New Led Or Not ?
- Thread starter maxpesh
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ChainSmoking
Well-Known Member
Max, have you thought about trying to make an LED that can compare to a T5 for veg? I mean compare as in, price, light coverage, useage of power, or cutting veg time? Any thoughts or would that be just too problematic?
maxpesh
Active Member
I am aiming for an LED fixture that consumes 270 watts to compare to 600watts of HID in a 1 metre by 1 metre tent. Just received some specs on the broad spectrum 6000k white and we're looking at 170Lumens/watt, which is incredible and 3000k at 150L/watt. The 6000k has a very high peak in the blue spectrum so that alone would make one of the best light veg lights on the market. I'm still working out all the ratios for different wavelengths because I do not want to be in the position of HID's winning on yields, I want the best quality AND yield so I Think you'll find that when the lights are ready I will have used a different approach to all the other led firms except maybe Philips. To make it a bit more understandable, the design is being based off one of Fluence in plant biology with respect to light absorbence for ALL wavelengths used by plants. Unfortunately I am having to exercise patience and not make the mistakes that have been made in the past. However you can be rest assured that when it is ready it will be the best because it needs to be. The light will have to perform OUTSTANDING before I release it in the marketplace as it is one of pride. Peace broso you have me more then excited for when you actualy build one of these led lights. i know you said that you where going to grow with it and test it out to prove that it works and everything. been awhile since i read from the beggingin, are you going to be putting your led against a 1000w hid? or are you gunna go like 400wled v 400w hid. the reason i ask is becuasse i would be more then willing to help you out with one half of this grow weather it be hid or the led that being me have paid for supplies and everything to get the led or i could use my 400w hid and start at the same time. i guess it would matter about strain and veg time aswell. i am growing god bud and have what i believe to be horrible veg lights lol. let me know cause i want to help people to understand just how revolutionary this may just turn out to be. i dont want credit or anything i just want the facts to be out therelet me know botha
maxpesh
Active Member
Hi sorry for the late answer, but in answer to your question, no it's not a problem as I've already got my veg led specs already prepared using either one large light or multiple smaller units actual power consumption 50W , 100W, 150W, 200W, 280W. Inter-nodes will be so very tight that I will always recommend scrogg with these lights to maximise yield and maximum light absorption. There are a certain amount of white led's in the panels that put out 170 lm/watt. However veg time is a matter of genetics especially if growing from seed, however if ur growing from cuttings then the cuttings are already genetically the same age as the mother plant so it will be a case of vegging to the size of plant that you want. I have no prices to compare yet but as always I will try my best to be the most competitive. One last thing, T5 will be no where near the performance of these lights. Many thanks for your questions. Peace
Veg Prototype. Blinding, can only look at it directly with very dark sunglasses onAttachments
maxpesh
Active Member
I've just re-read your post and over the last week I have received some new info from research that I have been doing and I think my only competition is going to be the Sun. So my second business plan is to turn all the LED haters into LED lovers after this this light hits the marketi love commenting
PetFlora
Well-Known Member
First, I like where you are taking LEDs. A couple things though. First, there are T5s using standard horticulture bulbs (which mostly suck) and then there are high lumen output, targeted spectrum bulbs for growing coral.
I am using these to great effect. What I especially like is that I can increase/decrease the amount of R/B + add UV/IR with the twist of the wrist= optimal spectrums during veg/flower. Bulbs run ~ $18, my Quantum Bad Boy (8 bulb- 432 watts) covers > 2 X 4 area, has built in reflectors with slots for venting and can be bought for ~ $250.
It would be interesting to see an AB versus such a set up
I am using these to great effect. What I especially like is that I can increase/decrease the amount of R/B + add UV/IR with the twist of the wrist= optimal spectrums during veg/flower. Bulbs run ~ $18, my Quantum Bad Boy (8 bulb- 432 watts) covers > 2 X 4 area, has built in reflectors with slots for venting and can be bought for ~ $250.
It would be interesting to see an AB versus such a set up
maxpesh
Active Member
Great idea you have there !
T5 outputs are normally 70 - 104 Lm/watt and as you know shine in all directions hence the need for reflectors so like all traditional light sources they loose efficiency through reflection, but I do like the T5's though. Another advantage of course is the lifespan of the led's (properly cooled of course). If I am to go forward with the 275watt veg model it will easily cover a 4ft x 4ft area (the flowering model 275watt 3ft x3ft). Prices are not finalised yet (I'm hoping for $550-$600) but over the lifespan they will work out cheaper especially with the electricity used. Many thanks for your thoughts and I will let you know when all is ready for lift off. Cheers P.S. Sorry, I Promise you I'm not having a go but just worked out electrical costs on 18hrs day @ 15cents Kwh for 10 years
The Veg led fixture 2600 dollars, T5- 4200 dollars plus replacement bulbs and 16 square ft as opposed to 8 for the T5's. However, just like anything in life, we should all do what works out best for ourselves when it comes to gardening.
maxpesh
Active Member
Tnugz, many thanks to you, I have nothing but hope and there are many things that I would like to say but can't, as it would come across arrogant and I am well aware that words do not mean anything without the proof to back them up. For me, this is a big opportunity for a turning point, I have done all the ground work and now it's just a waiting game. Happy growing my friend
anotherdaymusic
Well-Known Member
My Led does this, this is about 3 weeks since beginning of flowering. you just need to supplement the sides with t5's or something.
