About those LED lights

[Crispyfried]

I was reading that in order to equal one decent HID light, you need a panel of like 52 LED grow bars. One LED grow bar goes for $150, so that's $7800 vs like $300 for the HID. You do get greater bulb life, but 52
led bars, with three light clusters per bar, is going to take up quite a lot of space, so there's absolutely no real advantage. So don't waste your money on LEDs.

[turtle420]

I was reading that in order to equal one decent HID light, you need a panel of like 52 LED grow bars. One LED grow bar goes for $150, so that's $7800 vs like $300 for the HID. You do get greater bulb life, but 52
led bars, with three light clusters per bar, is going to take up quite a lot of space, so there's absolutely no real advantage. So don't waste your money on LEDs.
That's one way to look at the situation...

We've got a LED thread over @ the Advanced forum...

[Crispyfried]

Ah yes I see.

[Crispyfried]

And here's a pdf that explains a lot

http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/plantled/Commercial-Growing-Analysis-Recommend-s.pdf#search='led%20plant%20bar%20pdf'

[sheist]

www.ledgrowlights.com what do you think?

check the specs on the bulbs

[turtle420]

www.ledgrowlights.com what do you think?

check the specs on the bulbs
They look great, but I've read the information (couple of months ago) and my conclusion, was the HIDs are better right now... my 2 cents..

[sheist]

has anyone banged out the experiment?? cus i'm thinkin about buying a few 630nm red LED and 470nm blue LED.. get that big neo stash of bulbs, throw everything on, i should be able to bang out a good grow

[turtle420]

has anyone banged out the experiment?? cus i'm thinkin about buying a few 630nm red LED and 470nm blue LED.. get that big neo stash of bulbs, throw everything on, i should be able to bang out a good grow
Dude, if you do it, please keep us posted... Very interesting to see your results.

[BigBlock]

LEDs have absolutely no business in growing marijuana. Both HID, and fluorescents provide MUCH more lumens for the same wattage, cost less, and work better for growing anyway. Do not waste your money on LEDs. They are NOT for growing.

[sheist]

lumens are the measure of light according to the human eye.. not the plant, so you can't go based on that.. i dun understand how u can say they ahve no business with workin mary j, when they've worked on numerous plants.. they deliver more of the spectrum... i HOPE u read the other LED threads, we've been researchin this for a minute..


this is all experimental.. its been proven to work on other plants, and they're using it in space.. that SHOULD be proof enough that they should work on a mary, its not a mutant ninja turtle, its a plant..

[BigBlock]

lumens are the measure of light according to the human eye.. not the plant, so you can't go based on that..

More lumens = more light for the plant. Period. LEDs produce less light, and more heat, than any other source of light short of incandescent. They are WORTHLESS for growing compared to HID and fluorescents. You get more heat and less light. That is not how you grow good marijuana. Light penetration is worse than fluorescent.

And they cost way, WAY more than a really nice digital HID system...:rolleyes:

[smoknjoe]

Do some research BigBlock.

LEDs have an extremely lightweight and compact design. This fact along with low heat emissions make LED's a very attractive light source. Also, they can be designed to emit the specific wavelengths required for photosynthesis (fluorescents and HIDs emit alot of wasted light).

BigBlock is right that LEDs are not cost efficient (yet), but there is a great deal of research and development in low cost production.

If you have problems with space and/or heat, and you have the money to drop, LED's might be for you.

[newactivist]

LED's do work if you have the right kind. NASA made them work no problem but they had pulsed LED's that are far more powerful than standard retail ones.

Another item to check out is the sulphur microwave lamp. They are expensive but put off massive PAR and no heat. You can find them at http://www.nurturelite.com/photoponics.htm. This is a lost technology that NASA developed but never took off commercially as it interfered with the 802.11 wireless networking standard. The bulb is rated for 10 yrs and the magnetron for 6-18 months with replacement about $50-60. As far as I know this is the only company still making them. They are expensive but if you want the absolute best...

Here's another link for LED's and sulphur lamps from NASA.
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/light_farming_010926.html

[smoknjoe]

Big - where did you read that LEDs create more heat than HID for the same amount of lumens? I'm not sure thats correct.

I agree that HID or fluorescents are superior (right now) if you have the space for them. But you can't say they have no business in growing...

[BigBlock]

Do some research BigBlock.


I have done plenty of research and I know more about lighting and electrical than 99% of the people on this board.


