Air cooled reflector testing with Digital footcandle meter
- Thread starter pico
- Start date
I used PL midi and deep hoods. they seem to work great. super lightweight and easy to hang. the aircooled housing sucks though. great hood for bare bulb apps though.
When you have 8+ hoods, and you are trying to get the most out of aircooling, a TUBE will kick everythings ass hands down. while it may not throw as deep, you can hang em 10'' off the canopy and still cover a 4x4+ area with them. let's remember the inverse square law and how having your hoods 8" closer from the lowest you can go bare bulb, you are getting significantly more light even if the have to pass through the glass twice for an external reflector. kooltubes and suntubes have internal reflectors. I prefer the 8" suntube. I can run 6 of em off 1 10" maxfan, and hold the glass as long as I want
When you have 8+ hoods, and you are trying to get the most out of aircooling, a TUBE will kick everythings ass hands down. while it may not throw as deep, you can hang em 10'' off the canopy and still cover a 4x4+ area with them. let's remember the inverse square law and how having your hoods 8" closer from the lowest you can go bare bulb, you are getting significantly more light even if the have to pass through the glass twice for an external reflector. kooltubes and suntubes have internal reflectors. I prefer the 8" suntube. I can run 6 of em off 1 10" maxfan, and hold the glass as long as I want
I would really like to see Pico or Darth do a test on the Blockbuster as well. Its about that time to start looking for a new reflector and am torn on whether to go radiant or blockbuster.
Setup would be a 1000w in a 4'L x 4'W x 6'.5" H
any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Setup would be a 1000w in a 4'L x 4'W x 6'.5" H
any insight would be greatly appreciated.
badasshydro
Member
What is your opinion on adjust-a-wing's reflectors with or without diffuser?
As long as we're posting suggestions, I'd like to see the reflectors tested at 12" instead of 18", as the minimum distance to the canopy. Having read this thread several times, plotted-out the results relative to my room, purchased a SS to test, I can say with utmost confidence that the results posted here do not necessarily apply to a garden where the reflectors are closer to the canopy.
Simon
W
weedybob
really helpful thread, thank you, but the inequality of the light spread is troubleing. I'm using home built reflectors with huricane lamp glass to run the cooling air through. Tomorrow I'll go on the hunt for a light meter to run a similiar test and see if I can manipulate the wings to get a more even spread. I'll post again with Pic's if I succeed.
MrShpongle
Member
My tests of 4 reflector hoods
My tests of 4 reflector hoods
After following this thread for 6 months, I finally bought a light meter and set about to test my own set of hoods. I tried to duplicate as much of Pico’s methodology as possible, although some changes have been made. I tested a Sunlight Supply Super Sun 2 (my reference standard), a Sunlight Supply Sun Gro (an older but very popular hood), a Super Sun clone of unknown make, and a PL Lighting Deep reflector. All tests were done at 24" with a seasoned 1000 watt HPS and ballast, with one exception. The PL Deep will not hold a 1000 watt HPS, so I used a MH instead. Although the absolute numbers will not be comparable to the other three hoods, the light spread and shape will still be useful. I used a 4x4 grid with readings every 6".
