$1200 dollar budget for 8'x4', strips or Cobs?

I've got a budget of $1200-1300, I'm looking to build 2 led kits for 2 separate 4'x4' tents. I've heard that the LED strips are slowly becoming less intensive and require little/no heat management(no heatsinks). Considering it's my first go at this, can anyone point me to the best lights, or best bang for my buck? I've looked at the CobKits site and it seems like I can get everything I need, minus the necessary casing/skeleton. I figure that's the cheapest thing on the list. I'm looking for about 400w-600w per tent. I'm replacing my 600w hps lights.

You will definitely save money by going with strips. Strips are cheap, easy to replace and work with and offer better coverage. Tons of example builds to follow. I've built both and they each work great. If you want to get the most value for your money invested, strips are the answer.

As an example, I build 2 separate frames, each that has 6 strips @50w max each using an HLG-320-1050 driver and covers a 2'x4' space. So 2 drivers, 12 strips, some wire, wago's and whatever frame you decide to build. I used 2 way thermal tape to stick the strips onto 1" square tube aluminum (or C-channel, angle or even flatbar). Keep a gentle breeze on the frame and it barely heats up.

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

http://rollitup.org/t/flower-pics-blueberry-canuk-seeds-feminized.958471/#post-14059463

Strips, you're welcome

about 1100 to light 2 4x4s up with 700W each of cobs. youd have to do the math on the strips to compare

Shua1991 said:

I've got a budget of $1200-1300, I'm looking to build 2 led kits for 2 separate 4'x4' tents. I've heard that the LED strips are slowly becoming less intensive and require little/no heat management(no heatsinks). Considering it's my first go at this, can anyone point me to the best lights, or best bang for my buck? I've looked at the CobKits site and it seems like I can get everything I need, minus the necessary casing/skeleton. I figure that's the cheapest thing on the list. I'm looking for about 400w-600w per tent. I'm replacing my 600w hps lights.

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Strips all the way. You can put together two 600W strip light with Samsung F strips or Bridgelux EB gen 2 strips for about $300 each..

CobKits said:

about 1100 to light 2 4x4s up with 700W each of cobs. youd have to do the math on the strips to compare

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what would be the different?

nfhiggs said:

Strips all the way. You can put together two 600W strip light with Samsung F strips or Bridgelux EB gen 2 strips for about $300 each..

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600w for $300 each? where are you getting your materials from?

augusto1 said:

what would be the different?


600w for $300 each? where are you getting your materials from?

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You don't need much for strips. 25 of the 50W Samsung F strips is $269 from Digikey and will make two 600W fixtures. Six Meanwell HLG-185H drivers is another $330. Frame them together with aluminum angle for 20 bucks each. No heat sinks are even needed.

augusto1 said:

would be the different?

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same tech pretty much

CobKits said:

same tech pretty much

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Same same, but different.

https://goo.gl/images/H94PXK

(4) QB132 3500k for 133$


https://www.amazon.com/4x-QB132-Quantum-Boards-3500K/dp/B078P4K8J9/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1518304308&sr=8-2&keywords=qb132+quantum+board&dpID=41XjScYoDzL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

What kind of efficiency are you guys getting from the strips?

Is there a difference in flower density and size between strips and cobs?

I intend on doing a build sometime this year lol

On my fucked up grow last time, I got 1.5g/w.

Cold$moke said:

Is there a difference in flower density and size between strips and cobs?

I intend on doing a build sometime this year lol

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If you do strips you'll just have to train and scrog more to get more dense buds

Cold$moke said:

Is there a difference in flower density and size between strips and cobs?

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not when applied correctly. they both hit the same efficiency ranges depending on how you apply them

What's it take to hit 60% efficiency with strips?

Rahz said:

What's it take to hit 60% efficiency with strips?

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Efficiency over practicality?

Most home growers are working with limited space...

Strips....

projectinfo said:

If you do strips you'll just have to train and scrog more to get more dense buds

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I posted some images disproving the "intensity = penetration myth".

Rahz said:

What's it take to hit 60% efficiency with strips?

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It would be whatever current is required for LM561C S6 diode - that's what the F series strips use. The rated current for the strips is 124 mA per diode.

CobKits said:

not when applied correctly. they both hit the sane efficiency ranges depending on how you apply them

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Would you say that cobs have better penetration if headroom where not an issue?