LEDs have an extremely lightweight and compact design. This fact along with low heat emissions make LED's a very attractive light source.

You clearly need to do some more research. LEDs are not light when you add up the hundreds of them and the power supply you need for growing. Weight is irrelivant anyway, it's not like you carry your grow around with you. LEDs put out MORE heat than fluorescent or HID. It's a matter of efficiency. For a given wattage, lights put out a certain amount of heat and a certain amount of light. If a light gives off more lumens there is less heat. If a light gives off less lumens there is more heat. It's basic physics. LEDs put off less light for a given wattage than HID or fluorescents, thus, they give off more heat. The only type of lighting that gives off more heat than LEDs are incandescents, and we all know how worthless those are for growing.

If CFLs cost $100 each for 20 watt bulbs would you use them? Of course not. LEDs make even less sense than that. LEDs are gaining efficiency every year and one day they might be a viable option...for now they have a LONG way to go before they make any sense what so ever.

[Crispyfried]

Well folks I just purchased some LED bars from Solaroasis. These guys are making LED lights for NASA and have patented technology. Their technology is very new, and they claim that each light bar is equivalent to a 100 watt HID. They have two different light bars, one is $160 and the other, newer one is $200. This is expensive for the output, but my stealth space requires super low heat due to venting issues, and I've recently had extremely bad luck with fluorescent bulbs breaking on me. So since LEDs last longer than any other light, and are not very breakable at all, they are a great alternative for small grows. I'm still going to use CFLs somewhat, but not as much. And the energy consumption of each LED bar is only 6 watts! Go see the LED bars at www.solaroasis.com

[BigBlock]

This is expensive for the output, but my stealth space requires super low heat due to venting issues

Can you not read? LEDs create MORE heat than fluorescent or HID. That is a FACT.

[SmokinRandy420]

Bigblock man go to the site posted man....your "FACTS" mean shit....

www.solaroasis.com

[BigBlock]

Bigblock man go to the site posted man....your "FACTS" mean shit....


Oh yes, a board full of teenage pot heads knows alot more about LEDs than a highly educated lighting engineer. :rolleyes:

Of course the place trying to sell you the highly overpriced bulbs is going to feed you all the bullshit they can so you dump your wallet in their hands. Most of what they tell you are lies and twisted half truths.

[smoknjoe]

BigBlock,

Are your heat considerations based on standard white LED's? If so, you're right. The number of white LED's needed to equal an HPS would generate more heat.

Were talkin red and blue LED's with state of the art technology. Read this article, its very interesting, and its from a neutral site with nothing to gain from LED sales.

http://www.space.com/businesstechnol...ng_010926.html

Let me know what ya think.

peace,

joe.

[Crispyfried]

Actually scientists use LEDs for plant growing studies because they are the most effective way to isolate specific wavelengths. LEDs are most likely going to be the future for growing, and lighting in general, and they use so much less electricity that they actually end up being quite affordable in the long run, and no big electricity bill keeps the other heat off of you (the law I mean). And they ONLY emit the EXACT wavelenghts that plants use, and nothing else. The Solaroasis LED grow bars are actually quite affordable compared to other LED grow lights, as the other LEDs are not mass manufactured for the general public, but are made only to order for the scientific community.

[Crispyfried]

And about heat, think about 6 watts of LEDs equaling at least 100 watts of HID. 6 watts will produce almost no heat, plain and simple. The LED is the superior light, as long as the proper technology is used to assure that it effectively promotes plant growth. And Solaroasis appears to have achieved this.

[BigBlock]

Were talkin red and blue LED's with state of the art technology.

The color of the light has nothing to do with it, the heat output remains the same. Your link does not work.


and they use so much less electricity that they actually end up being quite affordable in the long run

You really need to work on your reading comprehension. LEDs use MORE electricity, they produce LESS light, and they create MORE heat. This is why they are worthless for growing marijuana. Of course the 2 watt LED lights you wasted your money on use less electricity, that's because they put out WAY less light. You could say that 150 watt HPS uses way less electricity than a 1000 watt HPS, but that's just because it's making way, way less light. LEDs are the same. 150 watts of LED will put out MUCH less light than a 150 watt HPS. A 2 watt LED puts out almost no light in comparison with a 150 watt HPS. It does use less electricity, but it won't grow anything either.

