New build recommendations

[Spy..]

Hi all,

I’ve been searching forums for weeks for a definite answer with no up to date conclusive answers.

I’m looking for a strip to light 5ftx7ft area for veg/flower.

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the wiring as originally wanted to do a vesta build with the separate channels for spectrum control but the boards are expensive (vesta thrive) with no real feedback as to how good they work in comparison to the EB gen3 / Samsung f series and the rest.

What option would be a best all rounder in anyone’s opinion?

Thanks

[jeffcourtneydba]

Im also looking to light up a 5x7. I came to this forum for room automation but there is DIY lighting for me to enter a second rabbit hole! Looking forward to any replies to this post to see where it takes me

Cheers!

[TEKNIK]

The EB gen3 strips are pretty good. There is a fair bit of wiring to do and it can get a bit messy. So long as you are not too worried about the wiring then I would suggest making a couple of lights to suit that area

If you have the height then you can also use boards instead of strips. Boards are easier to wire up and make a frame for

HLG have cheap boards if you are in the USA

[Spy..]

I originally began looking at HLG boards but decided against as I believed strips would give out better light distribution.? SCROG wise.

I’m in the UK so import from china/USA is a kick in the teeth.

Ooooo my trigger finger is itchy... EB gen3...

[PeteR_1]

What option would be a best all rounder in anyone’s opinion?
Thanks

Objective information (Measured Data) from the LED Strip manufacturers for comparing "Horticultural" Application is almost non-existent. Limited info has been posted by a few LED Strip Vendors, Grow Light Fixture Manufacturers and individuals posting their Spectrometer Readings. Most Samsung and Bridgelux (including Gen3 80CRI, 90CRI, Thrive 98CRI and Gen3 Vesta 2750 90CRI) LED Strips do not currently have any posted data for Horticultural use just the manufacturers info for Human Vision (Lumens)...

Bridgelux and most Samsung strips (except the Horticulture-L2 Strips, PPF Only) have little published data for Horticultural Applications typical of the new DLC Horticultural LED Listed Fixtures and Standards, e.g. their percentage wavelength distribution or relative percentages of Red, Green, Blue and Far Red Wavelengths along with the Total PPF (100%, PBAR) outputs, some of that data can be gleaned from posted / shared info. As shown in the attached link Bridgelux Gen 2, 4000K, 90 CRI LED Strips provide a similar % wavelength distribution (actually better, more FarRed) to Fluence Spyder XR2Xi Indoor and Gavita 1700E LED Lights.

Not a "Grower", have no personal anecdotes, but can provide some info on sizing and available selections. My experience with Bridgelux Gen2 80 CRI, Gen2 Vesta2750 90 CRI and Samsung 80 CRI strips is that the Bridgelux 80 and 90 CRI Strips run "Soft", below their rated "typical" test Amps (< 50% of Max. Rated Amps ) are lower in cost, can prove better Spectrum and are "close" in electrical efficiency (Lm/Watts) to the higher efficiency Samsung 80 CRI Strips.

Some Calculations:
5 * 7 = 35 sq ft
35 * 80 PPF (Flr PPF / sq ft) = 2800 PPF Flr (min req'd)
2800 PPF / 2.5 PPE (PPF/W) = 1120 Watts (min req'd)

35 * 40 PPF (Veg PPF / sq ft) = 1400 PPF Veg (min req'd)
1400 PPF / 2.5 PPE (PPF/W) = 560 Watts (Dimmed? min req'd)


Bridgelux Strip selections:
4780Lm, 71.7 PPF, 27.3W
40 @ ~ 2868 PPF, 1092W
BX Gen2 3500K 80 CRI (40 @ $340.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... B3/7907661

9920Lm, 148.8PPF, 53.76W
20 @ ~ 2983 PPF, 1075W
BX Gen3 HO 3500K 80 CRI (20 @ $272.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... 3/13181815

6997Lm, 105 PPF, 39W
30 @ ~ 3150 PPF, 1170W
BX Gen3 Vesta2750 80 cRI (30 @ $660.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... 3/13181790

5380Lm, 91.46 PPF, 39W (0.017 Lm/PPF Factor, 90+ CRI)
30 @ ~ 2744, 1170W
BX Gen3 Thrive 3500K 98 CRI (30 @ $414.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... 3/13181810


Samsung Strip selections:
17600Lm, 264 PPF, 103W
11 @ ~ 2904 PPF, 1133W
Samsung F-Series Gen3 3500K 80 CRI (10 @ $324.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... WW/6676694

