LED Lab 2009

[LEDGirl]

I don't recommend my units as supplemental lights. There is no reason in my mind, to waste the energy of the 400W MH when you have a fully functioning LED. Using the units at 24" above your plants will simply reduce your yield and their efficiency. Using the LED at 24" is the equivalent of putting your HID about 5' away from your plants. If the footprint of 1 light isn't enough for your area, the simple answer is you need more than 1 light. As far as supplemental side lights, we're working on them.

 

[Thundurkel]

did you ever get pic's of Ed Rosenthal's Green Crack grow with your lights?

 

[mrred]

if its that good why isnt it at the same level as the mh? http://hydro-grow-led.com/blog/led-grow-test-vs-400w-mh/

thats a really unfair test

 

[LEDGirl]

did you ever get pic's of Ed Rosenthal's Green Crack grow with your lights?

Unfortunately, no. Here's the time line:

Beginning of October, I spoke to Ed and I was advised that the test was underway using green crack clones, in identical 4' x 4' areas, and that I would have pictures in 2 weeks.

2 weeks go by, so I call in to ask about pictures, and his receptionist tells me he is in Amsterdam till the end of the month.

Monday, November 2, I called Ed as was told that I would have photos on Friday.

Monday the 9th came, and I had no pictures, so I called again, and was told that he still had not received the pictures. (?)

Today (Friday the 13th), I called again, and was told that I would get pictures as soon as he receives them.

So quite honestly I'm a little disappointed at the rate of progress, and how little has been supplied to me after sending over $3,000 worth of free units in for testing. At this point I have no idea when I will be getting pictures, as every time I call I get a new potential date. Sorry to disappoint, but of everyone I think I am disappointed the most currently. I've been very excited to see what he can do, and hope some time soon that I will be receiving these pictures I keep asking for.

 

[freeride high]

if its that good why isnt it at the same level as the mh? http://hydro-grow-led.com/blog/led-grow-test-vs-400w-mh/

thats a really unfair test

could you get a MH that close without burning the plants?

 

[Centrum]

if its that good why isnt it at the same level as the mh? http://hydro-grow-led.com/blog/led-grow-test-vs-400w-mh/

thats a really unfair test

I thought the same thing too!

But the more and more i'm reading the more and more what she says sounds legit.

The lumens was confusing for me until she made it clear about how much actual light the plant is getting from any other bulb verses the led.

I cant wait for the damn tests, but i'm afraid i might be grabbing a 126 for my own tests, either way, false claims or legit, its something to play around with

 

[mallorqueta]

hello friends I present my lab led

Grow spectrum

Flowering spectrum

the next weekend cambiare photoperiod and shall begin to flower, you are invited on the following link

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=140223

 

[sx646522]

As far as supplemental side lights, we're working on them.

Hi LEDGirl,

I've been thinking a lot about supplementary LEDs recently. Can you tell us a little more about your upcoming supplementary lighting?

Such as the general profile, standalone or modular, spot lighting or strip light, and possibly coverage and/or wattage? Tight focus lenses, like your existing line?


My ideal supplementary grow light would be something like a modular LED strip available in ~1ft lengths that can snap together in a track or DIN-rail type mount; just cap the end and power with the attached cord, that could handle up to 4-6 units in a row. Cut the track to length as required, or make available in 1,2, and 4 ft long sections.

Put them anywhere as needed - as side lighting, above tables as replacements for fluorescent tubes, under the canopy facing upward, *very* micro cabinets, between normal 126W units to bridge a gap over 3 row hydro systems, whatever. With the right spacing you'd probably only need moderate heat sinks, no fans.

Use in a LEDtron (a Phototron with LEDs) with the modular strip lighting on 4 sides and a HGL main unit up top. Snap in the bottom 1-ft lengths when growing seedlings and small plants, then just add one foot at a time as the plants grow upwards. Saves electricity, avoids wasting light, very efficient.

------------------------------

The LED rope lights I've seen are far too weak to be of use (and won't improve much as the heat has to go somewhere, which means heat sinks for higher power LEDs at the least - not a good fit for a polyethylene rope!)

The drop-in 15W LED replacement strips for T8 32W fluorescents like this look interesting, but aren't designed for growth and use weak LEDs.

So - interested to see what you've come up with! Thanks.

Cheers,

-SX

 

[mrred]

could you get a MH that close without burning the plants?

this time of the year yoou can easly get a 1000w mh 8 inches from the bulb without burning, and without a air cooled hood

 

[LEDGirl]

could you get a MH that close without burning the plants?

Not unless you had glass for the hood, a fan, and a filter. Running a 650 degree bulb 8-12" from your plants without those components, is damn near suicide.

 

[LEDGirl]

I've been thinking a lot about supplementary LEDs recently. Can you tell us a little more about your upcoming supplementary lighting?

