We built a really nice led set up for around $200!!

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knthms5

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We bought 10 LED 40 watt 6000K led tube lights, metal drive cleats for hvac ducts, and some wire nuts, sheet metal screws, a cord, and some wire nuts.
We took a 20" wide metal wire shelf as a base and simply laid out the 10 tubes with 5 at each end of the 6 foot shelf and secured the tubes with a sheet metal screw right into the back through the metal strips. It is best to screw them at the ends right in the middle to avoid hitting wires, I will admit it was a bit of a guessing game!
We used 4 strips of metal one at each end and two in the middle for support and them secured everything to the wire shelf.
The bulbs are overlapping right in the middle for 2 feet where there are all 10 tubes.
We then wired everything all together and plugged it into a timer.
Now for the cool part! We connected all four corners to those adjustable plant hangers that go up or down just like a pull down shade. We can adjust them as needed for keeping the plants exactly where we need them in relationship to the lights. When we need to work on the plants we can lift the lights all the way up to the ceiling! The final step is that we are ordering more of the plant hangers so we can suspend our clones up near the lights and just pull them down on the adjustable hanger as they grow. So all plants can be exactly the right distance from the lights based on their requirements and the umol readings. We knew our old lighting was severely lacking and was so glad to finish this set up/ We did this on Jan 1st and the plants took off! The "Milkshake Hand Grenade" doubled in size in three days (mainly bushier but was adding 2" vertically as well!) What do you think? I love it so be kind, lie if you have to.
We built a really nice led set up for around 200
We built a really nice led set up for around 200 2
We built a really nice led set up for around 200 3
We built a really nice led set up for around 200 4
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We built a really nice led set up for around 200 7
LOL!
 
BearWater

BearWater

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I’ve done the same. The $200 has definitely been money well spent! It’s allowed me to acquire the other necessary equipment I need, along with provided me with the ability to play around and really dial in the whole situation before dropping a $1000 or more on lights (not that I could do that if I really really wanted too🤣) and by play around I mean learn : )

with this last round I did struggle with being able to get the lights close enough to get that “bud” nice and hard and not baking the plants. I feel like if I were able to dial the lights down I could have got them way closer!
either way nice job! and youll get some ganja from them for sure! 👍 have fun!✌️
 
the rrock

the rrock

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how much would that light cost thats plug and play(with warranty).Those zip screws have also doubled in price in the last 20 years.(but worth their weight in gold)
 
HeadHunterpipes

HeadHunterpipes

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You mentioned no Specs ............ ?
Cost per watt for finale product ?
Watts per square ft of Grow space
What diodes the LED's are .
Cannabis plants growing like crazy in veg !!! really doesn't mean much.
For one my plants are only in veg for the first 4 weeks and any more I veg with lights that are 3000K.

My build cost per watt including screws and Plexiglas is about .60 cents per watt.
I am using the Samsung Lm 301B LED which is one of the best diodes on the market .
 
K

knthms5

19
13
I’ve done the same. The $200 has definitely been money well spent! It’s allowed me to acquire the other necessary equipment I need, along with provided me with the ability to play around and really dial in the whole situation before dropping a $1000 or more on lights (not that I could do that if I really really wanted too🤣) and by play around I mean learn : )

with this last round I did struggle with being able to get the lights close enough to get that “bud” nice and hard and not baking the plants. I feel like if I were able to dial the lights down I could have got them way closer!
either way nice job! and youll get some ganja from them for sure! 👍 have fun!✌️
The $13 plant hangers do make it too easy.
 
K

knthms5

19
13
You mentioned no Specs ............ ?
Cost per watt for finale product ?
Watts per square ft of Grow space
What diodes the LED's are .
Cannabis plants growing like crazy in veg !!! really doesn't mean much.
For one my plants are only in veg for the first 4 weeks and any more I veg with lights that are 3000K.

My build cost per watt including screws and Plexiglas is about .60 cents per watt.
I am using the Samsung Lm 301B LED which is one of the best diodes on the market .
Looks tiny! How big a foot print?
 
K

knthms5

19
13
Our lights are 72" x 20" at the light and have a huge foot print. I may caution you about challenging me on this project since I have finished product (Frosty white buds and all) that was just fine and everyone loved it although I no longer smoke they tell me it's fire! I also worked in a lighting factory directly with the engineering department for many years so I know a little about lighting. I also built metal halide lighting for my coral reef system that were the envy of everyone who seen them with staggered timers, actinic lighting, cooling fans etc. As far as botany, I have years experience as a gardener and have raised Orchids for years. This post was meant to be helpful towards the forum nothing more. I also have separate lights for bloom that will be incorporated as I see fit. I will also point out that plants that grow outside do not see this huge spectrum shift due to the change in season that I hear people claiming. If you must know build cost per watt was less than yours but not MY point. These lights were left over from an orchid project, the wire shelf was also. The drive cleats were from my hvac business left overs so I am really out the cost of the screws, wire nuts, and the $15 for the plant hangers. The commercial lights I seen near $200 are for a tiny tent while this is huge compared to that.
 
Oldchucky

Oldchucky

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Yep! Probably doesn’t change at all on the equator! Or not as much! 12–12 year round
 
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