LED grow lights are only useful for old ladies trying to grow houseplants in their bedroom. They simply will not work for marijuana which requires TONS of light to produce anything useful.

[BigBlock]

And about heat, think about 6 watts of LEDs equaling at least 100 watts of HID. 6 watts will produce almost no heat, plain and simple.

That is absolutely, 100% false. 6 watts of LED does NOT come even close to producing the amount of light from 100 watts of HID. Yes, 6 watts of LED produces next to no heat, but that's because it produces next to no light. If you had a 6 watt HID it wouldn't make any heat either, and it would put out a hell of alot more light.

You will not grow any amount of smokeable marijuana using only 6 watts, I guarantee it.

[Crispyfried]

That is absolutely, 100% false. 6 watts of LED does NOT come even close to producing the amount of light from 100 watts of HID. Yes, 6 watts of LED produces next to no heat, but that's because it produces next to no light. If you had a 6 watt HID it wouldn't make any heat either, and it would put out a hell of alot more light.

You will not grow any amount of smokeable marijuana using only 6 watts, I guarantee it.

Well according to solaroasis thier 6 watt bar does equal 100 watts HID. Since they're the ones with the patent and a contract with NASA I'm going to belive them at the moment. They patented their technology just last year, and I presume that their LED lights are more effective than older LED technology.

[The Grim Reefer]

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
There's a ton of shit "developed by NASA" because NASA can afford to do a lot of research. Just because it was developed by them doesn't mean shit.

I'm not taking sides, but Block sounds like he knows his shit. Especially if he's a lighting engineer. He has nothing to gain from proving his point.

[Crispyfried]

Well I don't mean any disrespect towards BigBlock but I hope he's wrong for my sake ;)

[smoknjoe]

The color of the light has nothing to do with it, the heat output remains the same.

The color of the light has EVERYTHING to do with it. The heat output is much less, because you are using less LEDs, while retaining the same amount of ABSORBABLE light output.

For example, the plant will absorb the SAME amount of light from 300 watts of white LEDs as it will from 45 watts of blue LEDs. (numbers are made up to make the point).

Read the article (a working link is posted earlier in this thread) and read Crispy's last posts again, and if you still dont understand, well then I give up.

My reading comprehension is fine, thanks.

peace man.

[BigBlock]

Well according to solaroasis thier 6 watt bar does equal 100 watts HID.

That is a baldface lie, plain and simple. If that was the case everybody would be using LEDs in their house for lighting and paying almost nothing every month for electricity. Guess what...they don't. Patents don't mean shit. There are TONS of patents for completely useless items that don't even work. Just search the US patent office, it's laughable what some people take the time to patent.

Solaroasis is using the same LEDs as the rest of the world. The most efficient LEDs right now are about 50 lumens per watt. HID puts out around 140 lumens per watt. Your 6 watt light puts out MAYBE 300 lumens. About as much as a good flashlight. If you used a 6 watt CFL you'd have about 360 lumens, and it would have cost less than $5. If a 6 watt HPS existed, you'd have 840 lumens.

I'm not going to waste any more time arguing about it, you'll find out very quickly that you threw your money away. 6 watts of LED will grow nothing. One day, when LED efficiency is way up, and costs are way down, they might be useful for growing. That day is not today.

Go ahead, prove me wrong. I dare you.

[sheist]

Ayo BigBlock!!! I'm callin you out..

You taunt with your unproven background and such and try to belittle... You should only do that when ur info is on point, tsk tsk

We're not talkin about those LEDs, these LEDs are specially manufactured.. Just like fluorescent lights and blue-spectrum cfls, its special..


More lumens = more light for the plant. Period. LEDs produce less light, and more heat, than any other source of light short of incandescent. They are WORTHLESS for growing compared to HID and fluorescents. You get more heat and less light. That is not how you grow good marijuana. Light penetration is worse than fluorescent.

ACtually you're wrong.. Its the spectrum that counts.. You can give a plant the specific peices of the spectrum in bulbs (blue and red) and the plant will grow much stronger.. consider it "light-nutes" [ SEE PIC #1 ATTACHED]
Thats also why you have a Full Spectrum CFL or Incandescent, etc.. Nowadays ppl are focusing on the light color spectrum.. maybe you should too..

I seriously hope ur checkin out these links...
http://www.solaroasis.com/grow_advantages.htm


The color of the light has nothing to do with it, the heat output remains the same. Your link does not work.