Such as the general profile, standalone or modular, spot lighting or strip light, and possibly coverage and/or wattage? Tight focus lenses, like your existing line?

It really depends on the prices that I receive from the various companies I am sourcing at this point. The manufacturer for my grow lights, does not have a cost-effective method for supplemental lighting right now, except for T5 style bulbs. The one style I really like, costs me over $4 per watt, so there is no way I could market it effectively. I am talking with two different companies right now about other supplemental lights, and am currently awaiting the quotes to see whether or not it's feasible. My current 126W sells for about $3.15 per watt retail, so I need to try and keep my supplemental price somewhere near that amount.

Anyhow, I have a promising lead so far for light strips that are about 2-3" wide, and 2', 3', or 4' long. They will come in varying wattages, depending on the length, and I should know more in a few days.

 

[freeride high]

Not unless you had glass for the hood, a fan, and a filter. Running a 650 degree bulb 8-12" from your plants without those components, is damn near suicide.

im not doubting the test as i can see its plenty bright for that small area to be up that high, i would be curious to see if it does make a difference as ive read the best PAR from HID is within that 12-16" from the light.

 

[sx646522]

...I have a promising lead so far for light strips that are about 2-3" wide, and 2', 3', or 4' long. They will come in varying wattages, depending on the length, and I should know more in a few days.

Excellent! Thanks very much. Something like that would complement your existing product line very well. I can envision a rather large market for supplementary lighting in and of itself, if you can produce them in a cost effective manner (which having enough volume will facilitate).

People here naturally think about MJ, but there are plenty of 'legitimate' houseplant, fruit, and vegetable growers out there as well. Folks will put plants in recessed alcoves with accent lighting or on counters below under cabinet lighting, etc. - plenty of places for new or retrofit applications with these. People might have to adjust to the weird purple glow vs. a daylight lamp, of course...

Cheers,

-SX

 

[LEDGirl]

Actually, I've had a couple of very nice older ladies, who purchased our lights to use over their herb gardens in their kitchens, or for moving potted plants in from outdoors when it gets too cold. I also have a customer working on a demo right now with tomatoes, as I know there are wide applications for our lights. I plan to have a University carry out testing with them as well, but there is only so much you can do so quickly.

Anyhow, the supplemental lights will be great, if the cost comes in at a good enough price. Guess I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best tonight! I should find out some pricing soon.

 

[the.rise]

It really depends on the prices that I receive from the various companies I am sourcing at this point. The manufacturer for my grow lights, does not have a cost-effective method for supplemental lighting right now, except for T5 style bulbs. The one style I really like, costs me over $4 per watt, so there is no way I could market it effectively. I am talking with two different companies right now about other supplemental lights, and am currently awaiting the quotes to see whether or not it's feasible. My current 126W sells for about $3.15 per watt retail, so I need to try and keep my supplemental price somewhere near that amount.

Anyhow, I have a promising lead so far for light strips that are about 2-3" wide, and 2', 3', or 4' long. They will come in varying wattages, depending on the length, and I should know more in a few days.

this is exactly what i would love to try out, not asking for freebies, ill pay 4$ per watt if you wanna make some 30 to 40watt panels

 

[jdmramon]

I found a good video of hps vs led. I think it will be appreciated too. does anyone have a side by side control group experiment like this on here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN5ZdwKpwRA

 

[SupraSPL]

Hi LEDGirl. I appreciate the technical detail you offer regarding wavelength and lenses. I have a couple of questions regarding LED lights, one specific to yours and one in general. Anyone else that wants to take a stab at these topics please feel free as well.

In my quest to build my own (tiny) veg light, I find it difficult to find efficient 110v AC powered drivers. For a small light, the 22/17 watt Xitanium seems a decent option @ 80% efficiency. My question is do you know how efficient your drivers are at stepping the AC to DC? Is the 63 watt figure the input power of the driver or the output power?

My other question is regarding UVB. My idea for a flowering setup is a combo using an 18" 15 watt Zoo Med UVB fluoro tube (or similar) to provide UVB UVA and cool white spectrum, in conjunction with an LED similar to your 63 watt to provide the red spectrum. I know there are UVA leds available cheaply, but the UVB leds are hugely expensive last I checked. My question is do you think UVB leds will be incorporated at some point or even if they need to be?

Current setup 70w HPS + 15w UVB fluoro

 

[canna cola]

SupraSPL:
What companies make UVB LEDs, I haven't been able to find any?

 

[LEDGro]

Hello all. I am currently working on building a LED setup. I have the electronics understanding but am trying to find the right LED's. So far the LEDEngin 5W Red's look like the best 660nm diodes. Does anyone have any better ones?

Also please stop by my thread if you want to check out what I have so far. I will be fully documenting the build in there.
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=146539

Right now no matter what I try to think up I can't see LED's beating MH/HPS on a cost basis. For me to even put out half of the lumens would be very expensive.

 

[mrred]

who does make the best leds out there now?