300w LED Array?

[bigsby]

That top level sticky on LEDs is crazy long. I've read through some of it but by no means all. I'm moving this over from a thread on venting that has veered into an LED discussion. I thought I should post it somewhere more relevant so everyone interested in LED applications can benefit. This needs tutorial which I will commit to working if I go the LED route.

Here it is:

Background. I'm considering my lighting options. $$ is a consideration but I have a decent budget. I'd rather spend a few $$ more for lighting system that works well than find out after the fact that my setup needs supplemental lighting to work properly. I am / was looking at a 400w HPS to light a 3'6 x 3'6 area. I can change the area size and dimensions as it has not yet been constructed. I'm looking to grow 3 - 4 good yield plants per grow.

So I am now considering the LED option and trying to scope out best product and costs for my setup. I found this 300w array:

Sell led hydroponic light(300W)

Would this work for my needs? I'm guessing yes. It claims to be equivalent of a 600w HID. I can't find a distributor in the US or price info. I'm still getting up to speed on LED setups so please feel free to educate me on wavelength options for best flowering. Any help appreciated.

bigsby Reviewed by bigsby on 04-02-2010. 300w LED Array? That top level sticky on LEDs is crazy long. I've read through some of it but by no means all. I'm moving this over from a thread on venting that has veered into an LED discussion. I thought I should post it somewhere more relevant so everyone interested in LED applications can benefit. This needs tutorial which I will commit to working if I go the LED route. Here it is: Background. I'm considering my lighting options. $$ is a consideration but I have a decent budget. I'd rather spend a Rating: 5

[bigsby]

I'm seeing a few listed at $800 - $1,000 in the US. Is this the best I can do? If so, that's pretty well out of my price range.

[stra8outtaWeed]

ok Bigs~i am overseas in China right now and can't open many attachments..i feel lucky i can still view the forum and play a little..it is helping the time go by...you don'e want a single unit...you want either 2 or 3 sepaerate units because with LED's you want the light come in at the plant from many angles...so don't be fooled by more wattage in a single panel is better than a lower wattage panel. most panels have the LEDs packed tightly together which in my opinion defeats the purpose of being able to put them lower on to your plant canopy....with 2 lights you can have better coverage and have a lower light canopy!

my lights go for $450/150 watt bar and they use 3w LEDs which is what gets me the results and having good penetration of light...i could see what international; freight is if you cannot find anything similar or you can instant message me on skype or yahoo and i will share with you what i can :thumbsup:

[khyberkitsune]

For your 3.5x3.5 room, a single 120w unit is well more than enough but if you are worried about penetration, get three or four 50w units and spread them around. And make sure your walls are highly reflective (white material of any sort will NOT cut it, you want some metallic reflective material, foil, mylar, something.)

[bigsby]

China eh? Wish I were in China. I'd find a two or three ways to make the time go by. On a boat? Oh, that doesn't sound so good unless it's a yacht of some descriptions... My travel days are done. 15 years living in the Middle East. It sure was a blast but not so good with small children.

I'm in the US so I should be able to find what I need if I decide to go with the LEDs. I'm getting closer to being sold on the LED setup. Now for cost and configuration. That will be the determinant. I'm convinced that the technology can do the job.

So now I'm thinking 4 ~50w arrays. 3w diodes, wide spaced if I can find them. This is all very new to me. I'm reading up but it is hard to find trustworthy info. I'm assuming that I'll be looking for a mix of warm / cold wave spread. I'm thinking that I'm going to augment with a couple of CFLs. Extremely low cost so why not.

If anyone else has thoughts or pointers please chime in. I love that it diminishes the heat issue. I can now think about scrubbing right in the grow room. Suddenly my set up is much easier. I hope I can make the economics work!

[stra8outtaWeed]

Well that changeseverything...i thought you were on the other side of the pond....you can look in my albums and hit my email and between khyb or i we can point you in the right direction to get you going :thumbsup:

[khyberkitsune]

In a 3.5x3.5 foot box, you don't need 3w LEDs unless you're planning on growing a plant to massive size. How tall is your box?

[bigsby]

I haven't built my box yet. The area is 12' wide x 6' deep x 6.5' tall. I can frame whatever shape makes the most sense. I'd like to grow 4 big healthy plants at a time and if I decide I need more out comes the hammer and I re-frame it in a few hours. I was going with a square shape b/c I thought that was best practice with the HPS I was considering. Thoughts on layout much appreciated. Also appreciate the mentoring. I'll repay with documentation...

[bigsby]

str8 I sent you a yahoo friend add request. Hope we can connect.

Actually no I didn't. It gives me an error - invalid user name...

[khyberkitsune]

Okay, when you say 4 big healthy plants - how tall, how wide?