Help me pick something to measure light.

[Distortionist]

I have been researching par meters, lumen meters, lux meters... I have no idea what to get. My goal is to adjust my light's height/dimming to the maximum light the plant can use without wasting power and introducing heat. My light is a full spectrum quantum light with IR and Red lights.

Amazon has a bunch of cheap meters but the reviews are confusing, some say it doesn't work with LED, I just want something cheap that will give me an idea on how to setup my light most efficiently.

Would something like this work well for me? https://www.amazon.ca/HOLDPEAK-Illuminance-Backlight-Luxmeter-Cinematography/dp/B01J75326W/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=lumen+meter&qid=1590265647&sr=8-6&th=1

 

[Distortionist]

There is this one too with better reviews, a bit more money, I have no idea if it it is for plants, reviews don't mention grow rooms.

AP-881D Digital Light Meter LUX Meter Range Up to 400,000Lux,Handheld Digital Light Meter Ambient Temperature CE,ISO,ROHS,GMC Approved(Battery Included) : Amazon.ca: Electronics

AP-881D Digital Light Meter LUX Meter Range Up to 400,000Lux,Handheld Digital Light Meter Ambient Temperature CE,ISO,ROHS,GMC Approved(Battery Included) : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

 

[JoeBlow5823]

Yeah that one looks alright. This is the one i have

Amazon.com: Light Meter 881D Digital Illuminance Meter Ambient Temperature Measurer with Range up to 400,000 Lux Luxmeter,Rotatable Head for 270 Degrees,display 3999, Data hold,Back Light,Max/Min hold,Data storag: Home Improvement

Buy Light Meter 881D Digital Illuminance Meter Ambient Temperature Measurer with Range up to 400, 000 Lux Luxmeter, Rotatable Head for 270 Degrees, display 3999, Data hold, Back Light, Max/Min hold, Data storag: Light Meters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Distortionist]

Yeah that one looks alright. This is the one i have

Amazon.com: Light Meter 881D Digital Illuminance Meter Ambient Temperature Measurer with Range up to 400,000 Lux Luxmeter,Rotatable Head for 270 Degrees,display 3999, Data hold,Back Light,Max/Min hold,Data storag: Home Improvement

Buy Light Meter 881D Digital Illuminance Meter Ambient Temperature Measurer with Range up to 400, 000 Lux Luxmeter, Rotatable Head for 270 Degrees, display 3999, Data hold, Back Light, Max/Min hold, Data storag: Light Meters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Sweet man thank you! I ordered it.

Since you have one and use it, what LUX range should I shoot for for a plant in full veg and bloom?

 

[JoeBlow5823]

How to Use a Lux Meter to Increase Cannabis Yields - RQS Blog

Among pH testers, loupes, and refractometers, lux meters are a useful tool cannabis growers can harness to ensure optimal plant productivity and health.

www.royalqueenseeds.com

 

[Distortionist]

You rock.

 

[Offmymeds]

How to Use a Lux Meter to Increase Cannabis Yields - RQS Blog

Among pH testers, loupes, and refractometers, lux meters are a useful tool cannabis growers can harness to ensure optimal plant productivity and health.

www.royalqueenseeds.com

This is at the end of the article on lux meters. They work with COB LED's but not the cheaper LED lights.
"A lux meter works with all types of “white” lights, which includes HID, CFL, and white LEDs (COB LEDs). However, it doesn’t work with “purple” LED lights, which emit a purple light due to their combination of blue and red LEDs. Unfortunately, most cheaper LED lights are these purple types. So, if you use one of these for growing, you would have to rely on manufacturer information about how much light the product really emits. Alternatively, you could obtain a light meter that can be used with these types of LEDs. But be aware that these often cost a lot more. "

 

[Distortionist]

This is at the end of the article on lux meters. They work with COB LED's but not the cheaper LED lights.
"A lux meter works with all types of “white” lights, which includes HID, CFL, and white LEDs (COB LEDs). However, it doesn’t work with “purple” LED lights, which emit a purple light due to their combination of blue and red LEDs. Unfortunately, most cheaper LED lights are these purple types. So, if you use one of these for growing, you would have to rely on manufacturer information about how much light the product really emits. Alternatively, you could obtain a light meter that can be used with these types of LEDs. But be aware that these often cost a lot more. "

I am pretty sure I have a higher end light, it's a Spiderfarmer SF4000. I got a lux meter mentioned and it seems to be working. It was kinda expensive for something I'll use a few times a year at most but I like having it now, I think it's pretty useful.

 

[JoeBlow5823]

Unfortunately, most cheaper LED lights are these purple types. So, if you use one of these for growing, you would have to rely on manufacturer information about how much light the product really emits.

Lol rely on what the manufacture says their highly overrated, cheap ass led's put out? No thanks.

 

[Distortionist]

Lol rely on what the manufacture says their highly overrated, cheap ass led's put out? No thanks.

My first cheap one said it replaces a 1000w hps. It consumed 90 or 100 watts lol.

My current one I was running at 750w and it's a god damn sun in there. I have it using 500w now to keep heat acceptable and its brand new clones. I have a fan to suck in air to help the one sucking out through a filter and also another filtered fan to go in the whole room. One sucks in AC air and dumps it into the tent, one sucks out of the tent and dumps into the room. Then a bigger fan to suck that hot air out and keep some negative pressure for fresh air to constantly come in and suck out the smells from what I have drying and my shit smelling nutrients. Maybe then I can crank up my light to 550, its definately overkill for a 3x3 tent but I try to min max because I'm OCD or just nuts.

 

[Offmymeds]

My first cheap one said it replaces a 1000w hps. It consumed 90 or 100 watts lol.

My current one I was running at 750w and it's a god damn sun in there. I have it using 500w now to keep heat acceptable and its brand new clones. I have a fan to suck in air to help the one sucking out through a filter and also another filtered fan to go in the whole room. One sucks in AC air and dumps it into the tent, one sucks out of the tent and dumps into the room. Then a bigger fan to suck that hot air out and keep some negative pressure for fresh air to constantly come in and suck out the smells from what I have drying and my shit smelling nutrients. Maybe then I can crank up my light to 550, its definately overkill for a 3x3 tent but I try to min max because I'm OCD or just nuts.

Better to be OCD in these matters IMO. The security & yields are worth the electric bill. But also you might be just a little bit nuts.