DIY with Quantum Boards

pop22

Well-Known Member
its vey likely your watt meter is inaccurate. This driver has over current protection that kicks in at 108% of maximum, which means the driver has a max potential of 201.2 watts before the current limiter kicks in.


I was thinking of order just 1. However I suppose I could use my multimeter. I rechecked the different my drivers on that AC meter and showing as follows.

1 185h 54a powering 2 QB96e pot maxed was255 watts 120.6 volts 2.11 amps
1 185h 54a powering 2 QB288 v1 pot maxed was 256 watts 120.4 volts 2.11 amps
1 240h c2100a powering 2 QB288 v1 pot maxed was 297 watts 120.4 volts 2.48 amps

Using generic "Kuman" ( cheap ) wall meter.
I did discover the 20 amp circuit I installed w 8 gauge wire runs 120.9 v and the preinstalled 15 amp circuit with 12 gauge runs at 116.6 v.

I measured voltage drop when install the 20 amp, and the bigger wire is under 3% and smaller one was just over 5%
 

2com

Well-Known Member
its vey likely your watt meter is inaccurate. This driver has over current protection that kicks in at 108% of maximum, which means the driver has a max potential of 201.2 watts before the current limiter kicks in.
You know, I was hoping someone more confident/sure would chime in. You said what I was questioning, and trying to say. Essentially, that this didn't add up. How/why would a 185w driver be putting out the same power as a 240w driver, even considering an 8-10% over boost over rated.

Wasn't sure if it'd be the watt meter itself (is that a cheap kill-o-watt or something?), or just some odd function it's doing...like applying or not applying power factor or something like that.

Thanks pop22
 

2com

Well-Known Member
Thanks for chiming in. LM301H from what I understand is an updated LM301B that is supposed to be slightly more efficient, but from what I gather they are both great diodes.

I have been looking at those Rspec QB96 builds. They are awesome but I am still questioning if the 660nm chips are worth it VS a board with only Samsung LM301B or H diodes.That being said If I'm not mistaken all the Rspec boards come with 3500K diodes and then 660nm diodes to balance it out. Now that makes me question if a 3000K board is comparable to a 3500K board with 660nm mixed in. I suppose the latter would have more red and blue like you stated instead of more red and less blue but I wonder how much or what kind of difference it makes.
Did you decide on anything yet dude?
 

Hero420

Member
Did you decide on anything yet dude?
I did! I came to the conclusion that I would go with straight up 3000K LM301H diodes and just see how that works out for me. Seems like it still has plenty of blue in the spectrum anyway.

Although I have heard 3500K works fine all around I'd rather be sure with 3000K. The trend with 3500K seems to be that with a mix of red diodes but I ended up thinking I'd really like to see how it goes with just white samsung diodes.
 

daveybc

Well-Known Member
@2com @pop22 Pull out the old multi meter and indeed the DC watts to the boards would be lower. About 30 watts lower on average. Measured 259. watts on the 240 c2100 and 228-229 watts for the 185 54a. I am not sure i am calculating the 185 correctly ( parallel ). I am pretty much doing it the same way with the multimeter, point + to point - while load is "on" gives me volts and running the + through my meter for amps. According to the spec sheet this 185 driver should not run this high.

Calculation was 107.2 V x 2.42 A = 259.43 watts for the 2 qb288 3000k v1 240 c2100 series

53.1 V x 4.3 A = 228 watts for 2 qb288 2700k v1 185h 54a parallel

52.97 V x 4.34 A = 229 watts for the 2 qb96e v2 in parallel.





 
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daveybc

Well-Known Member
@2com base of qb96e v2 is 4000k. Nice blue spike.. I am using the 96e's on veg opposed to the qb288's. As well with a sunblaster 24" veg tube (plants are young).
 
