2x2 footprint for flowering. so for 5x5 space you will need about 6 of them. For 25sqf you want about 1000watts so I would say go with two HLG-480H-54A drivers and put 3 boards on each wired in parallel.
I have a 32"x32" should I oversize and dim or undersize and try to supplement a little extra from some smaller strips with other spectrum? Think of upgrading for flower if funds permit it Sent from my SM-G965U using Grasscity Forum mobile app
@Sc00byD00bie i think I might go this route.. Seems like my best option. Now I know I’d have to play with the dimmer when veg/flower. Any tips? Do I have it maxed out during flower? I see people saying the boards get pretty hot. Also any recommendations on lights above plants for seedlings, veg and flower if I ran that set up?
Also do you know of a site or forum that shows the overall material list to build these bad boys? I’m familiar with electric but not familiar with building a light. So I know I can get it done. Does the site link I put in here show that option?
Yeah you will need less light during veg and I think you could max them out during flower. You can check this kit for an idea of the materials you need there is also a video on how to assemble so you get an idea: ELITE 360 LED Kit You will also need 3-way or 5-way wire connectors for wiring more than 2 boards in parallel. And of course you will need to build your own frame, unless you want to just hang all the lights separately (which you can totaly do) This is just one way to build a frame. Also if you google "quantum board build" you get lots of videos you can see what people do. quantum board build - Google Search
This is great thank you. Im going to build (6) qb96elites with the (2) HLG-480H-54A drivers. I've been watching videos it'll be extremely easy for me to build and saves a lot of money. Stay tuned I will post my build once completed. Im going to start ordering stuff now.
I would consider 3 of the 320h 54a drivers instead of 2 of the 480s, you will have better adjustability. I can dim my 320h down to 4 watts
That's exactly what I would do 3 rows of 2 with 3 of the 320h 54a drivers one for each row of 2. You can put them in a frame or hang them individually. Here's one frame I built for example
I like that set up I may actually do this instead. Where is your driver? Do you have it outside the grow room? How about your dimmer also I was looking at a wireless dimmer have you seen or used them?
Hlg 320 54a is the best choice for 2 of these boards they have potentiometers built in that give a wide range of adjustment. I can dim mine from 4 watts to 350 watts The wireless dimmers you are thinking of will likely not work with these lights I've never seen or heard of one, but they might. Anyway no need with this driver
Oh so their built in on those drivers.. How does it adjust just a screw or something? Also where was your driver outside your room?
That's right a current adjustment and a voltage adjustment that's what allows you to run down so low. You bottom out the current and then start dropping the voltage they go waaaaay down. As far as where always outside of the grow if you can. Anywhere mines in a cabinet some mount them all nice and neat on the wall etc. It's all highly customizable and fun
