I already have a set of LEDs for the top of a smaller (20x36) grow tent I am using, but I'm growing autos, and I want to try and light the plants from the sides as well. I'm a big fan of energy and heat efficiency. What do?
I'm using Hlg qb 120s for side lighting.. 2.96 Gpw last grow. Grew a couple of these with QB 96v2 above and 120s on the side.
Why, why why are you giving me ideas.... 2.96 damm that's impressive. How many 96's did you have above?
No, that plant was one of 2 one weighing 353 grams the other 359 grams for a total of 712 grams . With 240 watts of light input. I kept the progress updated on the Auto myth busting thread in indoor growing. 359 grams 353 grams
I have 2 of them in there. But it was the 60 watts of side lighting that made the difference. Took me from 2.3 gpw with 472 grams to 2.9 gpw with 712 grams . The side lighting has way more effect than I imagined.
They are ran off of an Elg 100-24a splitting 60 watts between them. 60 watts was where I started to run into heat trouble. They may have been at the full 100 watts when the picture above waw taken.
love that idea! strange thing is for the last year I keep looking at my qb132 boards thinking that with the lack of heat they put out they would be really cool as side lighting in my tent when I can afford to upgrade the lights. repurpose the 132 boards for side-lighting. had it planned in my headEXCATLY the way you have yours laid out. was concerned about the moisture that close down though when doing foliar etc but I see you already have that covered..... did you make those clear board covers? are they just simple plexiglass or lexan cut to size and drilled for the holes?
That's it just thin acrylic sheets and some nuts and bolts , your boards and $20 is all you need for this build.
nice i just looked and if someone wanted to add more lights to use specifically for side lighting, HLG has 288v1 boards at only $29/board. run them at 60w or less per board and no heatsink required, same as a qb120/132, except now you have 288leds per board vs 120 or 132 per board. and running 4x 288 board dimmed down to only 20-30w per board would be no heat, little power, but tons of coverage for side lighting. and cheaper than 120/132 boards! wow!!! edit: hmm, the pcb boards on the 288's are a lot thinner than the 120/132 boards and without a heatsink they can feel a bit fragile but with your clear acrylic cover idea that would help support the board. double purpose item! love it more
I went with the 120s over the 132s because of the voltage 24 volt matches my other drivers (kinda) and there's alot of other strips etc. that use 24 volt. But the 132s and 36 volt , just doesn't match up to anything of mine.
I just started flowering a couple Ghost train haze #1 plants over in the indoor journals titled "Small Spaces " sorry have not figured out how to link it?? If any of you guys are interested
i know, but i have the 132's and driver so when i upgrade them they will work well for the sides. but that's why I also threw thew 120's because i know thew 24v driver is more common. but still, the deal on the 288v1 boards is hard to dismiss. i think if i had to actually buy boards to do side lights I'd do the 288's right now
Thank you for your recommendation. I'm probably going to buy something in the next week or so, and I was hoping to pick your brain a bit more. I like the idea of the 120's or something like them. They're efficient, lightweight, and run cool, all good things. I don't have a wall to bolt them into, however. So, any advice on hardware to hang them vertically in a grow tent? Also, is there a something like this that might be better suited? You mentioned picking this model in particular because of voltage, but I've got no need.
Mine aren't bolted to the wall either the bolts are left long on the back side to create an air space , I added an extra couple of nuts to create an airspace in between the board and the acrylic sheets then put some cheap hangers like these Bayyee Rope Hanger Hanging Basket Plant Holders for Indoor and Outdoor LED Grow Light Aquarium Lighting Tank Lamp, Stainless Steel (16'' Black 1Pair) www.amazon.com/dp/B01KLSSA8O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BusgEbC574WB5 The Hlg 132s are a good option also but they are 36 volts which is odd to me, Amazon links.... sometimes they work sometimes not