Actually it does.. See these are special LEDs that output the color at the specific wavelength on the light spectrum that the plants can recieve. So these leds do work, they've been tested on plants.. http://www.ledgrowlights.com has proof, pictures upon pictures..


LEDs use MORE electricity, they produce LESS light, and they create MORE heat. This is why they are worthless for growing marijuana.

A red spectrum bulb holds 180 LEDs, at a total of 10watts, 120 volts. 5.5 in wide x 4 in. deep... As oppposed to a 150w HID..
http://ledgrowlights.com/red_light_specs.pdf check the specs yourself.. where are you getting your information?? maybe you might want to reconsider your material?


Case Closed..

Crispyfried, stay in touch, I wanna buy a set..

[sheist]

If that was the case everybody would be using LEDs in their house for lighting and paying almost nothing every month for electricity.

:thumbsup: good job, look wat they're startin to do!

[Crispyfried]

Yeah I'll be posting about my LED lights soon after they arrive.

[The Grim Reefer]

Yeah I'll be posting about my LED lights soon after they arrive.

Keep us updated! If they work out well, I'll be looking into getting a set for myself. I'd just like to see some proof first of course.

[BigBlock]

Ayo BigBlock!!! I'm callin you out..

Great. You can copy information from a biased site with nothing but profit in mind. Trained monkeys can do that. Proof only comes from independant sources, and independant sources do not sell LEDs.

Do any of you here have an expensive degree in lighting and electrical science? Until then you haven't got the slightest clue what you are talking about. Getting LED information from a website making huge profits off of LEDs is like getting your information about the current war from the whitehouse. It's unreliable, made up of twisted half truths and baldface lies. That's how business works.

[smoknjoe]

Hey block,

You still havent responded to my last post, check it out. This is the article I tried to post before, its from an independent source.

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/light_farming_010926.html

Since you ask, I'm graduating in a few months with a mechanical engineering degree from a prestigious US university. Don't really wanna disclose which one.

[BigBlock]

You still havent responded to my last post, check it out. This is the article I tried to post before, its from an independent source.

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/light_farming_010926.html

So scientists are using LEDs to grow lettuce. What the hell does that prove? :rolleyes: They're not comparing LEDs to HID, they're comparing them to incandescents, and we all know those are worthless. They're also talking about OUTER SPACE! Guess what? Nobody here is trying to grow pot in space. The requirements of lighting in space are very different than a teenager trying to grow pot in his closet. The advantage of LEDs for space is that they do not burn out and are completely shock resistant. That is not a problem on earth, because HID bulbs still last 20,000+ hours, and you're not launching them into space, so the fragility of an HID bulb is not an issue. They are also growing vegetative crops, like lettuce, not light intensive flowers such as marijuana.



Since you ask, I'm graduating in a few months with a mechanical engineering degree from a prestigious US university. Don't really wanna disclose which one.

That really has nothing to do with lighting.

[sheist]

actually lighting does fall in there at some points.. and yea that proves alot that they're growing lettuce.. if they can grow lettuce, they can grow weed.. that proves that the bulbs ARE useful for one's grow.. the LEDS in space are the same LEDs being sold on the market now, homie.. how long ago did u graduate? lol the bulbs doo last long.. if you checked the specs on that red spectrum LED 10watt, it lasts 500,000 hrs.. as compared to your 20,000 HID.. 10w to your 150w.. why?? cus its the SPECTRUM that COUNTS..
http://www.nurturelite.com/purple.htm

http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/ecotree/photosynthesis/spectrum.htm#light
and check this spot out, more info on spectrum

u should actually read the information, not skim through it.. alot of the information given inside too vital for your argument (or lack there of)



as for [b]Turtle420[b] and Crispyfried[b]
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi

I figured Turtle might like this especially; he mentioned in a related thread about making custom lights or setting up a custom system..

They got a blue spectrum LED.. check it out:
MR16-B24 Blue LED bulb
MR16 with 24 Super Blue 470nm LEDs
12 Volt AC or DC Operation
Available with Narrow 15 Degree or Wide 100 Degree Viewing Angle LEDs
$ 12.95

and check out this site! http://www.iloveled.com/MerchItemEN2.aspx?

watchu guys think??

[sheist]

o yea Big Block.. BTW.. LED grow lights made front page of http://www.americanmarijuana.org/

[BigBlock]

Like I said before, I'm not going to waste any more time arguing with idiots who think they are experts simply because they read something on the internet. 6 watt LEDs will not grow anything useful, and that will be proven anytime somebody tries to actually grow with them.

