Grasscity.com Forums - View Single Post - Why CFLs over small HPS? (an honest question)

Segue · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 03:56 AM

(PREFACE: Before you hate me for posting this thread, I want to notify everyone that Lowe's now carries "200w equivalent" CFLs, with a real wattage of 65w I think. They are about $8.00 each in my area. I scope out the bulb section every time I go there, and these are NEW! I don't remember if they're "soft" or "cool", but they're there in a green package. Check it out if you're into CFLs. Anyway...)

Why would you choose CFLs over a small HPS light for a cabinet grow?

I am NOT trying to start an argument, I am seriously curious. If you've used both, please weigh in.

Let's say you use four 42w CFLs for a very small cabinet grow. That's not a whole lot of light, is it? You'd probably want more lights at some point in flowering. But that's a total of 168 watts being used. Wattage is directly responsible for your electric usage... in fact, it IS your usage in "kilowatt hours". A watt is a watt.

Wouldn't a 150w HPS be more productive? For less money, both in start-up costs (~$40 online, shipping included) and in electric usage?

I'm honestly curious why CFLs are so popular. They're not THAT cheap if you have to buy a bunch of them, plus all the parts involved with mounting them. I'm not trying to convince anyone one way or the other here, because I'd consider switching back to cool white CFLs for vegging if it's proven to work better. If I'm off-base here, please teach me why.

The reason I'm asking:

I built a fully-functioning CFL tiny cabinet with four 42w CFLs, after reading SmknVTEC's thread in particular (along with all the other great info about CFLs on this forum). CFLs are a lot more people-friendly, sure, because we've all plugged in light bulbs before. I had those plug-converters in carefully-rigged power strips, and it worked okay. The little plants grew.

Then I got bored one day and bought a 70w HPS security light, and put that in the cabinet instead of the fluorescents. The plants seemed to grow A LOT better under the HPS. The flower in my avatar was a product of the 70w. I've since upgraded to a 150w HPS (results pending, but lookin' great so far).

The heat generated by four 42w CFLs is comparable to a single 70w HPS light. I'm saying this because I monitored the temps when I swapped lighting in my box. The heat from a 150w HPS is definitely higher than a 70w HPS, but not THAT much higher. Good ventilation makes it a non-issue.... It's 72 degrees in there right now.

What's the advantage to CFLs? Heat? Money? Product? Versatility? Ease of use?

#1 (permalink) 12-08-2007, 03:56 AM
Segue Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 173	Why CFLs over small HPS? (an honest question) (PREFACE: Before you hate me for posting this thread, I want to notify everyone that Lowe's now carries "200w equivalent" CFLs, with a real wattage of 65w I think. They are about $8.00 each in my area. I scope out the bulb section every time I go there, and these are NEW! I don't remember if they're "soft" or "cool", but they're there in a green package. Check it out if you're into CFLs. Anyway...) Why would you choose CFLs over a small HPS light for a cabinet grow? I am NOT trying to start an argument, I am seriously curious. If you've used both, please weigh in. Let's say you use four 42w CFLs for a very small cabinet grow. That's not a whole lot of light, is it? You'd probably want more lights at some point in flowering. But that's a total of 168 watts being used. Wattage is directly responsible for your electric usage... in fact, it IS your usage in "kilowatt hours". A watt is a watt. Wouldn't a 150w HPS be more productive? For less money, both in start-up costs (~$40 online, shipping included) and in electric usage? I'm honestly curious why CFLs are so popular. They're not THAT cheap if you have to buy a bunch of them, plus all the parts involved with mounting them. I'm not trying to convince anyone one way or the other here, because I'd consider switching back to cool white CFLs for vegging if it's proven to work better. If I'm off-base here, please teach me why. The reason I'm asking: I built a fully-functioning CFL tiny cabinet with four 42w CFLs, after reading SmknVTEC's thread in particular (along with all the other great info about CFLs on this forum). CFLs are a lot more people-friendly, sure, because we've all plugged in light bulbs before. I had those plug-converters in carefully-rigged power strips, and it worked okay. The little plants grew. Then I got bored one day and bought a 70w HPS security light, and put that in the cabinet instead of the fluorescents. The plants seemed to grow A LOT better under the HPS. The flower in my avatar was a product of the 70w. I've since upgraded to a 150w HPS (results pending, but lookin' great so far). The heat generated by four 42w CFLs is comparable to a single 70w HPS light. I'm saying this because I monitored the temps when I swapped lighting in my box. The heat from a 150w HPS is definitely higher than a 70w HPS, but not THAT much higher. Good ventilation makes it a non-issue.... It's 72 degrees in there right now. What's the advantage to CFLs? Heat? Money? Product? Versatility? Ease of use?