Led lighting technical question

[Beejay79]

I have a 4x3 flowering footprint that I light with 4 hlg 288rspec at 240 watts per pair. I usually run them 18 inches or so above the canopy. I’m trying to reduce the heat load while still maintaining sufficient light. I have plenty of extra boards. I’m thinking about spreading the wattage across more boards and running them closer to the canopy, hopefully reducing the wattage at the drivers. Does anyone have any practical experience running more boards closer for even coverage vs less boards further away while keep the power the same?

 

[Hugo Phurst]

I'm a big fan of not running drivers at 100%, so IMO more boards slightly closer dimmed is a good idea

Got a par or lux meter?

Good luck

 

[Beejay79]

I'm a big fan of not running drivers at 100%, so IMO more boards slightly closer dimmed is a good idea

Got a par or lux meter?

Good luck

I do have a lux meter and use it regularly. This afternoon I’m going to see if I can achieve the light I need and reduce power consumption by getting lights real close

 

[shimbob]

I grew low (power) & low (height) once, it was fun. 2x4 space with wall-to-wall led strips.

Like they said, get a lux meter to help figure out where the light level is.

 

[aw_cmon_baby]

adding boards will absolutely lower the heat

 

[Star Dog]

My experience with led is absolutely minimal, I've a 240w single board/driver and a 300w twin board 2x 150w drivers.
One thing I noticed immediately was the driver temperature on the 150s, I can grip it tight comfortably if I try it with the 240w it'll be very uncomfortable.

The overall temperature in the tent is raised by 0.5/6c by going down 60w to the 240w

As said my experience is very limited that's the only two leds I have but the 2x drivers deffo put less heat and spreads the light better.

 

[1212ham]

I have a 4x3 flowering footprint that I light with 4 hlg 288rspec at 240 watts per pair. I usually run them 18 inches or so above the canopy. I’m trying to reduce the heat load while still maintaining sufficient light. I have plenty of extra boards. I’m thinking about spreading the wattage across more boards and running them closer to the canopy, hopefully reducing the wattage at the drivers. Does anyone have any practical experience running more boards closer for even coverage vs less boards further away while keep the power the same?

First things first, what's your air temp and hummidity?

More boards at lower power is a little more efficient and so is running closer with less power.