Considering options for a 3x4 light build

[TheTinkerer]

Hi. It’s my first post here. I’ve been lurking for about a month, reading a lot about diy led.
I planted a few seeds about a month ago. I have them in a 2x2 cabinet with a single qb288v2 4000k (my first LED’s!), the plants love it.

I have a 3x4x7 tent (35”x51”x81” actually) that I’ll be flowering in. I’ll be wanting to build the flowering light in the next couple of weeks. I will ultimately want about 480 watts in there, but cost is a concern. I might start with a light more suited to a 2x4 (320 watts) and add some more power after a few weeks, or on the next run. I’m even open to lighting just half of the 3x4 initially, if required by cost.

There are a lot of good options right now for diy led. Some of my favorites include: Qb120v2, Qb132v2, ChilLed logic 100w puck v2, Photo boost Strips from plc , Opulent strips

I’m leaning towards the ChilLed logic pucks. I really like the spectrum and the price per watt is hard to beat. That said, I’m drawn to the uniform light that I would get from the strips. The qbs are interesting because they don’t need heatsinks at lower powers, the cost per watt is good, but no red LED’s.

Right now, I’m pretty tempted to get four ChilLed logic pucks and an hlg-320h and run a line of four down the middle, then add some strips later (maybe the rumored hlg 4’)

Thanks for hearing me out. Any advice is appreciated.

[unkle_psycho]

Are those things really cheaper then strips?

[TheTinkerer]

Well, that depends on the strips. The ChilLed logic pucks have deep reds and a mix of 3000k and 4000k LM301B. The photo boost strips from plc have 660nm reds also, but the cost per watt is higher than the ChilLed pucks.

[unkle_psycho]

OK I understand, normally I use 90cri vesta strips, so they don't need added red, now I'm looking at 80cri leds for a new fixture, and I've been wondering about adding red diodes. It does seem to jack the price up, and I cant find any side by sides to figure if its really worth it.

I was thinking about a 2x4 fixture with 240w of white, and adding around 50w of the opulent americas chips with cree 660nm... 50w of added red would cost way more then the bulk white light, so I have to wonder on what it would give, compared to say doubling the white diodes, or just raw power.

I'm thinking of just ordering a bunch of red diodes and trying to make some simple modules myself

[WhiteRecluse]

Hey Unkle, Greengene has somewhat of a side by side going on YouTube right now. 18 clones of the same plant. 9 under 3100k and 9 under the added reds. It's at week 5 of flower now.

[TheTinkerer]

For me, I think adding reds when I can better afford it is a good idea, the reds are often on their own drivers anyway, so that they can run different lengths of time. There are some nice premade red supplements as well, both hlg and rapidled have plug and play options.
But the ChilLed logic pucks still seem like a good starting point for the budget conscious. With those pucks, I can get all the vital components shipped to my door for just over a buck a watt. I haven’t been able to beat that price with any of the strips I’ve seen available.

[Greenthumbskunk]

Hi. It’s my first post here. I’ve been lurking for about a month, reading a lot about diy led.
I planted a few seeds about a month ago. I have them in a 2x2 cabinet with a single qb288v2 4000k (my first LED’s!), the plants love it.

I have a 3x4x7 tent (35”x51”x81” actually) that I’ll be flowering in. I’ll be wanting to build the flowering light in the next couple of weeks. I will ultimately want about 480 watts in there, but cost is a concern. I might start with a light more suited to a 2x4 (320 watts) and add some more power after a few weeks, or on the next run. I’m even open to lighting just half of the 3x4 initially, if required by cost.

There are a lot of good options right now for diy led. Some of my favorites include: Qb120v2, Qb132v2, ChilLed logic 100w puck v2, Photo boost Strips from plc , Opulent strips

I’m leaning towards the ChilLed logic pucks. I really like the spectrum and the price per watt is hard to beat. That said, I’m drawn to the uniform light that I would get from the strips. The qbs are interesting because they don’t need heatsinks at lower powers, the cost per watt is good, but no red LED’s.

Right now, I’m pretty tempted to get four ChilLed logic pucks and an hlg-320h and run a line of four down the middle, then add some strips later (maybe the rumored hlg 4’)

Thanks for hearing me out. Any advice is appreciated.

Where you find that 3x4 tent? I've been looking for one but the ones I've seen is a 2 part tent. A 3x3 and a 1x3 attached to it for propagation.
I need one that is 3' deep and 4' across.

[TheTinkerer]

I cobbled it together from pieces of a damaged 4x8. I have a big sewing machine. I do like the 4x3 footprint.