Is it worth building your own LED? (Smaller grow)

Kind Sir

Kind Sir

Well-Known Member
So I am starting a smaller grow after quitting for a few years. I have a 600W digital phantom ballast, which is fine but I was debating on moving to LED.

I read some people say that building your own LED can save some cash, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it and if that is true? There are a couple good threads about building them, I just want a solid light set up but honestly won’t be dishing out a ton on it.

I was thinking about flowering (at the minimum) in a 4x4 and veg in something similar if not a touch smaller.
 
HydroKid239

HydroKid239

Well-Known Member
Kind Sir said:
So I am starting a smaller grow after quitting for a few years. I have a 600W digital phantom ballast, which is fine but I was debating on moving to LED.

I read some people say that building your own LED can save some cash, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it and if that is true? There are a couple good threads about building them, I just want a solid light set up but honestly won’t be dishing out a ton on it.

I was thinking about flowering (at the minimum) in a 4x4 and veg in something similar if not a touch smaller.
Click to expand...
LED is more efficient on the bill monthly, but the cost up front is a little steep compared to the average cmh/hps bulbs. I've seen ppl go thru a bulb per grow. I did the math.. with LED's that have a 50K hour life span... that's 4166 flower cycles... I think more will be spent on replacement bulbs in that time, than the cost of the LED.

Been growing since may.. but reading on lighting efficiency from January. Comparing prices of hardware and (Googled) electricity costs between both styles of growing, and LED won.

Building your own led CAN and will save even more cash, only downside is.. assembly & no warranty.
 
Kind Sir

Kind Sir

Well-Known Member
HydroKid239 said:
LED is more efficient on the bill monthly, but the cost up front is a little steep compared to the average cmh/hps bulbs. I've seen ppl go thru a bulb per grow. I did the math.. with LED's that have a 50K hour life span... that's 4166 flower cycles... I think more will be spent on replacement bulbs in that time, than the cost of the LED.

Been growing since may.. but reading on lighting efficiency from January. Comparing prices of hardware and (Googled) electricity costs between both styles of growing, and LED won.

Building your own led CAN and will save even more cash, only downside is.. assembly & no warranty.
Click to expand...
That last sentence you said is pretty big IMO. I mean if you spend all this money and goof up and something breaks you’re screwed, but I wonder how probable that is.

Part of me is leaning towards just using my 600W (and supplementing) for a grow or two then getting LED... What do you use?
 
HydroKid239

HydroKid239

Well-Known Member
1x Spider Farmer sf2000 + 1x Spider Farmer SF1000 in a 2x4. 300W total draw from the wall. 280w is ideal for my space. IMG_5678.JPG
 
PJ Diaz

PJ Diaz

Well-Known Member
Kind Sir said:
So I am starting a smaller grow after quitting for a few years. I have a 600W digital phantom ballast, which is fine but I was debating on moving to LED.

I read some people say that building your own LED can save some cash, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it and if that is true?
Click to expand...
yes
 
Kind Sir

Kind Sir

Well-Known Member
So your big led is like 200+? That’s like 400 in lights? Seems like the initial cost is quite steep, but as I’ve read (and you said) it’s better overall. Did you do research on those LEDs and they’re solid?
I’m definitely thinking I’ll be using my ballast to begin with, because I’d need more then that even.
Why didn’t you build your own, just curious?
 
Kind Sir

Kind Sir

Well-Known Member
Kind Sir said:
So your big led is like 200+? That’s like 400 in lights? Seems like the initial cost is quite steep, but as I’ve read (and you said) it’s better overall. Did you do research on those LEDs and they’re solid?
I’m definitely thinking I’ll be using my ballast to begin with, because I’d need more then that even.
Why didn’t you build your own, just curious?
Click to expand...
Thanks. So you bought the kit and just put it together yourself, and saved enough to make it worth it?
 
HydroKid239

HydroKid239

Well-Known Member
Kind Sir said:
So your big led is like 200+? That’s like 400 in lights? Seems like the initial cost is quite steep, but as I’ve read (and you said) it’s better overall. Did you do research on those LEDs and they’re solid?
I’m definitely thinking I’ll be using my ballast to begin with, because I’d need more then that even.
Why didn’t you build your own, just curious?
Click to expand...
DIY builds are all "At your own risk" no warranty.

and I'm more of a shock yourself and die kinda guy. lol
 
Rahz

Rahz

Well-Known Member
LED components can last years. I think building is a no brainer but the caveat is, do you mind or want to do the research, planning, building? For some it's more trouble than it's worth. For some it's fun.

But there are savings down the road. Heat sinks last forever basically so if you go COB you just switch out the emitters, cheap upgrade.
 
Barristan Whitebeard

Barristan Whitebeard

Well-Known Member
HydroKid239 said:
DIY builds are all "At your own risk" no warranty.

and I'm more of a shock yourself and die kinda guy. lol
Click to expand...
Some companies do sell DIY lights that include a warranty.

HLG DIY kits and boards come with a one year warranty (although the Diablo boards, when they are available, are sold with no warranty because the 660nm diodes fail if the boards are wired incorrectly).

The High Light boards that @Grow Lights Australia sells have a three year warranty.

Mean Well HLG drivers have a seven year warranty, and Mean Well XLG drivers have a five year warranty.
 
mc130p

mc130p

Well-Known Member
Kind Sir said:
That last sentence you said is pretty big IMO. I mean if you spend all this money and goof up and something breaks you’re screwed, but I wonder how probable that is.

Part of me is leaning towards just using my 600W (and supplementing) for a grow or two then getting LED... What do you use?
Click to expand...
if do you break something, it's going to be cheap to replace. lesson learned. no big deal. just don't burn down the house. better drivers have short circuit and over voltage protection so you can hook them up wrong and they just don't turn on.
 
