Air cooled reflector testing with Digital footcandle meter

[pico]

I am sure the Radiant 8 people will be happy to see those numbers. The averages might just beat out the Super Sun 2. However, it does look like it has more peaks and valleys. very hot, hot spots, and pretty dark, dark spots.

If I was you, I would either test everything with glass, or everything without glass. That way it is easier to compare your numbers to each other.

As far as getting stickied, I don't know, I never tried. Maybe if after we do all the rest of the testing we want, we can consolidate all the info in to an easy to read thread with all data on the first page or two and discussion after that.

 

[BlindDate]

Darthvapor.....Since you guys also compare intensity between different reflectors (same bulb/ballast etc.), are the distances measured from the front of the reflector (where the glass is) or from the center of the bulb? I mention this because even a few inches will make a difference. If one reflector is deeper than another, it's not an accurate comparison to measure from the glass.

 

[darthvapor]

ive been measuring from the bottom of the glass. Dont tell me I gotta start over??!!

 

[green_thumb]

yup, the design of an experiment is important

 

[Guest]

Given that the Hood Performance is being measured why wouldn't the values be valid? If a manufacturer has a poor design as in too deep of a reflector then the testing at the distance from the glass lens will indicate that design deficiency. All of the hoods pico tested were subjected to the same criteria.

Apples and Apples, why give poor design an edge in the testing procedures?

TyStik

 

[Guest]

Can someone tell me which way to run a hood for max air flow? Should the air pass over the socket end first and travel to the tip of the bulb or opposite? I have heard there is a big temp difference in the way they are setup.

Thanks yo!!

 

[BlindDate]

Given that the Hood Performance is being measured why wouldn't the values be valid? If a manufacturer has a poor design as in too deep of a reflector then the testing at the distance from the glass lens will indicate that design deficiency. All of the hoods pico tested were subjected to the same criteria.

Apples and Apples, why give poor design an edge in the testing procedures?

Whether a reflector is deep or shallow may have nothing to due with it's performance. They are just different design approaches. And, If all we are measuring is how evenly the reflector disperses light then it does not matter much where the 18, 24, 36 is taken from. If the tester is trying to compare light intensity it is only fair that all distance readings come from the source of light (the center of the bulb) else the test is going to be skewed, because as good as any reflector is, it's the closest bulb that is going to win in lumen output.

 

[BlindDate]

Can someone tell me which way to run a hood for max air flow? Should the air pass over the socket end first and travel to the tip of the bulb or opposite? I have heard there is a big temp difference in the way they are setup.

I would say tip of the bulb first since it's smooth and streamlined.

 

[clowntown]

I would say tip of the bulb first since it's smooth and streamlined.

In terms of aerodynamics and in theory that is the best way...

But the I think the big difference he was referring to was whether blowing hot air into the growroom or pulling hot air out of the growroom in an unsealed system.

 

[Guest]

IMO: I think the tip of the bulb is hottest so it should be the first to leave the hood instead of pulling that heat across the whole bulb and past the socket. I am pulling the air out not pushing!

 

[darthvapor]

dude its a bulb not a jetfighter. Do you really think it affects the airflow that much? Only way to know is to test it. Get one of those infrared thermometers, Ive seen them as cheap as 25 bucks.. I dont think it matters.

 

[BlindDate]

HaHA .....Yes Darth,,,you are 100% correct. But I still can't help trying to answer every silly question.

 

[darthvapor]

Just picked up another hood. a radiant .This has the option of adding glass and vents but they are indirectly vented. Ill try and have that up this weekend. Couldnt locate any cooltubes to test but Ill keep trying maybe something will come up.

 

[NorthernKronic]

Darth I will be very interested in your radiant results.. They seem to have pretty good reflectivity with all of the spectral aluminum in there, silly that they only have openings for 4" ports though..

Are you going to test it with a 600 or 1000? prob a 6. Cant wait to see the results!! Thanks for doing all this work guys!!

-N.Kron

 

[darthvapor]

gonna test with a 1k.. I like the indirctly vented hoods even tho they only 4" ports, but only if you use a plenum setup. If you inline cool then the big inline 8 inch ports would be better north c

 

[SuperLarry]

goodwork darth. i recently got a supersun2, but i still have some cooltubes. i also got a yieldmaster which is a pretty big hood - def better for the 1000s i would guess. i agree some tests with cooltubes would be nice. thanks for all the hard work.

 

[slackerbri]

That radiant with the 4" ducts is about as useless as tits on a bull. I had 2 of them and can say I am much much happier with my newer ones with the integrated 6" duct flanges.

Trust me, go 6" or better.

 

[Youareborg]

What's the word on someone testing the Silverstar hoods?

 

[darthvapor]

I can do some silverstars next. I belive http://greengoldhydro.com/ has them. By the way thanks greengold for allowing me to test all these hoods. Anybody in the bay area that can lend a cooltube for 2-3 days??? I coulnt test the radiant this weekend cuz it did not come with a socket and cord. I will soon as I get one

 

[darthvapor]

radiant no glass

At 18 inches

0510
1320
2120
1530
0780
1550
4650
2890
5100
1600
2000
7550
12400
8060
2220
2270
7380
11490
7500
2180
1210
2900
4490
3060
1270
Average:3921



at 24 inches

1050
2110
3000
2300
1200
2370
4770
6790
4880
2200
2660
6070
8280
5580
2300
2800
6200
8200
5710
2430
1800
3180
4210
3180
1650

average:3797


at 36 inches

1750
2700
3150
2730
1800
2300
3710
4530
3760
2280
2150
3630
4340
3400
1930
2470
3990
4760
3870
2370
2020
3070
3450
2930
1930

average:3001