Air cooled reflector testing with Digital footcandle meter

[darthvapor]

daystar 1000watts

daystar 1000watts

got a couple of hoods tested using my light meter


I know alot of you have been asking for the daystar reviews so here you go. The pl light is next.

First up is the daystar ac with glass installed




measurement were taken after the bulb warmed up for 30 min. Measurments taken on a 4 X 4 grid split up into 16 individual sq feet in footcandles.



at 36 inches from the floor: at 24 inches from the floor:
1:1505 1:1950
2:2030 2:3250
3:1980 3:3230
4:1580 4:1810
5:1880 5:2700
6:2760 6:5100
7:2620 7:5020
8:1950 8:2690
9:1650 9:2600
10:2520 10:4910
11:2650 11:4980
12:1960 12:2710
13:1350 13:1920
14:1920 14:3000
15:1950 15:2990
16:1520 16:1950

average:1989 average:3176

next is the daystar





at 36 inches at 24 inches

1:1610 1:2160
2:2200 2:3910
3:2130 3:4160
4:1560 4:2200
5:2010 5:2790
6:2790 6:5510
7:2730 7:5150
8:1910 8:2860
9:2000 9:2960
10:2820 10:5690
11:2770 11:5420
12:1930 12:2890
13:1770 13:2260
14:2290 14:3920
15:2330 15:3880
16:1700 16:2000

average:2159 average:3610


my pl is next and maybe the supersun2 old and the new supersun2 in 1000watts


big thanks to d&s garden supplies in oakland,ca for lending the hoods. You can also check them out online at http://www.greengoldhydro.com/

 

[clowntown]

 

[Guest]

Nice work, TY for your efforts. Very generous of the peeps at G&S Garden Supply. I sure hope that your test parameters duplicate PICO's, it would certainly be a validation of the procedure and results.

Respects,

TyStik

 

[darthvapor]

heres the data for the pl hood. Im gonna just list the averages. If anybody wants the actual grid data I still have it.

Pl with glass at 36 inch: average 1841
pl without glass 36 inch: average 1941

pl with glass at 24 inch: average 2819
pl without glass 24 inch: average 3048

 

[green_thumb]

sorry, I think you are missing the point of your data
with or w/o glass, the difference is the field variation
the goal is a 'relatively' uniform illumunation
what is your goal here ?

 

[hurricane]

Put together 3d surfaces with excel like pinappaloupe did for pico's orrigional numbers. I think they are comparable in terms of light distribution, which would put the daystar AC in the lower areas, and the normal daystar twords the middle. Someone more knowledgable might comment though.






Hurricane

 

[samba]

How about having a test with just a bulb horizontally to be able to compare the test result between different testers/bulbs?

Just a thought...

 

[Strawberrycough]

darth vapor: did you measure the daystar ac with the glass on or off? can you give the measurements in 18" so that we can compare them to picos.

thanks,

 

[hurricane]

darth vapor: did you measure the daystar ac with the glass on or off? can you give the measurements in 18" so that we can compare them to picos.

thanks,

Raw numbers arn't comparable, due to many issues(different ballast, different bulb, different ambient temperature etc). The only thing that can be compared between them is the relative uniformity. Or how even is the light spread?

Hurricane

 

[pico]

Darth- Nice job man. Please post the grid data as it gives us a better idea of how uniform everything is. Also, I think you did a 4x4 grid, but that would mean you would want at least 25 data points. If you are just putting your light meter somewhere in the middle of those squares it really isn't accurate enough. You want to put the light meter in the exact spot every time and that would be where your tape pieces cross. I did a 3x3 area which is 16 points. 4x4 should be 25. Also, if you are just testing in the middle of those squares you are basically just testing a 3x3 area. So you are not getting any data from the outside which is where reflectors can have light fall off drastically.

strawberry cough- There is no way to compare to my data. First of all I used 600w and darth is using 1000s. Second of all there is just no way to have data mean anything when different ballasts, bulbs, light meter,test procedures are used. Just not possible.

 

[darthvapor]

strawberry....mesured the daystar ac with glass. Didnt take any 18inche measurements because 1000 watters never hang that close....at least mine dont.

Pico I guess i will have to retest them. Not sure how to go about making the grid with 25 test points. can you sketch something out with measurments. How soon are you going to test the bell hood. Im looking to buy some new gear and waiting to see if its going to be the super sun 2 new model or the bell. swithcing from 1000 to 600's thanks. Oh and I think I can borrow a digital ballast if you want to test... say the top 2 reflectors see if diff than regular ballast

thanks

 

[pico]

No, don't change to 600s, there is no point. Let me be clear on this for everyone

THERE IS NO WAY TO COMPARE MY DATA TO ANY OTHER DATA!!!!!

There just isn't. Your data is awesome on its own merits, it just can't be compared to mine.

You have 25 test points. Look at your pieces of tape on the ground. Here is a picture.



Maybe re-read my posts earlier in this thread.I think I outlined the procedure fairly well. You really need to fully understand everything before you dive in or you might mess something up. Don't take that the wrong way, I think it is awesome you are testing some shit out. We just can't give people the wrong idea.