M

MedicinalMyA$$

Well-Known Member
Kind Sir said:
So I am starting a smaller grow after quitting for a few years. I have a 600W digital phantom ballast, which is fine but I was debating on moving to LED.

I read some people say that building your own LED can save some cash, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it and if that is true? There are a couple good threads about building them, I just want a solid light set up but honestly won’t be dishing out a ton on it.

I was thinking about flowering (at the minimum) in a 4x4 and veg in something similar if not a touch smaller.
Click to expand...
I, and many others have built lights using https://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/ plans and they work perfectly.
If you break something parts are readily available and you can tweak designs to save money. Wee bit of a learning curve but follow the plans and you'll be good. A lot of the parts in the links are cheaper now too.
 
printer

printer

Well-Known Member
It all depends on your comfort level. Are you comfortable working with tools, building stuff? Are you araid to wire stuff up, can you look at a wiring diagram without shaking? How much does power cost where you live? How soon, if at all, do you want for it to pay itself. How efficient do you want it? Some people buy ready made components, others bolt lights onto aluminum baking pans. How much time do you want to trade off building stuff rather than buying snap together pieces.

A whole lot of options taking you down different roads. I myself did something crazy, broke a whole lot of Dollar Store light bulbs, mounted and wired them up, found I wanted a few more, built some more, next thing you know I got 1500W going. But there was no way I was going to pay the up front cost of a 1000W led system. This will be fine for a few years, by then I will know if I will continue with growing.

So you have some reading to do and going back and forth adjusting your parameters until you narrow down your options. Or just say screw it, copy what someone else did and worry about other things in life. But there is only one person that can say what is the right thing for you to do. I have a brother in law that will hurt himself picking up a power tool. Mounting a ready made light is a big job for him.
 
Kind Sir

Kind Sir

Well-Known Member
printer said:
It all depends on your comfort level. Are you comfortable working with tools, building stuff? Are you araid to wire stuff up, can you look at a wiring diagram without shaking? How much does power cost where you live? How soon, if at all, do you want for it to pay itself. How efficient do you want it? Some people buy ready made components, others bolt lights onto aluminum baking pans. How much time do you want to trade off building stuff rather than buying snap together pieces.

A whole lot of options taking you down different roads. I myself did something crazy, broke a whole lot of Dollar Store light bulbs, mounted and wired them up, found I wanted a few more, built some more, next thing you know I got 1500W going. But there was no way I was going to pay the up front cost of a 1000W led system. This will be fine for a few years, by then I will know if I will continue with growing.

So you have some reading to do and going back and forth adjusting your parameters until you narrow down your options. Or just say screw it, copy what someone else did and worry about other things in life. But there is only one person that can say what is the right thing for you to do. I have a brother in law that will hurt himself picking up a power tool. Mounting a ready made light is a big job for him.
Click to expand...
I’m trying to save on the energy bill and I figured it wouldn’t be as hot like my HPS. I’m fine using tools but I’m not like all crafty. I remember feeling a little overwhelmed when I started growing weed and mushrooms, and that’s how I feel right now.

I have been sent some links to watch/read. I get all anal about the products I buy, it’s hard for me to decide so I keep researching and researching like OCD and that’s going to be tough.

People have suggested items, I think I may look through some grow logs And see their LEDs. Honestly there’s no way I’m spending a bunch of money initially. I’m browsing HLG right now, been on it before and sounds like it’s recommended here.
 
NukaKola

NukaKola

Well-Known Member
HydroKid239 said:
LED is more efficient on the bill monthly, but the cost up front is a little steep compared to the average cmh/hps bulbs. I've seen ppl go thru a bulb per grow. I did the math.. with LED's that have a 50K hour life span... that's 4166 flower cycles... I think more will be spent on replacement bulbs in that time, than the cost of the LED.

Been growing since may.. but reading on lighting efficiency from January. Comparing prices of hardware and (Googled) electricity costs between both styles of growing, and LED won.

Building your own led CAN and will save even more cash, only downside is.. assembly & no warranty.
Click to expand...
You mean days of flowering right? 50k hours is certainly not 4166 flowering cycles. It’s around 70 cycles. Still significantly better than replacing HPS bulbs every 2-3 cycles though.
 
Rocket Soul

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Kind Sir said:
So I am starting a smaller grow after quitting for a few years. I have a 600W digital phantom ballast, which is fine but I was debating on moving to LED.

I read some people say that building your own LED can save some cash, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it and if that is true? There are a couple good threads about building them, I just want a solid light set up but honestly won’t be dishing out a ton on it.

I was thinking about flowering (at the minimum) in a 4x4 and veg in something similar if not a touch smaller.
Click to expand...
I think building your own is worth it but not so much in the sense of saving cash upfront, its the savings down the line from having perfect light for your space. if you can get some cut alu sheet easy locally the rest of the parts for a kickass 4x4 is somewhere between 300-500 dollars, less if you are ok with settling.
 
Kind Sir

Kind Sir

Well-Known Member
Any suggestions on best places to source parts? 300-500 I can do for sure. Saving on electricity is big for me too.
 
Rocket Soul

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
If you want American made id suggest: https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/quantum-boards/products/qb96-elite-v2-quantum-board-engine : four to ideally six of these, use RIU10 discount code for some discount.

If you are good sourcing from china use Meijiu or kingbrite on alibaba and buy 8 china boards, white only for about 30 dollars each plus shipping and taxes. Source two 1/8 inch thick, 40 x 13 inches, alu sheets. set four boards to each.

powering: use a distributor that isnt in china, for warranty. digikey, arrow electronics, mouser. Use 2x meanwell xlg240-h-ab for powering the boards, no matter which option you take.
 
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