Please, prove me wrong. Links on the internet prove NOTHING.

[smoknjoe]

Right, this application is especially useful in space.

I'm glad you finally understand the heat generation issue.

[BigBlock]

I'm glad you finally understand the heat generation issue.

There is nothing I do not understand. Watt for watt, LEDs provide less light and more heat. Whether it's 6 watts or 600 watts makes no difference. Just because you choose not to believe the facts does not make them untrue.

[smoknjoe]

bah, maybe you'll get it some day...

[smoknjoe]

im done on this thread

[Green Love]

LED = AWSOME


GL

[turtle420]

Guys, please...

Look, BigBlock has his view, and other have theirs...

More friendly guys! If this guy bought the LED lights, lets see his grow... let's give it a chance...

If at the end BigBlock was right, well, good! If he was wrong, good as well!

The way I see it, the hobby is all about experimenting... Of course, you use the experience from others... but, I think experimentation is key.

Let's see how the LED grow goes!

<>>M><><>

Hey BigBlock,

You're a Lighting Engineer... right? Well, question: Why the hell can't lumens be added up?

From what I understand, if I have two 1000 lumens bulbs, I'll have... 1,000 lumens... not 2,000... no... 1,000.... why?

I'm pretty technically/chemically/physically/stonedlly inclined, so please feel free to use terms and concepts... but I still don't get it... why? 1 + 1 = 1?

[BigBlock]

Why the hell can't lumens be added up?

They can. Two 1000 lumen bulbs = 2000 lumens. Light intensity is what cannot be added together, for example, two 125 watt HPS bulbs would not have nearly as much penetration as a single 250 watt bulb, because the light is coming from a larger area.

[newactivist]

Well, if that doesn't work I can guarantee the sulphur microwave lamp will blow the doors off of HID and it won't produce much heat at all, like 100 degrees.

PAR ratings are off the scale too. They cost $1600 USD but there is no doubt it's better than HID lamps.

[turtle420]

Well, if that doesn't work I can guarantee the sulphur microwave lamp will blow the doors off of HID and it won't produce much heat at all, like 100 degrees.

PAR ratings are off the scale too. They cost $1600 USD but there is no doubt it's better than HID lamps.
I'm willing to shell out the money for the sulphur microwave lamp... but, I think it's like 1,600 British pounds... isn't that like 2 times (or 1.8?) times the US dollar? Around $3,000 I think...

In addition, in the future, when/IF I buy it, I'll definitely be shipping to another state (a friend) then have him mail it to me... I see the market too small to buy that thing then post here that I bought it... dead giveaway...

One thing I need to see how it'll work out, is the RF interference... supposedly, it wreaks havok in electronic equipment nearby....

[newactivist]

Yes, it does wreak havoc on the 802.11 standard, which is why it never took off. However, if you don't wireless network and you are away from hotspots there is no better light, LED or otherwise.

Oh, I believe the confusion is that both BIGBLOCK and smoknjoe are right. LED's are not as efficient as HID. However, HID's create too much light that plants can't use and this gives them a higher lumen and heat rating. The LED's used for plants only focus on the light temps that work for plants. Lumen's are for humans and PAR is for plants. Most of the LED systems light cannot be seen with the human eye but plants use it very efficiently without energy wasted on the plant useless spectrums.

I have been in personal touch with Island Systems and their price for us is in US funds. They will have some cannabis pics soon.

Peace.

[turtle420]

I have been in personal touch with Island Systems and their price for us is in US funds. They will have some cannabis pics soon.
US dollars? Damn... then, I'll be taking a definitely closer look... for real.

As to the cannabis pics, if that gets posted, it'll be a hit with no doubt.

But I'm wondering... they should do that shit very cleverly... I don't think it's a good idea to explicitly say your lights are great for growing cannabis.

But they can create an account (no connection to the Company) and post the pics... that'd be great!

[newactivist]

Exactly, Turtle420. This light is amazing. I went through the research NASA did on it and I was extremely impressed. It has pretty much all the advantages you could want for a larger grow op. Anyone who uses lights at 1000 watt or over and wanted the best should take a look. It is more expensive but it saves on electricity and because there are no longer heat issues it may be a little more affordable than it looks.