I should be testing out the bell hood in the next week or two. I have it in hand. I can tell you right now before testing it out that the thing is GARBAGE. There is holes all over the place for air to escape. There is no socket installed. The way they attach the glass is a joke. There is no cordset.....the list goes on. I will have a full review but at this point I can't believe what they sent me. Total shock when I opened up the package. I would NEVER put this thing in my room because I don't have the time to put together a reflector from scratch. The thing is the most basic design too and I doubt it will test high. I still will test it and give unbiased results, but I can't believe the design and how they think it is the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[darthvapor]

I thought the pl hood was the best until I did this test pico. Reason Im switching to 600 is not because of this thread. I get better bud with lower wattage. Best I ever grew was with 3 430 watt pl's. Sure I get biggger buds with more yield with the 1000 watters but I just dont get the fully developed trichome heads and resin production as with the 430 watters, so a compromise of 600 watts it is. Hey would you be willing to test out a pl midi reflector with your 600 setup you did the test with? Im in the eastbay or I could mail it...whatever thanks pico

 

[pico]

I actually can't do any more comparison tests myself with the 600w setup. I have moved since then and I threw the test bulb away. I plan on testing with 1000w next and will compare the super sun 2 to a variety of reflectors I have not tested yet. I would be down to grab the PL from you and compare to the super sun 2 for sure.

Give me a couple weeks and we will figure something out. I got a lot going on right now.

 

[Brain]

don't forget the DDIIIFFFUUSSEERRR!!!

 

[darthvapor]

Okay here goes the revised test data.
Daystar AC with glass.
At 36 inches
1. 1080
2. 1620
3. 1850
4. 1640
5. 1110
6. 1410
7. 2200
8. 2570
9. 2100
10. 1360
11. 1480
12. 2410
13. 2850
14. 2250
15. 1450
16. 1420
17. 2100
18. 2450
19. 2020
20. 1340
21. 1100
22. 1490
23. 1670
24. 1560
25. 1150
Average=1747

At 24 inches
1. 1250
2. 2220
3. 2700
4. 2170
5. 1160
6. 1390
7. 3200
8. 4300
9. 3120
10. 1320
11.1580
12. 4100
13. 5960
14. 3900
15. 1470
16. 1420
17. 3120
18. 4180
19. 3110
20. 1400
21. 1280
22. 2070
23. 2540
24. 2190
25. 1230
Average=2495

At 18 inches
1. 1010
2. 2160
3. 2780
4. 2180
5. 0850
6. 1270
7. 3970
8. 6020
9. 3730
10. 1160
11. 1350
12. 5700
13. 9800
14. 5260
15. 1270
16. 1240
17. 3880
18. 5770
19. 3750
20. 1130
21. 1050
22. 2210
23. 2800
24. 2220
25. 1060
Average=2945

I did not test without glass because this reflector is meant to be used as a sealed air cooled hood. more to come. Its tedious to type this up I think I feel 2 carpal tunnels already

 

[pico]

Nice work. Yes, it is a bitch typing up all the numbers.

If you have time, take some detailed pictures of the reflectors you are testing and take notes on things. Design flaws, ease of use....

 

[Ganja Guerilla]

Okay here goes the revised test data.
I did not test without glass because this reflector is meant to be used as a sealed air cooled hood. more to come. Its tedious to type this up I think I feel 2 carpal tunnels already

Please no carpal tunnel until after the Sun Systems Sun Gro results...
hmmmm... I wonder if that could qualify you for med use?

 

[darthvapor]

heres the daystar with glass

at 36 inches

1. 1000
2. 1610
3.1990
4. 1720
5. 1100
6. 1320
7. 2020
8. 2450
9. 2050
10. 1330
11. 1450
12. 2330
13. 2860
14. 2310
15. 1430
16. 1401
17. 2060
18. 2430
19. 2010
20.1280
21. 1130
22. 1520
23. 1690
24. 1520
25. 1000
average 1720

At 24 inches

1. 1030
2. 1950
3. 2650
4. 1930
5. 0940
6. 1290
7. 2880
8. 4190
9. 2960
10. 1260
11. 1580
12. 4000
13. 5820
14. 3860
15. 1490
16.1460
17. 3230
18. 4270
19. 3060
20. 1270
21. 1130
22. 1970
23. 2520
24. 2000
25. 0980
average 2389

At 18 inches
1. 0850
2. 1910
3. 2650
4. 1930
5. 0760
6. 1030
7. 3430
8. 6180
9. 3430
10. 1100
11. 1170
12. 5410
13. 9330
14. 5320
15. 1280
16. 1160
17. 4050
18. 6140
19. 3690
20. 1080
21. 0880
22. 2000
23. 2840
24. 1970
25. 0740
average 2813

 

[darthvapor]

daystar no glass

at 36 inches
1. 1080
2. 1690
3. 2050
4. 1770
5. 1160
6. 1380
7. 2100
8. 2590
9. 2150
10. 1430
11. 1610
12. 2460
13. 2990
14. 2380
15. 1520
16. 1540
17. 2160
18. 2550
19. 2060
20. 1380
21. 1270
22. 1660
23. 1880
24. 1680
25. 1120
average 1826

at 24 inches
1. 1210
2. 2320
3. 3040
4. 2230
5. 1150
6. 1420
7. 3060
8. 4350
9. 3050
10. 1410
11. 1690
12. 4130
13. 5930
14. 4000
15. 1590
16. 1610
17. 3400
18. 4520
19. 3140
20. 1390
21. 1310
22. 2250
23. 2890
24. 2200
25. 1070
average 2571

at 18 inches
1. 1020
2. 2190
3. 3000
4. 2130
5. 0940
6. 1230
7. 3620
8. 6330
9. 3500
10. 1190
11. 1390
12. 5730
13. 9550
14. 5530
15. 1350
16. 1280
17.3990
18. 6530
19. 3830
20. 1140
21. 1120
22. 2290
23. 3120
24. 2240
25.0990
average 3008

the pics for both these are in my earlier post. The pl and sun gro are in use now and will test them in 6 weeks unless I find another hood. I will check and see what I can find tmw.