Super Sun 2
119 179 212 218 203 208 198 189 154
150 235 275 296 287 291 273 242 180
188 281 242 236 237 235 238 280 208
214 240 232 241 239 240 234 304 234
227 311 230 243 244 244 230 240 250
220 307 226 234 230 232 226 301 235
186 274 312 225 226 225 235 268 212
156 229 258 277 278 277 262 219 160
116 160 180 181 183 185 182 165 124
1576 2216 2167 2151 2127 2137 2078 2208 1757 18417
Sun Gro
96 115 137 160 168 157 142 120 113
124 161 201 236 246 233 204 166 138
154 205 255 294 304 299 259 211 166
183 245 295 320 246 252 294 243 196
198 258 305 241 241 242 305 258 208
182 243 294 314 238 238 294 244 201
155 207 255 290 300 290 255 209 169
119 158 196 229 243 229 200 159 136
92 109 130 152 156 152 133 111 98
1303 1701 2068 2236 2142 2092 2086 1721 1425 16774
Unknown make SS2 clone
105 134 161 185 220 202 163 141 125
132 183 230 270 307 280 231 187 150
158 227 282 318 249 322 281 228 175
174 254 307 244 248 242 249 253 194
185 260 253 240 247 240 310 258 195
174 245 296 240 238 239 295 241 181
150 210 257 300 314 305 260 206 159
119 164 205 247 270 251 201 156 126
92 116 143 170 195 180 141 123 99
1289 1793 2134 2214 2288 2261 2131 1793 1404 17307
PL Deep
144 156 176 192 183 172 163 153 148
206 238 257 289 302 281 263 241 198
257 320 354 383 390 385 364 333 250
300 341 388 425 435 426 402 375 295
299 330 384 418 431 425 400 378 320
256 294 341 378 390 388 370 345 295
203 239 263 285 295 306 297 285 228
144 158 167 182 191 195 184 185 156
93 97 101 105 104 109 116 116 102
1902 2173 2431 2657 2721 2687 2559 2411 1992 21533
The first thing I noticed was the totally different shapes I was getting for the SS2. Where Pico got the classic "hill" shape, I was getting something that looked more like a volcano with a crater in the middle. From a lighting perspective, this would actually be a *good* thing, since it would show a very even distribution of light. As expected, the SS2 beat the Sun Gro and SS2 clone in total light output:
18417 Super Sun 2
17307 SS2 clone
16774 Sun Gro
Using the Sun Gro as the base, the SS2 did 9% better and the clone did 3% better. As for light spread, the SS2 did much better than the other two, putting out a very even spread across the entire 4x4 grid with no hot spots. I was very surprised to see that the Sun Gro and clone hood have very similar spreads, even though they are totally different designs: the Sun Gro is a deep, square hood, and the clone is a long, rectangular shape (even longer than the SS2).
The PL Deep was the only one to show the "hill" shape with a classic hot spot in the center. I don't know if this is because of the shape of the reflector or the shape of the bulb. Unfortunately, I needed to get the kids back under the light and my wife grew weary of my little experiment, so I haven't been able to test the SS2 with the MH bulb.
Pico, thanks again for starting this thread. It seems like ours is the only industry that doesn't have 3rd party testing of equipment alongside comparisons. We need Consumer Reports to start covering ballasts, bulbs and hoods!
My tests of 4 reflector hoods
After following this thread for 6 months, I finally bought a light meter and set about to test my own set of hoods. I tried to duplicate as much of Pico’s methodology as possible, although some changes have been made. I tested a Sunlight Supply Super Sun 2 (my reference standard), a Sunlight Supply Sun Gro (an older but very popular hood), a Super Sun clone of unknown make, and a PL Lighting Deep reflector. All tests were done at 24" with a seasoned 1000 watt HPS and ballast, with one exception. The PL Deep will not hold a 1000 watt HPS, so I used a MH instead. Although the absolute numbers will not be comparable to the other three hoods, the light spread and shape will still be useful. I used a 4x4 grid with readings every 6".