8130Lm, 121.95 PPF, 46.6W
23 @ ~ 2805 PPF, 1030W
Samsung H-Influx Gen3 3500K 80 CRI (20 @ $452.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... WW/8536575

8220Lm, 140 PPF, 51.72W (0.017 Lm/PPF Factor, added 660nm)
20 @ 2800 PPF, 1034W
Samsung Horticulture-L2 80+ CRI (20 @ $698.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... DqpIAugL5A


Driver Selection:
HLG-600H-48AB (2 @ $380.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... IBGIAugL5A


BTW, the Samsung Horticulture-L2 Strips are approximately 5400K and;
B-18%
G-50%
R-31%
FR-1%


Notes:
1. Grow Lights should be "Sized" by Grow Area and Plant Specific Growth Stage... download/file.php?id=4438

2. Older "Watts per sq ft sizing" was based on ~ 1.7 PPE (1000W HID / 25 sq ft)... e.g., 40 Watts / sq ft ~ 68 PPF / sq ft (680 PPF / m2)

3. Nominal Efficiency of current LED Strips is ~ 2.5 PPE. The -AB suffix XLG and HLG series Meanwell Drivers can be "Current Limited" down to 50% (-A) and then Dimmed between "0 or 10 - 100%" (-B), e.g., HLG-480H-AB can be current adjusted down to 240 Watts (-A, 50%) and then also Dimmed 0 - 240 Watts (-B, 0 - 100%) with a connected 100K Ohm Pot. The -B suffix Drivers are a more versatile alternative than the -A suffix Drivers, can be dimmed down to 0 or 10% (0 Watts for the HLG-480H-48B) with the added 100K Ohm Pot and (IMO) should be the only other alternative to the -AB suffix drivers if dimming is required.

4. Samsung and Bridgelux LED Strips run below 50% max current require minimal to no heatsinkining...
Samsung Gen3 LT-F564B... viewtopic.php?f=32&t=5872
Bridgelux Gen2 Vesta 2750G... viewtopic.php?f=32&t=5761

[Spy..]

What option would be a best all rounder in anyone’s opinion?
Thanks

Objective information (Measured Data) from the LED Strip manufacturers for comparing "Horticultural" Application is almost non-existent. Limited info has been posted by a few LED Strip Vendors, Grow Light Fixture Manufacturers and individuals posting their Spectrometer Readings. Most Samsung and Bridgelux (including Gen3 80CRI, 90CRI, Thrive 98CRI and Gen3 Vesta 2750 90CRI) LED Strips do not currently have any posted data for Horticultural use just the manufacturers info for Human Vision (Lumens)...

Bridgelux and most Samsung strips (except the Horticulture-L2 Strips, PPF Only) have little published data for Horticultural Applications typical of the new DLC Horticultural LED Listed Fixtures and Standards, e.g. their percentage wavelength distribution or relative percentages of Red, Green, Blue and Far Red Wavelengths along with the Total PPF (100%, PBAR) outputs, some of that data can be gleaned from posted / shared info. As shown in the attached link Bridgelux Gen 2, 4000K, 90 CRI LED Strips provide a similar % wavelength distribution (actually better, more FarRed) to Fluence Spyder XR2Xi Indoor and Gavita 1700E LED Lights.

Not a "Grower", have no personal anecdotes, but can provide some info on sizing and available selections. My experience with Bridgelux Gen2 80 CRI, Gen2 Vesta2750 90 CRI and Samsung 80 CRI strips is that the Bridgelux 80 and 90 CRI Strips run "Soft", below their rated "typical" test Amps (< 50% of Max. Rated Amps ) are lower in cost, can prove better Spectrum and are "close" in electrical efficiency (Lm/Watts) to the higher efficiency Samsung 80 CRI Strips.

