led + cfl lights question
- Thread starter Dubbz415
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Dubbz415
Well-Known Member
thanks im just tryna see what i could do
Dubbz415
Well-Known Member
i dont have the led yet but i was thinking of adding em in
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Dubbz415
Well-Known Member
this is the led i was talking about http://www.sears.com/hqrp-14w-225-led-red-grow-light-panel/p-SPM7904835113?prdNo=23&blockNo=23&blockType=G23
Most LEDs are 3w diodes run at about 50% capacity. So, a 14w growlight would be about 9x3w LEDs in a fixture. That light is 225 LEDs in a fixture. Those are extremely weak LEDs, like what's used in your car's dashboard to indicate your windshield wipers are on.
I like to spread my LED light from more sources instead of one single, strong source. But, that fixture takes it too far.
If you want to supplement your CFLs, what size is your grow space? I imagine it's small (since you're using CFLs now). I just wrote something over here (<<link) along similar lines regarding LED in small spaces.
I like to spread my LED light from more sources instead of one single, strong source. But, that fixture takes it too far.
If you want to supplement your CFLs, what size is your grow space? I imagine it's small (since you're using CFLs now). I just wrote something over here (<<link) along similar lines regarding LED in small spaces.
Dubbz415
Well-Known Member
im going to get a
120w Led Grow Light Panel 1365 Led (1131 red. 660nm) + (234 Blue. 445nm) 12.4 x 12.2 x 1.4 inches
Deadlytalon2014
Active Member
The thing you are talking about buying, puts off like 1200 Lumens..... You do realize that right ?
" Lumen: 1620 Lux" <- Sorry 1620 Lumens but still, 1 23w CFL puts off 1800 Lumens lol
Try this setup:
Get some Aluminum Roaster Pans, I got 3 for $3
Now cut them and attaching them together to make one big unit.
I got 3 of those Fixtures with the chains attached and hooked one right, one left, one middle to the fixture, I then have adapters in each fixture, giving me 4 lights per fixture, so 12 CFLs, 10 of those CFLs are 23w 1800 Lumens, 2 of them are 43w 2800 Lumens..
Total I have: 316 Watts, and 23,600 Lumens
Total Cost was about $60 total, and I can grow a couple plants under this efficiently, 2700k for Flower, 6500k for Veg.
I do plan on adding another fixture and having a perm veg / flower, but for now I just switch out the bulbs
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I agree with the position you advocate. But, I'd suggest using LED "lightbulbs" (<<link) instead of CFL. CFLs typically have 60-70 lumens per watt.[1] Those Cree LEDs (in the link) are around 90 l/w after removing the gummy protector film from the glass diffusion globe. There are other bulbs at the end of that article with clear globes and about 105 l/w. (Probably about what the Crees are, but some lumens are sacrificed for diffusion.).
It's all the same concept. Just a matter of getting the most light for the same watts. With those LED "lightbulbs" you might only have to use 75w equiv bulbs for the same results as a 100w equiv CFL.
[1] Your 23w @ 1800 come out at a remarkable 78 l/w. Usually 23w CFLs are 1600 lumens, or 70 l/w. Not sure if those are premium bulbs or there was a typo somewhere.
If you could shape that light to the contour of your plant it might work well. But, the individual LEDs are too low powered to grow much more than alfalfa sprouts in a flat tray.
In the LED world you could make much worse mistakes (like spending $1200 on a "secret spectrum" rebranded Chinese import sold at tremendous markup.).
People are actually growing with LED lightbulbs, getting 1+g/w. The price of LED lightbulbs are about the same as what you're considering. The Crees have 10-year warranties. Just buy enough 60w equiv (8.5w actual) for 20w/sq ft in veg, 30w/sq ft in flower.
Dubbz415
Well-Known Member
thanks
