Light Rail: How long to pause?

[FinestKind]

Hey all... I'm running a 1000w light on a rail and covering essentially a 4x6 area with it... although I could probably push it to 4x7 by moving some stuff around... my question is: how long should I pause at the ends? I've been running this thing for 3 years, and it has never occurred to me to see what other people are doing in this regard... I've just kind of left it at 30 seconds and said be done with it... any thoughts? Strategies?

While we're at it, should I try to increase my space to 4x7, or will I get roughly the same yields as with 4x6, since I'm using the same wattage? How about 4x8 (which would require some real rethinking but could be done if it was truly worth it)... thanks!

 

[EvilTwin]

Hey Finest...
I assume a Gualala light rail 3.5 or 5? The manufacturer's recommendation is for a total cycle time of 6 to 7 minutes.

More importantly I think is to look at the growth patterns. If you aren't getting any taller or shorter plants on the ends...then you're OK.

Also if you're pushing the light distance...getting it as close as possible...just make sure you're not leaving it on long enough to burn the tops at the ends.

If you haven't noticed any problems in 3 years, then you're probably fine.
Peace,
ET

PS: If you believe the 1.6 efficiency factor from the Gualala website, you could go up to 4x8 and still maintain a 50watt/square foot light intensity. Naysayers will of course mock that. I'm sure you've heard all the arguments. Why don't you just run 4x8 and see what the results are? I'll bet your yield would increase.

 

[FinestKind]

Yeah the 3.5... I hadn't heard the total cycle time figure, that's good to know. And yeah, the burning is the main reason I ended up going with 30 seconds at either end (I do keep my 1000 within 8" with no air cooling, although that's about to change!) And perhaps I will give it a go, maybe I'll try 4x7 first and see what happens... thanks!

FK

 

[MarquisBlack]

Hmmm... 4x8 @ 50wpsf? Not a naysayer, just doing light mover research. Was considering just doing 1k at 4x5. Legitimate 50wpsf that way.

 

[EvilTwin]

Hmmm... 4x8 @ 50wpsf? Not a naysayer, just doing light mover research. Was considering just doing 1k at 4x5. Legitimate 50wpsf that way.

Hi Marquis,
If you've followed light mover threads...then you're familiar with the arguments. I merely suggested that IF you believed the manufacturers claims of a 1.6 efficiency factor...then a 4x8 grow is possible with a 1K.

Movers provide many advantages including better penetration, possibility of closer light placement. But the naysayers argue that you can't get increased coverage.

I personally have proved (to myself) that you can extend the area of light coverage with a mover. So my advice to you is to try a grow extending your area. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Cheers,
ET

PS: I probably should have written "a practical equivalent to 50watts/sf" or something like that.

 

[CovertCrops]

I have a mover sitting on the floor chillin. I get better coverage with another light. Maybe someday i'll put the mover back up but right now I like seeing the whole garden bathed in light, the darkness when the light would move away really bothered me.

 

[W.P.]

I have a mover sitting on the floor chillin. I get better coverage with another light. Maybe someday i'll put the mover back up but right now I like seeing the whole garden bathed in light, the darkness when the light would move away really bothered me.

That's why you only have move about 14 inches or so no real 'dark spot' better angles, light penetration , closer etc... ( i use MagnumXXL so i get a really even foot print )

 

[Phillthy]

i tend to leave mine more towards the longer setting. about 45 second pause or so.

 

[FinestKind]

Okay, let's see... Marquis, I'm currently at 4x6 with a 1000w HPS, and it looks real nice, dense and delicious, not stretching or anything... harvesting tomorrow I'll give you a g/watt result in about a week, but I think I'm going to hit .7 with CO2 enrichment.

E.T., thanks again for the input, I'm going to try 4x7 next time and (if that works out) 4x8.... I'll keep you informed on the outcome.

Covert, I'm starting (this cycle) with a 1000W light covering a 4x6 space (4x7 if I have enough clones) and another table right next to it with 2 600W covering 3x8... this is all with Magnum XXXL's. Should be interesting, direct side by side comparison, same room, all other factors should be equal. Stay tuned!

W.P., that makes sense, I like the logic behind that one... I think mine will be moving something like 2 feet this time around, we'll see.