Some Calculations:
5 * 7 = 35 sq ft
35 * 80 PPF (Flr PPF / sq ft) = 2800 PPF Flr (min req'd)
2800 PPF / 2.5 PPE (PPF/W) = 1120 Watts (min req'd)

35 * 40 PPF (Veg PPF / sq ft) = 1400 PPF Veg (min req'd)
1400 PPF / 2.5 PPE (PPF/W) = 560 Watts (Dimmed? min req'd)


Bridgelux Strip selections:
4780Lm, 71.7 PPF, 27.3W
40 @ ~ 2868 PPF, 1092W
BX Gen2 3500K 80 CRI (40 @ $340.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... B3/7907661

9920Lm, 148.8PPF, 53.76W
20 @ ~ 2983 PPF, 1075W
BX Gen3 HO 3500K 80 CRI (20 @ $272.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... 3/13181815

6997Lm, 105 PPF, 39W
30 @ ~ 3150 PPF, 1170W
BX Gen3 Vesta2750 80 cRI (30 @ $660.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... 3/13181790

5380Lm, 91.46 PPF, 39W (0.017 Lm/PPF Factor, 90+ CRI)
30 @ ~ 2744, 1170W
BX Gen3 Thrive 3500K 98 CRI (30 @ $414.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... 3/13181810


Samsung Strip selections:
17600Lm, 264 PPF, 103W
11 @ ~ 2904 PPF, 1133W
Samsung F-Series Gen3 3500K 80 CRI (10 @ $324.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... WW/6676694

8130Lm, 121.95 PPF, 46.6W
23 @ ~ 2805 PPF, 1030W
Samsung H-Influx Gen3 3500K 80 CRI (20 @ $452.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... WW/8536575

8220Lm, 140 PPF, 51.72W (0.017 Lm/PPF Factor, added 660nm)
20 @ 2800 PPF, 1034W
Samsung Horticulture-L2 80+ CRI (20 @ $698.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... DqpIAugL5A


Driver Selection:
HLG-600H-48AB (2 @ $380.00)... https://www.digikey.com/en/products/det ... IBGIAugL5A


BTW, the Samsung Horticulture-L2 Strips are approximately 5400K and;
B-18%
G-50%
R-31%
FR-1%


Notes:
1. Grow Lights should be "Sized" by Grow Area and Plant Specific Growth Stage... download/file.php?id=4438

2. Older "Watts per sq ft sizing" was based on ~ 1.7 PPE (1000W HID / 25 sq ft)... e.g., 40 Watts / sq ft ~ 68 PPF / sq ft (680 PPF / m2)

3. Nominal Efficiency of current LED Strips is ~ 2.5 PPE. The -AB suffix XLG and HLG series Meanwell Drivers can be "Current Limited" down to 50% (-A) and then Dimmed between "0 or 10 - 100%" (-B), e.g., HLG-480H-AB can be current adjusted down to 240 Watts (-A, 50%) and then also Dimmed 0 - 240 Watts (-B, 0 - 100%) with a connected 100K Ohm Pot. The -B suffix Drivers are a more versatile alternative than the -A suffix Drivers, can be dimmed down to 0 or 10% (0 Watts for the HLG-480H-48B) with the added 100K Ohm Pot and (IMO) should be the only other alternative to the -AB suffix drivers if dimming is required.

4. Samsung and Bridgelux LED Strips run below 50% max current require minimal to no heatsinkining...
Samsung Gen3 LT-F564B... viewtopic.php?f=32&t=5872
Bridgelux Gen2 Vesta 2750G... viewtopic.php?f=32&t=5761

Thanks for your reply PeteR_1 How many gen2 vestas would be needed and what supplement can you recommend for UV and 730nm range ?

[PeteR_1]

Thanks for your reply PeteR_1 How many gen2 vestas would be needed and what supplement can you recommend for UV and 730nm range ?

You're welcome.

Bridgelux Vesta 2750G Strips are;
560mm, 3272 Lm (@ ~ 0.016 PPF/Lm), 52.35 PPF, 24.8Vf, 1.0Amp, 25 Watts
2800 PPF / 52.35 PPF per strip = 53.48 Strips

Have no experience with UV and 730nm Lights (for sleep cycle), but high CRI lights with over 6% Far red do not usually need additional amounts for photosynthesis.

[Welight]

sometimes showing is better than telling
our prboost strips with Deep Red and UVA, customer photo sent to us this week end on IG,

Another one

strips work

[Spy..]

sometimes showing is better than telling
our prboost strips with Deep Red and UVA, customer photo sent to us this week end on IG,

Another one

strips work

Hi Welight thanks for weiging in.
I was definitely convinced when it comes to strips it’s just the choice and availability of parts in the UK.
What would you recommend for my space ?

[Welight]

sometimes showing is better than telling
our prboost strips with Deep Red and UVA, customer photo sent to us this week end on IG,

Another one

strips work

Hi Welight thanks for weiging in.
I was definitely convinced when it comes to strips it’s just the choice and availability of parts in the UK.
What would you recommend for my space ?

Hi Spy
Are you looking at full cycle veg to flower?