LED sounds good, but I have no idea what companies are legit and which aren't - and how to compare similar priced LED lights. MH/HPS seems like a good idea but then there's heat issue and the ballast, etc costs seem to catch up with the cost of an LED. I also have my circuit breaker cutting off power to my room as is, if I have too much stuff running - so have to use an extension cord to re-reoute stuff into another room - so less wattage with LED may be better? Can someone make some recommendations? Much appreciated. Thank you!
With t5 you can get just about as good results as anything else if you train your plants correctly. Also no heat issue and less watts Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
I wanted to spend the money on led at my local hydro shop and the owner talked me out of it said I would be wasting money that I wouldn't see any better results then t5 Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum To me that says something for him to turn down a $500 sale Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
I too went down this road. 16x 54w HO-T5 tubes in a veg tent. They worked well enough for the time I had them in operation. Now, that is 864w of HO-T5. They do get quite warm and is a bonus during the cold months and a problem in the warmer months. I recently purchased some LED panels from Amare Technologies (see Weed Dude's and DDP's journal). These were to replace one of my HID HPS 1000w sites (to lower my operating temps, reduce my cooling bill, and save on bulb replacements) to see how they would perform. When I borrowed a PAR meter from a friend (a device that measures PPFD or photosynthetic photon flux density in µmol units) to compare the SolarSPEC 260s to my 1000w HPS in a Raptor hood. We also took measurements of the whole garden. When we got to my veg tent where the 864w HO-T5s were hanging, I was taken back as to how low the readings were. To learn that I could have achieved better results with a fraction of the wattage left me with a feeling of both happiness and disgust. Disgusted due to the fact that a good chunk of my power bill was due to the 864w running at 18hrs a day. And happiness knowing that I have something better to replace it with. So, as of tonight, the T5s are retiring and four new SolarSPEC 150w LEDs are taking its place. I will take pics and post a before and after. As well as the difference in PPFD. I hope this helps, -PG
In this last year I too switched my lighting to completely use white light LEDs for Veg and Flower. I use a 2x4x7 tent to veg my babies in, before I would use a 4ft 8bulb HO-T5 that fit perfectly in the tent. But as I run a 24/7 Veg time it got to be pretty expensive, was also a bit of a pain to keep temps under control during the summer months. Now I can understand your struggle with your breaker flipping, the house I am currently at is over 100 years old. So they had half the kitchen, the entire bathroom, swamp cooler, and my bedroom all on one 15amp breaker. So when I was running my HO-T5s along w/ my 600w HPS it would flip all the time! Since then I switched to using Amare Technologies White light HiLEDs, I use two 260w SolarSPEC panels for flower over a 4x4 space & am running 150w to light up a 2x2 space in my 2x4 veg tent. I would recommend picking up two SS-150w panels and run a true 300w, you can use these as both Veg & Flower lights. Would this be a low enough draw to keep the breaker from popping? Not only am I blown away by how much I am saving on electrical/cooling costs but the difference in the plant growth is phenomenal! Never have I seen such beautiful growth from my plants, the color, density, aroma, & resin production are all thru the roof. Definitely one of the best choices I could have made as far as lighting is concerned! This is what my GSC would look like under 500w of the T5's, really stretchy and spaced out: Here is the Veg growth under the 150w White light HiLED, much more compact, bushy and uniform: Here is my GSC under the 260w panels, Day 57 of flower:
What kind of distances do you have to keep the 150 watt and 260 watt LEDs from the tops of the plants? My local shop tells me one thing and then I read the total opposite on here!!! Decisions decisions Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
I have been quite conservative with the distances in order to maximize the foot print. Getting decent results at 24"-26" with the 150w SolarSPECs and 24" with the 260w model in flowering. It is only my first go with these LED panels and so far, I am blown away by their performance. I tried LEDs a couple years ago and was disappointed. This go around, I felt that the technology has improved leaps and bounds. Weed Dude and DDP has been instrumental in "showing me the light". Their journals speak for themselves. I have to say, I do love being able to see my plants clearly while working under white lights. And the low heat negates the use for inline cooling fans making it easier to enjoy my music and carry on conversations. Check this out... http://forum.grasscity.com/indoor-medical-marijuana-growing/1347034-your-thoughts-light-intensity-vs-wattage.html Ask me why I am pulling down the t5s. LOL -PG
Next question how much do they run? And what would I need for a 4x2x7 for veg and flower Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum