Basement Greens Light

[ubuntuuser]

I am slowly putting together a cart to grow some greens and start seeds on. I wanted to see how little power I could get away with so I started with an hlb-40h-24b. It is driving 4 4000k samsung H strips. I had some aluminum from an old sliding door that ended up being perfect for the job. This is about 3ft wide and 12" deep. It seems pretty uniform at about 12 inches.

[unkle_psycho]

Thats like 40w into half a square meter? What exactly do you plan to grow? Does the h-series use the lm561c?

[ubuntuuser]

I plan grow greens and start seeds.

[Hydrofood]

Iv never seen this type of layout done before. Props to you tho! It’s always a good feeling to get your first build under your belt.

Generally, people layout the strips in a ladder type arrangement. This would give you much better light coverage. Since your strips are layed out along the edge of your frame, about 40% of the light will be cast outward from the frame.

I also grow greens so I’m anxious to see how you do with this build. Be sure to update us!

[unkle_psycho]

Very exited to see results. At first I was a little surprised how the strips were set up here, but then I thought it might be great if you have mylar to keep the light in. The areas under the strips might be a little more intense then the center, but that can be desirable too. micro-greens and seedlings to the softer areas or something.

[ubuntuuser]

I do have room to add a 5th and 6th strip. It appears to have a fairly even spread from eyes. We will see if the plants agree.

[ubuntuuser]

Here we go:

[unkle_psycho]

Nice! pretty sure this will work well.

Now if you imagine how the light spreads out from the diodes, quite a bit will leak out from the sides. You can keep intensity down by keeping the sides open, and increase intensity by covering the sides with mylar, or an emergency blanket or something.

This would also trap a little heat and give you the chance to add a little moisturizer, both of which should be useful.

[ubuntuuser]

Thanks.

I have a cotton drop cloth on the way. It will not be white but it should still add a good amount of reflected light. I think this is one of those projects that will be continually upgraded and refined.