Hey all, im going to be building a light for my flower area. Its going to be LED for sure. I was wondering what everyone would use.
I have a 4×8 area i want to flower.
I want to push that entire 4x8 with max light.
Comercial avaliability it would take 2 nextlight megas to get job done.
I think its gotta be 2 seperate lights. How would you do it? What would you build? Realistically i got about 1000 bucks over the next 2 months avaliable to do this.
Im a skilled electrician and master metal fabricator and designer so skills and tools i have.
Going the DIY route is definitely a cost savings; especially if you have access to aluminum (which I did and sent me that way too).
You have 32 square feet that with the latest Samsung diodes (EB strips) you can plan on somewhere around 30 watts/square foot to flower out properly. Ideally if you can get that with the lights turned down, the efficacy of the lights is greater. Just a larger upfront cost.
Think along the lines of one light per plant. Plan from there. If you are doing a 32 square foot SOG grow then you need a higher density of light than say growing 3 plants. The diodes are a bit delicate so having a more manageable size is probably a good idea.
I did 3 fixtures for a 4 X 6 grow space. Each was 240 watt peak (first generation Samsung EB strips) and I have yet to run em flat out. Normally I peak in flower around 200 watts as that hits my daily light integral for flower.
The nice thing about this is you can build as you can afford. Vegging plants require a fraction of the light a flowering plant needs so could add as your plants age. Although I would probably buy all of the EB strips you’ll need at one time to get the discount. Then it’s just drivers and heatsinks and all the other misc parts.
Next light mega has total flux of 1400 umols/s and looks like standard 3500k cct. That’s piece of cake to do, biggest decision there is what you want to build ot with.
$1000 may be a problem. You can definitely save money building, but you’re trying to replicate two $1500 fixtures. Not easy to do unless you’re getting something cheaper than is available from distributors.
Im open to suggestions. I simply looked at the mega looks like 2 of those would do my 4x8 nicely. Using that as a baseline was my intention.
This is all for personal consumption and not a business so i dont mind cutting a few corners.
Basically i guess i need to build 2 lights and have 500 bucks each to do it, what would you do? Whats the best light i can build for my budget that will result in good bud?
I can get aluminum for heat syncing. Wiring and connectors are no problem. Ill probably solder everything i can. Im a motorcycle enthusiasts so if you ever built a harley it will make you lose faith in all manner of connectors. Lol
Imo pretty substantial difference between a motorcycle and a light that remain pretty much immobile. But I here you.
The bridgelux eb gen 2 has been replaced by gen 3, but some distributors still have gen 2 modules in stock. For size of fixtures you’re looking at I would think the 1120 or 560mm versions make the most sense. For seed to harvest growing with them I would say 3000k or 3500k. If you can find enough of any in stock the price is probably reduced, and would likely fit within your budget.
I would see if you can find reasonable amount in stock. Probably stating obvious, but you’ll need twice as many 560mm strips as 1120mm. For two fixtures in 4x8, I’m guessing at least 20 of the 1120mm strips or at least 40 of the 560mm strips.
When you’re looking at the difference between 3000k and 3500k, not really. They are pretty close. I have feeling you’ll have more difficult time finding what you’re looking for.
Not positive but its a bunch. I have a place where i can get tube and angle, i have a 54×54 inch piece of 11ga here at the house. I have access ti some extrusions also, not intended for heat sync but they are substantial.
Workin on that. Ill run the assembly plan by you when we get that far. In the mean time i need to decide on boards and drivers. Im thinking 5 bridgelux eb2 or 3. Layed out in a 42x50 pattern for first light. Set them in a 4 corner and a center set up. What driver i need to push 5 ?