DIY with Quantum Boards

ChiefRunningPhist said:

Drivers I looked at for effeciency..

LRS 75 36 - 91.5%...
View attachment 4301806

LPF 90 36 - 91.0%...
View attachment 4301811

HLG 80h 36 - 91.0%..
View attachment 4301813

HLG 60h 36 - 90.0%...
View attachment 4301812

LPF 60 36 - 90.0%...
View attachment 4301810

ELG 75 36 - 89.0%...
View attachment 4301807

LPV 75 36 - 86.0%...
View attachment 4301809

LPV 60 36 - 86.0%...
View attachment 4301808

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So when I look at the data sheet at a LPF 75 36 it shows 91.5 % efficiency but a draw of 1.4 A at 115 VAC.

I look at the HLG 80H 36 data sheet which is 91% efficiency and the draw is .85A at 115 VAC.

Why would the LPF 75 36 be more efficient when its pulling .55 amp more and is 5 watts lower..

When I was buying my drivers I was looking at the amp draw and watts rather more than the efficiency.

I was pretty curious why the the hlg 240h 54a data sheet showed 4 amps at 115VAC and the hlg 185h 54a data sheet showed 2.1 amps at 115VAC.

When I maxed out my hlg185h 54a on 1 qb96 elite, the device was measuring in the 280-290W zone at the wall. Perhaps the measurement from the driver to board would show different. I am thinking the hlg 240 54a per elite would be overkill in a tent.

I am currently running each elite at 140W at the wall on the hlg 185 54a and they are just warm ( perfect ).

The HLG 240H C2100a with 2 QB in series can get really hot. My meter showed about 285-290W at the wall maxed, and you couldn't hold onto the drivers longer than 5-10 sec. I am sure they could burn some hands. I ran a fan on the drivers when I had them maxed. I have since turned these drivers down.

Has anyone else noticed the HLG 240H C2100a can get really hot on 2 QB288 3000k V1 when maxed out? The data sheet shows there good to 90 C and they will shut down if overheated. Another reason the HLG drivers are a good bet.

Actually, according to the data sheet, the 480H can provide up to 229 volts in series.In parallel he would only be drawing voltage of about 50V. its the amperage that will be divided between the boards, so he'd only be running at about 25 watts per board

Airwalker16 said:

Those boards are either 48-54V and that driver needs somewhere prob between 150-300 so you wouldn't have enough voltage wiring them in parallel like that.

Click to expand...

You can but that's not how you want to wire these boards, they need to be in series not parallel. you would wire them from positive of the driver to the positive of the first board, then wire from the negative out to the positive of the next board, etc. From the last board you wire from the negative post to the negative of the driver. HLG provides wiring diagrams, it would pay to take a look.

nobighurry said:

building a QB 550 is there an advantage to Pig tailing all the positive from my 4 QB 288 boards to driver positive out put and all negative to negative on meanwell 480H c2100A driver vs typicalboard wiring? Was told it evens all the voltage to the boards?

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I'm running 4, QB304 V1 on one in parallel,yep it gets hot! On the other hand, its been running non stop for over a year.

daveybc said:

When I was buying my drivers I was looking at the amp draw and watts rather more than the efficiency.

I was pretty curious why the the hlg 240h 54a data sheet showed 4 amps at 115VAC and the hlg 185h 54a data sheet showed 2.1 amps at 115VAC.

When I maxed out my hlg185h 54a on 1 qb96 elite, the device was measuring in the 280-290W zone at the wall. Perhaps the measurement from the driver to board would show different. I am thinking the hlg 240 54a per elite would be overkill in a tent.

I am currently running each elite at 140W at the wall on the hlg 185 54a and they are just warm ( perfect ).

The HLG 240H C2100a with 2 QB in series can get really hot. My meter showed about 285-290W at the wall maxed, and you couldn't hold onto the drivers longer than 5-10 sec. I am sure they could burn some hands. I ran a fan on the drivers when I had them maxed. I have since turned these drivers down.

Has anyone else noticed the HLG 240H C2100a can get really hot on 2 QB288 3000k V1 when maxed out? The data sheet shows there good to 90 C and they will shut down if overheated. Another reason the HLG drivers are a good bet.