Super Sun 2
119 179 212 218 203 208 198 189 154
150 235 275 296 287 291 273 242 180
188 281 242 236 237 235 238 280 208
214 240 232 241 239 240 234 304 234
227 311 230 243 244 244 230 240 250
220 307 226 234 230 232 226 301 235
186 274 312 225 226 225 235 268 212
156 229 258 277 278 277 262 219 160
116 160 180 181 183 185 182 165 124
1576 2216 2167 2151 2127 2137 2078 2208 1757 18417
Sun Gro
96 115 137 160 168 157 142 120 113
124 161 201 236 246 233 204 166 138
154 205 255 294 304 299 259 211 166
183 245 295 320 246 252 294 243 196
198 258 305 241 241 242 305 258 208
182 243 294 314 238 238 294 244 201
155 207 255 290 300 290 255 209 169
119 158 196 229 243 229 200 159 136
92 109 130 152 156 152 133 111 98
1303 1701 2068 2236 2142 2092 2086 1721 1425 16774
Unknown make SS2 clone
105 134 161 185 220 202 163 141 125
132 183 230 270 307 280 231 187 150
158 227 282 318 249 322 281 228 175
174 254 307 244 248 242 249 253 194
185 260 253 240 247 240 310 258 195
174 245 296 240 238 239 295 241 181
150 210 257 300 314 305 260 206 159
119 164 205 247 270 251 201 156 126
92 116 143 170 195 180 141 123 99
1289 1793 2134 2214 2288 2261 2131 1793 1404 17307
PL Deep
144 156 176 192 183 172 163 153 148
206 238 257 289 302 281 263 241 198
257 320 354 383 390 385 364 333 250
300 341 388 425 435 426 402 375 295
299 330 384 418 431 425 400 378 320
256 294 341 378 390 388 370 345 295
203 239 263 285 295 306 297 285 228
144 158 167 182 191 195 184 185 156
93 97 101 105 104 109 116 116 102
1902 2173 2431 2657 2721 2687 2559 2411 1992 21533
The first thing I noticed was the totally different shapes I was getting for the SS2. Where Pico got the classic "hill" shape, I was getting something that looked more like a volcano with a crater in the middle. From a lighting perspective, this would actually be a *good* thing, since it would show a very even distribution of light. As expected, the SS2 beat the Sun Gro and SS2 clone in total light output:
18417 Super Sun 2
17307 SS2 clone
16774 Sun Gro
Using the Sun Gro as the base, the SS2 did 9% better and the clone did 3% better. As for light spread, the SS2 did much better than the other two, putting out a very even spread across the entire 4x4 grid with no hot spots. I was very surprised to see that the Sun Gro and clone hood have very similar spreads, even though they are totally different designs: the Sun Gro is a deep, square hood, and the clone is a long, rectangular shape (even longer than the SS2).
The PL Deep was the only one to show the "hill" shape with a classic hot spot in the center. I don't know if this is because of the shape of the reflector or the shape of the bulb. Unfortunately, I needed to get the kids back under the light and my wife grew weary of my little experiment, so I haven't been able to test the SS2 with the MH bulb.
Pico, thanks again for starting this thread. It seems like ours is the only industry that doesn't have 3rd party testing of equipment alongside comparisons. We need Consumer Reports to start covering ballasts, bulbs and hoods!
Dorje113
Member
Great work on this thread!
I just started my 3 plants flowering under an 8" XXXL hood 1000W hps with the hot spot diffuser.
I am trying to achieve the best quality possible, and I feel the hot spot can be a problem because the non-uniformity of light makes for non-uniform buds. Some plants are more sensitive to it than others... a friend has a couple 6" xxxl hoods and a NL strain is doing ok, but Island Sweet Skunk's colas under the hot spot aren't maturing and don't look quite as good as the colas that are in less light. I should mention that the system uses light movers, and the ISS is a little bit too close to the lights.
I have my 8" xxxl in a 5.5 x 5' closet (yes, it takes up the whole f'in closet....), and with the diffuser, I get a nice, even spread of light. I'm really happy with the results so far. I know other guys with 600W hps lights, and I agree with the previous poster that it's not a good idea to use a diffuser on a 600... 600W lights just aren't as intense and I wouldn't want to do anything that would limit the penetration. I realize I am sacrificing some efficiency by using the diffuser, but I think the results as far as quality goes will be worth it.
Oh, also... I'm using an 8"hood because I am rigging a setup where my 8" Maxfan will normally be running on a speed control just enough to vent the heat from the light, then when my environmental controller hits the temp limit it switches the maxfan onto max speed until the temp (or humidity) is lowered. I am also adding a thermostat that will turn off the maxfan if the temp gets too low and turn on a heater. A simple 1-fan system that does it all...
I just started my 3 plants flowering under an 8" XXXL hood 1000W hps with the hot spot diffuser.
I am trying to achieve the best quality possible, and I feel the hot spot can be a problem because the non-uniformity of light makes for non-uniform buds. Some plants are more sensitive to it than others... a friend has a couple 6" xxxl hoods and a NL strain is doing ok, but Island Sweet Skunk's colas under the hot spot aren't maturing and don't look quite as good as the colas that are in less light. I should mention that the system uses light movers, and the ISS is a little bit too close to the lights.