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Nizza

Well-Known Member
I need some help deciding how high to Hang my lights in my 5x5 I feel they are too high but scared to bleach them

Any recommendations I’d appreciate! All the info is on my newest update
 

HolyAngel

Well-Known Member
I need some help deciding how high to Hang my lights in my 5x5 I feel they are too high but scared to bleach them

Any recommendations I’d appreciate! All the info is on my newest update
If you have HLG QB's, just get a lux app on your phone to see how much lux you get at plant height, then go here and divide your lux by the number they give you for the boards you're using, that'll give you a rough estimate of ppfd.
They have a list of recommended ppfd levels on that link too.
I just hung my boards at the top of the tent and lowered the wattage on the driver until I hit the ppfd level I wanted and then slowly increase over time from there.
 

pop22

Well-Known Member
I've run 3000k, 3500k, and 4000k. both the 3500k and the 4000k produced more bud than the 3000k! Not by a lot but measurable on the average. I actually like the 4000k boards best but most of my boards are 3500k and run start to finish.

Thanks for chiming in. LM301H from what I understand is an updated LM301B that is supposed to be slightly more efficient, but from what I gather they are both great diodes.

I have been looking at those Rspec QB96 builds. They are awesome but I am still questioning if the 660nm chips are worth it VS a board with only Samsung LM301B or H diodes.That being said If I'm not mistaken all the Rspec boards come with 3500K diodes and then 660nm diodes to balance it out. Now that makes me question if a 3000K board is comparable to a 3500K board with 660nm mixed in. I suppose the latter would have more red and blue like you stated instead of more red and less blue but I wonder how much or what kind of difference it makes.
 

pop22

Well-Known Member
Did you account for driver and wiring losses? you need to subtract those to know what your boards actually are drawing. Wiring just figure about 2 watts. Driver loss is about 5% of the total.

still seems high for the 185HI'll check mine, I have three of them running

Also, voltage seems pretty high, here are the ( I assume average ) specs for a V1 @ 2100ma

QB288V1.png

Have you made adjustments to the voltage? ( the Vo adjuster )

Lastly, did you check the voltage at your AC outlet? V should be 115V, not 120V.

@2com @pop22 Pull out the old multi meter and indeed the DC watts to the boards would be lower. About 30 watts lower on average. Measured 259. watts on the 240 c2100 and 228-229 watts for the 185 54a. I am not sure i am calculating the 185 correctly ( parallel ). I am pretty much doing it the same way with the multimeter, point + to point - while load is "on" gives me volts and running the + through my meter for amps. According to the spec sheet this 185 driver should not run this high.

Calculation was 107.2 V x 2.42 A = 259.43 watts for the 2 qb288 3000k v1 240 c2100 series

53.1 V x 4.3 A = 228 watts for 2 qb288 2700k v1 185h 54a parallel

52.97 V x 4.34 A = 229 watts for the 2 qb96e v2 in parallel.
 

Hero420

Member
I've run 3000k, 3500k, and 4000k. both the 3500k and the 4000k produced more bud than the 3000k! Not by a lot but measurable on the average. I actually like the 4000k boards best but most of my boards are 3500k and run start to finish.
It is cool see you have messed with all of those Kelvin ratings! Were there any other differences you noted between the three like internode length, density, and resin production? If i might ask why do you like 4000K boards best? Thank you for your thoughts.
 

Frank Nitty

Well-Known Member
Things aren't going the way that I expected so I'm going to buy some boards and drivers and build my own... My girl wants me to hurry up and get my shit together so I can get out of her way!!!
 

Frank Nitty

Well-Known Member
I need some help deciding how high to Hang my lights in my 5x5 I feel they are too high but scared to bleach them

Any recommendations I’d appreciate! All the info is on my newest update
How tall are the plants???
 

Frank Nitty

Well-Known Member
I'm looking at these 4 packs of qb132s and HLG says they don't need heatsinks... What am I supposed to do with them then??? I'm not trying to send any money overseas... I'm at the end of my rope!!! I can't stand having an empty tent looking me in the face...
 
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