Rehabbing an old seedling stand

hello,

I have this 4’x2’ 4 shelved seedling rack currently powered by t8 shop lights. I use them so start annual and perennial seedlings. Usually I get a few weeks after germination before they start to stretch and I have to move into the greenhouse.

I have been considering retrofitting leds to add more power and increase the time before I have to fire up the greenhouse.

I was thinking of doing strips perhaps? Or somewhere I believe I spotted a very large quantum board knock off that looked interesting. I have had good experiences with hlg products but obviously to spendy for such a project.

Currently each level has 4 40w bulbs.

Any advice on how you would go about this?

Regards,

Zappa

Here it was last February

I got 30x400mm rigid strips populated with 96 Samsung lm561c chips. I'm running them at 25W each. Got six in a 60x80cm 80cm high veg box. You could fit 2 on each level running them at about 25W each and should be more than enough to get strong seedlings.



Each strip costs usd 7.5 plos shipping and customs. 3 of them equal 1 qb288. I got 25 2700K and 25 4000K.

The box is ru7nning off a meanwell hlg120hc1050b driver at 145W

With the limited headroom on each level I would be concerned that that might be too short to light the edges? Would 50w per level really be enough?

You could put 4 on each level and drive them at 10W each for the spread. Should get more than double the ammount of light comparing to those t8's.

very interesting. Seems that a lot less wattage is required than I had been assuming.

You'll definitely get at least double the ammount of light at the same wattage. T8's are obnoxious. And you'll have no maintenance whatsoevere for the next decade. And those strips probably cost the same as t8's.


This is what I put together on a budget



And you won't need any heatsinks up to 25W per strip. I have them for the convenience of mounting.

That’s a very snazzy box you put together there! I appreciate the suggestions, where did you purchase those strips?

China - alibaba - mufue technology but beaware they have minimum order of 50pcs

And I also got drivers from them at the normal price

Mm, that min order is a bummer. Do you (or anyone) have a suggestion on where to get a comparable strip elsewhere?

It's quite a setback I know. I got 790W worth of driver and 2kW worth of strips for 750 usd delivered after customs. I'm also building a 640W unit fo theflower room

Heh, on the flip side considering the scope of your project it sounds like a heck of a deal. I hope you'll document the build as that sounds fascinating.

I sure will once I get to it

Fruits of my labor

Zappa66 said:

Mm, that min order is a bummer. Do you (or anyone) have a suggestion on where to get a comparable strip elsewhere?

Click to expand...

DigiKey or Arrow. Also, check the following site for more product links and guides to wiring/building strip-lights.

http://ledgardener.com/diy-led-strip-build-designs-samsung-bridgelux/

This is another supplier with slightly different dimensions an slightly higher price but min order of 10pcs. You would need 16.

Zappa66 said:

Fruits of my labor

Click to expand...

Looking great

Led is prob the way to go but maybe these led tubes would be an easy update, a little pricey.

https://store.waveformlighting.com/products/photontube-t8-led-grow-light-tube-for-horticulture?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIidmdrIi73gIVUoJ-Ch0VZA6sEAAYASAAEgKcG_D_BwE

Those would work but at 2 bucks per watt they seem a bit steep

A year ago when I first was looking into led I was quite intimidated. Probably would have jumped on those tubes. However running a few wires no longer scares me.