vertical LED

[plastochron]

Howdy folks,

I've done my fair share of experimenting to try to max out g/w at various scales, including a year of vertical NFT/deep water culture at an ambitious scale and a couple years now of micro to small scale LED grows. I since I began using the LEDs several years ago the prices have gone down and the spectrum design has gotten better dialed in. I am considering going with a custom 1000w vertical LED system. Has anyone given this a shot?

 

[Hundred Gram Oz]

Hi plastochron I haven't grown with LEDs but I know a few that have and they tell me that the buds aren't as dense vs HID lighting. I'm happy with HID's, as long as your getting 1g/pw is there really any need to switch about? Hitting over 1.5g/pw can be done but 99% of the time it will require high plant numbers, the other 1% is growing trees with a LARGE veg time which is less efficient.

HGO

 

[GP73LPC]

i would love to see a vertical LED grow...

 

[megayields]

I have thought about LED's but every time I look at buds grown under them I am underwhelmed by their density vs HID's. It would be interesting to see a vertical LED lamp...I saw one about 14 months ago but the price was stupid expensive.

 

[Mr Celsius]

Vertical growing and LED's contradict each other.

LED's put off unidirectional light, which is not conducive to lighting up a square or circle when hung vertically. Whereas' HIDs put off omnidirectional light.

IMHO HID's should have always been done vertically and the new fade/tech of growing would be LED's in a horizontal position would be blowing everyone's mind.

I don't think you're going to see more efficiency by trying. You might be able to fit more bio-mass in a smaller square footprint, but that's about it.

 

[sgapetti]

i would love to see a led vertical grow as well

 

[Hundred Gram Oz]

There are vert LEDs out there, I remember seeing one not so long ago, but they don't interest me TBH.

 

[plastochron]

The diodes are arranged in a column in the design I am envisioning. I do understand everyone's criticism of the lack of density but i have achieved and seen many times (from seasoned LED growers) comparable density when the canopy architecture was managed meticulously. the light penetration issue isn't an issue if you flip from 6" babies. also choosing the right genetics are essential to achieve tight buds (sorry sativa heads). i think a rotary grow around the column would definitely yield >1g/w of top notch medicine.

 

[hemivette]

I have a bit of an LED vert system on the go at the moment, in my 4x4x6'8" cab. Its a 800 watt SolarStorm, with 5w diodes. Actual power use with UVB on in flower mode is a 690 watt draw at the wall. Which I would say is pretty honest, as they only claim 650.

I have shortened it since the pics, and will be shortening the back 2 rows again, before my next grow. The issue I have found is in heat. Especially the top row. I just ordered a chiller, to help with matters.

Heres some of my pics. h

 

[plastochron]

very nice. i take it you took this approach for the stealthiness. what strain(s) are you or have you rocked in this setup? g/w range?

 

[5th]

Your cab sir. It's fucking aces all around. Hats off to ya. But if heat is an issue....and you say it it is...well you need to correct that. Do so by using HID and more fans, intake n' outtake. I've grown with LED...never again...

 

[woolybear]

from my very brief experiment, hanging an led panel vertically = sad plants.

 

[plastochron]

i definitely think that to improve total g/w with a vertical LED grow you would have to construct your own cylindrical unit, though the more that i ponder the idea the more it seems to only make sense if you have very limited space.

 

[high life 45]

I have played around with the idea of vert leds before. I was thinking about a DIY cylinder, using a 3 or 4" pvc or abs tube. Cut it in half with a tablesaw, install a couple hinges on the inside and a magnetic close/latch on the inside, then get to drilling holes and soldering. The problem is every year or three led technology gets twice as good or powerful.
Now look who showed up to the party plasma lighting... I am just waiting for technology to become more affordable. Soon enough we will have luminescent polyfilm.

 

[OjoRojo420]

Hello,

These guys have just the right fixture:

http://www.bsled.com/led-grow-light/bs-zo3-led-grow-lights

Very interesting!

Ojo

 

[plastochron]

HL, i definitely agree with you that the technology is improving so quickly that it makes sense to wait until it's cheaper. on the other hand, what i have seen and experienced with LEDs over the past couple years, one can definitely improve g/w for micro to small grows and still produce top notch bud using LEDs. i do not have any experience or much knowledge about plasma lights.

Ojo, that is definitely the design i was thinking. i would only even consider buying that if the price was much lower than what i imagine it is. i would possibly purchase if i could customize the spectrum array. hopefully a company in amurica will come out with a product like this soon.

 

[Bennyweed1]

Hello,

These guys have just the right fixture:

http://www.bsled.com/led-grow-light/bs-zo3-led-grow-lights

Very interesting!

Ojo

I would stay clear of any company claiming a 520w LED can replace 1500-1700w of HID. Complete lie with no research behind it.

Plus that light looks just like a light offered from Hydro Grow Led and that is the worst company in the world to fall victim too. Be carefully with LED mfgs and their bogus claims.

 

[GP73LPC]

HGL makes one too, the 504W Vert, but again, i don't recommend this company because of their past.

There are a few others that make elongated units that if combined and turned on edge would accomplish the exact same thing. lumigrow is now making the lumibar...

the onviled snake 42w (modular design, allowing individual light placement for each plant) could also be used in a vert grow...


my welthink wex-c510's could be done this way by using 4-6 units...

 

[OjoRojo420]

I would stay clear of any company claiming a 520w LED can replace 1500-1700w of HID. Complete lie with no research behind it.

Plus that light looks just like a light offered from Hydro Grow Led and that is the worst company in the world to fall victim too. Be carefully with LED mfgs and their bogus claims.

Good to know!

Ojo