What's all the hype with LEDs?

mr sunshine

Well-Known Member
Real LEDs cost a lot of money... Don't confuse those Chinese pieces of shits with real LEDs ! Not to say that they don't work!! I'm just saying don't compare your 1000 watt rapter hood to something that was put together without growing in mind with cheap drivers and generic fans...u need quality if you want led..
 

polo the don

Well-Known Member
I don't use LEDs, I use HIDs (a lot of them), but am very intrested in switching to LEDs (or CMH) after the beginning of the year. The reason for me is that I live in the Deep South and it gets pretty fucking hot here. The thing that I'm looking at is the light to heat ratio.
 

Voidling

Well-Known Member
To further @THCbreeder,
I run a 135w Blackstar in my veg tent. The plants love it, and so do I.

-spek
What size is your veg tent? I've been debating on which blackstars to get.

My new clone/veg size will be 37.5" by 28"

Flower will likely be 2'x4' which both the 180 and 240 say they cover. So unsure what's best
 

spek9

Well-Known Member
What size is your veg tent? I've been debating on which blackstars to get.

My new clone/veg size will be 37.5" by 28"

Flower will likely be 2'x4' which both the 180 and 240 say they cover. So unsure what's best
My current veg tent is 3x1.5x3', and I flower in a 2x4x5'. I'm moving next month though and will be increasing my sizes considerably, so I'll use the LED in the small tent I use for veg now (will use it for breeding after I move), use my 400w MH in veg tent, and 2x1000w in flower.

-spek
 

natro.hydro

Well-Known Member
Flower will likely be 2'x4' which both the 180 and 240 say they cover. So unsure what's best
Hint hint, they are probably embelishing the lights abilities if they have two models that cover the same footprint with same wattage. This is the one bone I have to pick with most led producers is they inflate their claims to make it seem larger than life.
Try to find some par readings for the models you are looking for and that will give you a better idea of whats what eith those lights.
 

Voidling

Well-Known Member
Yeah, I've had good dealings with gotham hydro in non led dealings. Have a friend that has several of the old models put to good use.

They say the new models have x more coverage but on their spec sheets they show the exact same coverage.

My mistake it covers 3x2 not 4x2. that blows my plans.

I live in the south and my room heats up like crazy. Shutting vents and opening windows in the winter. During the summer I don't get enough central a.c.to cool the room. I'll be moving in the next couple months, fingers crossed, but not going far.

Do you have the 2014 version?
 

THCbreeder

Well-Known Member
I don't use LEDs, I use HIDs (a lot of them), but am very intrested in switching to LEDs (or CMH) after the beginning of the year. The reason for me is that I live in the Deep South and it gets pretty fucking hot here. The thing that I'm looking at is the light to heat ratio.
I'm thinking about going to that CMH 630watt by Sun systems and doing a 5x5 full of Area 51 LED .
 

Voidling

Well-Known Member
Fluorescents are a scooter compared to the cmh space shuttle
How much hotter are they? I have fluorescent ballast and lights and a 400w hps/mh ballast and lights. I know for sure the hps is too hot dialed down 50%. My old led was bearable. I forget what wattage that was
 

THCbreeder

Well-Known Member
I couldn't tell you how hot it runs but I know they use an open bulb in the 630w and it needs no cooling as long as the room stays obviously at a decent temp . I like the Cmh all in one less cords cooling etc . I'll be getting one soon
 

loquacious

Well-Known Member
Real LEDs cost a lot of money... Don't confuse those Chinese pieces of shits with real LEDs ! Not to say that they don't work!! I'm just saying don't compare your 1000 watt rapter hood to something that was put together without growing in mind with cheap drivers and generic fans...u need quality if you want led..
Lmao, no offense but, where do you think high quality led's come from? China!
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
Lmao, no offense but, where do you think high quality led's come from? China!
The difference is a brand's quality control and oversight of the manufacturing process. Cree chips are made in China and vastly better than Epi(whatever) which are also made in China. It's primarily Cree's higher standards and oversight.
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
Why does everyone want to use them when they don't seem to have any wattage power?
I use LED because it's cooler. I'm in a desert climate and T5HO is too hot for 6 months of the year (definitely too hot 3-4 months of the year). Anything I can do to reduce heat is worth the extra cost.

LEDs are becoming ubiquitous. You can buy "lightbulbs" at Home Depot with a 10 year warranty honored by Home Depot. (<<link). You don't have to spend a lot of money on grow-light fixtures.
 
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