Click to expand...

Something's not right. An HLG185H-54 should not bet putting out much more than maybe 210 watts max. Maybe it was mislabeled.

daveybc said:

When I was buying my drivers I was looking at the amp draw and watts rather more than the efficiency.

I was pretty curious why the the hlg 240h 54a data sheet showed 4 amps at 115VAC and the hlg 185h 54a data sheet showed 2.1 amps at 115VAC.

When I maxed out my hlg185h 54a on 1 qb96 elite, the device was measuring in the 280-290W zone at the wall. Perhaps the measurement from the driver to board would show different. I am thinking the hlg 240 54a per elite would be overkill in a tent.

I am currently running each elite at 140W at the wall on the hlg 185 54a and they are just warm ( perfect ).

The HLG 240H C2100a with 2 QB in series can get really hot. My meter showed about 285-290W at the wall maxed, and you couldn't hold onto the drivers longer than 5-10 sec. I am sure they could burn some hands. I ran a fan on the drivers when I had them maxed. I have since turned these drivers down.

Has anyone else noticed the HLG 240H C2100a can get really hot on 2 QB288 3000k V1 when maxed out? The data sheet shows there good to 90 C and they will shut down if overheated. Another reason the HLG drivers are a good bet.

Click to expand...

pop22 said:

Something's not right. An HLG185H-54 should not bet putting out much more than maybe 210 watts max. Maybe it was mislabeled.

Click to expand...

If its still the same size as a 185, mislabeling wouldn't do much.

A couple QB/Megacrop buds. Yep there's a touch of PH shift seen on the Short Stuff Amnesia CBD but it was minor.

and these are only at 67 days!

SS amnesia CBD



Blue Dragon

The Blue Dragon is in only a 2 gallon pot, that cola is as big as my fists, one on top of the other! And she's not done yet! Not bad for a measly 240 watts of light in a 4'x4' tent!

interesting. I thought maybe it was a HLG240-54 mis-labeled, that wattage sounds about right for one. Have you checked to output voltage and amperage?

Airwalker16 said:

If its still the same size as a 185, mislabeling wouldn't do much.

Click to expand...

pop22 said:

The Blue Dragon is in only a 2 gallon pot, that cola is as big as my fists, one on top of the other! And she's not done yet! Not bad for a measly 240 watts of light in a 4'x4' tent!

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Hey Pop, I am finding that less is better sometimes with light intensity. I’m covering a 4x7 space in a 10x10 room. I had (5) 320w xl qb’s from hlg. at 700 watts total. I played around for a whole grow and everything still looked a little crisp at the end. Now I’m on my second round using 4 fixtures at 600 watts total. They still seem they’d like less light. It’s not heat, but intensity. I guess it is. When I see that 32 watt per sq ft thing. I just know I’m missing something. But 600 watts still seems to much. I’m a couple feet above my plants, but the tops are dryer than what’s below. Undergrowth is a nice green, and growing. Tops are growing, but not so much. They’ve faded out some too, but not curling that much. If any. What you think Pop? By the way, you said not to worry about heat output, back when I was changing over to led. You were right! Lol. What heat? These led’s, run super cool. I just wish I could get it out of my head that I’m running to little wattage. Am I way over on my wattage still? I know some may say that I need more. But I can’t turn’em up higher. Or I’ll cook everything.

I definitely have noticed that you grow with less watts than most anyone I’ve seen. So I am probably still way high at 600, if compared to you. Your plants look great by the way. Much respect. I would greatly appreciate any advice on this. Thank you sir.

I think its just the Ganja gods smiling on me....lol! I'm sure we'll see when I weigh the harvest. But I'm impressed by this low wattage grow. I think the size of the plants matters along with everything else. Both these strains stayed at less than 3ft. That, along with some moderate defoliation and a little lollippoping has given me good buds all the way down. there may be some popcorn hiding in there, but not much I'd say. If you think its stlll too much raise the light a couple inches, it doesn't take much to get the max without cooking your buds. There is a narrow zone that's the sweet spot. and remember, the lower the power level, the closer you can run the light to your plants. Try it, you might be pleased with the results.

