New lighting ideas

[Phatty420]

I'm looking at upgrading my lighting to something new and hopefully better then my current 1000w hps.
Maybe something that yields just as good but cost less to run?
I've looked at hlg and cmh/lec and I'm just not sure what to go with I don't trust them.
Would love to hear from people with experience with some of the new light tech.
Thanks

 

[Jtgreen]

i am slowly converting to led seems like everybody pretty using same parts biggest difference is how much u do or don’t want to assemble or build

 

[HydroRed]

Not sure if I'd consider it "new" but I get comparable yields from 400W of COB led's used in the summer than I do my 1000W HPS used in colder months. If utility costs are your #1 concern, led is the way to go. They run a bit cooler than what you are used to with your HPS though so if you are in a cooler season/geographical region and you find that you have to add a space heater to keep good temps, then that just negates any savings on energy by switching to LED. If you are in an area that you utilize that heat from the HPS, then I'd suggest just sticking with HPS.
No personal experience with HLG, but I've been on the forums long enough to understand they make kick ass affordable LED lights and back up their products. I wouldnt hesitate to purchase some board kits from them if I didnt already have a bunch of led lights.

 

[Badmofo529]

Couple of questions and we should be able to steer you in the right direction.

1. What type of space are you lighting? (Tent or open room, size ECT)
2. What type of budget are you working with?
3. How comfortable are you with diy?


Personally I am running Samsung f-strips, HLG boards, and Atreum boards, and I'm pretty happy with all of them. Take that with a grain of salt though as I don't have any experience with any other lighting systems.

 

[JL2G]

Agreed on all of the above statements.
I've built a 414 watt led 8 cob rig, for a guy I trade with, to replace his 1000 watt SE HPS. He says he gets comparable results as well, except much cooler in his tent.

I've got a couple of different qb panel type lights, a couple of cob lights, a cmh lec light, and I run some bulb led fixtures in my mini box.
They all do really well, can't say I can tell the difference between one part of the plant to the other.
Which I would ultimately choose if given to choosing just one??? ???

Well, that depends. Lmfao.

I love em all mixed together in my flower room. Lol
I'd say I don't notice any specific differences in the buds really. All of em are dank. ???

For simplicity of build, and current cost for parts I'd go qb's if in a tent.
I've not ran a strip build light though, nor recently looked at prices.
I try to avoid it, my bank account thanks me. Lol
If you do need help with any DIY questions etc just ask. I can do any of that stuff pretty easy.

 

[Phatty420]

Couple of questions and we should be able to steer you in the right direction.

1. What type of space are you lighting? (Tent or open room, size ECT)
2. What type of budget are you working with?
3. How comfortable are you with diy?


Personally I am running Samsung f-strips, HLG boards, and Atreum boards, and I'm pretty happy with all of them. Take that with a grain of salt though as I don't have any experience with any other lighting systems.

4 x 4 tent
Price doesn't matter if in the long run it's cheaper to run.
Very comfortable with DIY.

Last night I was looking at the hlg550 and the growcraft kit chilled has coming out.
I think I'm leaning towards doing a kit like the 550 or growcraft and then add in some side strips. Idk I've also thought of maybe a 630 lec with led side lighting.

Seems like there's too many options lol
I just don't want to drop a bunch of loot on something not worth it. Although so far it sounds like there all worth it it's just a matter of what brand one favors

 

[Badmofo529]

Lots of options for ya then. Imo HLG is the best bang for your buck for diy, partially because if how simple they are to match up drivers, and how much effort is involved building and setting up. The 550 is nice for a prebuilt, but you can build the same for less, and without the hotspot in the middle.

 

[JL2G]

Lots of options for ya then. Imo HLG is the best bang for your buck for diy, partially because if how simple they are to match up drivers, and how much effort is involved building and setting up. The 550 is nice for a prebuilt, but you can build the same for less, and without the hotspot in the middle.

Yeah that hot spot. Lol.
Imho after testing various spacing options with the qb's the boards want about 12"-16" gap between them for an even overlap of coverage.
At roughly 6 to 8 inches outside of the footprint of the boards is where the intensity was hitting approximately 50% of what it was directly underneath it.
I haven't seen any of the prebuilt ones that spread them out like that.

 

[TerpyTyrone]

Do you think I shouldve spaced it more hahahahaha oops.
It doesnt seem too affect them currently
But they are stretching still. Wuh oh..