Lighting Help is needed. Quantum boards project 2x4

[TreyDogg]

I will put my electrical knowledge at very basic. But I can follow directions and that's what I need. The main parts have been purchased.

So I know I need more stuff to get started. I don't know all of what I can see I obviously need a plug guess I get a cord from home depot? Maybe amazon as I need a soldering kit too. As I said I'm basic but not in a rush so if you can advise please do. All help is appreciated.

 

[Tommy Bahama]

Did you buy an authentic HLG 260W kit, or a copy off of Alibaba?
If you bought HLG, then you should be all set. You will just need some wire strippers and a philips screwdriver. If you bought a copy, it's unknown what (if any connectors) will be on the boards.
Here's a link to a great video showing a guy putting together a single-board unit, followed by a dual-board unit. It will show you everything you need to do.

 

[TreyDogg]

I asked the guy at cob kits for com what I needed for what I want to do.

 

[GeorgeCloney]

I would recommend that you get yourself a decent Weller soldering iron.
Try and get one that you can change the tip to something that is about the size of a pencil.
Get some soldering flux, it will make soldering a WHOLE lot easier, especially if you're new to soldering.
Also get yourself a decent sponge (yes, the kind to wash a count top.)
Wet the sponge and wipe the hot iron on it to keep it clean between soldering. (do it often, this is the biggest problem new people have).
Get a legnth on soldering wick to clean a mistake should it happen.
Also , never try and solder with a cold iron, newb problem number 2!.
Tin the iron before each attempt to solder something. (tinning means dabbing a little solder on the irons tip prior to touching a wire).
This helps heat transfer to whatever your soldering.

It surprising howmuch heat diodes can take, but if soldering RIGHT ONTO a diode.
Make sure the iron is super hot, and treat the soldered connection like a " one shot",....don't over heat the diodes or you can fry it.

My best piece of advice is youtube to see and learn, and practice, practice, practice,...
Use old lamp cord or small wires to get a feel for your new soldering iron, experience is something hard to teach.
Especially, do not get discouraged if it doesn't work out at first.
Thats why I recommend screwing up on a practice piece before getting to work on your QB's.
Better there, than on the QB's,...right?

Buy the best you can afford for your project.
The money saved in doing it yourself will have more than paid for itself in getting quality tools and materials.

Nice project,
Congrats.
GC

 

[Olderfart]

I asked the guy at cob kits for com what I needed for what I want to do.

Make sure that any flux paste or flux core solder wire you buy is intended for electric wiring. Most of the stuff available in stores is acid flux rather than rosin flux. The acid stuff leaves corrosive junk behind which eats copper wire in the long run. The so called rosin flux does not. Clean your copper wire with wet and dry sandpaper to make soldering easier. The single most important thing is to get the wire itself hot enough to melt the solder. You should be able to apply solder directly to the wire, not the soldering iron, and have the solder melt and flow into the joint. If you have to apply the solder to the soldering iron rather than the copper wire, the wire is not hot enough for an effective joint. A drop or two on the iron initially will help transfer heat to the copper wire, but the main solder application needs to be directly to the wire joint after it is heated.

 

[GeorgeCloney]

That is excellent advice...yes...
I'm just a semi-old fart in my apprenticeship years @ 54
Yes tongue is now sticking out at oldfart, while running away...

 

[Olderfart]

That is excellent advice...yes...
I'm just a semi-old fart in my apprenticeship years @ 54
Yes tongue is now sticking out at oldfart, while running away...

Hi George of apprenticeship fame. I'm not just an oldfart, I'm an olderfart. well past the apprenticeship years, although not when it comes to growing weed. Sadly, when I registered, the oldfart moniker was long gone, so older had to do. Perhaps just as well considering...

 

[TreyDogg]

I don't have the kit in that video just the parts listed and pictured. I need to know what type of wires I'm looking for to connect to the driver. I have 2 leads leaving the out end of driver does each wire go to a board? Does it matter how long of a wire I get?

 

[PotDaddy]

I would advise using 16 or 18 gage wire to go from the driver to the lights. It doesn't really matter how long the runs are some people have the driver outside the tent for heat issues. The wire is cheap at HD or Lowes.
I didn't bother to solder the wire to the lights just used Wago's which are awesome.

Goodluck

 

[hecno]

@Olderfart in his younger days .