Rider's first foray into LED strip lighting: Samsung H Series GEN3

[Scrogdawg]

I would guess spacing would require an overlap of light at the plant surface from the LED strips to ensure consistent PPFD across the canopy. But then PPFD would change depending on how close or how far from the canopy the lights were....not???

 

[Stillalive420]

I would do them in like a upside down v formation

 

[Rider509]

I would do them in like a upside down v formation

Dooooode...

 

[Rider509]

So the Samsungs are 1120mm in length which will slightly reach over the edges of my scrog running lengthwise. How do you determine spacing widthwise?

Could I run (for example) 5 3000k strips and put in 3 5000k strips between each 3000k with a separate on/off switch for 3000k and 5000k?

Would you operate these with a rheostat?

I would guess spacing would require an overlap of light at the plant surface from the LED strips to ensure consistent PPFD across the canopy. But then PPFD would change depending on how close or how far from the canopy the lights were....not???

If you know the amount of light energy coming from a group of lights then it's a matter of choice as to how thin you want to spread that energy, and rule of thumb. It kinda all goes back to extrapolating from a known source that has time-proven good results, like a 600W or 1000W HPS bulb over a 4x4 space. In my experiment I'm likely going to be running the leds at 200W over each 1'x4' space for 50W per square foot, and will space the boards to uniformly cover that space.

And that 3000/5000K thing is exactly what I'm planning. I only ordered 5000K for testing because I know I can use them at the shop to replace old T-12 fixtures is I decide to go another route for the grow.

PPFD will change with power applied to the lights and distance from the plants, so you could have a nice even spread of light down close to the plants and adjust the light intensity to desired levels with the driver's dim circuit. The constant current drivers come in two main flavors. The A model has a built in dimmer while the B model uses an external 100K ohm linear potentiometer. The B model provides a wider range of adjustment and the pots can be remote mounted for easy tweakability.

I'm working on a different design to maximize flexibility and future expansion potential using constant voltage/constant current drivers. And I'm running my thoughts past better minds than mine as a double check.

As I wrote to somebody else:
"Fucking LEDs are fiddly little bitches. An incredibly small voltage change makes a big change in amperage, relative to the LEDs. The (individual) LM561C leds can handle .200mA. Not .210 and not .205mA. And since voltage changes with temperature, even ambient temps have to be taken into account and a suitable safety margin designed in. The little cunts are like dylithium crystals in the starship Enterprise engines. Get them out of whack and, "She's gonna blow, Captain!" "

 

[Scrogdawg]

Thanks for all that.
+1 reps.

I'm running my thoughts past better minds than mine as a double check.

I'll be waiting for their response to you.

 

[Rider509]

Hey man what's up were all here waiting to take notes lol

I'm trying, Stillalive420! Should have some answers on the H Series Gen3 strips this weekend.

 

[LedGuy74]

Nice thread im following along... closest thing Im using is a couple QB120's with 60W drivers... neat little lights especially at the price point. I have one on my 4x2 and another in another grow both are 3k models.. in my tent the QB is next to two mars hydro 300's (135W each)

I wasnt quiet happy with my spread last grow with just the two mars 300's in the tent (I knew I needed more just had to wait) but the QB with its massive spread fixes that plus the different spectrum and the white/yellow light makes for better pics. The mars do me good though especially at 50 cents a watt lol I got 128G off of one plant and 78G off of the other from two of the mars 300's last grow.. then I plan on adding in the second QB in a month or so halfway into flowering to bump it up a little and put me at around 400W.

 

[Scrogdawg]

I like your screen LedGuy, and the even canopy.

 

[Scrogdawg]

I would do them in like a upside down v formation

What do you currently run for lights? I have MH/HPS and know just about nothing on LED. But I sure am getting a thirst for it.

 

[Stillalive420]

I'm running a king plus 1000watt, a Mars hydro 300watt, and a 300watt wattshine all LED.

 

[LedGuy74]

I like your screen LedGuy, and the even canopy.

Thanks hoping it fills out nice during stretch as I decided to flip a few days ago. I can definitely see branches stretching up and Ill lollipop everything that doesnt reach the net in a 10 days give or take. did a pretty large defoliation today to really open up all those branches wont be touching them again though until the defolation. I didnt want to wait any longer before flipping so eh ill do better next time and ill see how far my girls stretch into the scrog so I know exaclty how long to veg em next grow plus ill hopefully have 400+ watts in my next grow from the start.

 

[Stillalive420]

I picked up all 3 for under 200$, I'm one who thinks several light sources from several different wattages is a good thing.

 

[Scrogdawg]

I picked up all 3 for under 200$, I'm one who thinks several light sources from several different wattages is a good thing.

I'm one who thinks under 200$ is an absolute bargin.

 

[Stillalive420]

I don't recommend the wattshine, it's maybe 8x10.

 

[Stillalive420]

I actually got the wattshine for 29$ because he priced it wrong

 

[Stillalive420]

My bad just over 200$

 

[Rider509]

My bad just over 200$

I'll let it slide... this time. LOL
Hey, Stillalive420, have you checked out Scrogdawg's and Tunker's grow journals?

 

[Stillalive420]

No sir, but I will, post the link.

 

[Stillalive420]

It's hard to read them, haha I usually get really jealous...

 

[Rider509]

OK, that was goofy AF, but I can't control what the voices tell me to do.