DIY with Quantum Boards

smokeybeard

smokeybeard

Well-Known Member
smokeybeard said:
Dude if I could like this more I would. Thank you so much. I can do things if people show but I am more of a mechanical kinda guy, not electrical. I can take a car apart and put it back together but if it has a short I might as well set it on fire.
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Budzbuddha said:
No prob ... Use a 100k linear pot and you are set .

Yeah there are those growers on the forum that get WAY TOO TECHY with the spreadsheets and light formulas .... Rather kinda moot if you are growing in less than " optimal " conditions ( sealed room , temp controlled , etc. ) , many are trying to over analyze the specs of the light engines or power values.

For me , I keep shit way simple : target about 30watts per SQ.FT or so and you are growing weed ! No need for those 1000watt pizza oven lamps .... Less is more with these lights .... I grew 3 plants under ONE quantum ( qb304 ) 3500k S5 bin board with a shitty 50 Watt driver - nothing else........ It's in this thread , way back.

DIY isn't really that hard ( especially with these lights ) @robincnn and @Stephenj37826
have done all the hard work by matching drivers and build support. I'm a kid of time when Kit building was something kids and adults did as a hobby ..... I built HEATHKIT shortwave radios ( never built anything like it before ) , radio shack projects , etc.

It's the handling of fragile components and learning soldering skills ... That's the tough part. I actually wish HEATHKIT was still around , they had some cool ass stuff.
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I feel ya there. I grew up working on cars instead of electronics. Learning about cars has helped and I can usually diagnose most electrical issues although I have forgotten too much about electricity since I have taken those classes.

Thanks again for the help and much appreciation to the other board members who contribute and help out those who aren't quite sure on things. You guys don't get enough thank you's for the help you provide.
 
T

thebluntman

Active Member
I have done pump motor alignments with dial indicators, or roto lazer, installed robots , turbines. Mechanical is my game but electricity I known enough to get into trouble.
 
Budzbuddha

Budzbuddha

Well-Known Member
Since I'm waxing nostalgic.... It was this one . It cost like $160 at the time , I saved my money to buy it and thought it was so cool that this was a " KIT " - you can build .

image.jpeg

This is not mine , I haven't had it for years , but this one being sold by somebody else. and I remember putting one together just like it. Something about building that would let me listen to people from all over the world. and having it work perfectly .... All WITHOUT knocking out any power sub stations ..... Lol.

This was my learning tool to " soldering " and " reading schematics " ... You will better understand what components do and how devices are put together ... There are STILL some growers that are asking " HID LIGHT " type questions that are actually opposite to where quantums , chilLED , and other led types work the best. @Growmau5 is the king of DIY .... The McGUYVER of LEDs. .... Take a peek at that Quantum Canopy Rig ...Jesus the build quality is stellar .... Seriously ... I thought he was gonna strap on some solar panels on it and launch it into orbit . It's that good .

But even if you build a simple rail frame and hangers , you have something that pretty much kills most other lights. I find it pretty funny , walking thru the local swap meet and see tables of hoods , reflector wings , hortilux bulbs , magnetic ballasts , etc for like $20-50 bucks.

I expect those boys down in the HLG labs are working on even more goodies for the garden.


 
Humple

Humple

Well-Known Member
kaptinkush956 said:
looking to buy a QB 135W board, but i am wondering would it be cheaper to build my own light? or just buy the Kit for HLG?
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I've done both: the 135w kit and an identical fixture pieced together separately. The price comes out pretty much even. Go for the kit, if only for the convenience factor.
 
F

frigginwizard

Well-Known Member
kaptinkush956 said:
looking to buy a QB 135W board, but i am wondering would it be cheaper to build my own light? or just buy the Kit for HLG?
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building your own is cheaper if you can source the misc parts. In additions to a board, and heatsink, you need a driver, some wire nuts or wagos, some wire of adequate gauge, an appropriate power cord, and some way to hang the light.
If you are gonna have to buy all that stuff anyways, you might as well grab the kit

As you scale to more boards and bigger lights, it gets cheaper and cheaper to DIY vs kits.
 
Doctor Derp

Doctor Derp

Well-Known Member
kaptinkush956 said:
looking to buy a QB 135W board, but i am wondering would it be cheaper to build my own light? or just buy the Kit for HLG?
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You can save ~ $50 USD on total build costs per "fixture", more or less depending on what sort of light / configuration you're putting together, really. I put together some dual QB304 rigs for a little under $300 each. That's including the boards, drivers, heatsinks, etc. Everything to get you up and running. The guys at HLG sell an accessory kit with commonly needed pieces like wago connectors, a bit of 18 gauge wire, and some wire leaders with clips to help you hang your light once complete. I think it's $20 for the accessory kit. Honestly, when you factor in the costs of shipping and the convenience of only having to buy from one or two vendors, instead of piecing everything together, I would recommend just buying a kit from HLG and saving yourself a bit of time and hassle.
 
K

keepsake

Well-Known Member
Doctor Derp said:
Seconded. I would go with the 3k boards if available. There are a whole heap of us around here who are more than happy to give you a hand with it if you have any questions, too.
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I bought a 2700k kit for my tent because that's the only color that was available left. I want to use it from veg to bloom. What can I do to add some blue in there?
 
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kaptinkush956

Active Member
Thanks guys. I'm just gonna go with the 3000k QB Kit. I would build but don't know where to look and don't want to be looking around for all the parts. Anyway, the 135 kit is perfect for my 2x2 grow tent anyway and easy to put together.
 
Humple

Humple

Well-Known Member
kaptinkush956 said:
Thanks guys. I'm just gonna go with the 3000k QB Kit. I would build but don't know where to look and don't want to be looking around for all the parts. Anyway, the 135 kit is perfect for my 2x2 grow tent anyway and easy to put together.
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Looks like HLG is out of stock on the 3000k. Check growerslights.com; they're a reseller for HLG.

Edit: the 4000k kit wouldn't be shabby for a full-cycle light either. Seen a few people flower with those, with great results.
 
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kaptinkush956

Active Member
I'm going to preorder from Growerlights. Would be nice if they had a 3500k but since they dont I think ill stick to the 3000K. Thanks for the input though.
 
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