The Chinese Quantum Board Knock Off Builds

[Rocket Soul]

My goto solution for a 4x4 would be 3x Fotop but no heatsinks on a hlg480h-48. No need to for heatsinks up to 200w, especially if you got decent airflow. Without the heatsinks shipping should be cheaper. I think i paid 75 each + about 120 shipping to spain= about 350
You can also get 9-12 304 boards and run them super soft, about 30 w each. I think we paid about 20 per 304 board, lm561c.
When comparing lm561c and 301b fotop we came to the conclusion that the price increase was simply not worth it: 3 boards with lm561c was about the same price as 2 of lm301b and the therewasnt all that much difference in light, board per board.

Also 304 boards are smaller so they allow you to really dial in your spread, but more work connecting and dirver options are a bit trickier.

To me te whole selection process seems to get much easier if you try to:
- Calculate the watts you want, about 35 per square foot.
- you'll need about 1 square foot of board per 50 w in order to run them with no heatsink which to me is very desirable. Less weight, less shipping, and the added value of this approach is that youll end up running your boards super soft.
- with these numbers in mind try to get as many diodes per dollar. Samsung Lm-whatever as the difference isnt that big. You gain more efficiency per $ by using more diodes rather than using top diodes. As long as the diodes are half decent to start with. Calculate how many boards you need to avoid heatsinks and make sure they fit your space.
- get whatever matching drivers.
Your cannopy is likely to be completly covered by boards at much less cost than going qb/lm301b way.

 

[Moflow]

Nice and not very pricey!
The contoller, does "dim" fan or does it turn it on and off?

Both inlet and outlet fans can be run independently from 100% - 25%.
Or you can set both fans to zero.
Also the add heater option is a bonus plus the Co2.

 

[Moflow]

http://www.ecotechnics.co.uk/user guides.htm

This will explain it better than I lol

Also in Spainish

 

[Prawn Connery]

Hi guys,
I'm setting up for a 4x4 and hesitating between 4*288 LM301b (305$) or 2*800 LM561c boards (378$ - both from Meijiu). I've read a lot about LEDs, but still can't make up my mind! Shipping costs slightly more expensive in the case of LM561c boards... Any pointers?

Hey mate, is that US$ or Aussie? Just asking because US$75 per knock-off would be the same as the originals: https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/quantum-boards/products/qb288-v2-quantum-board

 

[Viceman666]

Hey mate, is that US$ or Aussie? Just asking because US$75 per knock-off would be the same as the originals: https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/collections/quantum-boards/products/qb288-v2-quantum-board

They include drivers at that price.. I think they come down to about 25$ For lm561 board and probably a little more for the lm301b probably around 30-40$ but I didnt shop them I just know they are a little more pricey but shouldnt be a big difference.. knockoff are 50% hlg retail price more or less

 

[Rocket Soul]

http://www.ecotechnics.co.uk/user guides.htm

This will explain it better than I lol

Also in Spainish

Ha, im not really Spanish, just live there since many years. If my spelling is bad its cuz im pazy and also allways writing by phone with big stupid thumbs.

What fan do you use and do you get much noise? In a flat myself so have some serious problems building a box that doesnt keep the neighbours awake.

 

[Moflow]

8" and 6" RVK fans at the moment but I've also used 8" Box fans too.
Running them at around 70% outlet 40% inlet.
Big fans running slow will help reduce noise..
One time I wrapped loads of carpet underlay round a fan, seemed to help.
You could build a soundproof box around the fans.
I've seen a few threads on here discussing quiet fans.
I think @coreywebster knows about fans....... Maybe he'll chip in

 

[Rocket Soul]

8" and 6" RVK fans at the moment but I've also used 8" Box fans too.
Running them at around 70% outlet 40% inlet.
Big fans running slow will help reduce noise..
One time I wrapped loads of carpet underlay round a fan, seemed to help.
You could build a soundproof box around the fans.
I've seen a few threads on here discussing quiet fans.
I think @coreywebster knows about fans....... Maybe he'll chip in

Its in no way urgent and getting off topic. Sorry, im a derailer... Thx

 

[platrypus]

To me te whole selection process seems to get much easier if you try to:
- Calculate the watts you want, about 35 per square foot.
- you'll need about 1 square foot of board per 50 w in order to run them with no heatsink which to me is very desirable. Less weight, less shipping, and the added value of this approach is that youll end up running your boards super soft.
- with these numbers in mind try to get as many diodes per dollar. Samsung Lm-whatever as the difference isnt that big. You gain more efficiency per $ by using more diodes rather than using top diodes. As long as the diodes are half decent to start with. Calculate how many boards you need to avoid heatsinks and make sure they fit your space.
- get whatever matching drivers.
Your cannopy is likely to be completly covered by boards at much less cost than going qb/lm301b way.

