Quote Originally Posted by Opie Yutts
I don't know if it's in CA or not, but it's in at least one other place.


I don't know about that, seems not right though. I'm thinking about my 12 CFL in my bud section that are something like 26 watts each, but are supposedly equal to a 1200 watt incandescent. I assume for comparative reasons that's supposed to be the same as a 1200W HID light, not sure. I do know how hot my 400W gets, so I can imagine how hot a 312W would get (12x26W). I'm fairly certain that 312W of CFL runs cooler than 312 of HID, and that's supposed to be worth 1200 watts of other light. I've never tested it though, and wouldn't be too surprised to hear they were close.

I do know that I have much fewer temperature issues when I grow in enclosed places with CFL. Actually, I guess that would be about none. Just throw a fan or two on the grow and that's it. No ducting. No cutting holes to the outdoors. No huge, noisy fans or electricity bills. Just make sure you use the correct spectrums and you'll get a good harvest. True, nothing like the same wattage of HID, but I'm beginning to think that little bit of extra yield is not worth the extra hassle and cost. Man I can't believe I'm saying this.
When you make light, you're going to generate heat. The advantage of CFLs is that the curvy shape gives a larger area for heat to dissipate. That means they cool more easily and quickly (and nearer the light). But if you put a ton of them in a cab, you're going to end up with plenty of heat. HPS and MH are actually more efficient..they generate less heat too--but it's all coming from one single spot/bulb. Less surface area = more heat when on.

The big problem, again, is efficiency. HPS and MH lights are a little more efficient than CFLs when you've got a 70w HPS/MH. The bigger the HPS/MH light, the bigger the advantage in efficiency. At thier best--and it's usually around 23-40w bulbs--CFLs produce about 70 lumens per watt. Look at this comparison.

23w CFL produces 1600 lumens = 69.6 lumens per watt
27w CFL produces 1850 lumens = 68.5 lumens per watt
40w CFL produces 2800 lumens = 70.0 lumens per watt

About the same efficiency. (CFLs get less efficient when they're bigger than 40w.) But look at HPS lights:

70w HPS produces 5350 lumens = 76.4 lumens per watt
150w HPS produces 13400 lumens = 89.3 lumens per watt
250w HPS produces 24000 lumens = 96 lumens per watt
400w HPS produces 45000 lumens = 112.5 lumens per watt

As they get bigger,it's a huge difference. (And those aren't "special" or fancy bulbs; they're the PlusRite cheapies from 1000bulbs.com. 12 CFLs don't generate as much heat as a 400w HPS. But check it out.

12 x 26w/1800 lumens = 21600 lumens
250w HPS = 24000 lumens
400w HPS = 45000 lumens

12 CFLs generate less light than a 250w HPS! So that's what you'd want to compare it to for heat, stress, etc. A 400w HPS is a totally different matter. It's producing over twice as much light as 12 CFLs...and using only 28% more energy to do it.

which is why, for larger grows, you have to go HPS/MH. CFLs are great for smaller area--IMO, under 3 sq. ft. After that, you need to many that the number of sockets and bulbs and the lesser efficiency makes it a nightmare. Just my .02.When you make light, you're going to generate heat. The advantage of CFLs is that the curvy shape gives a larger area for heat to dissipate. That means they cool more easily and quickly (and nearer the light). But if you put a ton of them in a cab, you're going to end up with plenty of heat. HPS and MH are actually more efficient...they generate less heat too--but it's all coming from one single spot/bulb. Less surface area = more heat when on.

The big problem, again, is efficiency. HPS and MH lights are a little more efficient than CFLs when you've got a 70w HPS/MH. The bigger the HPS/MH light, the bigger the advantage in efficiency. At thier best--and it's usually around 23-40w bulbs--CFLs produce about 70 lumens per watt. Look at this comparison.

23w CFL produces 1600 lumens = 69.6 lumens per watt
27w CFL produces 1850 lumens = 68.5 lumens per watt
40w CFL produces 2800 lumens = 70.0 lumens per watt

About the same efficiency. (CFLs get less efficient when they're bigger than 40w.) But look at HPS lights:

70w HPS produces 5350 lumens = 76.4 lumens per watt
150w HPS produces 13400 lumens = 89.3 lumens per watt
250w HPS produces 24000 lumens = 96 lumens per watt
400w HPS produces 45000 lumens = 112.5 lumens per watt

As they get bigger,it's a huge difference. (And those aren't "special" or fancy bulbs; they're the PlusRite cheapies from 1000bulbs.com. 12 CFLs don't generate as much heat as a 400w HPS. But check it out.

12 x 26w/1800 lumens = 21600 lumens
250w HPS = 24000 lumens
400w HPS = 45000 lumens

12 CFLs generate less light than a 250w HPS! So that's what you'd want to compare it to for heat, stress, etc. A 400w HPS is a totally different matter. It's producing over twice as much light as 12 CFLs...and using only 28% more energy to do it.

Which is why, for larger grows, I think you have to go HPS/MH. CFLs are great for smaller area--IMO, under 3 or 4 sq. ft. After that, you need so many that the number of sockets and bulbs and the lesser efficiency makes it more difficult. But Opie--if it's working for you, good deal. If it ain't broke! Just my .02.