1440 Watt HLG Quantum Board build QB288s & QB96 Elites w/pics... Couple of questions

Jesusgrowsmygrass

Well-Known Member
Hello fellow growers, I have made my Horticulture Lighting Group DIY quantum board build functional. I have built 2 lights with 2 QB288 V2 3000k plus an QB96 Elite V2 in the middle and 2 lights with QB96 Elite V2s with a QB288 V2 3000k in the middle, and the fixture (from the edges of the QBs) is 28". These lights are connected with a 2 channel 25ft umbilical cord to two HLG-480s and two hlg-240s remote mounted drivers. Each light hangs over a 27gal sip with a scrog that is 24"x36". I like the look of the light but I was wondering about PAR mapping, my cheap ass hasn't broken down to buy the apogee light meter yet so I do not have a scientific way to read it.

First question:
In my light configuration, would I be wrong to assume that the elites will need more power to equal the output of the qb288s? My logic is that the 288 diodes vs the 96 will be more efficient, and if so how much (hopefully a constant percentage!). I never really plan on driving these lights beyond 800 watts or so, currently vegging at minimum wattage which is 50 watts a board for a 150 watts a fixture.

Second question:
What are people using for connectors on their lights? I want something that I can easily unplug at the light, preferably with 4-5 conductors (each light is two channels), water proof, safe, looks good, etc... Maybe something that has a flush mount to attach to aluminum angle. I am almost thinking about using these individual plugs ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BSBCYG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3GFUH7ZU5Y8HZ&psc=1 ) because they would work and I could color code them but they are clumsy, fugly and not slick.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
 

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2com

Well-Known Member
Hello fellow growers, I have made my Horticulture Lighting Group DIY quantum board build functional. I have built 2 lights with 2 QB288 V2 3000k plus an QB96 Elite V2 in the middle and 2 lights with QB96 Elite V2s with a QB288 V2 3000k in the middle, and the fixture (from the edges of the QBs) is 28". These lights are connected with a 2 channel 25ft umbilical cord to two HLG-480s and two hlg-240s remote mounted drivers. Each light hangs over a 27gal sip with a scrog that is 24"x36". I like the look of the light but I was wondering about PAR mapping, my cheap ass hasn't broken down to buy the apogee light meter yet so I do not have a scientific way to read it.

https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/blogs/calculators
Go to the second one; converting Lux to PPFD (I made a chart from this info that's easy to use at a glance. And I can just go by common Lux measurements to get common PPFD equivalents in "100" increments)


First question:
In my light configuration, would I be wrong to assume that the elites will need more power to equal the output of the qb288s? My logic is that the 288 diodes vs the 96 will be more efficient, and if so how much (hopefully a constant percentage!). I never really plan on driving these lights beyond 800 watts or so, currently vegging at minimum wattage which is 50 watts a board for a 150 watts a fixture.


Second question:
What are people using for connectors on their lights? I want something that I can easily unplug at the light, preferably with 4-5 conductors (each light is two channels), water proof, safe, looks good, etc... Maybe something that has a flush mount to attach to aluminum angle. I am almost thinking about using these individual plugs ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BSBCYG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3GFUH7ZU5Y8HZ&psc=1 ) because they would work and I could color code them but they are clumsy, fugly and not slick.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

I spent so much time looking for the perfect connector(s) for this exact reason. I wasted money too.
These look great for the DC side (unfortunately I don't have them, haven't used them - yet):
https://www.neutrik.com/en/neutrik/products/powercon/powercon-true1
They come in a "panel mount" style too, if you want. They're on mouser.com and amazon.com, and aliexpress.com has some (duno if "neutrik" brand). aliexpress.com has all kinds of these style of connectors, water proof or not, 2pin, 3pin, 4-5-6pin, etc.
Edit: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32760601573.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.13a82ed2jxd3lv&algo_pvid=32eae7e4-3868-41ee-a0d4-1448659a2eb3&algo_expid=32eae7e4-3868-41ee-a0d4-1448659a2eb3-15&btsid=d9df42e0-cddc-44f1-9c08-660b4534e594&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_6,searchweb201603_53
You choose style, and number of pins. There's lots of listing/products like this on aliexpress.


Then there's these style for the AC side - and you can get them in a style that "quick disconnects" at the middle but has waterproofing and a threaded locking ring. I can't look for the exact listing right now, but the issue I had was the cable glands are too big for the actual cable/cord you'll be using (most likely), and the diameter was listed incorrectly in the description.
https://www.amazon.com/Junction-Connector-Waterproof-Power-Cable/dp/B07SD6GKHM/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=waterproof+junction+connector&qid=1566519633&s=gateway&sr=8-2
Replies above.
I hope some of that helps.
Peace.
Edit: Added a couple links.
 
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