HPS vs. Induction + CFL flowering comparison

Hi, this week I will be starting a comparison grow between HPS and Induction lighting.

Question: Can induction lighting produce the same flowering performance as HPS lighting, while using 50% or less watts?

The goal is NOT any of:
- examine veg growth
- produce maximum yield
- try any other kind of experimentation

Methodology:

Manufacture 2 identical growing cabinets. The only difference is the lamps installed in each cabinet.

Put in each box an equal number of veg'd clones that are ready for flowering. Feed & water the plants the same during flowering.

At the end of flowering, compare the quality & yield of each cabinet.

The lights:

Cab 1) HPS with magnetic ballast.
- Rated power: 250w
- Actual power used: 315w

Cab 2) Chinese induction lamp
- Rated power: 120w
- Actual power used: 118w

Cab 2) 2 x Sunblaster 2' CFL
- Rated power: 24w
- Actual power used: 20w

*note: The CFLs may be added because my actual power use estimates were off (I expected the induction to consumer more than rated) and I wanted to get closer to 50%. Feedback on this decision is appreciated.

The Cabinets:

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/8960/hpscabr.th.jpg
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1831/indcab.th.jpg

Construction:

Each cabinet is 2' x 2' wide, and 4' tall. Made from plywood. Painted white. (white poly may be installed later when i get some).

Watering:

The bottom of the cab is covered in rubber pond liner. There is a drain with the valve on the bottom. This will allow all plants to be watered at once by flooding the bottom of the cab and then draining it.

In future a pump/drip system may be added, but for now dumping water into the 2 boxes will suffice.

Power:

Lights, heating, and cooling all have their own plugs.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6906/cabside.th.jpg

The lights for both cabinets will run off the same timer. All other items will run off continuous power.

Temperature:

Each cabinet has a high thermostat and a low thermostat. The high thermostat activates a 106cfm fan that blows out a 5" duct. Air intake is through a dryer exhaust flap.

The low thermostat activates an electric blanket under the pond liner. Now that it's winter I expect this will be necessary when the lamps are off.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5...mostats.th.jpg

Smell:

There is nothing to control smell at this time, but I can add either an ozonator or a charcoal filter to the 5" ducts.

Subscribed. Please see this through! And thanks for taking the time. We need more of these kinds of comparisons.

Vanduction, where did you get the idea that induction will out-perform HPS?

To my knowledge the main benefits of induction are the lumen maintenance and the long life, unless the bulbs are specifically designed for horticulture - and even then...

I would imagine induction to be equal to or slightly better than standard t5 fluoros for flowering.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RackitMan

Vanduction, where did you get the idea that induction will out-perform HPS?

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From you, other users, and vendor's websites.

...

Forum post: http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-li...row-light.html

RackitMan (you) said: "The light ouput is about 85% usable by the plant as compared to about 15-20% (?) for HPS."

Forum Post: http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-li...ml#post2147172

Calbunn said: "I'm very happy with the yields and the 400 have replaced my 1000 w hps"

Vendor Website: EFDL Lighting, induction lamps, LED grow lights

"These lamps use 70% less energy than HPS"

Vendor Website: Induction Grow Lights - NewAge Lights

"This 150w Super Grow Light can replace [...] 600W to 800W HPS (HID).

oh, my...take a ticket...take a seat.....:glugglug:..I wanna see this.

Yep,... Watching.

ive been wanting to see something like this for a while

Well, at least you managed to get the relative lumen output matched.

Still putting my money behind the HPS due to higher usable photon flux density.

The cabinets are now installed in the corner. I had to move the exhaust ducts to the side because depth is an issue.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1838/inplace.th.jpg

Each cabinet has a ball valve installed. The plants will be allowed to soak and then the water will be drained.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/975/drainage.th.jpg

There are thermometers with remote probes. Each thermometer has a MIN/MAX function so i can confirm that the thermostats inside are working properly.

I have confirmed that the max temperature in both boxes is about 78 degrees. The cooling works perfectly.

I plan on setting the low thermostat to 18c, which is about 64 degrees. The temperature in our area has gone below freezing but I hope the combination of plants in cabinets + the heating pads will be able to keep the temperature up. If the thermometers report the MIN temperatures are too low, then i will add insulation and/or a small heater.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/550...ometers.th.jpg