Lighting COB vs Quantum board type lights

[jaywillin]

I'm a new grower, on my 4th grow, and have two tents, a 2x4x6, that I have 3 Autocobs in at the moment, and a 20"x 36"x 64" tent that
I have a Mars Eco 120 in that I'm wanting to do away with. Hence the question
I know each has their fans, and I've been very happy with my COBS thanks @BigSm0 , but I'm just kinda wondering about the theory, or comparison
between each, I'm doing some research, any thoughts, or point me in the direction of some good comparisons between the technologies ?
thanks !

 

[Simplicio]

I use AutoCobs in 2 x 4 and 3 x 3 tents.
I also use an HLG Rspec QB, and an ElectricSky ES300.
My plants like the autocobs at least as well as the others, and maybe even better.

 

[jaywillin]

I use AutoCobs in 2 x 4 and 3 x 3 tents.
I also use an HLG Rspec QB, and an ElectricSky ES300.
My plants like the autocobs at least as well as the others, and maybe even better.

my first thought before "quantum" popped into my brain was two autocobs in the 2x3 would be pretty nice,
then maybe one more in the 2x4 down the road ,
just wondered if quantums offered any advantage that Cobs didn't, and vice versa
I do like the versatility of being able to hang the cobs at different heights

 

[Olderfart]

Both grow good weed, and differences in efficiency are not a big deal for home growers, so don't get your shorts in a knot about efficiency. 1 ~~150 watt quantum type board per plant (2 in a 2x4) also allow height adjustments, and may get more light further into the canopy because the source is spread out. Just theory - indoors, I have only used a quantum-like setup with screwin bulbs so I may be FOS.

Bottom line is that both will do the job, and do it very well, if the rest of the grow is sorted. Good luck with it, either way you will be golden.

 

[Death The Cultivator]

I'm a new grower, on my 4th grow, and have two tents, a 2x4x6, that I have 3 Autocobs in at the moment, and a 20"x 36"x 64" tent that
I have a Mars Eco 120 in that I'm wanting to do away with. Hence the question
I know each has their fans, and I've been very happy with my COBS thanks @BigSm0 , but I'm just kinda wondering about the theory, or comparison
between each, I'm doing some research, any thoughts, or point me in the direction of some good comparisons between the technologies ?
thanks !

The best way to compare them would be measuring them through a spectrometer, expensive, or a PAR meter, expensive but less, and they would give you a great idea of light distribution in your specific situation.

When manufacturers test they give a PPFD chart b at certain operating parameters so certain things change when you use these lights in your own environment. Temperature affects efficiency and the lifespan of the diodes/driver.

When I built my lights I was initially going to choose quantum boards because more light points made for a better spread and that translates to PPFD. Any light for the most part can grow cannabis but most lights are weak at the edges and lack uniformity especially if you are mixing spectrums.

I say this all to say - the best light will pretty much be the one you build. Strip lighting is my preferred choice over ANY led offering on the market because of better surface area coverage compared to cobs, quantum boards or anything else really. My strip build is weaker at the edges but covers all but 4 inches of a 4x4 with a uniform PPFD that exceeds 90% of the market.

Fluence is a high end choice but A DIY Samsung or Bridgelux strip build with efficiency in mind will surpass the majority of the market at 2.8umols or higher. It will also be much more cost effective. From there you can add in UV and far red/deep red giving a superior product to anything you mentioned. Not shitting on those brands but the ones I mentioned are superior. @Master_gRoshi built a Samsung photoboost build that is incredible, CutterAU makes fantastic strips but they are pricier.

Efficiency is so incredibly important and the first consideration I make when helping others build their lights as it correlates to the performance of the light. The only caveat for DIY is the waterproofing is an involved process that usually doesn't happen but I don't know of home growers that need to wash their lights and rooms down.

https://smartgrow.systems/sgs-original-research-on-the-importance-of-daily-light-integral-dli/

https://ledgardener.com/ amazing blog and forum with tons of advice and information for building quality lights or learning in general. Far superior to Migro on YouTube IMHO and has professionals with spectrometers and testing equipment that would make you think twice about buying a pre made fixture ever again. I know that DIY isn't everyone's bag but the knowledge is invaluable to the grower concerned with getting the best bang for their buck. Bruce Bugbee on YouTube is another incredible individual on YouTube that breaks the science of lighting down into lamens.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

I have watched ChilLed for a long time. My DIY cobs grew good weed but the new Lm301 based systems are almost 20% more efficient than what I was running. That means a 20% reduction in heat in the grow space and that is most the attractive feature to me. I am on my first grow with them and so far it looks like I may be realizing that lower heat load. I am running 60 DLI (600w) which is past the diminishing point that really starts about 48 DLI I just want to push it a bit to see what happens. We had a 105°F degree day already and the space stayed <85°F . The real test comes when we have a ten day string of highs like that! I bought 2 - 3x5 fixtures for a 4x6 space so there is a 6 square foot over power for the space. I did this intentionally so I could run the lamps dimmed. They are more efficient that way not counting the up-front costs. Remember heat is my enemy.

So the lights are new to me and I cannot give a full report but they seem to be kicking ass.

 

[Mizzo81]

I have watched ChilLed for a long time. My DIY cobs grew good weed but the new Lm301 based systems are almost 20% more efficient than what I was running. That means a 20% reduction in heat in the grow space and that is most the attractive feature to me. I am on my first grow with them and so far it looks like I may be realizing that lower heat load. I am running 60 DLI (600w) which is past the diminishing point that really starts about 48 DLI I just want to push it a bit to see what happens. We had a 105°F degree day already and the space stayed <85°F . The real test comes when we have a ten day string of highs like that! I bought 2 - 3x5 fixtures for a 4x6 space so there is a 6 square foot over power for the space. I did this intentionally so I could run the lamps dimmed. They are more efficient that way not counting the up-front costs. Remember heat is my enemy.

