so this is up in the classifieds which links out to ebay for this kit - has anyone used one? are they simple to set up? is there anywhere i can find information on how to customize this to my needs? done soldering and electrical projects, have a little know how. *note not really looking for info on the light or what it does itself, more how to actually set it up and use it for a micro grow. LED grow light kit, blue & red with dimmers, super bright, DIY | eBay info from the ebay "This grow light kit includes two dimmer knobs for controlling the amount of red or blue light on at each time. This feature allows you to control each color at different stages of plant growth. EACH KIT INCLUDES: One printed circuit board (PCB) 104 super bright LED lights (red and blue in labeled bags) 2 dimmer potentiometer controls SMT resistors Power Supply Instructions for assembly This kit does NOT include any type of mounting nor enclosures. Total Panel size is 7" x 4.2". This panel uses 6-12W of power."
No, I have not used led b/c I do not believe all the bullshit advertising about them. Last year a California dept of Transportation report about illumination of state office buildings determined that l.e.d. lights are not more efficient or brighter or better in any way than common tube flourescent lighting despite the tripled cost for the lamps. the point is: most of what you read about l.e.d ligthing is bullshit.
I have led lights now, that's gonna be a weak light. Look for a kit with 3w emitters. I have seen good results from led, but you must invest in quality. The kit you are looking at says it is like 12w, with over 100 leds. Might be ok to play with, but I wouldn't expect much from it.
Sorry, but I must disagree. I've used all blue 90W UFO L.E.D.'s for my veg stage the last couple of times with very good results. I'm with growmymeds on this—don't fall for those little, low-watt, piss ant kits. Do a search on ebay for L.E.D.'s, and you'll come across some deals on the 90W. Do a little research, too, because I've seen some advertised as winners of a competition, but when I dug a little deeper it seems bogus. Even if they do have lower prices, I still avoid them because of the shady advertising. If they're shady about that, what else might they be shady about (inferior components, customer service, etc.)? I have a couple of sellers I would recommend, except I worry about running afoul of GC forum rules.
thanks for that info ive heard a lot of good about them from gc users who have actually used them im going to get one once i can afford it probably not in the near future ill have plenty of time to be sure.
I say its all in how you use it. A lot of advantages when using LED. A lot less energy consumption, very little heat, no loud vortex fans running to cool it down. So there are a lot of benefits to those systems. The only thing I would not do with LED is use it as a primary light source for flowering. Supplemental lighting it would work great. But from everyone that I've seen use it as a primary, it ends up with light airy buds and a whole lot of regret for not using a traditional HPS. Just my 2 cents on the issue
Not worth it. Doing a DIY project with 100 LEDs would be torture, since you can accomplish the same with a lot less 3w or 5w high output LEDs made by CREE or Vollong. Also, quality vendors like the ones listed below will list the kelvins and lumins (or Millicandela). DIY LEDs is possible and fun to due because you can put together exactly what you want. BUT be ready for a little learning curve on watts, volts, LED drivers, power supplies, heat sinks, lumens vs. Millicandela, milliamps, etc... Check out these vendors; LED Lights, Bulbs & Accessories - SUPER BRIGHT LEDS Rapid LED SatisLED Store, China LED wholesaler-China LED Manufacture-Wholesale LED lights at Factory Price
[quote name='"Bud Grauer"']No, I have not used led b/c I do not believe all the bullshit advertising about them. Last year a California dept of Transportation report about illumination of state office buildings determined that l.e.d. lights are not more efficient or brighter or better in any way than common tube flourescent lighting despite the tripled cost for the lamps. the point is: most of what you read about l.e.d ligthing is bullshit.[/quote] Sorry but this just isn't true the California dept of transport are wrong. I'm a physicist and can tell you the most efficient method of electricity to light conversion is LED. Whether they are good for growing however is for other people to decide.
... if you don't know what you are talking about relevent to growing weed .... then who really gives a shit what you think Dr. Science.
Dont get so butt hurt Bud, so he called your post out as BS, dont get mad at him. Dont believe everything you read and then spout it off as fact, you wont get replies from people like "Dr Science."
This Know Nothing ought to put his money where his mouth is and go out and buy some LED gro lites and then share with us how they work for him. Most people would regard a CalTrans efficiency study that dtermined that LED's are no better than common flourotubes as credible. The main point is worth repeating: altho LED's cost three times as much as regular lights, there is no reason to believe they work any better
With the current line of 3 w leds I believe they are superior in a couple of ways. They produce less heat and draw less power than floro. That said, are they worth the price? Depends on your situation. I need low draw and low heat so I have bought them and used them. Will they grow better plants? Doubt it.