Thanks a lot for your replies, sums it up nicely! I guess I was a bit edgy about running the boards without heatsink. Doing the maths again

 

[platrypus]

They include drivers at that price.. I think they come down to about 25$ For lm561 board and probably a little more for the lm301b probably around 30-40$ but I didnt shop them I just know they are a little more pricey but shouldnt be a big difference.. knockoff are 50% hlg retail price more or less

USD- yes, everything is included at that price, driver, heatsinks, dimmer...

 

[hybridway2]

Sorry to ask a dumb question n not do the research myself but how much r u guys really saving with the DIY kits or needs assembly kits? Cuz the hlg boards alone r pertty cheep no? From what I gather reading here is u guys get a lighter duty heatsink but have to pay a heavy weight fee for transport? But from hlg you dont pay delivery right? And have an Interstates warranty by someone u know will back it. Pls correct t me if I'm wrong.
Btw, this thread & these knockoffs give me a boner too & the price is sweet. I almost went there myself. But havent even Bothered to compare the total cost for an equal "put together unit myself". That's why I'm asking? Sure u guys wouldnt be doing it unless u were saving close to at least 40% right?
Thnx. I like the fact that I could customize a board with any nm's I want.
Wonder what kindve doides they use for color on a 301 board?..

 

[Viceman666]

Sorry to ask a dumb question n not do the research myself but how much r u guys really saving with the DIY kits or needs assembly kits? Cuz the hlg boards alone r pertty cheep no? From what I gather reading here is u guys get a lighter duty heatsink but have to pay a heavy weight fee for transport? But from hlg you dont pay delivery right? And have an Interstates warranty by someone u know will back it. Pls correct t me if I'm wrong.
Btw, this thread & these knockoffs give me a boner too & the price is sweet. I almost went there myself. But havent even Bothered to compare the total cost for an equal "put together unit myself". That's why I'm asking? Sure u guys wouldnt be doing it unless u were saving close to at least 40% right?
Thnx. I like the fact that I could customize a board with any nm's I want.
Wonder what kindve doides they use for color on a 301 board?..

You didnt need to research a lot.. buying from alibaba is about 50% off retail including shipping.. they dont require much assembly- boards are mounted already on the heatsink if you buy boards with it.. the rest is just plugging the drivers to the boards couple wiring at most.. 5-15min for someone who knows what he is doing and 15-60mimutes for anyone trying for the first time.. you are right you dont get “warranty” and probably not best quality.. but at the end of the day its led diodes on a pcb boards its easy as 1-2-3 and very very low failure rate (if any) from all people I know who ordered from china.. so quality for the price its probably one of the best option out there.. if you dont mind spending couple extra 100’s or 1000’s bucks yeah sure go with hlg you get top of the line product and support from them but its probably 5-15% more efficient at most for a 50% more price tag.. I took the risk with knockoff very satisfied on my first grow with 7 plants and im 3 weeks since flip on my second grow with 2 plants only and looking great so far again in my 4x4.. anyway electricity is pretty cheap around here so efficiency isnt my main priority either

 

[raymont]

I purchased an HLG board. Very, very happy. Smoking growth.Now that I paid the full local price for An "original" I bought another Chinese equal. Grew up here in So Cal so Ive been to Tijuana...The Chinese are the same..Show interest in a seller and the work them down. Paid 200 for a 3000K 240 watt + 8 IR.(dont care about IR..but anyway)...testing side by side soon....

 

[Opie1971]

Let's hope Alibaba doesn't read this thread, lol....prices'll start going up

Hopefully I'll get my order in before that happens

 

[Rocket Soul]

Sorry to ask a dumb question n not do the research myself but how much r u guys really saving with the DIY kits or needs assembly kits? Cuz the hlg boards alone r pertty cheep no? From what I gather reading here is u guys get a lighter duty heatsink but have to pay a heavy weight fee for transport? But from hlg you dont pay delivery right? And have an Interstates warranty by someone u know will back it. Pls correct t me if I'm wrong.
Btw, this thread & these knockoffs give me a boner too & the price is sweet. I almost went there myself. But havent even Bothered to compare the total cost for an equal "put together unit myself". That's why I'm asking? Sure u guys wouldnt be doing it unless u were saving close to at least 40% right?
Thnx. I like the fact that I could customize a board with any nm's I want.
Wonder what kindve doides they use for color on a 301 board?..

