:INFO What Makes a Grow Light Actually Work Plants use light in the red (630 to 680 nm) and blue (430 to 470 nm) spectrum bands most efficiently for photosynthesis. Full-spectrum white LEDs that include both ends work well for most home growers and are easier to source than dedicated red/blue panels. The metric that matters most is PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density), measured in micromoles per square meter per second. Leafy herbs want 200 to 400 PPFD. Fruiting plants want 400 to 600 PPFD. Distance from the canopy is the easiest way to adjust PPFD without changing hardware. :COUNTER.half 200 to 400 PPFD | :COUNTER.half 50 to 100 Watts :PATH Source Your Components The core of a DIY panel is a Samsung LM301B or LM301H LED strip or board, | :INFO Source Your Components The core of a DIY panel is a Samsung LM301B or LM301H LED strip or board, paired with a meanwell driver sized to the wattage you want. A 50W panel for a 2x2 ft space uses strips totaling around 50W and a HLG-60H driver set to match. Buy aluminum channel :PATH Wire the Strips and Driver Wire LED strips in series or parallel according to the driver's voltage and | :INFO Wire the Strips and Driver Wire LED strips in series or parallel according to the driver's voltage and current specs. A meanwell HLG driver has a dimmer potentiometer on the side: use it to set output current and thus brightness. Solder connections or use wago connectors rated for :PATH Mount and Dial In Height Hang the panel on adjustable rope ratchets so you can raise it as plants grow. | :INFO Mount and Dial In Height Hang the panel on adjustable rope ratchets so you can raise it as plants grow. Start at 24 inches above seedlings and lower to 12 to 18 inches for mature herbs. Use a light meter app or a dedicated PAR meter to check PPFD at canopy level. Run the light :CHECKLIST Before First Power-On [ ] All solder joints or wago connectors checked for shorts [ ] Driver voltage and current set to match LED strip spec [ ] Thermal adhesive tape seated firmly between strips and aluminum [ ] Rope ratchets rated for panel weight and mounted to a solid anchor [ ] Timer programmed and tested without plants underneath :LINK https://www.hlgforum.com/diy-build-guides HLG Forum: DIY LED Grow Light Build Guides and Component Recommendations