L.E.D. advice for wine cooler grow - LED Grow Lights - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

Amador · 11-14-2012, 05:15 AM

Hi All,

Thanks in advance for your advise!

I have a wine cooler, that I am converting to a micro grow box. The inside dimensions are 16"x16"x28". I will most likely run a scrog in there. I'm looking for recommendations on an L.E.D. set up. Other than sufficient power, my main concerns are-

A. Low Profile (to maximize space)
B. Cost (my budget is $250ish)

I am looking at the solar flare 100, but at 4.5" thick, it's a bit more bulky than i would like. I have not decided against it by any means, but would love to hear some thought/opinions. BTW, I am much more concerned with quality over quantity as my consumption is only about a 1/4 oz. every month and a half or so.

Thanks!!

hempfield · 11-14-2012, 08:00 AM

If the cooler has metal housing you could remove the insulation and glue some LEDs on the top of it, using the ceiling and the walls as heat-sink for those LEDs.

50-60W of LED power will be enough for a decent grow. Just be sure to spread the LEDs all over the surface to have a homogeneous illumination.

Use only white and blue LEDs for vegging and double the power in flower with red LEDs.

Socrates · 11-15-2012, 05:21 AM

If you are sure you want to use LEDs, I think hempfield's suggestion is the best. There are also a number of pre-made panels that would fit your budget. However, with only 28 inches of height total, they might not be the best solution. You will probably want a foot + between the lights and the plants to prevent bleaching with decent 3W chips and lenses. Assuming an inch between the light and the top of the cab for airflow and 3.5 inches of depth for the light itself, you would then only have 13.5 inches for containers and plants (maybe, doing that in my head while stoned). With a properly set up cool-tube or cfl/pl-l bulbs, you will be able to get the plants much closer to the lights.

analogue · 11-15-2012, 06:56 AM

my best advice is to check out this journal by VerdantGreen.

de145 · 11-15-2012, 07:44 PM

What Analogue said.

Sufficient power? I think actually you're issue will be exactly the opposite:

You will likely want 1 watt led's not 3 watt in that small a space because you get more square footage coverage, lower temps and less chance of bleaching the tops which I think you will find hard to avoid with a 3 watt in that little height.

That being said the light is probably far more expensive than the wine cooler you are growing in so maybe consider a different growing container or at least try it first before you spend too much time modifying the wine cooler, maybe try a cardboard box of the same dimensions with your light and grow for a couple of weeks first to make sure it will work.

Socrates · 11-16-2012, 04:13 AM

This.

de145 · 11-16-2012, 04:41 AM

Sorry Socrates, just realized you said basically the same thing already.

Amador · 11-16-2012, 07:18 AM

Thanks for the feedback! I decided to go ahead and purchase the Solar Flare 100W. Based on the feedback, I will probably cut a hole in the top of the cooler and mount the light on the outside. This will buy me another 6" of headroom. I have another grow going so this is a total experiment. If is works, awesome. If not I will put some CFL's in the cooler and use it to house some mothers and build a new cab for the LED. Thanks again for the input, I will update once the grow begin

11-14-2012, 05:15 AM	#1
Amador New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10	L.E.D. advice for wine cooler grow Hi All, Thanks in advance for your advise! I have a wine cooler, that I am converting to a micro grow box. The inside dimensions are 16"x16"x28". I will most likely run a scrog in there. I'm looking for recommendations on an L.E.D. set up. Other than sufficient power, my main concerns are- A. Low Profile (to maximize space) B. Cost (my budget is $250ish) I am looking at the solar flare 100, but at 4.5" thick, it's a bit more bulky than i would like. I have not decided against it by any means, but would love to hear some thought/opinions. BTW, I am much more concerned with quality over quantity as my consumption is only about a 1/4 oz. every month and a half or so. Thanks!!
	Quote

11-14-2012, 08:00 AM	#2
hempfield Organic LED Grower Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: In the hemp field. Posts: 4,770	If the cooler has metal housing you could remove the insulation and glue some LEDs on the top of it, using the ceiling and the walls as heat-sink for those LEDs. 50-60W of LED power will be enough for a decent grow. Just be sure to spread the LEDs all over the surface to have a homogeneous illumination. Use only white and blue LEDs for vegging and double the power in flower with red LEDs. __________________ *"WARNING: Although using marijuana may not be addictive, growing it is."* "The obscenity of hunting down low-level cannabis users to protect them is beyond absurd" - David Nutt
	Quote

11-15-2012, 05:21 AM	#3
Socrates Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 398	If you are sure you want to use LEDs, I think hempfield's suggestion is the best. There are also a number of pre-made panels that would fit your budget. However, with only 28 inches of height total, they might not be the best solution. You will probably want a foot + between the lights and the plants to prevent bleaching with decent 3W chips and lenses. Assuming an inch between the light and the top of the cab for airflow and 3.5 inches of depth for the light itself, you would then only have 13.5 inches for containers and plants (maybe, doing that in my head while stoned). With a properly set up cool-tube or cfl/pl-l bulbs, you will be able to get the plants much closer to the lights.
	Quote 2 members found this post helpful.

11-15-2012, 06:56 AM	#4
analogue Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chlorophyll Manager Posts: 213	my best advice is to check out this journal by VerdantGreen.
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

11-15-2012, 07:44 PM	#5
de145 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 325	What Analogue said. Sufficient power? I think actually you're issue will be exactly the opposite: You will likely want 1 watt led's not 3 watt in that small a space because you get more square footage coverage, lower temps and less chance of bleaching the tops which I think you will find hard to avoid with a 3 watt in that little height. That being said the light is probably far more expensive than the wine cooler you are growing in so maybe consider a different growing container or at least try it first before you spend too much time modifying the wine cooler, maybe try a cardboard box of the same dimensions with your light and grow for a couple of weeks first to make sure it will work.
	Quote 2 members found this post helpful.

11-16-2012, 04:13 AM	#6
Socrates Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 398	This.
	Quote

11-16-2012, 04:41 AM	#7
de145 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 325	Sorry Socrates, just realized you said basically the same thing already.
	Quote

11-16-2012, 07:18 AM	#8
Amador New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10	Thanks for the feedback! I decided to go ahead and purchase the Solar Flare 100W. Based on the feedback, I will probably cut a hole in the top of the cooler and mount the light on the outside. This will buy me another 6" of headroom. I have another grow going so this is a total experiment. If is works, awesome. If not I will put some CFL's in the cooler and use it to house some mothers and build a new cab for the LED. Thanks again for the input, I will update once the grow begin
	Quote