Cree DiY....to lens or not to lens?

DoctorDelta9

DoctorDelta9

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,
Setting up my DiY setup with 900w of cxb3590. PAR for my area is 15/sqft. I ordered 80degree lenses but now I'm having second thoughts. Has anyone used the lenses and done a comparison? I like the fact that the lenses will seal the cobs from the environment, however, I worry about retaining heat and also light loss. Any thoughts?
 
DoctorDelta9

DoctorDelta9

Well-Known Member
I will most likely use them in the first round. I'll be tappin and drilling holes for them so I can remove them. Unfortunately I don't have expensive meters or DiY experience with crees prior to this so I won't have much to compare to for a good 6 months. But my par/sqft is closer to 16 so I'm thinking a little light loss won't hurt, as far as heat retention I will be drilling through the sink to run the wires so hopefully the holes will provide a little ventilation. I'll keep you all posted, just going to take some time. I think the lenses are worth it, if for nothing else to protect my precious cobs from the moisture/environment
 
AquariusPanta

AquariusPanta

Well-Known Member
DoctorDelta9 said:
I will most likely use them in the first round. I'll be tappin and drilling holes for them so I can remove them. Unfortunately I don't have expensive meters or DiY experience with crees prior to this so I won't have much to compare to for a good 6 months. But my par/sqft is closer to 16 so I'm thinking a little light loss won't hurt, as far as heat retention I will be drilling through the sink to run the wires so hopefully the holes will provide a little ventilation. I'll keep you all posted, just going to take some time. I think the lenses are worth it, if for nothing else to protect my precious cobs from the moisture/environment
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All I ask of you is to dedicate a notepad/diary to the plants under the COBS w/lenses. I did this during my last run with various factors that I hadn't implemented before and to this day I'm still going back to my notes for information! Lol.

(:
 
Rahz

Rahz

Well-Known Member
My opinion is that they are useful in an environment without reflective barriers, otherwise I don't see the point except for the protective element as you mentioned. Growing without lenses for several years, and no damaged COBs so far.
 
bicit

bicit

Well-Known Member
I foiler spray a lot and I've already managed to blast my cobs a few times. Not a big deal since I shut it down and cleaned the cob, but it could be worse depending on what's being fed.

Also, long term I think it simplifies maintenance. Dust is unavoidable, even after one cycle I've noticed light dust buildup on the LES. Cleaning the LES is a lot more tedious than wiping down a lens with a light spray of window cleaner. In the future I'd like to have my panels sealed to the point where I could take them out and spray the whole panel down with a garden hose.

I think the slight light loss is not that big of a deal.
 
PSUAGRO.

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
bicit said:
I foiler spray a lot and I've already managed to blast my cobs a few times. Not a big deal since I shut it down and cleaned the cob, but it could be worse depending on what's being fed.

Also, long term I think it simplifies maintenance. Dust is unavoidable, even after one cycle I've noticed light dust buildup on the LES. Cleaning the LES is a lot more tedious than wiping down a lens with a light spray of window cleaner. In the future I'd like to have my panels sealed to the point where I could take them out and spray the whole panel down with a garden hose.

I think the slight light loss is not that big of a deal.
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this is what i use to blow out any dust in the fixtures and les/diodes/induction/hid/floro/etc......and all my electronics in my apt.

http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431973291&sr=8-1&keywords=electric duster

worth the $$$$$$, built like a tank(usa) and running strong for 4 yrs....

prefer reflectors over secondary lenses...........especially if your using passive cooling===== fried egg:fire:
 
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H

Halfanimal

Member
I'm definitely no expert on this but according to the guy who made the Hanspanel, lenses cause a significant amount of light loss. He uses reflectors instead to make the light going out to the sides get focused downward, while not affecting the light that is already going downward. I've been following the development of his panels for a few years now, and its been really cool; but I just wish that he made higher wattage lights.

Edit: I don't know if the COBs have as much of a spread of light as the LEDs that are used in the Hanspanels though
 
bicit

bicit

Well-Known Member
PSUAGRO. said:
this is what i use to blow out any dust in the fixtures and les/diodes/induction/hid/floro/etc......and all my electronics in my apt.

http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431973291&sr=8-1&keywords=electric duster

worth the $$$$$$, built like a tank(usa) and running strong for 4 yrs....

prefer reflectors over secondary lenses...........especially if your using passive cooling===== fried egg:fire:
Click to expand...
Reflectors don't offer any protection against misdirected foiler feeding though...

Thanks for the link though.
 
testiclees

testiclees

Well-Known Member
churchhaze said:
I usually recommend against foliar feeding unless humidity during veg is too low. (rare)
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i grow using the so called "high brix kit". We foliar up until a few days before harvest the results are usually stunning. Im just still learning but you can scope out loads of wildly frosty examples on 420mag. Rarely hear of mold issues.
 
hyroot

hyroot

Well-Known Member
well if you have lenses. You keep the light further away. The foot print narrows. The foot print with out lenses is the same pretty much since its closer. The lenses I have are pretty thick. I haven't used a par meter. One would think there would be some light loss or possibly spectral shift. I dont know....
 
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