I have my 8" xxxl in a 5.5 x 5' closet (yes, it takes up the whole f'in closet....), and with the diffuser, I get a nice, even spread of light. I'm really happy with the results so far. I know other guys with 600W hps lights, and I agree with the previous poster that it's not a good idea to use a diffuser on a 600... 600W lights just aren't as intense and I wouldn't want to do anything that would limit the penetration. I realize I am sacrificing some efficiency by using the diffuser, but I think the results as far as quality goes will be worth it.
Oh, also... I'm using an 8"hood because I am rigging a setup where my 8" Maxfan will normally be running on a speed control just enough to vent the heat from the light, then when my environmental controller hits the temp limit it switches the maxfan onto max speed until the temp (or humidity) is lowered. I am also adding a thermostat that will turn off the maxfan if the temp gets too low and turn on a heater. A simple 1-fan system that does it all...
TheRealDeal
Member
reflectors
reflectors
Can anybody please tell me the difference between the two sunsystem hoods, The yield master classic, and the cool sun. Thanks...
reflectors
Can anybody please tell me the difference between the two sunsystem hoods, The yield master classic, and the cool sun. Thanks...
FlightPlan
Member
Is there a significant difference in reflectivity between 6" and 8" hoods of the same type?
yes
FlightPlan
Member
Thanks pico. I run 4x 600s with daystar a/c hooked up to an 8" vortex. I plan on upgrading to either radiants or magnum xxls but didn't know if I should get the 6" or 8". Right now the 6" daystars seem to cool sufficiently but I don't really like the light spread. I also plan on changing to 4x 1000 as soon as i can get a new main breaker box installed. Right now I have a 125 amp main and its tapped out. Just wanna get the best hood for both situations cuz the new breaker may not happen soon
Quitters
Member
ive spoken with sunlight supply techs several times about the SS2, XXXL's & the newest Blockbusters...
the XXXL's light isn't as focused & concentrated like the SS2's and Blockbusters, the XXXL's are for a bigger footprint,, for instance the 8" XXXL's have a footprint for up to 5' x 6'6" and are optimally meant for shorter canopies..
SS2's and Blockbuster light is more concetrated and are better for taller canopies, meaning if your plants are 3' tall, the lower branches will recieve stronger light from the SS2 and BB's.. the 6" & 8" Blockbusters were developed optimally for a 4' x 4' area where as the SS2 works best with areas aproximately 3' x 3' or even smaller tho many many of us have sworn for years by SS2's abilities to cover a 4 x 4 with great success..
i predict that in due time peeps will be ravin about their Blockbusters !!!
what you guys think of the magnum xxl 6"? based on this quote
,you said the magnum xxxl 6" are meant for even light coverage right?
can i make this up by adding more magnum so say instead of having 2 have 4 so each one can be lowered while having same coverage?
see i dont mind buying multiple hoods etc but is their a best beat all reflector? i thought the magnum xxxl 6" were the best so what is?
what are the best reflectors? i want to have 1k's multiple, say 2 sets of 1k's mh for a 4x5x8 and 4 hps 1k's for a 7x5x8
,you said the magnum xxxl 6" are meant for even light coverage right?
can i make this up by adding more magnum so say instead of having 2 have 4 so each one can be lowered while having same coverage?
see i dont mind buying multiple hoods etc but is their a best beat all reflector? i thought the magnum xxxl 6" were the best so what is?
what are the best reflectors? i want to have 1k's multiple, say 2 sets of 1k's mh for a 4x5x8 and 4 hps 1k's for a 7x5x8
ive spoken with sunlight supply techs several times about the SS2, XXXL's & the newest Blockbusters...
the XXXL's light isn't as focused & concentrated like the SS2's and Blockbusters, the XXXL's are for a bigger footprint,, for instance the 8" XXXL's have a footprint for up to 5' x 6'6" and are optimally meant for shorter canopies..
SS2's and Blockbuster light is more concetrated and are better for taller canopies, meaning if your plants are 3' tall, the lower branches will recieve stronger light from the SS2 and BB's.. the 6" & 8" Blockbusters were developed optimally for a 4' x 4' area where as the SS2 works best with areas aproximately 3' x 3' or even smaller tho many many of us have sworn for years by SS2's abilities to cover a 4 x 4 with great success..
i predict that in due time peeps will be ravin about their Blockbusters !!!
