LED: Spread vs. Simplicity

samlant

samlant

Member
Howdy all,

I'm planning a 2x4 growing room (probably will be growing 1-4 plants, not more for this size), and am in the middle of choosing between [6x 2' double-row strips] or [6x 4' single-row strips]. The 4' strips would give a more even spread through the entire room, though the 2' would give a more concentrated light to the centers (or centers and wall, idk how close to the walls I'll put the lights).

Any advice or input? How important is even spread? Image attached for visual image.
 

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NoWaistedSpace

NoWaistedSpace

Well-Known Member
With strip lights, you can get really close as long as your "canopy" is fairly even.. Roughly 1000 PAR at 6"(ball park figure). I would have to go with an "even" spread.
But for me, you can't beat the power of a "COB". I love my DIY's! Throw 6 or 8 COBs in there on around 300 watts and you will be good. Quantum boards is another option.
 
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Chip Green

Chip Green

Well-Known Member
I've built/ rebuilt, probably now close to two dozen times with Gen1 EB Series 560mm strips(they only make single row) and my general conclusion is this:
As stated above, because the emitters can be run SO close to the canopy without causing problems from intense heat, I'm leaning toward using as may emitters as the budget will allow, to create a "photon quilt".
I'm having beyond satisfactory results with the EB series Gen1s, and have yet to need to build again with the Gen2, which are even better....I highly recommend considering the BXEB as an option.
 
INF Flux

INF Flux

Well-Known Member
Chip Green said:
I've built/ rebuilt, probably now close to two dozen times with Gen1 EB Series 560mm strips(they only make single row) and my general conclusion is this:
As stated above, because the emitters can be run SO close to the canopy without causing problems from intense heat, I'm leaning toward using as may emitters as the budget will allow, to create a "photon quilt".
I'm having beyond satisfactory results with the EB series Gen1s, and have yet to need to build again with the Gen2, which are even better....I highly recommend considering the BXEB as an option.
Click to expand...
I have to second this, I've only built twice with the EB's and really like how both turned out. I would pack as many strips on there as budget allows and just blanket the whole space with photons.
 
samlant

samlant

Member
Chip Green said:
I've built/ rebuilt, probably now close to two dozen times with Gen1 EB Series 560mm strips(they only make single row) and my general conclusion is this:
As stated above, because the emitters can be run SO close to the canopy without causing problems from intense heat, I'm leaning toward using as may emitters as the budget will allow, to create a "photon quilt".
I'm having beyond satisfactory results with the EB series Gen1s, and have yet to need to build again with the Gen2, which are even better....I highly recommend considering the BXEB as an option.
Click to expand...
I'm going to have to. The only reason I was considering the Samsungs F gen3's so heavily was because they are posted at 17.22 a piece, coming out cheaper than even the Bridgelux. After emailing and asking for a quote and confirming location with Arrow, they require 150 minimum order quanitity:cry:
So now, Bridgelux is my go-to.
Points taken about the spread and quantity of the strips :)

Now what about colors? should I include one or two other colors other than 3000k as all-in-set-up?
 
Chip Green

Chip Green

Well-Known Member
I have mostly 3500K, and have built one panel for another grower out of only 3000K, and Ill tell you its really splitting hairs to try and find a difference in performance between the two.... Last I looked, Digikey has almost 300pcs of the 44" (1120mm) 3500K BXEB for $12.55 per..... and 171 of the 22"(560mm) 3500K for $6.55 per.... The 3000K is almost double that, IMO its nowhere near worth it.
I run mostly at 700ma, with zero heatsink material, NADA, zippo- zilch....I also have run 1050ma with only a sheet of aluminum flashing,(been running for about a year) and I experience less that 2% total voltage droop, from cold start to full temp...and that's with Gen1 strips.... I understand all the rage over Samsungs, as they are an exceptional product, but for a tiny step down, in on paper efficiency, HUGE savings on upfront cost are available, for negligible "losses" in performance....Again splitting hairs....lots of hair splitting in the DIY realm. In smallish spaces like most of us work in, its just absurd sometimes IMO......

All hail the BXEB modules, in all their budget stretching, frosty bud producing glory.....
 
nfhiggs

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
samlant said:
After emailing and asking for a quote and confirming location with Arrow, they require 150 minimum order quanitit
Click to expand...
Damn, I had a feeling they would do that.

