When Did Spider Farmer Stop Using Meanwell Drivers?

[Charles U Farley]

Have been a very satisfied customer for over 3 years now with multiple SF2000 and SF4000 lights that are still running strong. Upgraded my 4X4 tent to a 5X5, so I ordered another SF2000, this time a "Pro" version. Didn't even do normal due diligence for this purchase, just got another one since I've been so satisfied.

First thing I noticed is there was no Meanwell name on the driver. Thought, wft this can't be right, SF pioneered Chinese manufacturers using Samsung LED's and Meanwell drivers for SMB lights. Looked at the lights on Amazon again and notice that none of their lights mention Meanwell drivers anymore.

This cannot be a good thing.

Did a brief Google search and one here on RIU as well and there doesn't seem to be any quality issues that I've noticed so far. Since a Spider Farmer rep is pretty active here, I thought I ask here what the reason was for the switch over and is anyone aware of any quality issues since they stopped using the Meanwell drivers?

I'm within the 30 day return period and it might go back unless there's a real good reason for the switch over.

 

[rkymtnman]

cost saving?

 

[420 Garden]

I seen in spiderfarmer's contest here on RIU they have also changed the logo. I have a 5 x 5 and use the sd4000 and king plus too. Was thinking about their bar lights but, might put the brakes on that now you bring this up.

 

[Mrblaze212]

No problems 6months in

 

[420 Garden]

I asked in this thread about the driver change and normally they are good to respond but this time all I got was the ghost. Nothing in response.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

I just got the sf5000 in December. It has a spider farmer branded driver.......



It's been working great. No issues to date, and I love the remote driver mounting. It's dropped my tent temps considerably.

 

[420 Garden]

I think I am going to wait it out for a little feedback on the drivers. You would think if it was a upgrade to a better driver setup @Spiderfarmerled would give some details about it.

 

[420 Garden]

I guess what I'm saying is the driver is kind of an important part of the puzzle here. If you loose a diode or two no great deal. But driver goes bad, totally different story.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

I've had meanwell drivers go bad too though. From what I've read, it seems like they've went with inventronics drivers. I believe hlg has also?

Honestly, the driver going out isn't as big a deal as diodes. I can replace a driver. A diode..... not so much.

When I used hps, I had ballasts go bad. It's just one of those things I guess.

 

[420 Garden]

What I tried saying is. A driver goes bad, no lights at all till replaced, a diode goes out your not in the dark.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

What I tried saying is. A driver goes bad, no lights at all till replaced, a diode goes out your not in the dark.

Good point.

 

[Spiderfarmerled]

Sorry for the late reply, just noticed this thread.
In fact, most power supplies on the market are OEM. We have been using the current brand of power supply before, and its quality is very trustworthy, and it has passed all the required quality certifications. No worry about this, we have sold for many years in the Led Market, and will not do things that damage the reputation of our Company.
For branding, we negotiated with the factory and put our own logo on it.

 

[coreywebster]

Meanwell is a popular search term and selling point when looking for lights.
So it grabs attention when your in such a competitive market , but it's not the be all and end all of drivers and tbh most of us love meanwell for the 5-7 year warranty but most don't realise this means jack shit when you've bot bought it from an authorised meanwell dealer , like as part of a light , in which case the only warranty that matters is that of the light manufacturer

 

[Spiderfarmerled]

The power supply we are using now is also a brand that has focused on the power supply market for many years, and the quality has also been tested and compared by our engineers, so no worry about the quality.

About all your feedback and suggestions, we will feedback to the company

 

[420 Garden]

I think rather than jump on the newest latest greatest thing. I'll sit back and wait on others feedback and reviews and grow journals.

 

[Tolerance Break]

LEDs are exploding in commercial popularity. I'm not talking about farming, I'm talking commercial buildings like hospitals, banks, factories, shopping centers, and all kinds of private enterprises.

There are still shit cheap drivers, and the occasional lemon, but the overall quality has become consistently good to match the needs of the market.

 

[Hollatchaboy]

The power supply we are using now is also a brand that has focused on the power supply market for many years, and the quality has also been tested and compared by our engineers, so no worry about the quality.

About all your feedback and suggestions, we will feedback to the company

The thing is, people want to know who the manufacturer is. So they can do their research, before jumping into a product they know very little about. I'll admit, I'm curious myself, but I already own a se5000, so it's not a game change for me.
I've had it since late December, and all in all, I'm very satisfied so far.

 

[420 Garden]

Your absolutely right. You can bet before I start paying out 800-1000 dollars for a light I'm going to do some research and looking into others that use the light first. Right now i have not found any reviews or journals on this change that @Spiderfarmerled has made.

 

[Spiderfarmerled]

The thing is, people want to know who the manufacturer is. So they can do their research, before jumping into a product they know very little about. I'll admit, I'm curious myself, but I already own a se5000, so it's not a game change for me.
I've had it since late December, and all in all, I'm very satisfied so far.

For the newest SE5000, use SOSEN Led Driver.

SS-500NP-360XX*-SOSEN LED DRIVER

 

[EBgrows420]

Currently running a se5000 with no issues works flawlessly going to upgrade to the new G8600 for my flower room heres some pics what ive got going on now under my SE