This is a very nice thread and I read all of Pico's posts and I can't find any Bell Lighting tests. I see where he says it's on the way and then he says it looks like crap. To be honest, I don't really care how it looks. I have one of these Bell reflectors but I need to buy 9 more reflectors but I don't know if I want to go with the Bell or the Super Sun 2. Has anyone tested these so I can see the results?
QUESTION if budget wouldn't be a concern which route works
best for me?
i have a 7x5x8 ready to be flower room and and a 4x5x8 veg room unsure about amounts of hoods and want to get multiple hoods. Was choosing magnum xxl 6" until i was told about blockbuster hoods so i want some feed back
i will use (4) 1k's for flower and (2) 1k's for veg
yes i aware of heat will be using flat white or should i get maybe sun film ultra film and along with ac fans and dehumidifier (if needed)
now i what i think is the magnum are built for spreading out light evenly but im concern the intensity or rather the penetration is not suited for magnun's can i some info on this?
so brings me to the blockbusters they are meant for concentration on 4x4 but if i get multiple amounts to get even coverage to make up in place for the magnum?
is this something doable? i basically want to spend the cash now and try get much as possible before upgrading until my next big update/upgrade
also this guy claims bell lighting technologies is the best hood reflector whats your take? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExAucI_B9d0&feature=player_embedded
best for me?
i have a 7x5x8 ready to be flower room and and a 4x5x8 veg room unsure about amounts of hoods and want to get multiple hoods. Was choosing magnum xxl 6" until i was told about blockbuster hoods so i want some feed back
i will use (4) 1k's for flower and (2) 1k's for veg
yes i aware of heat will be using flat white or should i get maybe sun film ultra film and along with ac fans and dehumidifier (if needed)
now i what i think is the magnum are built for spreading out light evenly but im concern the intensity or rather the penetration is not suited for magnun's can i some info on this?
so brings me to the blockbusters they are meant for concentration on 4x4 but if i get multiple amounts to get even coverage to make up in place for the magnum?
is this something doable? i basically want to spend the cash now and try get much as possible before upgrading until my next big update/upgrade
also this guy claims bell lighting technologies is the best hood reflector whats your take? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExAucI_B9d0&feature=player_embedded
Narrow Grow Tables
Narrow Grow Tables
Fantastic thread. I learned a lot, but I have specific geometry problem to solve...
I'm newbie setting up my first grow and need some lighting advice. I have two tents: a 4x4 veg setup with 16x4' t5 bulbs, and a 6.5'x6.5' flower tent, which I haven't bought lights for yet. Because I don't have easy access on all sides of the flower tent I am planning to put 2' wide banks of grow tables on 3 sides (imagine 7 2'x2' trays around the perimeter). I would like to get reflectors that drop light right on my trays but not on my little walkway. I am presently thinking 3 600w HPS units (I have one of them already), but ideally I would like to find a reflector that creates a 2'x6' beam straight down (parabolic style), no additional spread. Anybody know of an air cooled (6" duct) reflector that does something like that?
Narrow Grow Tables
Fantastic thread. I learned a lot, but I have specific geometry problem to solve...
I'm newbie setting up my first grow and need some lighting advice. I have two tents: a 4x4 veg setup with 16x4' t5 bulbs, and a 6.5'x6.5' flower tent, which I haven't bought lights for yet. Because I don't have easy access on all sides of the flower tent I am planning to put 2' wide banks of grow tables on 3 sides (imagine 7 2'x2' trays around the perimeter). I would like to get reflectors that drop light right on my trays but not on my little walkway. I am presently thinking 3 600w HPS units (I have one of them already), but ideally I would like to find a reflector that creates a 2'x6' beam straight down (parabolic style), no additional spread. Anybody know of an air cooled (6" duct) reflector that does something like that?
Way too much light. I would do two 1ks in flower and maximum one 1k in veg. Don't really need that much veg for only 2k in flower.
I would go with the SS2, but that is because I have not tested the blockbuster, and the XXXL is just so huge it is hard to deal with. Also, after using the XXXL for a while, I don't think it works as well for larger plants like I am currently running. I am going to use it over a table full of smaller plants and see if that is any good.