I saw the post yesterday on the cannabis site that grew with the LED's. I'm going to check that out now. Amazing how fun this is! I don't even grow any more but I will as soon as this is a legal medical state.

[newactivist]

Damn, they say they no longer sell the video. Seems the government came and arrested the producer. Sounds like the government believes they work just fine!

I call that an endorsement.

[newactivist]

Does anyone have the DVD already? If so could you make a avi or divx of it to post on the file share programs?

[newactivist]

Ok, never mind. I wrote them an email to see about getting a new video and this is the reply I got back.

"Yes, they are AWESOME! However, to replace 1 1000 HPS, it takes 20 Red and
10 Blue Lights which translates to around $3500! WHEW! It is good to make
the one time investment, but not for the faint in the pocketbook.

Thanks, I will let you know!"

That could still be affordable if you aren't going for the equivilent of 1000watt HPS. I guess for a small grower with a 250watt HPS it would make sense. Also, from what I read it seems these work best in conjunction with normal lights. I will keep pumping them for info.

Peace

[ledgrower]

That is absolutely, 100% false. 6 watts of LED does NOT come even close to producing the amount of light from 100 watts of HID. Yes, 6 watts of LED produces next to no heat, but that's because it produces next to no light. If you had a 6 watt HID it wouldn't make any heat either, and it would put out a hell of alot more light.

You will not grow any amount of smokeable marijuana using only 6 watts, I guarantee it.


yea man.. u dont know what your talkin about and please do us all a favor and dont jump in to somthing that u havent done your research:twocents: . If you knew anything about HPS systems and how they work or the light coming from them you would know that only 25% of the light of a HPS system is usable plant spectrum lighting,and the rest is wasted heat energy.
Un like, "broad spectrum" plant grow lights in which u refer to your HPS example, which produce a lot of
light plants can't use efficiently, Led growbars delivers the colors of light
used by plants for efficient and healthy growth % .
By leaving out light plants don't need, you further provide more energy savings over conventional grow lighting.

o...and BTW a single bar can equal 125 watts hps.:thumbsup:

[MonkeyRacket]

Crispyfried, did you ever get a chance to try out those Gro-bars?

[BigBlock]

yea man.. u dont know what your talkin
This coming from somebody who can't even grasp the concept of the shift key. :rolleyes: Like I said before, I have a degree from a 4 year university that says I'm an expert. Do you?

I notice Yeah crispyfried hasn't said a word since he said he would be posting "soon" a month and a half ago. Could it be that they don't work and he's embarrassed about how much money he wasted on this crap? ;)

[MonkeyRacket]

I would hope embarrassment doesn't stop someone from posting their experiences - It could save someone from wasting a lot of money.

I think LEDs have a lot of potential for smaller spaces because of their low profile and the fact they do not require a ballast to drive them (which can generate a lot of excess heat on its own). Also, LED's don't have the same degree RF interference which may be beneficial in some situations.

As stated earlier, HID lights do generate a lot of IR which is not used in photosynthesis and translates to heat. They also generate a lot of green and yellow light which is simply reflected back by the plant pigments. According to data gathered from LI-COR Quantom meter and sensors, HPS bulbs emmitt 2/3 to 4/5 of unusable light/heat energy.

[turtle420]

I would hope embarrassment doesn't stop someone from posting their experiences - It could save someone from wasting a lot of money.
Very true.

[Crispyfried]

Yeah I have my grow bars. Right now I'm only growing legal stuff due to a recent scare. I'm currently using my 200 watt CFL in order to keep my box warm, but I plan to start using the LEDs in about a month. I can't risk just using LEDs right now because I've got an expensive kratom plant cutting on like life support in my box that needs high temperatures. I did try the LEDs for a few days though so I can tell you a little about them. They do give off a slight amount of heat, maybe enough to raise the temperature of a small grow box with very little ventilation a few degrees. The bars seem to be of great quality, although the power adapters are a bit crappy. You can run up to eight bars off of one adapter. Alot of the light that they emit is not visible to the human eye so you won't get much light leakage out of grow areas, but the downside to this is that you'll probably want to have a cfl as well in order to see your plants adequately. Unless your house is well insulated and has good climate control you'll probably want to use LEDs during the warm months only, or use a heater or something to heat your grow area.

[MonkeyRacket]

Cool, keep us posted.. what temperatures are you using for the kratom? I know that LEDs can degrade faster at higher temps but I'm not sure what those are... Maybe BigBlock can enlighten us. Cannabis only really needs 60-70F to do well depending on strain.