Phillthy, how far is your mover moving with that pause? No problems with excess heat, I presume? Air cooled?

And everyone... how far are you keeping your lights from the tops? (Feel free to chime in, non-mover folks!) Thanks all

FK

 

[SoCaliSmoker]

I used mine for 3 harvests at 60 seconds pausing on each end. It did seem though that the middle bunch were the happiest while the outsides didn't grow as large. Just my two-cents, longer than a minute in my experience.

 

[FinestKind]

I used mine for 3 harvests at 60 seconds pausing on each end. It did seem though that the middle bunch were the happiest while the outsides didn't grow as large. Just my two-cents, longer than a minute in my experience.

How much area were you covering (ie how far was the light travelling?)

 

[SoCaliSmoker]

I had 2 light rails (each rail 6 feet long), and I placed them over a 4ft by 8ft tray (each rail was about 2 1/2 feet away from each other). I had the light rail on the left moving 1000w HPS light, and the light rail on the right moving 1000w HPS, stopping on every end for 60 seconds.

I figured to myself that I could have hung both 1000w's over the tray and covered it with light (as "supposedly" 1000w HPS should cover 4ft X 4ft) but I thought 2 rails with 1000w on each side might provide a longer distance of light and the entire tray would have light on it at any given moment.

If I could have tried it again, I would just hang both 1000's over the tray and move the lights up as the plants grew. I don't think the light rails were worth the overall cost or the benefit of having light in different areas. One constant light is the best method unless you have a 4ft X 8ft tray and you only have 1, 1000w light. Then a light rail with a motion mover is your best bet.

 

[W.P.]

Yes moving over 1 ft will begin to have dark spots NOT good at all. Mine pauses 13 seconds moves from center 7 inches one way back to other 14 inches total with the xxxl , very little. But now get instead of a 4.5-5 foot length canopy with heaviest in middle and outer not as much , i get with room design walls at little under 7 ft i can get 6-7 ft length canopy with walls reflecting 6 inch on each side with even growth and i have no dark spots as the light all ready has a 5 ft spread.

 

[issack]

I'm flowering in a 4x6 with a rail on a 1000w. I'm going to have well over a pound in weight..maybe two.. i only have the mover going a foot to ether side. it is working very well for me.. My plants are close to chop.http://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=139890

there is a fine line where you can utilize the mover.. if you go overboard you will loose valuable bud weight..

 

[FinestKind]

Okay, let's see... Marquis, I'm currently at 4x6 with a 1000w HPS, and it looks real nice, dense and delicious, not stretching or anything... harvesting tomorrow I'll give you a g/watt result in about a week, but I think I'm going to hit .7 with CO2 enrichment.

E.T., thanks again for the input, I'm going to try 4x7 next time and (if that works out) 4x8.... I'll keep you informed on the outcome.

Covert, I'm starting (this cycle) with a 1000W light covering a 4x6 space (4x7 if I have enough clones) and another table right next to it with 2 600W covering 3x8... this is all with Magnum XXXL's. Should be interesting, direct side by side comparison, same room, all other factors should be equal. Stay tuned!

W.P., that makes sense, I like the logic behind that one... I think mine will be moving something like 2 feet this time around, we'll see.

Phillthy, how far is your mover moving with that pause? No problems with excess heat, I presume? Air cooled?

And everyone... how far are you keeping your lights from the tops? (Feel free to chime in, non-mover folks!) Thanks all

FK

Well (in case anyone's still listening), I harvested a few weeks ago now actually, and at 4'x6' with the light rail and 1 1000w HPS, plus CO2, I got .53 grams per watt... I also had a couple of holes in my layout (not enough clones made it), and 3 of them were pretty gimpy, so I think it could definitely have been higher with those variables filled in. I think an ounce per plant seems to be what I could have gotten, which would be .67 g/watt in essentially a SoG setup (3 weeks veg).

I'm actually about to start flowering a literal side-by-side comparison of the 1000 on the rail covering 4x6, and two stationary 600's covering 3x8, should be interesting to see the difference. Stay tuned, I'll post some pix along the way!

FK

Oops, just realized I already mentioned that in my last post, well it's been a while...