300w LED Array?

[bigsby]

You're asking all of the hard questions! I'm looking at whatever I can fit in my space. My thinking is constantly evolving here. Originally I sent of 3.5 square and figured on 3 - 4 plants at 4' - 5' tall. I've done a few out door grows with mix results and that was years ago. I'm pulling this together with decent resources, a willingness to learn, and passion for mastering whatever it is I turn my attention to. The LEDs are looking better and better.

So I guess I'd veg. to 12" - 18" inches and flower 4 - 5.5 feet assuming I can light it properly and strain dependent (obviously) along with all the other variables. If I go LED I guess I need to consider ScrOG too. I'm guessing that each plant will want more than 1' diameter.

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

[stra8outtaWeed]

what..invalid..damn technology:wtf:
go to my led grow album and hit my email and we can exchange info there and i will get you the right yahoo! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

i know the skype works:jointsmile:

[bigsby]

I'm not seeing your email on the album page. I'm missing something. My yahoo ID is bigsbybigs

[khyberkitsune]

You're asking all of the hard questions! I'm looking at whatever I can fit in my space. My thinking is constantly evolving here. Originally I sent of 3.5 square and figured on 3 - 4 plants at 4' - 5' tall. I've done a few out door grows with mix results and that was years ago. I'm pulling this together with decent resources, a willingness to learn, and passion for mastering whatever it is I turn my attention to. The LEDs are looking better and better.

So I guess I'd veg. to 12" - 18" inches and flower 4 - 5.5 feet assuming I can light it properly and strain dependent (obviously) along with all the other variables. If I go LED I guess I need to consider ScrOG too. I'm guessing that each plant will want more than 1' diameter.

Well, if you veg to 12-18 inches, don't expect your plants to get much taller than thirty-six to forty inches. For that, 3w diodes are pretty unnecessary. You want 3w diodes when you want have MASSIVE plants that take up a large wide area - with 3.5x3.5 feet.

I'm still thinking with your plan either 5 50w units (one over each plant and one a little lower in the center to catch the undercanopy) or 3 90w units.

Don't let it evolve constantly - settle on a room and plant size, and amount, grow, then expand after you're done with the grow. I tried the always-adjustable setup, way too much work and hassle, and I'm one that prefers manual labor. Easier to set it, forget it, and focus on the plants. The only thing that should change is the light height as the plant grows, and of course fresh water/nutes.

You can catch me on yahoo and skype as well - my name here is my name on those.

[bigsby]

I go back and forth on the LEDs. I have a 6 - 8 week window before I can build my room so I have plenty of time to read. What I'm missing in my research are LED grow logs from more than just a few people. I'd love to go this route as it would ease numerous issues but they are hard to commit to given the scant success stories.

One resource that might interest others is this little calculator that compares electricity savings using an LED vs. 600w HPS. Pretty impressive numbers. Now this thing is calibrated for tomatoes etc. so I'm not saying this is the product to use. Far from it. And before anyone flames me, I'm not saying that this could replace a 600w HPS with the same results. Please. But it is a nice little tool to gauge cost savings.

Growrevolution.com - Savings Calculator

[stra8outtaWeed]

if they flame you it is from lack of knowledge or talking to somebody who used inferior product and saying LED's don't work.

some folks have built there own panels such as Weezard..he has great photo album...Dreaded Hermie...Khyberkitsune has great scientific knowledge of how they work...and obviously look at mine

but i am saving approx $200/month in energy by cutting out the AC and 2 1000w HPS and 1 600w MH then i also have no bulbs to replace for ten years and with bulb replacement cost and energy i will save approx(on todays rates) $29,000 over a 10 year span so i am basically getting a new truck for growing with LED's:jointsmile:

[khyberkitsune]

"What I'm missing in my research are LED grow logs from more than just a few people."

ICMag - 22w LED - 38g harvest. Pinstripe's 2nd try: PC case + 22W LED - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - my personal favorite grow. Second try and almost hitting 2g/w; that will beat almost every non-vertical HPS user all day every day.

"I'm not saying that this could replace a 600w HPS with the same results."

120w LED would grow the same-size plant as a 600w HPS, but you wouldn't yield like the 600w HPS simply because the 600w HPS offers its usable wavelengths in much higher photon flux densities than the LED unit. Now, bear in mind that most LED units are running 120-160 degree diodes (even mine are 120 degrees as I grow short plants.) However, narrowing the beam angle will create the necessary higher photon flux density. 120 degrees is good for up to about 2 feet maximum if the canopy isn't too thick. REALLY thick canopies won't get further than a foot or so. Bump to 90 degrees, you get up to three feet. Sixty degrees will go even further, almost five feet. Thirty degrees requires tightly-packed diodes but SWEET MOTHER it's almost like shining a laser in your eyes when you look at it, and it can grow some mighty-fine plants. Of course, with such high-focus panels, unless they are massive they're usually only good for one or two plants, LARGE ones yes, but only one or two.