PLC automated controller sounds more like you’re looking for. It’s a little more but it works.
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Like I said, your drivers won’t dim to off. Some of hlg series will though.
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That’s not really automation at all though, which is where I got lost. You don’t need any fancy controller to that. Remove your dimmer from driver from driver circuit and test leads with a multimeter. Set meter to read resistance, then make a mark wherever pots reads 10k ohms, that’s 10% output current. Make another mark at 20k ohms, that’s 20% output current. Follow all the way to 100k, that’s 100%.
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That is the direction I am heading. There is a video on YouTube showing you how to do It but is way beyond what I want to tackle.
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I do think about this too. The I could run the entire house! 
I wonder I I could sell the wife in this…yea your probably right I doubt it too fun to dream.
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HLG-240H-C2100 with 2x288 v1 turned all the way down how many watts it use?
Thanks
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You’ll have to connect it to a kilowatt meter. @Member420
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Probably something around 80-100 watts.
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@dbrn32 ok I have a question. I have a 135 that Im using for the first time in my tent. I’m thinking of buying 2-260xl for my 5x8 closet. Plc boost strips are on sale so my question is, what is the difference between having a panel in the middle of the tent as opposed to having strips spread out evenly? It would seem to me that having your lights spread out would give more even coverage therefore better overall average product. I defer to you as the expert. Is there a difference in the amount of drivers needed or any of that jazz?
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Hi there first time indoor grower got some GSCE autos put 4 seeds in 1 has come up still early days for rest of them only been four days soaked for 3 days growing in soil just enquiring I bought a DS450 viparspectra led light is it any good will it do the job or have I wasted my money any tips
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Hi Storm! Welcome.
Your light will work as advertised; it covers about 2’x2’ of flowering plants. It isn’t the most efficient model, nor is it the least efficient.
IMO, it won’t cover the square footage you’ll need for 4 mature plants. I don’t know what DBRN thinks, but I might use a 1-2 gallon pot per plant to intentionally stunt them to about a square foot each. Or you can add lights as the plants grow.
How does that sound?
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I agree. Assuming you have required amount of light and all else is equal, you should have better results with more even intensity levels at canopy.
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Hello and welcome to the forum! I agree, that light will grow weed just fine. As posted above, it has enough light to flower a 2x2 pretty well. Most do find it pretty difficult to grow 4 plants in that size space.
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Sounds good ty I live in Aus what other LEDs would u recommend that r cheap to run
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Right now the Horticultural Lighting Group makes lights that are both good and powerful. They have a full range. You can trust their data, so when they say it covers 4’x4’ in flower, they mean it. Budget LED seems to make very similar lights. Many people on here have been pleased with their purchases.
If you want to flower four plants in a 4x4 or 2x8, then HLG QB 260 XL r-spec lights are worth looking at. You could use 4 QB 135w V1 ($130/kit USD).
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Cheap is relative. Better they get more money they are going to cost. Cutter electronics in Australia makes some stuff, I would check in with them.
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I am finally considering my first DIY build. I stumbled onto this forum and just have a few basic questions that I’m sure some of you can help me with.
First, I’m not trying to build a light for a specific grow space. I have a budget of about $250 bucks and I’d like build a light similar to a Mars SP-250, or even a Mars TS-2000. I know very little about this sort of thing, but I’m familiar HLG and a few other outfits that offer DIY kits similar to what I’m after. I am simply not sure what I can pull off on my modest budget. The SP-250s run roughly $250, and I believe the TS-2000 is close to that. So, I’m really opting to build my own instead of buying one of those lights.
Like I said, I’m not too concerned with the coverage area of the light as I do have my spaces lighted currently, I’m just looking to test out a DIY build in a space with one of the SP-250s or even in a space with some of my older blurples. So, I guess technically the light should cover 2’ x 3’ to 2’x 4’ ideally. If I can put together a “better” option with slightly less flowering coverage, that’s not a big deal at all. Just looking for an idea of what can be done.
Thanks in advance!!! I am going to continue reading the forum, now. 
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Do you want a light more shaped like sp series or ts series?
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Good question. I honestly have use for both at this point. I have two 4x4 tents with multiple smaller lights and I have those 2 SPs in a room that’s kind of odd shaped but roughly 4x8. They are only meant to cover a portion of that space big enough for 3-4 plants vegged 3-5 weeks (depending on strain) in coco. So, yeah, hmm.
I’m going to say I’d probably be better off going square or rectangular instead of the narrow, long strips. The box shapes would probably be more versatile for me in my different spaces. That said, if you can think of any clear advantage to a more strip-like design (similar to the SPs) that would fit in or close to my budget, I am totally down.
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I put 4 132v2 QBs in a 27X27 frame and that works well for veg. on a 3X3, or you can mount them in a row that would work well for a 2X4. It was right at $250,But with the perfect Driver probably closer to $220 for 240 to 250 watts!
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