The top reason most people get interested in ‘do it yourself’ LED grow lights is to save money. Even low-end factory-made LED grow lights could cost around $100. Alternatively, you could purchase a box of LED bulbs or a COB for only about $10 – $20, depending on where you’re shopping. Standard LED drivers now retail around the $20 – $30 range, and heat sinks could be as low as $10.
But it’s not only cheaper to assemble your LED grow light upfront. Since you will have to calculate the input and output of your LED lights, you can maximize the efficiency of your grow light set-up. You could put as many or as few LEDs as you want, considering your ideal electricity costs.
As another bonus, making your own LEDs can be handy if you don’t have a ton of space. You’ll find it’s much easier to fit your DIY units in small spaces versus many of the LED grow lights now on the market. Just like a DIY grow tent, making your own LED lights provides you with the ultimate control over the features of your grow space.
Do I Need Experience to Assemble by own LED Grow Lights?
You don’t need any prior electrical experience to put together a custom LED light successfully. However, the more you know about skills like soldering and sequence wiring, the more natural this process will be for you.
The essential qualities you need to start setting up your own grow lights include patience, determination, and a willingness to learn. If you put the time into learning basic concepts like voltage, sequence wiring, and soldering, you should feel comfortable using any driver, LED, and heat sink to make your grow light set-up.
Terms Everyone Should Know Before Building my Grow Lights?
As you start researching LED grow lights, you might run across a few unfamiliar terms. Here are just a few words that you need to know before shopping for materials: