Budget 3x3 quantum build 8 qb288 and HLG-240h-48A Under $175

Building a low budget light that can grow with my needs. My main goal is an even 500+ par across a 3x3 tent. Also wanted it as cheap and as efficient as possible. I came across a deal on some qb288 boards for $13 each shipped to my door. The boards are 3000k with 660 epistar reds. The leds are LM281B+. After some testing the boards produce about 5% less par than my lm301b chips at a fraction of the cost. I have $110 in 8 boards and $55 in the driver. I have some scrap 18g aluminum diamond plate for a heat sink. Going to do some testing with different layouts on a piece of scrap plywood. Need to find the most even layout before attaching them to the aluminum. Here are a couple possible layouts. Also considering adding some supplemental lights. Any suggestions?

First or third layout looks best to me.

3rd

3rd

vote for 3 too, but wasnt the question which supplements? maybe far red for EOD.

Two questions. Which pattern will produce the most even spread? I will get the answer by testing the patterns individually. Does anyone have any suggestions for supplemental lights? The boards are 3000k with 660 Far Red. They will be used full cycle. I am sure they will be fine on there own. I would like to hear personal experience on major improvements by adding specific lights.

your boards have more deep red as it is 660nm, quite a difference.
Far red, 730nm do help with the flowering time i would say and is cheap as beans.

That's a LOT of light for vs 3x3

Heck I use two 288s in my 2x4 veg tent and they are fantastic

I have 6 of the 132bds in my 4x4, gunna add two more, but they work fantastic on a 3'x3' frame

BobThe420Builder said:

That's a LOT of light for vs 3x3

Heck I use two 288s in my 2x4 veg tent and they are fantastic

I have 6 of the 132bds in my 4x4, gunna add two more, but they work fantastic on a 3'x3' frame

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It depends on the driver and how much power he feeds them.

Sure, but , lots of watts waisted, could do 2 3*3 spaces with that

BobThe420Builder said:

Sure, but , lots of watts waisted, could do 2 3*3 spaces with that

Click to expand...

How are watts wasted if he runs it with a 240w driver in a 3x3?

BobThe420Builder said:

Sure, but , lots of watts waisted, could do 2 3*3 spaces with that

Click to expand...

the opposite happens, he SAVES and dont WASTE.

Those bds are 130w ea

But that's coooool

Just saying he could do as well with less
But he will be able to grow closer to them with less watts pumping out

BobThe420Builder said:

That's a LOT of light for vs 3x3

Heck I use two 288s in my 2x4 veg tent and they are fantastic

I have 6 of the 132bds in my 4x4, gunna add two more, but they work fantastic on a 3'x3' frame

Click to expand...

I have considered just using 6 boards running from my HLG-240h-48 but I am not sure if I will get as even of a spread. Testing will tell. I could push 700w through 6 boards to max them out but they would run hot and inefficient. They would flower a 5x5 decently. I am trying for low cost and highest efficiency on this build.

Those bds have a large spread at 18-24" height
Why I do do well with two in my 2x4 veg tent

Like I mentioned

With less watts you can run them closer to the plants like my 132bds. I get those 6-8" at times

BobThe420Builder said:

Those bds are 130w ea

But that's coooool

Just saying he could do as well with less
But he will be able to grow closer to them with less watts pumping out

Click to expand...

he dont drive them with 130W each, he will drive them soft and will enjoy the efficiency gain and better spread.
as you say, grow closer with less watts pumping out.

BobThe420Builder said:

Those bds have a large spread at 18-24" height
Why I do do well with two in my 2x4 veg tent

Click to expand...

I started with 2 qb288 in my 2x4 but had hot spots. Have since switched to strips in my 2x4. I like being able to run the leds close for efficiency. My 2x4 uses water cooled lights and I keep the temperature between 65 and 70 to grow lettuce.