I used this 240 watt driver because my 320 had failed. i started the grow figuring it was good enough for veg. Then i decided, what the hell lol! It wasn't by design! Every time I open the tent and looked, i'm just floored by how nice the buds are on these plants. Some of its the Megacrop for sure. 550 ppms @ PH 6.5 is what I've run the whole grow.

I do believe however, I can do a bit better with more light and the right strains. I'm running medium size autos right now. I'd bet a photo period scrogged properly under this light could hit 2/gpw. imagine growing a pound with just 240 watts! Of course everything would have to be just about perfect, start to finish, but i suspect it could be done.

I'm going to keep my per tent wattage to a max of 360 per tent for a while and work within those boundaries to see how well I can do over time. I'm a chronic experimenter lol, so this could keep me occupied for some time!

My theory is the quality of the light is so good, compared to burple and HPS, that less than suggested is needed. I know another grower who got amazing yields when he lowered the power to his light!, his yield went up and his problems went down, go figure.
so he kind of inspired me to see how it would turn out. I don't believe I'll get bragging rights but I'm sure I'll do better then 1/gpw, hoping for 1.5. Not out standing but, I use NO products like "bud enhancers" etc that contain growth hormones, This grow is as simple as you can get. Auto pots feeding the plants at a consistent PMM and PH, Megacrop 2.0, good lighting, and little fussing.

Little Dog said:

Hey Pop, I am finding that less is better sometimes with light intensity. I’m covering a 4x7 space in a 10x10 room. I had (5) 320w xl qb’s from hlg. at 700 watts total. I played around for a whole grow and everything still looked a little crisp at the end. Now I’m on my second round using 4 fixtures at 600 watts total. They still seem they’d like less light. It’s not heat, but intensity. I guess it is. When I see that 32 watt per sq ft thing. I just know I’m missing something. But 600 watts still seems to much. I’m a couple feet above my plants, but the tops are dryer than what’s below. Undergrowth is a nice green, and growing. Tops are growing, but not so much. They’ve faded out some too, but not curling that much. If any. What you think Pop? By the way, you said not to worry about heat output, back when I was changing over to led. You were right! Lol. What heat? These led’s, run super cool. I just wish I could get it out of my head that I’m running to little wattage. Am I way over on my wattage still? I know some may say that I need more. But I can’t turn’em up higher. Or I’ll cook everything.

I definitely have noticed that you grow with less watts than most anyone I’ve seen. So I am probably still way high at 600, if compared to you. Your plants look great by the way. Much respect. I would greatly appreciate any advice on this. Thank you sir.

Click to expand...

pop22 said:

I think its just the Ganja gods smiling on me....lol! I'm sure we'll see when I weigh the harvest. But I'm impressed by this low wattage grow. I think the size of the plants matters along with everything else. Both these strains stayed at less than 3ft. That, along with some moderate defoliation and a little lollippoping has given me good buds all the way down. there may be some popcorn hiding in there, but not much I'd say. If you think its stlll too much raise the light a couple inches, it doesn't take much to get the max without cooking your buds. There is a narrow zone that's the sweet spot. and remember, the lower the power level, the closer you can run the light to your plants. Try it, you might be pleased with the results.

I used this 240 watt driver because my 320 had failed. i started the grow figuring it was good enough for veg. Then i decided, what the hell lol! It wasn't by design! Every time I open the tent and looked, i'm just floored by how nice the buds are on these plants. Some of its the Megacrop for sure. 550 ppms @ PH 6.5 is what I've run the whole grow.

I do believe however, I can do a bit better with more light and the right strains. I'm running medium size autos right now. I'd bet a photo period scrogged properly under this light could hit 2/gpw. imagine growing a pound with just 240 watts! Of course everything would have to be just about perfect, start to finish, but i suspect it could be done.

I'm going to keep my per tent wattage to a max of 360 per tent for a while and work within those boundaries to see how well I can do over time. I'm a chronic experimenter lol, so this could keep me occupied for some time!

