Cheap 2x2 DIY LED

MedicinalMyA$$

Well-Known Member
Got cheap parts from Arrow a couple years back

12 X 3000K Samsung SL-B8V7N90L1WW $2.76 each
Delta Electronics LNE 48V-120WAA $12

Made these into a light for a small (low) 2x2. The strips are 22" long so the light is a pretty snug fit in the tent.

L09 2.jpg


Used 1" wood planter stakes as a frame. Heatsinks aren't necessary as each strip only gets around 200mA (rated for 1380mA max) and run lukewarm.
L09 3.jpg

12 Strips in parallel, wiring concealed in 1" plastic conduit/trunking.
L09 5.jpg


Powered by a $12, 120W Delta brand driver.
L09 10.jpgL09 12.jpg


Made a 2x2 testing enclosure and took some measurements using this Lux meter from Amazon...
L09 8.jpg

...and this Lux to PAR conversion chart courtesy of Migro3000K Lux to PAR Conversion.jpg

L09 9.jpg

This is the relative size of the fixture in the 2x2 measurement enclosure
L09 Layout.jpg

These are the PAR measurements at 3 different heights
2X2 PAR Map L09.jpg


These numbers seem pretty good but taking into account the strips forming basically 2 large white quantum boards, and the white floor, there will be extra light that reflects off the floor then back off the strips themselves.

There is room enough for another 2 strips but even though a 2 ft sq quantum board style light appeals to me there needed to be room for air to move, and it would just make a bigger hotspot in the middle.

Tried 150W but it was too strong, reaching 1500 PAR in the center at about 15"

Total cost, about $50.
 

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Got cheap parts from Arrow a couple years back

12 X 3000K Samsung SL-B8V7N90L1WW $2.76 each
Delta Electronics LNE 48V-120WAA $12

Made these into a light for a small (low) 2x2. The strips are 22" long so the light is a pretty snug fit in the tent.

View attachment 5336321


Used 1" wood planter stakes as a frame. Heatsinks aren't necessary as each strip only gets around 200mA (rated for 1380mA max) and run lukewarm.
View attachment 5336322

12 Strips in parallel, wiring concealed in 1" plastic conduit/trunking.
View attachment 5336323


Powered by a $12, 120W Delta brand driver.
View attachment 5336325View attachment 5336326


Made a 2x2 testing enclosure and took some measurements using this Lux meter from Amazon...
View attachment 5336327

...and this Lux to PAR conversion chart courtesy of MigroView attachment 5336337

View attachment 5336339

This is the relative size of the fixture in the 2x2 measurement enclosure
View attachment 5336340

These are the PAR measurements at 3 different heights
View attachment 5336342


These numbers seem pretty good but taking into account the strips forming basically 2 large white quantum boards, and the white floor, there will be extra light that reflects off the floor then back off the strips themselves.

There is room enough for another 2 strips but even though a 2 ft sq quantum board style light appeals to me there needed to be room for air to move, and it would just make a bigger hotspot in the middle.

Tried 150W but it was too strong, reaching 1500 PAR in the center at about 15"

Total cost, about $50.
Love it! It really pushes diode count; iirc two of those double 2 footers is a qb worth of diodes: youre pushing 120w (or even less, as voltage of these strips at low current is close to 40V than 48) thru 6 qbs worth of diodes. Also very even coverage.
bro if this light cost you 50 dollars im gonna rock this setup for my 2x2 grow tent your par map is off the hook good :D can you make a step by step guide on how to build this? sorry man i would really appreciate it if you could :D.
OP built this of strips which were on super sale, its probably not the same anymore, 2$ something for those strips is a steal, theyre usually over 10.
In any case if you wanna do strips builds this is the best place to start.

If later on you want to price out and source components you can check stock and price for many dealers in
That way you can price out what works best buying at todays market prices.
Theres a strips deals (and some other deals) thread were people post whats on offer, arrow especially seems to sometimes go down very far in price; i think its an algorithms thing.
DIY is definitely rewarding, both in results and personally. It also is nice to know that you are your own warranty; you build it you can repair it.
 
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