Lighting My DIY Multi channel build

[thcme]

Hey All,

Been lurking around learning heaps from everyone here and thought I'd share my V2.0 LED strip build for my 2 x 2 space.

The objective is to be able to dial in an automated and customizable light schedule.

It's going be a 3 channel start to finish rig using a Meshtek controller.

Channel 1 running 3500k 90cri, 3 x 48v each
Channel 2 running deep & far red 660 - 730, 2 x 28.5 v each
Channel 3 running UVA mix (380/390/400/410/435), 2 x 32v each


All in series at 1amp constant with a max 265 watts available.

The build is happening in stages, initially only hooking up channels 2 & 3 with an existing EPR 140 driver and the 3500k strips running separately from the Meshtek using a EPR 160 driver until I upgrade to a suitable Meanwell to drive everything through the Meshtek controller.

I've ordered the Meshtek controller, UVA and red strips and now planning out the heatsink frame build.

Will post photos when the build starts.

I'm thinking about adding UVB 310 - 365 & infa red 830 to channel 3 so it's a full on Gamma ray channel. I'd be really interested to hear others thoughts and experiences on this and any other considerations, particularly light schedule for UV application.

I don't plan on running it full throttle all the time but good to have the juice there if I want to.

 

[Death The Cultivator]

I'm a bit curious how you're going to use the extra 660/730nm.

 

[thcme]

Hi @damien50

I'm just going to have the 660-730 on during flowering, on normal 18/6 cycle. I've used them like this before and it significantly increased volume.
Don't know if there's any benefit using these to simulate dawn and dusk with autos

 

[Death The Cultivator]

Hi @damien50

I'm just going to have the 660-730 on during flowering, on normal 18/6 cycle. I've used them like this before and it significantly increased volume.
Don't know if there's any benefit using these to simulate dawn and dusk with autos

I asked because typically 90+ cri have adequate 660/730. What type of lights did you do them with before? This is interesting as the general rule is 2:1 on 660/730 but you're running equal amounts. Will you also use the 730nm during lights out for Phytochrome?

 

[thcme]

Used red strips with same lights previously. I had a little clumsy accident and wrecked them so now replacing, I use cutters.

Yeah, I was expecting these 3500's to have sufficient red but the first few results left me a little underwhelmed, hence the extra reds added.

These strips are a single channel mix of 660 (4) and 730 (6) diodes, so can't isolate just the 730.

All I can say is anecdotally in my highly unqualified opinion is when I put the same strain under these lights with the extra reds, bud density and volume improved.

Hadn't thought to use these during lights out, is this something to try? I just assumed as these are auto's it wouldn't provide any benefit.

 

[Death The Cultivator]

Used red strips with same lights previously. I had a little clumsy accident and wrecked them so now replacing, I use cutters.

Yeah, I was expecting these 3500's to have sufficient red but the first few results left me a little underwhelmed, hence the extra reds added.

These strips are a single channel mix of 660 (4) and 730 (6) diodes, so can't isolate just the 730.

All I can say is anecdotally in my highly unqualified opinion is when I put the same strain under these lights with the extra reds, bud density and volume improved.

Hadn't thought to use these during lights out, is this something to try? I just assumed as these are auto's it wouldn't provide any benefit.

You'd have to test the 660/730 on a clone rather than judging the effects on different phenos of autoflowers.

I didn't realize it was a mixed channel, you would have to isolate the 730.

 

[thcme]

Thanks @damien50, I do have a couple of photo seeds and will give it a try on them and some clones too and see what happens.