So it's not watts per sq ft with LED's?

SupraSPL

Well-Known Member
Even then, the uniformity of the light spread will make a big difference. So if your average is 12 PAR W/ft² but there is a big hotspot in the center and dim edges (HPS) then it will decrease the efficacy of the light. The same applies to high powered COBs vs low powered COBs to some extent. And on top of that there are spectral issues that affect the efficacy of the light.

BUT, to the op's question and taking churchs estimation further, approx PAR W of a mars 900 is:

411W - fan power = 400W
400 * .87 driver losses = 348W
348 dissipation W * .25 efficiency = 87 PAR W
87 PAR W = ~426 umol/S (PPF) or 1.22umol/s/ dissipation W
87 * .9 lens losses = 78.3 PAR W

in a 2'X2':
19.6 PAR W/ft²
1026 PPFD average

Ops 30"X30" or 2.5'X2.5'
12.5 PAR W/ft²
655 PPFD average

in a 3'X3'
8.7 PAR W/ft²
456 PPFD average

We may be too generous calling it 25% efficient, especially considering that properly cooled Cree XTEs are around 30%. If there are red leds running hot their output drops off badly. So 25% is probably giving the benefit of the doubt.
 
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SupraSPL

Well-Known Member
Just noticed that it is only 16" X 16". If it is really drawing over 400W that might be an issue in terms of spread but may be OK in a 30"X30". Cant hurt to give it a shot for $200
 

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
Even then, the uniformity of the light spread will make a big difference. So if your average is 12 PAR W/ft² but there is a big hotspot in the center and dim edges (HPS) then it will decrease the efficacy of the light. The same applies to high powered COBs vs low powered COBs to some extent. And on top of that there are spectral issues that affect the efficacy of the light.

BUT, to the op's question and taking churchs estimation further, approx PAR W of a mars 900 is:

411W - fan power = 400W
400 * .87 driver losses = 348W
348 dissipation W * .25 efficiency = 87 PAR W
87 PAR W = ~426 umol/S (PPF) or 1.22umol/s/ dissipation W
87 * .9 lens losses = 78.3 PAR W

in a 2'X2':
19.6 PAR W/ft²
1026 PPFD average

Ops 30"X30" or 2.5'X2.5'
12.5 PAR W/ft²
655 PPFD average

in a 3'X3'
8.7 PAR W/ft²
456 PPFD average

We may be too generous calling it 25% efficient, especially considering that properly cooled Cree XTEs are around 30%. If there are red leds running hot their output drops off badly. So 25% is probably giving the benefit of the doubt.

I agree, I think 25% efficient is being veeeeeeeeeeeeery generous:wink: ................@ the price point and selling it for a profit, wouldn't expect anything better than over-driven generic encapsulated leds. Under a year longevity in a warm ambient environment imo=== a semi-disposable item.
 

REALSTYLES

Well-Known Member
I'm obviously new to the LED world with that question.
I found a good price on a Mars II 900 ($200) so I bought it and my flowers are doing good under it getting thick now (30"x 30" x 5' grow space - soil).

Now as I explore higher quality Lights like Area 51 I am learning it's not watts at the plug divided by square feet that is as important as light efficiency. Am I correct?
For instance my Mars draws 411w at the plug but I am willing to bet that a Cree light pulling that would kick its butt.

What should I be looking for when I upgrade from my Mars? For instance would 2 Area 51 RW75's give me every bit as good of a harvest at less than half the watts from the wall? I'm looking for low watts and high efficiency.


..
Sorry this is what I think of Mars 2 900w

 

GFS_Nic

Well-Known Member
Mars II LED fixture, best casing durability ever ! It resist to the angry black man test. :D

Congrats, it's a very good product.
 

REALSTYLES

Well-Known Member
That panel weighed 26 lbs. Imagine that if that were to fall on your plants

Sent from my SM-G900P using Rollitup mobile app
 

churchhaze

Well-Known Member
Mars II LED fixture, best casing durability ever ! It resist to the angry black man test. :D

Congrats, it's a very good product.
The angry black man test? He didn't look very angry to me! You sound pretty racist though. Considering you probably work for mars, I'd say mars must be a racist company. (Wouldn't it be funny if somebody tweeted your comment?)

Mars is a piece of shit. Also, the glass broke pretty easily. Hardly what I would call "durable".
 

DoctorDelta9

Well-Known Member
I don't have any experience with mars...however I can tell you 3w LEDs have poor penetration, good for short sog. Not much else. My DiY fixtures weight 25 lbs a piece...as long as you hang them properly from your ceiling you won't have to worry about crushing your plants
 

DoctorDelta9

Well-Known Member
lol you need a bigger hammer next time. Much bigger.
I'm.not racist by any means. But that man is ignorant. He probably could of fixed it or at least harvested parts. Why would you do this? It's not a bad light. Maybe better for veg and not bloom. People like that have no business in our profession. Black or white it doesn't matter. Just plain ignorant.
 

alesh

Well-Known Member
I'm.not racist by any means. But that man is ignorant. He probably could of fixed it or at least harvested parts. Why would you do this? It's not a bad light. Maybe better for veg and not bloom. People like that have no business in our profession. Black or white it doesn't matter. Just plain ignorant.
That way I wouldn't have such a good laugh.
 

GFS_Nic

Well-Known Member
Wow
The angry black man test? He didn't look very angry to me! You sound pretty racist though. Considering you probably work for mars, I'd say mars must be a racist company. (Wouldn't it be funny if somebody tweeted your comment?)

Mars is a piece of shit. Also, the glass broke pretty easily. Hardly what I would call "durable".
I cant tell if you are serious or if it is a joke. I am not racist and i defenitly not work for Mars. I can t speak about Mars panel, i never even touch one.
 

churchhaze

Well-Known Member
Wow

I cant tell if you are serious or if it is a joke. I am not racist and i defenitly not work for Mars. I can t speak about Mars panel, i never even touch one.
Sorry, I thought you were actually defending the mars panel and were going to follow up by showing us pictures of mars grown plants! We've been getting a lot of viper reps recently pretending to be satisfied customers. We could use a good viper smashing.
 

doz

Well-Known Member
I'm.not racist by any means. But that man is ignorant. He probably could of fixed it or at least harvested parts. Why would you do this? It's not a bad light. Maybe better for veg and not bloom. People like that have no business in our profession. Black or white it doesn't matter. Just plain ignorant.
Like him or not, he did what should be done. I dont even think the light was broken so what was there to fix? He is building his own lights now that are far superior for growing than any MARS panel. Why keep cheap trash around? People who purchase MARS lights and think they are the end all to LED lighting "have no business in the profession" (hobby).

It is ignorant to think that a cheap LED such as MARS is above and beyond other LED (even for the price), let alone tried and true HPS.
 
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