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puffenuff
Well-Known Member
So youre going with a veg model and a flower model, or did I read that wrong? if so, what about a full spectrum or switchable spectrums?
How soon before you are testing a prototype? I trust you will be documenting your test grow here for us to watch.
I'm really interested in the details of your light and how they will perform better than what is currently available because I get great results with the leds I have. I really wish you luck max, but it's time to stop being vague and offer details even if they are just theory at this point.
How soon before you are testing a prototype? I trust you will be documenting your test grow here for us to watch.
I'm really interested in the details of your light and how they will perform better than what is currently available because I get great results with the leds I have. I really wish you luck max, but it's time to stop being vague and offer details even if they are just theory at this point.
stonestare
Active Member
Very interesting read....I have been trying to research led lights myself and I have found 1 company that seems to know what is going on. I am doing market research on wether or not I can grow in a state where it is legal. The reason I am thinking about led is 3 reasons heat, power consumption,and the amount of wiring IE circuit breakers to grow in a 1500 sq foot foot print. There is going to be alot of wiring and I can put more led lights on a circuit than I can with typical lighting. I am an outdoor grower used to making a 3 1/2 pound average on my plants. Going indoors is going to be a learning curve but I can manage. What is holding me back with led's is the cost of a 500 watt led is $1300. I know the power savings alone will pay for themselves let alone the cost of cooling the building down. It would be nice if it the light would be the only 1 I need to veg and flower. If I did my math right I would need 40 lights and with typical lighting my power bill will be a monster. For this to work I need to make 5oz's per plant wich can be done if you do not crowd the plants together. Hopefully in the next 2 years led's will become the norm and the prices will go down. If I can find a led that would benifit me I would buy them right now but, I also want a proven system as well as everyone else. Sounds like you are on the right track with your heat sink and fans to make it a unit that will last.
maxpesh
Active Member
Nice grow. supplementing for me though is defeating the object of moving forward, I want a light that shouldn't need anything extra, it should do what it says on the box without any BS sales pitch
maxpesh
Active Member
I will be starting my grow after the new year, and yes, I will be documenting the grow on a daily basis. On your point of being vague, I really would love to give out all the details of my findings but I hope you can understand that this would not be in my best interests at the moment, I have done so much research and put so much work into this project that it would be suicide in the way of competition. You are correct that I am going down the route of veg and flower models, that being said, the flower model will still veg very well but now I am NOT going to be competing against other Led companies, I am competing against HID, so I need to get everything perfect and not just give out false promises. Please be patient with me, I believe I am doing this the right way
maxpesh
Active Member
It sounds as if you are going down the correct route my friend. Hold off and wait ????? Proof as they say "is in the pudding"
maxpesh
Active Member
You have my most sincere promise that you will not be dissapointed. If I do,,, you can return it in full working order in the packaging with a full refund and none of this 20% restocking bullshityou are going to have my sale since im sold befor the product is made
PetFlora
Well-Known Member
"Having a go" British? In America, shipping from UK will add significantly to overall pricing.Great idea you have there !
P.S. Sorry, I Promise you I'm not having a go but just worked out electrical costs on 18hrs day @ 15cents Kwh for 10 years
The Veg led fixture 2600 dollars, T5- 4200 dollars plus replacement bulbs and 16 square ft as opposed to 8 for the T5's. However, just like anything in life, we should all do what works out best for ourselves when it comes to gardening.
Electrical Cost If your calculations are correct, there seems an obvious, and substantial long term savings, (and electricity is likely to get a lot more expensive soon), BUT, the life span of r/b bulbs is different enough; at some point you will have ~ half a light performing to spec. And in the end (whenever that is) LEDs are 'tossers'. Do the bulbs slowly decline in lumens output, or do they just die? Again T5s are replaced with the twist of the wrist.
FYI, some bulbs come with built-in reflectors as well.
I'll be watching to see whether your lights will overcome my objections/concerns
anotherdaymusic
Well-Known Member
if you want an led, you gotta keep your plants fairly short.
maxpesh
Active Member
Firstly I am not shipping from the UK. I will be shipping worldwide from Tenerife, where taxes are significantly lower than the rest of Europe (5% VAT). Shipping costs added will still make me very competitive. Secondly I think you will find that even die hard HID fans agree that LED is the best for veg. Finally there really is no need to call led's "tosser", there has been sufficient bad mouthing on these forums and has been proven to be non-constructive time and time again, but keep watching