Well keep a eye on my grow with this new light,if I can go from 2 GPW to 2.5 GPW it may be worth it. That really sounds like a crazy number but it may be possible. I'm sure this light will not need a upgrade any time soon.
I'm currently running right in the above range, and I'm doing my COB LED project specifically to get over 800 PPfD.
if you want that much efficiency gains, it would probably be better to mix in some monos, than trying to run the pricier cobs at ultra low current. For example I build out inexpensive flowering lights (passive long 1.5" heatsinks) with Royal blue\deep red\UVA monos to turn on when in flowering and a full canopy. It doesn't take much to supplement a good COB light.I think the gains from 500 to 800 are substantial. I totally understand and like 800+ myself.
Just thinking though, the super efficient garden...
3590s at .35 amps and 500 PPFD. 70% efficiency would only need 350 watts to achieve PPFD of 500 in a 5x5... 15% more light than a 600w HPS plus less reflection loss. I won't guess at what GPW might be but I think such scenarios will push 3 GPW before high PPFD does.
I'm not crazy enough to build it, but several posters here are... they just need to quit messing with soil and go hydro and 3 GPW will become a reality.
I've been using the 6 gal size for a few grows now and was a homemade soil guy before these. My main reason for the switch was to automate my feed and watering. I've documented their use in my threads,any questions should go there.
Curious what emitters you are using. I looked around a bit and like the Luxeon MZ but availability seems to be zero.
the luxeon royal blues are supposed to be one of the most efficient. also like the luxeon M 12 watt royal blues for more punch.
Was reading the product module, Luxeon M has more output than MZ and less intense focal point... seem backwards since the MZ has no optics. I would really like to get ahold of some of the 6V Ms, I think that was the availability problem with the MZs though I have found some 6V Ms that are on order and hopefully available in the next week or so.
Having run at 400 to 600 PPfD a lot lately, I agree with your conclusions. Six hundred makes a big difference in yield, far too much to pass up in search of a sexy gram per watt number.
I prefer the wider spread for supplements, allows me to use as few as possible for wide coverage.
maybe something else different in the chips.
I like it too, and it look easy to replicate, but there must be something
