How long do quantum boards last?
How long do quantum boards last?
Quantum boards with their unique new spectrums are getting better yields than a lot of the traditional panel LEDs, they’re long-lasting (no replacing expensive bulbs), and they’re just really freakin’ cool, aside from the allure of their newer technology, they are great at growing cannabis and they last a very long time compared to some other grow lights. In fact, the ones we recommend can last 100,000 hours; that’s over 14 years if you harvested every 3 months!
Advantages Of Quantum Board LED Grow Lights
Efficiency
Quantum Board LED give you more output while consuming fewer watts. The HLG 550 V2 Rspec, for example, generates 168 lumen per watt or 2.6 umol per joule.
Light Spread
Because the light emanates from many points across a large board, it has a more direct path to the canopy on the outside of the coverage area than a light that comes from a smaller fixture and has to emanate further outward.
This results in less intensity in the middle of the coverage area and more intensity around the outside. In other words: a more even light spread.
Spectrum
The Samsung diodes (and the cheaper alternatives many brands use) emit a full spectrum white light that contains every visible wavelength of light. They are available in several different color temperatures, but all are close to natural sunlight. This makes it an excellent spectrum for plants.
While blue and red LEDs were common in the past, the industry is coming to realize that white LEDs are better for plants, so more and more manufacturers are switching to white. This switch began with HLG and their quantum boards.
These days, quantum boards often have additional diodes mixed in among the white ones, most notably deep red and sometimes UV and IR.
Thermal Management
Quantum boards are generally mounted to a to a thin piece of aluminum (or sometimes a heatsink), which suffices to passively cool the diodes. No fans are needed (note that the fixtures do still get hot; see disadvantages below).
Low Price
On average, quantum board lights cost less than traditional LEDs or COBs that produce a similar output. Yes, there are far cheaper lights, but those lights do not come close to giving you the output of a quantum board.
DIY Options
HLG and some other manufacturers sell DIY kits that make it easy to build your own light and save even more money
Disadvantages Of Quantum Boards
There are no major disadvantages of quantum board lights, when compared to other types of LED grow lights, but there are a few minor ones.
Canopy Penetration
White light penetrates better into the canopy due to the presence of green wavelengths (read more about white light and plant growth), which gives quantum lights an advantage over “blurple” LEDs. But more powerful white LEDs, like COBs, get much deeper penetration than quantum boards.
Open Build
Quantum boards are very simple. LED diodes are affixed directly to a board. Nothing more. There are no covers or lenses.
The diodes are open and exposed and, in many cases, so are the wires. A few of the manufacturers have recently begun adding plastic covers over the exposed wires, but many still have the wires open. All of this means the components are less protected. But it does keep costs down.
Misconception About Heat
While LED lights run cooler than other types of lighting, they still emit large amounts of heat. And quantum boards are no exception.
There is a misconception that they run cool, because they do not need fans, but the diodes still heat up a lot. In general, you can expect about 30% less heat than the equivalent HID light.
Although there are some disadvantages with quantum board, this light still are popular with growers, it is a best type of light to grow cannabis. Here are my recommendation which I used and got a nice experience!
High efficiency white light quantum boards
Full-spectrum White and 660nm Red and 730nm Far Red and UV 395nm
Meanwell Driver & Reliable passive-cooled design
Better canopy light penetration with diffused light
Dimmable power supply included
Higher intensity and more even coverage in a grow tent, reflective area, or by crossing over using multiple lamps.
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Conclusion – Are Quantum Boards Worth It For Growers?
In conclusion, quantum boards have delivered great results for many growers. It is quite evident that the benefits they offer hold a lot of weight than any of the misgivings that they might have.
Also, they are superior over the other types of grow lights in many ways. Quantum board grow lights are the best type of grow lights out there for many growers.
Adding some quantum boards to your grow light system will certainly do your crops some good.