400 watt replacement advice

[evertking]

Can someone lend a hand? Been growing for a few years with a 400 watt. But I'm really want the heat issue to be gone so I turn to you guys with experience with leds. I been reading for over an hour and don't know what's hype or not. So... what's up? Can my trusty lumatek be replaced? Please experienced only. What do you lamp do you recommend? Thanks

 

[Phychotron]

Thats a question we all hear a lot but few can give you a straight answer. Its hard to say how much a bulb converts to LED, as the footprint and intensity are variables in LED. You might get larger buds than a 400, but with less of a footprint. Theres no direct conversion, and finding that perfect footprint for your area is difficult but very important.

The right light depends on the size area and grow style. I'm a fan of the Diamond Series from Advanced LED, with great results so far. I didn't think their Extreme Flower models were that spectacular, but the EF180 I had did work decent. My brother had the EF740 and it did amazing, but the footprint was too small and intensity too high, and should have been two fixtures instead of one.

I cant recommend any other by name, but I can tell you that you'll want to make a well informed decision when selecting your light. Ive tried Blackstar's but they're not investment worthy, slow plants, lesser bud size and stretched out. I only recommend those to people who desperately need an LED for some reason, but fully understand that they are not the best footprint/intensity/penetration/craftsmanship that you want in an already expensive LED. When you look at price $/watts(drawn, not calculated) the more expensive fixtures are not too much more expensive than the cheaper stuff, but will include things like a proper heat sink or three year warranty.

There are a few companies out there that will let you do a 90 day trial, some with a restocking fee, some full refund no questions asked.

 

[positivity]

I hate to give light advice, but I've got some experience, and lots of time logged looking at every grow ever posted online.

After my last bad experience, I think people need better advice.

In my opinion, and only my opinion.

Number one, support the American based companies. Whether they make them here or abroad. The American guys have their reputation on the line and are doing a better job selecting diodes and spectrums. The stuff straight from china are a gamble. They seem to care more about money made then quality. Just because it looks pretty doesn't mean it works well.

Second, 150w per light or more. Leds seem to have more kick at that watt level. I prefer 200w per light minimum. No more than 300w per light. At the point you hit 350w to 400w your better off splitting it into two.

Third, stay away from integrated until there's a documented good grow. I'm using a 90w integrated and I can't believe how crappy the penetration is. I've never seen so much dead undergrowth.

Fourth, expect watt for watt. You want 400w hid results, use 400w of led. Very few do over a gram a watt, usually the numbers are similar to hid

The benefits of led are more in the realm of low radiant heat, lower fire risk, and less cooling needs such as large exhaust fans, a/c, etc..

As for brands. Area 51 (wait for their new light due in October), apache tech (call them about new light availability since they haven't updated their site), lumigrow pro, advanced diamond series, growblu (new company showing promise, search threads for grow), and California lightworks (although I think their panels need an update)

All of the above should grow you some quality stuff, guaranteed, with a warranty. Which one is a coin toss, as no one seems to be running away.

 

[evertking]

Thanks for all the replies. Opinions on cali light works solar storm and the flare?