COBs, Strips & Boards.......oh my!

Continuum

Active Member
I was an inside guy for 17 years.....Generally used 2-1000w HIDs on a 'Sun Circle' over 8x8 areas. I've since taken 10 years off. Now, I'd like to do a hobby grow (4x4) with modern lighting. It seems like quantum boards might offer the most bang for the buck. The HLG QB132s caught my eye. What would y'all recommend?
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
I was an inside guy for 17 years.....Generally used 2-1000w HIDs on a 'Sun Circle' over 8x8 areas. I've since taken 10 years off. Now, I'd like to do a hobby grow (4x4) with modern lighting. It seems like quantum boards might offer the most bang for the buck. The HLG QB132s caught my eye. What would y'all recommend?
8 QB 120/132 =$240

1 LRS-150& 2 LRS200 drivers. 3 qbs on 200 2 on the 150. $19X3 =$60

Some wagos angle aluminum, wire, and bolts and nuts/rivets. =$40.
$340 total.

Or you can use strips and save a bit of money. Build 2/3 fixtures for a 4X4.
 

Humple

Well-Known Member
Right now I'd suggest v1 QB288s from HLG.


The sale is too good to pass up for boards like the QB120/QB132. Don't get me wrong, they're great boards (I primarily use 120s myself), and they can certainly make for an easier build (no heatsink), but the 288s have more headroom and at that price, why not? You could do anything from keeping it cheap and simple with 4 boards and an HLG-480 driver (they really put out more than 480 watts) to going for more spread and efficiency, with 6 boards and either a couple of 320 drivers or a single 600 (slightly more expensive than two 320s, but then you only have one driver to wire). Or cover the whole damn ceiling with them and mix and match drivers to hit your target power.

Personally, for a 4x4, I'd probably go with two 3-board 288 builds, each powered by an HLG-320H-54A. That provides the flexibility to adjust one side for unpredictable canopies, and having a second fixture in play is a nice redundancy if one fails (highly unlikely).
 

Continuum

Active Member
Right now I'd suggest v1 QB288s from HLG.


Personally, for a 4x4, I'd probably go with two 3-board 288 builds, each powered by an HLG-320H-54A. That provides the flexibility to adjust one side for unpredictable canopies, and having a second fixture in play is a nice redundancy if one fails (highly unlikely).
Thanks. I like the 2 fixture idea. The qb288s also do not require heat sinks?
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Right now I'd suggest v1 QB288s from HLG.


The sale is too good to pass up for boards like the QB120/QB132. Don't get me wrong, they're great boards (I primarily use 120s myself), and they can certainly make for an easier build (no heatsink), but the 288s have more headroom and at that price, why not? You could do anything from keeping it cheap and simple with 4 boards and an HLG-480 driver (they really put out more than 480 watts) to going for more spread and efficiency, with 6 boards and either a couple of 320 drivers or a single 600 (slightly more expensive than two 320s, but then you only have one driver to wire). Or cover the whole damn ceiling with them and mix and match drivers to hit your target power.

Personally, for a 4x4, I'd probably go with two 3-board 288 builds, each powered by an HLG-320H-54A. That provides the flexibility to adjust one side for unpredictable canopies, and having a second fixture in play is a nice redundancy if one fails (highly unlikely).
Was gonna say same, but heatsinks
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
But they're right. 4 288's, and they're heatsinks=240/260 one HLG-600/480-48 $80-130
And the $40 misc for the build, it will be about $350-400 too
 
Last edited:

Humple

Well-Known Member
Thanks. I like the 2 fixture idea. The qb288s also do not require heat sinks?
The word around here is that Stephen from HLG says you shouldn't run them over 50 watts without a heatsink. But as you've said in a subsequent post, you can use sheet aluminium. Or, as Airwalker pointed out, four sinks from HLG will cost you $120 (not sure if he factored in the 10% forum discount).
 

Chip Green

Well-Known Member
If one has, or can get aluminum sheet, at a discount, or free, then yes...it's not as cheap as one would think.
There is permanent value, in pre drilled, spec matching, actual heatsinks.
The do not depreciate.
 

Continuum

Active Member
If one has, or can get aluminum sheet, at a discount, or free, then yes...it's not as cheap as one would think.
There is permanent value, in pre drilled, spec matching, actual heatsinks.
The do not depreciate.
Until a time when technology gives us 'light w/out heat'. I'm sure it's coming.
 

Powertech

Well-Known Member
You should go check out Cutter. They are out of Australia, but I am in California and absolutely love their options. I specifically bought strips from them, and they can even custom make some things. Customer service has been top notch as well. Still waiting for somebody to show me somewhere better for what they offer, nobody has, and I better invest in Snickers cuz its gonna be awhile
 
Top