Have you noticed any increase in growth since using the LEDs? They're your plants but for experimental reasons you could try covering up the fluorescent a bit so it's still generating heat but not shining much on the plants.

[Crispyfried]

Kratom needs at least 70 for decent growth, so I've got to keep it warm until it's well established. It grows too slow to tell if the LEDs did much. As soon as my temps get close to 80 I'm going to switch to the LEDs and one or two cheap CFLs. I'm going to put the CFLs on the sides of the box and see if the plants grow towards the CFLs or up to the LEDs. My array of led bars covers the entire growing area so this should be effective.

[MonkeyRacket]

Cool, how many bars did you get? They are the pro model right?

[MonkeyRacket]

I'm very skeptical about the Solaroasis claim that 1 Grobar is equivalent to 100-125 watts of HID lighting but I may consider picking up a bar to play around with - if it sucks I'll just grow lettuce under it or something. The penetration from an LED matrix isn't going to be that great but I suppose you could compensate by using side-lighting or utilizing a SCROG setup.

[Crispyfried]

I've got two pro bars and two reg bars. I would recommend that you get a pro bar. I'm guessing that one pro bar combined with two or so cheap full spectrum CFLs should be great for one or two plants. I'm really getting so curious about the grow bars that I may have to switch over to them very soon, but I'll have to see what the temperature forecast is.

[MonkeyRacket]

Yeah the pro bar is pretty new, I think it came out just this January. If start seeing some good reports or if my friend's experiment works out okay I will probably grab 6 pro bars and set them up in an experimental 4-5 sqft cab.

[Crispyfried]

Six bars would be cool, especially if it really does equal over 600 watts of HID lighting. And you can't get more stealthy than LED.

[FERMENTATION]

Crispyfried: Could you post a detailed pic of the bulb area (for an LED count) or you could just coult them yourself and post them nm of th individual bulbs. I'm curious as to what they put in the probar. The patent isn't on the PO site yet as I don't think the probar patent has been accepted yet. Did they send you any information on what wavelengths the bar contians?

I'm pretty sure the above makes sense. Lets jus say, it's a good thing yall don't have to see my handwriting right now. To bed with me. Oh, thanks CF for posting about the bars I am very curious to see how well they work.

Fermentation

[turtle420]

Oh, thanks CF for posting about the bars I am very curious to see how well they work.
Seconded.

Yeah, when possible, pictures. :) Please...

[Crispyfried]

There are 38 LEDs per "bulb" on the pro bar, so 114 LEDs total. The bars come with a light spectrum graph for the ruby pro gro bar, it weakly covers from 400nm to 600nm, and strongly covers wavelenghts from about 630 to 700nm, and also from like 710 or 720 to maybe 760nm. The strongest coverage corresponds with the "chlorophyll A red absorption peak", and the second strongest peak corresponds with the "far-red flowering and budding" area, while the third peak corresponds with the "chlorophyll B blue absorption peak", and is near the "chlorophyll A blue absorption peak". These blue spectrum peaks are around 460nm, while the red peaks are from like 630 to 760nm. All of these peaks are outside of the wavelengths that are visible by the human eye, and the grow bars really hardly give off any visible light, so they are probably giving off the right wavelenghts. I had an LED flashlight with one LED bulb and that thing was super bright, so the grow bars must be giving off a huge amount of light that just isn't visible.

[Garden Knowm]

Well I don't mean any disrespect towards BigBlock but I hope he's wrong for my sake ;)


Hey Crispy.. I am so happy that you purchased the lights and are willinging to share your grow with us.. This will be very very interesting.

I eagerly await your GROW Journal..

PLease start it on a new thread..

: )
Happy KNOWM... who doesn't know shit about lights but can GROW like a yeast infection on a whore in a New Orleans SUMMER.


BIG BLOCK.. my friend... nobody said anything negatiove to you... JUST cause you "KNOW" and we don't, doesn't mean we are dissing you. We are very glad to have your educated opinion... We don't want to upset or disresept you and we are not meaning to offend you by questioniong your KNOWLEDGE.... A lot of information comes to this site.. and people take what is useful for THEM...

PLease stay around

: )

[MonkeyRacket]

Yeah I found the pro chart and I believe they are using: 465nm, 612nm, 660nm, and 730nm.