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How many lumenems are lost in an A/C colled reflector?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by trchd1, Feb 10, 2011.

  1. #1 trchd1, Feb 10, 2011
    I was curious to see what you all thought about this. When I first got my 400 watt MH/HPS combo light setup it had the standard tin reflector.When I turned it on it was super bright but being in a 79 cubic inch growbox it generated too much heat. So I got a hydrofarm A/C cooled unit. It kicks ass but the light isn't as bright now.

    Here is my thought

    Do you think that I should get a 600 watt MH/HPS bulb to compensate for the loss of lumenems due to the reflector so that I'm getting 400 watts worth or more of lumenens :confused::confused:
     
  2. #2 Puffer6, Feb 10, 2011

    i highly doubt you are loosing that much lumens through the hydrofarm air cooled hood....Maybe clean your glass out.

    Also if you are using a magnetic ballast you could upgrade to a Phantom or one of those new fancy Ballast which are said to give more lumens

    are you in a Tent? Do you use a reflective film like mylar?

    PUFFER
     
  3. #3 toastybiz, Feb 10, 2011
    A 400w HID in a 79 cubic inch space? You do realize that would be a space just a bit over 4 inches x 4 inches x 4 inches.... impossible.
     
  4. #4 Puffer6, Feb 10, 2011
    i guess i missed that detail...so you are growing in a babys shoe box?
     
  5. #5 trchd1, Feb 10, 2011
    :smoke:
    :smoke::smoke::smoke: I'm sorry I meant cubic feet you funny guys
     
  6. #6 trchd1, Feb 11, 2011
    No its a homemade stealth growbox

    I have mylar covering the entire inside top to bottom

    This is my first grow so we'll see how it performs
     
  7. #7 Lay Low, Feb 11, 2011
    What is the floor area? You lose some lumens from the glass for sure, but it isn't a huge amount. If you got a 600 it would more than make up for the lost light and then some. 55,000 lumens vs 95,000 from the 600. It isn't even close. Should you get it though? That's up to you.
     
  8. #8 trchd1, Feb 11, 2011
    Floor area is 48 in x 28 in
     
  9. #9 Lay Low, Feb 11, 2011
    In that case. Keep the 400, but get a second one. 2 400s would cover that area much better than a single light source. You will get much more light, and much more even spread of that light.
     
  10. #10 trchd1, Feb 12, 2011

    Thats what I was kinda thinking because as I have my reflector set in the middle of the growbox, you can see the edge of the brightest light is about 8-10 inches from the end. Now keep in mind this is at 12-16 in off the ground. The only other option I can think of is a wider reflector. But in my case I have to have an A/C reflector so I must have room on each side for my reducers on each side of the reflector from that reduce them from 6" to 4" and for the ducting itself

    My reducers are because they dont make an A/C cooled reflector for a 4" system. I even had some salespeople tell me that my 4" system wouldn't work. But what I did was buy some 6" to 4" reducers and put them on each end. I am using a windtunnel 4" fan and it does nothing but KICK ASS !! Super quiet and PLENTY of air flow not only for oxygen supply but temperature control. I'm even running dual carbon filters. One in the growbox. And then another one at the end of my ductwork before the exit. I'm trying to be as stealthy as I can;)
     
  11. #11 brownie9091, Feb 13, 2011
    I have an air cooled hood for a 4 inch fan i wanna get a bigger hydro farm i do t think mine will cover the 36" by 36" space i have but idk ill find out i guess.
     
  12. #12 brownie9091, Feb 13, 2011
    I have an air cooled hood for a 4 inch fan i wanna get a bigger hydro farm i do t think mine will cover the 36" by 36" space i have but idk ill find out i guess.
     
  13. #13 StinkBomb, Feb 14, 2011
    Keep your glass clean (on the inside too) and you won't know a difference. The glass will absorb most of the UV light.

    The cooling effect of the air will allow you to move the lights closer to the canopy, negating any loss of intensity due to the glass.
     

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