My theory is the quality of the light is so good, compared to burple and HPS, that less than suggested is needed. I know another grower who got amazing yields when he lowered the power to his light!, his yield went up and his problems went down, go figure.
so he kind of inspired me to see how it would turn out. I don't believe I'll get bragging rights but I'm sure I'll do better then 1/gpw, hoping for 1.5. Not out standing but, I use NO products like "bud enhancers" etc that contain growth hormones, This grow is as simple as you can get. Auto pots feeding the plants at a consistent PMM and PH, Megacrop 2.0, good lighting, and little fussing.

Click to expand...

Man I appreciate the reply. Most everything you just said I have been thinking in all honesty. I just needed some reinforcement in thought. The lower I have gone in wattage the better everything looked. I’m still experimenting, but I’m gonna go a little lower bit by bit. Just play it by ear a little. Thanks again Pop, I feel renewed. Lol. Man, that MegaCrop is hard to beat. That’s for sure. Appreciate you Pop, thanks.

pop22 said:

You can but that's not how you want to wire these boards, they need to be in series not parallel. you would wire them from positive of the driver to the positive of the first board, then wire from the negative out to the positive of the next board, etc. From the last board you wire from the negative post to the negative of the driver. HLG provides wiring diagrams, it would pay to take a look.

Click to expand...

Alrighty thank you, only my 4th QB build and all previous were only single an double boards, wanted to double check the info someone else had given me, gotta love the internet lol... I will stick to hlgs videos, thanks guys...

QBs at work

Little Dog said:

Hey Pop, I am finding that less is better sometimes with light intensity. I’m covering a 4x7 space in a 10x10 room. I had (5) 320w xl qb’s from hlg. at 700 watts total. I played around for a whole grow and everything still looked a little crisp at the end. Now I’m on my second round using 4 fixtures at 600 watts total. They still seem they’d like less light. It’s not heat, but intensity. I guess it is. When I see that 32 watt per sq ft thing. I just know I’m missing something. But 600 watts still seems to much. I’m a couple feet above my plants, but the tops are dryer than what’s below. Undergrowth is a nice green, and growing. Tops are growing, but not so much. They’ve faded out some too, but not curling that much. If any. What you think Pop? By the way, you said not to worry about heat output, back when I was changing over to led. You were right! Lol. What heat? These led’s, run super cool. I just wish I could get it out of my head that I’m running to little wattage. Am I way over on my wattage still? I know some may say that I need more. But I can’t turn’em up higher. Or I’ll cook everything.

I definitely have noticed that you grow with less watts than most anyone I’ve seen. So I am probably still way high at 600, if compared to you. Your plants look great by the way. Much respect. I would greatly appreciate any advice on this. Thank you sir.

Click to expand...

Instead of fixing your light rig to one wattage try increasing it throughout the grow. Start low and increase when you think the plants can handle it. If they start to curl or crisp up just back off. Use these drivers as intended and take control of how much intensity you need at each stage of growth. This also will double as savings in electrical consumption: Lower watts at the earlier stages for longer days will pull less kWs than a set up with a fixed wattage.

619kt619 said:

Instead of fixing your light rig to one wattage try increasing it throughout the grow. Start low and increase when you think the plants can handle it. If they start to curl or crisp up just back off. Use these drivers as intended and take control of how much intensity you need at each stage of growth. This also will double as savings in electrical consumption: Lower watts at the earlier stages for longer days will pull less kWs than a set up with a fixed wattage.

Click to expand...

I’m gonna incorporate this info too. Try to fine tune to a point anyway. I definitely see the advantages of led over hps. I’m gonna get there. Might take a minute, but I’ll get there. Thanks for the reply. Lots of good people around here.

Here is what 2 Elites with 2 x hlg185h 54a ( I wire the 2 drivers to a single AC male plug ) with V and IO pots turned all the way up. THe meter shows 552 Watts at 4.5 Amps at the wall ( driver started getting hot ). I can adjust each 96 elite board but I have to disconnect the second light. I am running each 96 Elite at 150 W ( 300W for 2 )and it seems like plenty of light for now, start of 4th week flower.

pop22 said:

Something's not right. An HLG185H-54 should not bet putting out much more than maybe 210 watts max. Maybe it was mislabeled.

Click to expand...

I have citizen 1212 cobs and want to know on today market how good they are compering with other cobs or quantum boards?
Can I get any better in spectrum or anything else with other brands cobs or quantum boards ?