Quantum Veg Light Build (check my work)

Thinking about putting together a dedicated Veg light. Looking to veg a couple of plants, or maybe start 5-6 clones in a 2'x2'.

Board:
6500k 96 diode Lm301b Quantum board 85w (24v x 3.5A) from that dude on ebay (3500k also available, but no 4 or 5K)

Driver:
Mean Well LPV-60-24 (I feel like 60w is more than enough for my needs)

or

Mean Well HLG-80H-24A (major advantage here is dimmability, but I really don't planning on driving it all the way up to 80 or 85w... it's about $20 more than the other option).

Mount/Heatsink:
Hacked/repurposed T-12 Fluorescent shop light housing (the cheap white painted steel kind)... will that be enough of a heatsink?


I was thinking about buying the QB96 40w 5000k kit from HLG (https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/kits/products/hlg-40), but it's $80 plus shipping, and nothing to mount it on or use to stiffen it up.

But, since all I need to buy is the board and the driver (I have everything else I need on hand), I could be all in for only about $43 on the build as listed above, which would pull 60w rather than the 40w from the HLG kit.

Or I could build an under driven 5000k QB288 v1 for maybe twice that with an LPV-60-48, if I make a salvaged/scavenged heatsink/mount.

The other thing to consider, I suppose, is that HLG says on their website that "We recommend 4000K and 5000K for greens and clones. We do not recommend using 6500K LED." Wondering what the thoughts are on that.

Lots of moving parts... remember when it was just MH for veg and HPS for flower, that was simple.

Sorry, lots of words.

I think I've talked myself out of the 96 and into a 288 v1, I'll just drink cheap beer for a couple of weeks. I'll pop a 100 or 120w driver on it.

ReubenIsMyDog said:

I think I've talked myself out of the 96 and into a 288 v1, I'll just drink cheap beer for a couple of weeks. I'll pop a 100 or 120w driver on it.

Click to expand...

v1 288 board in 5k for $47.
Get it while its there and run it soft.

Yeah, I just ordered one. Even splurged and got it with the heatsink.

Using it as I plan, a scavenged/jury-rigged heatsink would have probably done the job. But with a proper heatsink I could use it to add extra power to my flower setup if my situation changes. Even with the heatsink and a 100 or 120 watt dimmable driver (I'll keep my eyes open for bargains on those) I should still be able to come in at about $115 or so, and have a ton more versatility.