What's the consensus on LED lightBULBS like this....

ReDirect

ReDirect

Member
One of LED's strong suits is that it emits directionally. In a hood install, many LEDs point sideways or up - requiring it to be reflected back down - loosing strength in the process.
Might work for hanging vertically between plants.
 
captainmorgan

captainmorgan

Well-Known Member
Other than hanging bare bulbs for a specialized grow. Why would you turn a directional light source into a omni directional one. If you put them in a hood you have reflector loss, seems counter productive.
 
tstick

tstick

Well-Known Member
My understanding is that they are a direct retrofit for pre-existing HID fixtures/ballasts and so the advantage would be that they are more efficient and save more money for large areas that are currently using regular HID bulbs.

I have an old Hydrofarm 400 watt MH ballast and socket meant for horizontal orientation. That's what I've been using since the 80's...up until when I bought my first Timber light. I saw these bulbs and wondered if anyone with a similar setup to my old one might have already tried one of these bulbs and had any results from them. If they are useful and save money and I can run them on my ballast, then it might be worth using one for a veg light. I know there are "better" options....there always are....no matter what...but my old stuff still works, too and there's no use in just having it collect dust if it can still be used.
 
tstick

tstick

Well-Known Member
Here's another one that appears to be directional: (Wouldn't work with my old setup though because I'd need it to be horizontal.)

WARNING: This woman's voice is really annoying!

 
tstick

tstick

Well-Known Member
whitebb2727 said:
Those look to be geared for factory lighting and not growing. I suppose a person would just have to try one.
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Yes, I agree...and, yet, the original intent of MH bulbs was as streetlights and industrial/high bay lighting and not for growing...and the same can be said for HPS bulbs, as well.

The nice thing about bulbs is that, if they break, then the user can replace them. If my COB light breaks, then I have to send it in for repair. I hope for the day when LED lights become more user-serviceable....and I'm sure it will come.

I guess what I'm asking is relevant to the people who want to continue to use bulbs...so, with that in mind, are these bulbs being used by any bulbarians? ;)
 
whitebb2727

whitebb2727

Well-Known Member
tstick said:
Yes, I agree...and, yet, the original intent of MH bulbs was as streetlights and industrial/high bay lighting and not for growing...and the same can be said for HPS bulbs, as well.

The nice thing about bulbs is that, if they break, then the user can replace them. If my COB light breaks, then I have to send it in for repair. I hope for the day when LED lights become more user-serviceable....and I'm sure it will come.

I guess what I'm asking is relevant to the people who want to continue to use bulbs...so, with that in mind, are these bulbs being used by any bulbarians? ;)
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The newer cob led grow lights are service friendly. The driver, chip and heat sink are separate parts. Easy to replace a cob if it goes bad or upgrade to newer chips. Plenty of options with the newer diy cob kits.

Out of the two you posted I like the looks of the second one. It looks like a person could service it.
 
BobCajun

BobCajun

Well-Known Member
On the OEO site they have a good one for use with HPS magnetic ballasts up to 400w. Interesting that it says in the notes that they also have ones where you can bypass the ballast and just use straight house current. Who wants to even use those big hot transformers?
 
CobKits

CobKits

Well-Known Member
another bait and switch

"hey replace your 40000 lumen 400W MH with a 200W 20000 lumen LED - see how much more efficient it is? what do you mean you cant see, are you squinting?"
 
BobCajun

BobCajun

Well-Known Member
CobKits said:
another bait and switch

"hey replace your 40000 lumen 400W MH with a 200W 20000 lumen LED - see how much more efficient it is? what do you mean you cant see, are you squinting?"
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True, there's not a huge difference. 36,000 lm for a 400w MH and usually about 40,000 lm for 400w of LED bulb, so about 11% more lm/w with LED. I don't know the comparison of actual PAR output though.
 
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