Hey, all. My first post after lurking for a few weeks. Trying to figure out all i might need to know to get started growing indoors. Regarding lights, I've decided on building a QB rig. I want maximum coverage...reaching down to the lowers and to the corners/edges of the tents...and I also want it to run cool so i don't have to worry about cooling, or even heatsinks (if possible). My first thought was to use skinny 4 foot QB strips to achieve a roughly 2x4 frame, but then i noticed how cheap the v2 qb120s are. I realize 6 of these boards in a 2x4 is way overkill but at 50% power, it's 210 watts total, or 26.25 watts per SqFt (6 boards, 70 watts max each). Go a bit below 50% to get to 20 for veg. Go a bit above 50% to flower at 35 W/sf. And, I can put it in my 5x5 with another just like it, crank them both to full power for 840 watts (33.6 W/sf). Does all of this sound right so far? It's all new to me, but from what I've managed to learn in the past couple weeks, I think those numbers work. Assuming yes, what's my best choice for drivers? Is there a chance I could get by w/ just one driver for 6 boards? I read a thread from a few years ago where someone talked about daisy chaining 8 together, each with its own individual driver, because it was super simple to set it up that way...but that seems like too many power cords to deal with. Thanks in advance for your help.
One of the better options would be the HLG-480h-c2100(A,B, or AB). The AB would be my preference if you have the patience or time for the product lead time(AB models are not stocked as regularly as A and B models).
Ideally you would add one more board from your 4 pack for a total of 7 qb120's on the mean well. That would put you just under the maximum forward voltage of the driver. Seven boards fits better wattage wise also. Six boards will work, but you will not be able to use the full current adjustment on the driver without Overdriving the boards( according to Horticulture Lighting Group).
My mistake the HLG-480h-c2800 would be a better fit because of the 2800 milliamp max. on the QB 120. The 2100 milliamp max. QB 132's pair better with the 2100ma drivers.
Thats one of the MAIN reasons I hate about QB's atm.............I know it could easily be fixed with a bit of research.......but I HATE the fact, that you have to know which board works best with which driver....etc.......I just wanna buy the fukin thing and plug em in...........yeah I guess I could do that with some extra $$$ spent......but im your average stoner.........broke and too lazy to research......