The price reduction from alibubbas is so big that it changes the way you think about the boards. If you get them at around 20$ its about the same price as a HPS bulb. They stop being a precious gem and start being more like an expendable. This allows you to make builds that you would never do with real qbs. I use Fotops, which are 3'x1'. Easy to work with as less screwing, fixin and connecting. I could cover a wall with boards for about 20-25$ a square foot, nobheatsink needed. Theres wallpaper more expensive than that. And on top of that id be running the diode 1/4 of the amps as a standard qb.
If one breaks, no biggie, get a new one. Sending a broken board back for a new under warranty would be more expensive, as im in europe. It expands the possibilities for anyone who isnt stupid rich.

 

[hybridway2]

The price reduction from alibubbas is so big that it changes the way you think about the boards. If you get them at around 20$ its about the same price as a HPS bulb. They stop being a precious gem gem start being more like an expendable. This allows you to make builds that you would never do with real qbs. I use Fotops, which are 3'x1'. Easy to work with as less screwing, fixin and connecting. I could cover a wall with boards for about 20-25$ a square foot, nobheatsink needed. Theres wallpaper more expensive than that. And on top of that id be running the diode 1/4 of the amps as a standard qb.
If one breaks, no biggie, get a new one. Sending a broken board back for a new under warranty would be more expensive, as imnin europe. It expands the possibilities for anyone who isnt stupid rich.

Ahhh, I see, I see. I like the FoTop800's too. Now is Fotop the same as Mejua or whatever?
I may try 1 or 2 for veg & if I like them like u guys do then maybe a lil added to the flower room.
Which supplier would you guys recommend for adding color as well?
Gotta have my enhanced. Thnx.
Was looking at the R2 's.

 

[Rocket Soul]

Ahhh, I see, I see. I like the FoTop800's too. Now is Fotop the same as Mejua or whatever?
I may try 1 or 2 for veg & if I like them like u guys do then maybe a lil added to the flower room.
Which supplier would you guys recommend for adding color as well?
Gotta have my enhanced. Thnx.
Was looking at the R2 's.

For R2T boards with added reds/uv/far red i think @Moflow could give his experience.

As for Fotop, from Meijiu; Rita is my contact but i dont have her details right now. Fair warning: the prices i quoted are boards only (about 75$ las time with lm561c, i believe s6 bin), there shipping and customs to add on as well and i dont dont know about the situation is with tariffs in the US. Shipping and handling is hefty, i think i had 120$ to urope for 4 boards and i think it would be similar for 2 boards. But top class shipping by DHL airmail, well packaged.
So the actual gains in price start happening when you buy more so shipping is less per board. Also being so big seems to bring up shipping.
I think best value per diode is probably 304 boards, at about 20 $ each. The shipping is much better on these ones but cant quite remember. But they are over 100V so the driver options are a bit limited. You need something like a hlg240h-c2100 and do parallel conections. Or a hlg240h-c1050 with 2 boards series and then parallels from those boards. It easy to do with these boards, you have double connections that let you do it with out wagos. But you can get voltage drop if you do it in this way for too many boards. Bit hard to explain as im im in the car right now, PM if you wanna go this way and ill give you a proper run down.

Edit: another consideration: smaller boards are easier to spread out and let you control hotspots better. But the bigger Fotop is just so easy to install, frame + 4 screws and pushin connectors and go. And with so much surface area they stay cool. 304 boards i wouldnt wun harder than 30w without heat sink. So a more work per watt so to speak.

 

[Moflow]

Ahhh, I see, I see. I like the FoTop800's too. Now is Fotop the same as Mejua or whatever?
I may try 1 or 2 for veg & if I like them like u guys do then maybe a lil added to the flower room.
Which supplier would you guys recommend for adding color as well?
Gotta have my enhanced. Thnx.
Was looking at the R2 's.

Here is the link for Meijiu.

https://m.alibaba.com/product/60740789345/Meijiu-FOTOP-600H-2-led-full.html?spm=a2706.8301176.prew843968.2.3943293efKajQg#show_specifications

Meijiu do colour boards too.


R2T...?
I got 2 x 240 watt boards with enhanced spectrum from them....



@OLD MOTHER SATIVA ordered boards from R2T a few years ago now?
He's happy enough with them and could give you a few pointers, maybe?

 

[Moflow]

Meijiu Contact.

Rita - s15@mei9led.com

 

[Moflow]

Look into my eyes.... directly into my eyes..... you are feeling sleeeeepy.....
Slowly count down from 800 diodes, 799 diodes, 798 diodes..... now sleep zzzzzzź

Now ....Send me all your fecken money..........

Easy peasy lemon sqeezy