So the lights are new to me and I cannot give a full report but they seem to be kicking ass.

View attachment 1202697

Nice lights. Did u build or buy? Must’ve been hard to take down your masterpiece a lot of thought and work went into your last light setup.

 

[jaywillin]

Both grow good weed, and differences in efficiency are not a big deal for home growers, so don't get your shorts in a knot about efficiency. 1 ~~150 watt quantum type board per plant (2 in a 2x4) also allow height adjustments, and may get more light further into the canopy because the source is spread out. Just theory - indoors, I have only used a quantum-like setup with screwin bulbs so I may be FOS.

Bottom line is that both will do the job, and do it very well, if the rest of the grow is sorted. Good luck with it, either way you will be golden.

One of the reasons I went with the autocobs was the versatility, and I haven't worried too much about efficiency, just working on par, spectrum, coverage, and not spending a ton.

 

[jaywillin]

The best way to compare them would be measuring them through a spectrometer, expensive, or a PAR meter, expensive but less, and they would give you a great idea of light distribution in your specific situation.

When manufacturers test they give a PPFD chart b at certain operating parameters so certain things change when you use these lights in your own environment. Temperature affects efficiency and the lifespan of the diodes/driver.

When I built my lights I was initially going to choose quantum boards because more light points made for a better spread and that translates to PPFD. Any light for the most part can grow cannabis but most lights are weak at the edges and lack uniformity especially if you are mixing spectrums.

I say this all to say - the best light will pretty much be the one you build. Strip lighting is my preferred choice over ANY led offering on the market because of better surface area coverage compared to cobs, quantum boards or anything else really. My strip build is weaker at the edges but covers all but 4 inches of a 4x4 with a uniform PPFD that exceeds 90% of the market.

Fluence is a high end choice but A DIY Samsung or Bridgelux strip build with efficiency in mind will surpass the majority of the market at 2.8umols or higher. It will also be much more cost effective. From there you can add in UV and far red/deep red giving a superior product to anything you mentioned. Not shitting on those brands but the ones I mentioned are superior. @Master_gRoshi built a Samsung photoboost build that is incredible, CutterAU makes fantastic strips but they are pricier.

Efficiency is so incredibly important and the first consideration I make when helping others build their lights as it correlates to the performance of the light. The only caveat for DIY is the waterproofing is an involved process that usually doesn't happen but I don't know of home growers that need to wash their lights and rooms down.

https://smartgrow.systems/sgs-original-research-on-the-importance-of-daily-light-integral-dli/

https://ledgardener.com/ amazing blog and forum with tons of advice and information for building quality lights or learning in general. Far superior to Migro on YouTube IMHO and has professionals with spectrometers and testing equipment that would make you think twice about buying a pre made fixture ever again. I know that DIY isn't everyone's bag but the knowledge is invaluable to the grower concerned with getting the best bang for their buck. Bruce Bugbee on YouTube is another incredible individual on YouTube that breaks the science of lighting down into lamens.

thanks for this, I've come pretty close to getting a DIY (kit) a guy I found on that auction site, and I've talked to on the phone several
times, can set up anything I like, and I'm handy enough to put one together,
I didn't want to spend the money on a par meter, but the Migro guy's cheap lux meter hack (the actual meter, not the phone app)
he says is fairly accurate, and I'm using the same meter lux meter, using his factor of .025 my par reading I have the girls at now is 625ish at the center of the plants in the 2x4, in the 2x3, the eco120 is at 12in, I've got it all the way at the top

 

[Death The Cultivator]

thanks for this, I've come pretty close to getting a DIY (kit) a guy I found on that auction site, and I've talked to on the phone several
times, can set up anything I like, and I'm handy enough to put one together,
I didn't want to spend the money on a par meter, but the Migro guy's cheap lux meter hack (the actual meter, not the phone app)
he says is fairly accurate, and I'm using the same meter lux meter, using his factor of .025 my par reading I have the girls at now is 625ish at the center of the plants in the 2x4, in the 2x3, the eco120 is at 12in, I've got it all the way at the top

View attachment 1202798View attachment 1202799

PAR meters can be rented from Aquarium stores online for around $60 for a week. I rented one and took measurements at 36/24/18/12/6 but I found 12 inches to be optimal. My LUX readings were not consistent with the calculator below when compared to the PAR meter

Convert Lumens to PPF - Online Calculator | Waveform Lighting

Online calculator to convert luminous flux (lumens) to PPF (micromoles per second).

www.waveformlighting.com

I used the link below to build my first lights at 75% efficiency. Most of the stuff on that list can be sourced for cheaper and aluminum heatsink is unnecessary and expensive compared to T slot or C channel.

DIY LED Strip Build Designs for Samsung H-Series, F-Series, Q-Series, and Bridgelux EB Gen.2 - LED Gardener

DIY LED strip builds have become very popular recently. The mid-power section of our forum is full of threads created by DIYers looking to build their own custom lights, and new builds and ideas are surfacing every day. If you don’t live somewhere where you have easy access to premade lights...

ledgardener.com

Even if you add the factor in the issue is that CRI can skew the results so 10k lumens isn't the same across different lights as lumens is for humans. Spectrometer will get you the below results

Those are from a buddy that owns a spectrometer. He is led_teknik on IG