8 bulb x4' t5 died , led for veg?
- Thread starter stoobeey
- Start date
did you see what i mentioned in my last post about some samsung strips and the 240 driver .im not sure what else i need to buy here beside something to mount and use as a frame.qb288 bspec absolutely smokes it in my 2x3, bit overkill if you ask me. Haven't been able to turn it all the way up to 120 watts without plants complaining. Fixing to move the 288 to a 2x4 and see how it does. You can pick up 2 with a heatsink for under $200 from HLG, use the discount code riu10. Pick up a 240 watt driver and you're goldenIts about the same price to buy 288s single, with single heatsinks. Will give you more options as far as spreading the light.
I wouldnt say i can read crazy wire diagrams, but Ive done plenty of soldering and stupid shit in my life in electronics (replaced capacitors in an analog ballast, that old playastation mod chip you could buy and solder in haha. when i was in college i built a 100w hps lamp from scratch .. farm store sold the ballast in my pdunk college town)
but from what ive seen aside from some wire stripping its all auto connect pieces and a few people used rivet guns to hand rivet their frames which isnt a bad idea.
I don't like 4 bulb coverage except when I have young plants that haven't spread out. It's too dark on the outskirts of 4 tubes let alone a 2' bulb vs 4'. I veg long too
Obviously from my last few post I want to move away from t5.
I'm up to 200$ for all in to build a light with q series samsung strips.
Just waiting on someone here to email me back before I pull trigger on the orders, don't wanna buy wrong driver on accident. I'll go to depot later for angle aluminum or t track and wire. Then I just need driver, strips, and sink
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
i've got a 4000K HLG QB that i've been using for my 2x2 veg tent.
i realize blurples don't do much in bloom but i've been thinkng about trying out one of those 2000 watt (not actual) leds and using just the veg switch where it's mostly blue with a few reds and whites.
it's only 70 bucks shipped so no big loss if it sucks. more so to compare against the HLG and see how it vegges.
OneHitDone
Well-Known Member
I am currently testing Philips Direct Fit Ballast compatible T5 Led tubes in 4000K against traditional 6400K Agrobrite T5's as we speak. (Don't mind the one 5K in the pic - that was changed to 4K)
Will report back findings in a few weeks
Will report back findings in a few weeks
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
similar lumen output as the fluoros?I am currently testing Philips Direct Fit Ballast compatible T5 Led tubes in 4000K against traditional 6400K Agrobrite T5's as we speak. (Don't mind the one 5K in the pic - that was changed to 4K)
Will report back findings in a few weeks
View attachment 4787502View attachment 4787503
OneHitDone
Well-Known Member
Yes, well they are 3500lm @25W vs 5000lm @54W for traditional T5
But the Lux readings are just slightly higher under the led tubes being semi directional so I have high hopes for them assuming the spectrum jives with the plants.
You can see in this pic that very little of the light from the LED tube hits the reflector. Also, not sure how healthy it is for the ballasts but the idea of mixing fluorescent and led in the same fixture is quite appealing
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
yeah, i see what you are talking about. the reflector is way darker.Yes, well they are 3500lm @25W vs 5000lm @54W for traditional T5
But the Lux readings are just slightly higher under the led tubes being semi directional so I have high hopes for them assuming the spectrum jives with the plants.
You can see in this pic that very little of the light from the LED tube hits the reflector. Also, not sure how healthy it is for the ballasts but the idea of mixing fluorescent and led in the same fixture is quite appealing
View attachment 4787572
i just dug my old T5 fixture out and tried 2 of the 6400k and 2 actinic blue in it for a veg light. only did it a few days ago so not much to report yet. is kinda a cool blue hue to it though.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
Wondered why this wasn't stated. A few screws to remove. Most likely 3 wire nuts. Easy and safe if unplugged. LOL. 300V tickles.
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
from what i gathered, he wants to switch from T5 and now is the time (and he/she has a good excuse. lol)
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
People say I'm nuts. But these cheap 40W 2x2 ceiling panels with lm 3528's in the 3500K range are amazing for veg to about 2'. I stole on an auction. But cheap effective alternative. Have to be close to the plant,
but effective.
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
hmmm. interesting. got a pic of the front? i have a 2x2 veg tent
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
Best I have right now. Rest are stored and my back is screwed ATM. Als, I have 26 of these. They range from mid 3500K to low 3700K. Used in drop ceilings. But plants grew well under them. Got 6 more. Use 2 in 4x4 for the first veg.
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
i like that idea. are they ready-to-hang like that already with the eye bolts? and just plug and play?
you think lowes or home depot stock these? iv'e never seen anything like that before.
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
Home lighting. Know what your end goal is. Now compare it to similar uses in other pursuits. Surprising how many practical solutions abound when removing grow labels.
And you must wire them. Easy. 1 screw, 2 push connectors and a wire nut. Just buy a good heavy grounded 3 strand extension cord to desired length. Not enough draw to even consider length induced fire hazard. Triangular hooks on 4 corners to hang.
rkymtnman
Well-Known Member
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
My ceiling panels were bought in bulk at wholesale by electrician friend with wholesale license. About $30. The others I webayed for between $4 and $15 for a pair. Last check about $35- $40.
