Double-Ended 1000 W HPS PAR Test Results

[flat9]

Hey all, have you seen the results that Grower's House in Tucson recently published?

http://growershouse.com/images/DE_TEST_INFOGRAPHIC.pdf

I'm quite surprised by the results for the Gavita and the ePapillion. Seems like they're saying DE bulbs are good, but not w/ those reflectors. The Sun System AC/DE reflector seems to have killed it...

 

[flat9]

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1M0SbLUG1Q

 

[milehighmedical]

Yup, I just book marked that the other day. I'm trying to decide whether to splurge on lighting for this new build out. I can get 8" Magnum XXXL's w/ SG ballasts and 1000w Horti's for less than $300 (p/ set) brand new. An AC/DE hood with a phantom ballast (not even a Gavita) and a Phillips DE 1000w bulb goes for closer to $700+. With a Gavita remote ballast it would be closer to $800+ (p/ set). So I would be paying more than TWICE as much (almost THREE times as much!)... which really adds up. And just for reference, I can get a complete 1000w Gavita for around $400+.

So many expensive choices to make... so little time...

 

[FunkBomb]

That is quite a price difference between the two lighting systems. Has anyone done a test between the three different systems? Seeing that they all use the same amount of energy, I'd go with the $300/set and pocket the extra money for expenses down the road. How new is this double ended lamp technology?

-Funk

 

[milehighmedical]

That is quite a price difference between the two lighting systems. Has anyone done a test between the three different systems? Seeing that they all use the same amount of energy, I'd go with the $300/set and pocket the extra money for expenses down the road. How new is this double ended lamp technology?

-Funk

I went over the charts again today and I'd rather have the Magnum XXXL at 24" than the AC/DE at 36" for the price. You need to keep the AC/DE 36" away to get as even of a foot print (assuming multi-row over lap) as the XXXL at 24". At that point the AC/DE is still easily out preforming it but not to the extent that it's worth it. Every other parameter of your grow needs to be dialed to get an advantage out of a lot of these expensive upgrades. Will it pay for itself? Yes. Does that mean it's the right choice for everyone? Sadly, No.

 

[febisfebi]

That is quite a price difference between the two lighting systems. Has anyone done a test between the three different systems? Seeing that they all use the same amount of energy, I'd go with the $300/set and pocket the extra money for expenses down the road. How new is this double ended lamp technology?

-Funk

really, you would get a SE setup to save 25% per light. you are not going to get any performance increase, actrally a loss, with the ACDE cooled hood. the bulb needs to run at extremely high temp to run at max efficiency. like 200 celcius if I remember right, which is hot, hot hot. those numbers for the acde reflector are due to the fact they are putting the par meter way closer to the bulb. of course your going to get a higher reading if you put the meter 2" from the bulb, but your plants will never get those numbers. the spread of a 1kw DE bulb is supposed to be mounted way up high, to cover 21 square feet, without any fans blowing on it. that is will you will see the best performance, per watt, at 1000umol/meter squared.