The reality of LEDs for a larger grow

Tstat

Tstat

Well-Known Member
Hey all, I haven't been around much because I am so busy these days. I know I could have tried that "other" thread about LEDs, but it's long and unwieldy. I have read a lot of it, and I'm still confused, so here goes:

7x3 grow space using a "Current Culture" type RDWC. The space is lighted by one 1000 watt HPS and one 600 HPS. I have 18 plants total and do pretty well.

What I would like to accomplish:
I really want to cut down on my electricity consumption. I'd also like to have less heat in the summer.

So, can today's LED's help me achieve my goals without compromising on my production?

Last year I was at a convention where the guys from ProMax were touting their light as a 1000 watt replacement. Of course I was skeptical, but intrigued by the claims of significant reduction in energy consumption and heat. I've read here that these lights are shit, but I'd like to find a light that's not, and maybe for a more reasonable price!

That's it in a nutshell. Can LEDs replace at least one of my HPSs? Could two or more replace them both?

If the experts here think it can be done (and without too much loss of weight or quality), I'd love to hear about it. I don't like messing with electricity, so I don't think I want to build something. And if this is feasible, what are some "good" lights that are available?

Thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing suggestions. I know it subjective, but I always want people smarter than me helping out on a problem :)
 
Rrog

Rrog

Well-Known Member
I've been "about ready to start my new room" for 18 months now... but I'm about to start on my new room.

Working on the ventilation now. Using big LED arrays. Custom built by SupraSPL. Remote drivers for heat dissipation. Less heat was one reason I invested.

You can certainly replace HPS with LED
 
Tstat

Tstat

Well-Known Member
Thank you, Rrog. So these are made to order by someone here, I see. Is that the best way to go? I'm looking for options here as far as commercial lights or that route. When I get back from Utah next week, I'd really like to get cracking so I'm good for the summer heat here in New England :)
 
dandyrandy

dandyrandy

Well-Known Member
My driver's are remote as well. Passive cooling as well. I don't see why you couldn't. I find 11 sq ft gives me so much I toss and give a bit away. 20 plus zips every 3 months.
 
Tstat

Tstat

Well-Known Member
Cool, it probably doesn't make a difference but I failed to mention I veg in another room with T5s. So the only lights I want to replace are the HPS flowering lights.
I'm not sure what my yields are, either. I run it staggered with different strains under a screen. Depending on the strain (of course) I can get 4-5 OZs per plant or 1 ounce per plant.
 
G

grouch

Well-Known Member
If you have a little electrical knowledge you could add diy cob leds in a little at a time. Maybe start with some 3 cob bars on each side and drop the 600w then add a couple more bars and drop the 1000w and add back the 600w. You'll know when you hit the sweet spot for the plants and the power bill
 
Tstat

Tstat

Well-Known Member
I have always been leery of messing with electricity. I think I'd rather buy something commercially made, or get someone to build one. But I get what you are saying about finding the sweet spot, it's exactly what I want to do!
 
Tstat

Tstat

Well-Known Member
Yea, that is exactly what I'm thinking. Buy a couple bars at a time until there is no longer room for the HIDs! I'm figuring he made those or had them made? I wonder how much it costs for each unit?
I'm getting excited for this!
 
Tstat

Tstat

Well-Known Member
I was looking at them this morning. They have 1400, 1750, 2100 series. They say they are "concentrating" on the 1750 series. I guess I should focus on those, and the largest ones?
 
Thorhax

Thorhax

Well-Known Member
Tstat said:
Wow, @Thorhax that looks amazing. What are those? How large is your space?
Click to expand...
Vero29s running at 1400mA. Covers a 4x12 grow space. I built them myself. Total consumption with a meter is 1420w. Expected yield is 5 pounds or more with the strains running in the room.
 
Tstat

Tstat

Well-Known Member
Yea, that's awesome for sure. I've spent the better part of today reading up, watching videos, etc and I'm still pretty confused. I see stuff like Advanced Platinum Series P600 getting rave reviews, but yet I don't see this light getting much love here. Which is why I came here. It's hard to find honest reviews from bloggers, and how can you trust their authority?

@Thorhax, you have more than twice the space that I have. So, if I could light my room for 700w, that would just make so much difference. I can't build them, however.

So, I see now that this can be done, but one question remains- what lights do I buy?
 
Thorhax

Thorhax

Well-Known Member
Tstat said:
Yea, that's awesome for sure. I've spent the better part of today reading up, watching videos, etc and I'm still pretty confused. I see stuff like Advanced Platinum Series P600 getting rave reviews, but yet I don't see this light getting much love here. Which is why I came here. It's hard to find honest reviews from bloggers, and how can you trust their authority?

@Thorhax, you have more than twice the space that I have. So, if I could light my room for 700w, that would just make so much difference. I can't build them, however.

So, I see now that this can be done, but one question remains- what lights do I buy?
Click to expand...
It's super easy to build them man. @SupraSPL @Growmau5 and other have made it super simple to make your own. If I were to buy again though I would go with a company using white COBs/diodes
 
Tstat

Tstat

Well-Known Member
I emailed Tasty and they even said that the best ones were ones that are DIY:

"Yes, you can reduce wattage and maintain or increase yield. Realistically you're not going to find retail products that cut power consumption in half, at least not yet. It is possible to do with current technology. Running the current lower increases efficiency but to get to that magical 50% requires achieving around 65-70% efficiency. People come close doing DIY builds. A solution is to use CXB3590 emitters and run them at .7 amps which achieves 64% efficiency. It's an expensive up front solution."

So, switching gears, where can I buy the parts and get detailed instructions?
 
Thorhax

Thorhax

Well-Known Member
Rrog said:
Super! How's the heat / vent?
Click to expand...
daytime temps 75-76F daytime humidity 55%
night time temps 73-75F night time humidity 57%

thank to the ac unit and dehumidifier i try to keep everything the same at all times...
 
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