Yeah, if you can't take advantage of the volume discount, then the Bridgelux are a good alternative.
 
samlant

samlant

Member
Chip Green said:
I have mostly 3500K, and have built one panel for another grower out of only 3000K, and Ill tell you its really splitting hairs to try and find a difference in performance between the two.... Last I looked, Digikey has almost 300pcs of the 44" (1120mm) 3500K BXEB for $12.55 per..... and 171 of the 22"(560mm) 3500K for $6.55 per.... The 3000K is almost double that, IMO its nowhere near worth it.
I run mostly at 700ma, with zero heatsink material, NADA, zippo- zilch....I also have run 1050ma with only a sheet of aluminum flashing,(been running for about a year) and I experience less that 2% total voltage droop, from cold start to full temp...and that's with Gen1 strips.... I understand all the rage over Samsungs, as they are an exceptional product, but for a tiny step down, in on paper efficiency, HUGE savings on upfront cost are available, for negligible "losses" in performance....Again splitting hairs....lots of hair splitting in the DIY realm. In smallish spaces like most of us work in, its just absurd sometimes IMO......

All hail the BXEB modules, in all their budget stretching, frosty bud producing glory.....
Click to expand...
Exactly, what I was looking for. Thanks for that Chip Green. I was wondering how much hair-splitting was going on. 3500K BXEB Gen 2's, Here I come!
nfhiggs said:
Damn, I had a feeling they would do that.

Yeah, if you can't take advantage of the volume discount, then the Bridgelux are a good alternative.
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i was hoping you'd see this, since you gave your previous connection with another person seeing the low mass price on Arrow. Shame, but that falls on Arrow's business ethics more; it's disappointing because Arrow never advertised it with those stipulations, which isn't anything to cry over, but they did list it at that.
 
Gilligans Island

Gilligans Island

Well-Known Member
I have the Gen 2 Bridgelux 4000k in veg. and in 1st 7 weeks of use results are outstanding! Running them full throttle at a 8" to 10" spacing. Trying to keep around 20,000 lumens and no more. 22,000 is where stress starts. No par meter too much $'s. Lux meter is a gauge for distance only. My strips are 4' long and 2" apart.
Just flopped 3 to bloom 4 days ago so not much to say yet. Bloom is a mix of Bridgelux 3000k and 3500k every other one and I expect the same type of results. These are running at 12,000 lumens at 8" spacing. Have not experimented with distance yet may be able to get closer. Bridgelux strips create no heat. Drivers at full throttle do! You will be pleased with the Bridgelux' just keep the wire from the driver to the lights short. Big drop off with footage..
 
samlant

samlant

Member
Gilligans Island said:
You will be pleased with the Bridgelux' just keep the wire from the driver to the lights short. Big drop off with footage..
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Good to hear! What's our definition of "short" here? 5 feet? 2 feet? 10 inches? I imagine I'll have the driver outside tent to mitigate the heat from the driver going in the tent, but attached to or right next to the tent (I may DIY the tent, dunno yet). Great input on your CCT's.
 
nfhiggs

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
samlant said:
Good to hear! What's our definition of "short" here? 5 feet? 2 feet? 10 inches? I imagine I'll have the driver outside tent to mitigate the heat from the driver going in the tent, but attached to or right next to the tent (I may DIY the tent, dunno yet). Great input on your CCT's.
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Depends on the total current load and the wire gauge used.
 
samlant

samlant

Member
I'm trying to think of good combinations with drivers that would bring me very close to the drivers' max voltages when in constant current with 6 or 8 4-footers BXEB 2nd gens. Is it fine if the meanwell's spec range is 24v-42v though I only expect these strips to get to around 40v? Would the driver be outputting less than its maximum power if I can't reach the top of its voltage range, while also hitting the maximum current range of 5.7A? The goal is 6 or 8 strips at ~250W.
 
CobKits

CobKits

Well-Known Member
its a free country

if it was any other user i wouldnt think twice but hes one of the more long time regulars

makes it a little easier to follow the conversation (says the guy with the most generic avatar ever)
 
samlant

samlant

Member
CobKits said:
its a free country

if it was any other user i wouldnt think twice but hes one of the more long time regulars

makes it a little easier to follow the conversation (says the guy with the most generic avatar ever)
Click to expand...
Yeah I actually just researched him a bit. He seems like he's a legend, growing pounds per plant, vertical grows, dry nutrients, history on a lot of forums, has a large crowd following him, hmm. Likes yoda a lot too
 
samlant

samlant

Member
Gilligans Island said:
I thought this was Ttystikk also. I am at about 4' of 14 gauge stranded. Was at 15 to 30 feet and too much resistance, had all my drivers in one spot. Looked impressive as hell but.... about a 30% drop in power. Too much resistance.
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Man 14 gauge huh? Gotta drop a pic of that. How many drivers you got on your setup?
 
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