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PassTheJ
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I just built a 6 panel veg light today and it was so easy. I think it took a total of an hour and a half. If someone else builds it, well, then its going to be more expensive by the cost of their labor, overhead and shipping. Getting sustainable margins in business is hard and I was surprised sometimes how much more I had to make in a business venture to cover my fixed costs. So, I am not surprised at their prices. I do think a DIY fixture is likely to be about 60% of the cost if you could pull it off. However, it literally is just cutting some aluminum framing (with a hack saw), drilling some holes (electric hand drill) and some really simple connections using "push-on" connectors. HLG publishes guides for each one of their Quantum boards sets. They are well written and give you a list of compatible drivers etc.So I have question... It's nice to know that everyone in here is Bob Villa but what about the Tim "The tool man" Taylor folk like myself?
I have $4k and a 4x8.. Want new lights but don't want the hassle.. I've been looking at the HLG550s and they look super but they're like $1100 and I would only need 2 of them..
Anyone know of anything better?
I just built a 6 panel veg light today and it was so easy. I think it took a total of an hour and a half. If someone else builds it, well, then its going to be more expensive by the cost of their labor, overhead and shipping. Getting sustainable margins in business is hard and I was surprised sometimes how much more I had to make in a business venture to cover my fixed costs. So, I am not surprised at their prices. I do think a DIY fixture is likely to be about 60% of the cost if you could pull it off. However, it literally is just cutting some aluminum framing (with a hack saw), drilling some holes (electric hand drill) and some really simple connections using "push-on" connectors. HLG publishes guides for each one of their Quantum boards sets. They are well written and give you a list of compatible drivers etc.
Your question is a good one though, don't have a good answer.
Dee
hey there @Snoleperd..been a while..No Mine doesn't have a controller, but I am thinking of building a Storm controller setup for my next QB/Fantom board project..Right now I am "playing" around with a "far red initiator", built around growmau5's puck concept..I don't know how it will do, but initially, plants are praying about 2 -3 hrs before they used to..I use it to "wake them" faster and put them to sleep faster..I have no idea, but I used the $$ from the sale of a few Meizhis (Better than Mars) to put some shit together..here it is if it is of any interest..$100 and 45 minutes..Very nice, i would take one of those 2, i know the ones you mean almost too bright, those go for a couple gs, can you program yours? The one's I saw have a computer on them so you can program your grow. Your Friend Snoleperd
Took me a bit to get this stuff thru my skull, but now it is easy..I may part with more of my pre-made lights to build up more QBs..besides saving $$, getting better more efficient lights, and having fun..This is the way to go imo..was thinking of building up a COB just for kicks to ADD IN..Very very nice, you saved a lot of mony, you definitely know lights, me i did some research and the best bang for my bucks was what i bought California light works makes some realy nice lights, but next time when i upgrade we will have to talk. Your Friend. SNOLEPERD
What are the specs on these boards? CRI? Lumens per watt? Efficiency of the power supply? Just curious....I built this 2 board fixture using 2x Fantom Sunboards 240..the boards were $50 each..parallel driver $40 and the fixture parts..<$25..optional were the PWM control and display for <$15 each on Fleabay.
The Sunboards also use the Samsung diodes and I wanted to try them..
This shit is so easy, even I can do it..LOL
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Meanwell LRS-350-36..efficiency is about 89% if I remember..$40 shipped from Arrow Electronics.What are the specs on these boards? CRI? Lumens per watt? Efficiency of the power supply? Just curious....
Dee
And to add.... RapidLed has come out with a single self contained COB light for about $150..just hang it.You do not heed to have very much knowledge to assemble DIY kits like the QB boards. They send you everything and you just wire them and screw them to the heatsink. The cobs you can buy the fixtures from cobkits.com or other sites and just hang them if you can't make a frame. Honestly its worth it to spend some time on them and get a quality product because down the road you will just be switching anyway with a shit light.
Looks interesting, do they say whos diodes they are using? Looks like a competitor to the QB120 but at a higher power. nice...Meanwell LRS-350-36..efficiency is about 89% if I remember..$40 shipped from Arrow Electronics.
I have the alternating model..240 diodes..no heatsink up to 2100Ma.
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Or you save yourself the headache and get a Fluence or 550s..
Wont have to change shit anytime soon if you're and LED fan.
You do not heed to have very much knowledge to assemble DIY kits like the QB boards. They send you everything and you just wire them and screw them to the heatsink. The cobs you can buy the fixtures from cobkits.com or other sites and just hang them if you can't make a frame. Honestly its worth it to spend some time on them and get a quality product because down the road you will just be switching anyway with a shit light.
The board uses the same Samsung diodes, and it really lies between the 132's and the 288 imo..It has 240 diodes (no heatsink up to 2100Ma) vs 132 or 288 diodes on the QBs..pretty good marketing but I think they are a 1 man show..very slow to restock and no email answers to a question I asked concerning stock..The Wavy Board also has my interest (same vendor)Looks interesting, do they say whos diodes they are using? Looks like a competitor to the QB120 but at a higher power. nice...
Dee
That would be cool if I could afford their stuff. A lot of folks growing their own do not have the budget for that cost entry point. Yes, Fluence is a good company and is really leading the industry but I think the Quantum systems and COB's are just as capable.
Here in my state if the government didn't make it so expensive and hard to sell surplus I would have an income stream to pay for a $1500 light. As it is I built a very versatile fixture for exactly half that cost (about $1 per watt). I would have bought a Spyder system a long time ago if it was more affordable. I think a good way to look at the cost of LED is in $/watt ( a watt being the true draw from the wall).
The other cool thing about Quantums and COBs is they can be built in a modular fashion. I built my fixture then added 3 or 4 COBs at a time as budget allowed and within a month or so I had a light and I didn't have to drop $750 in one day to get it started. These systems as people have mentioned are just so easy to assemble it is ridiculous.....its barely even DIY.
Dee
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