IF you are new to LED and want help choosing what to buy, POST HERE!

[dolamic]

Apache Tech
Area 51
California light works
Lumigro
Illumitex

Those are good reliable units that will work how they say...or close to/could happen. There are a few more that come to mind but I don't trust or don't know enough about to support.

I'd like to add Kessil to that lineup. They are all centered (like a thick stream instead of a wide shower) but penetrate very well.
Depending upon the area you need them for. Low wattage. Pricey though.

 

[IReapU]

Hello,

I wanted to start a grow-room of 7,2ft x 4,7 ft and about 20 plants. And wanted to go with LED lights for flowering since they consume less power, if not i will go with 2x400w normal lamps.
I was thinking about 2x 240w Led Blackstar lighthouse hydro Flowering or Diamond series led 3x100w, is that a good option ? Maybe something less expensive ?
I read alot and it seems there are alot of manufacturers and alot of opinions here. Can i get any recommendations for this kind of space( if its even possible on a space this big) ?
TY in advance

 

[hyroot]

A blackstar 240 will cover 1 or 2 plants. Going to need more lights than that. Problay 6 bs 240's will cover it. But there are better lights for same cost.

 

[djwimbo]

Hello,

I wanted to start a grow-room of 7,2ft x 4,7 ft and about 20 plants. And wanted to go with LED lights for flowering since they consume less power, if not i will go with 2x400w normal lamps.
I was thinking about 2x 240w Led Blackstar lighthouse hydro Flowering or Diamond series led 3x100w, is that a good option ? Maybe something less expensive ?
I read alot and it seems there are alot of manufacturers and alot of opinions here. Can i get any recommendations for this kind of space( if its even possible on a space this big) ?
TY in advance

6x Apache Tech... but that will break the bank.

No matter what, you won't effectively light that size of a room with less than 800watts, ideally more like 1200(HID, LED or anything else). And I mean, in real watts, not advertised watts.

 

[WhiteBud]

Hello, guys. Can you please give me some advice. I'm interested in the LED light grow, but still not sure if i would use it or no... I hope you can give me some info.
My idea is to use them for a PC grow box with Dimension (DxWxH): 540mm x 205mm x 650mm . Maybe grow 1 to 3 girls.
So i have made some search and for now i have choosen the following items for my build.

1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-HeatSink-Aluminum-Base-plate-for-30pcs-HP-leds-in-series-182-142mm-/190803897178?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6ccc6b5a - These here is where I'm gonna solder the LED's.

2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-12-5A-150W-Switch-Power-Supply-Driver-For-LED-Strip-Light-110V-220V-ES9P-/281043862286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416f85030e - This is the cheap driver I may use or not, still wondering.

3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Driver-Power-Supply-170-265V-To-12V-12-5A-150W-Aluminum-IP67-Waterproof-/400483462015?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3eacab7f - This here is the pro in my opinion driver, but cost a lot more.

After some digging I have made a list of the LED's i will need for my build and they are as follow:

1. 430nm x http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hot-10Pcs-3w-Power-LED-Beads-430nm-Violet-for-LED-plant-grow-light-lamp-/261205071545?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd10916b9


2. 460-470nm x http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-PCS-3W-Blue-High-Power-LED-Light-Emitter-460-470NM-with-20mm-Star-Base-/221206117837?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3380e97dcd


3. 620-630nm x http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pcs-3W-Red-High-Power-620-630nm-LED-Emitter-Light-with-20mm-Star-Base-/221207663215?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338101126f


4. 650-660nm x http://www.ebay.com/itm/10PCS-3W-RED-80lm-650nm-660nm-LED-Plant-Glow-Light-/321088886684?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac263979c


5. Bright White x http://www.ebay.com/itm/White-10Pcs-3w-Power-LED-Beads-2800k-White-for-LED-plant-grow-light-lamp-/261205079419?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd109357b


6. IR LED x http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-PCS-3W-High-Power-IR-Infrared-LED-Tri-Chips-940nm-with-star-board-/221205956213?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3380e70675

I think to use 45 LED's each with 3W power for total 135W. Plus two fans one is 140mm(outtake) and the other is 120mm(intake) both wattage 14W(12V), so in total LED's and FAN's=149W.
My request to you guys if can help me and tell me how much of each(nm LED) I need and where to position them on the PCB?
Will this 150W driver be enough to power my LED's and the 2 FAN's?
Will this light be enough for my build/plants?
Or its gonna be cheaper just to buy 1 of those ready lamps?

1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-135W-LED-Grow-Light-10-Spectrums-IR-Indoor-Hydroponic-System-Plant-Ufo-Hot-/261216007276?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd1aff46c

2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BEAUTIFUL-IN-COLOUR-FIRST-CLASS-UFO-135W-GROW-LIGHT-EFFICIENT-FLOWERING-e2-/221200204450?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33808f42a2

3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/135W-UFO-LED-Grow-Light-3W-IR-Flower-LED-spectrum-Hydroponic-grow-lamp-panel-/370799407005?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56555def9d

Thank you in advance.

 

[FranJan]

Or its gonna be cheaper just to buy 1 of those ready lamps

Think of it as cost of an education WB. Build it yourself if you have the time and means. Start small so if any screwups happen they'll be less costly. And those 2800Ks might be Blue and Yellow so be careful with your selection. Plus lots of white LEDs have their blue diode set at 430 so separate 430nm is kinda redundant in my book. Good Luck.

 

[WhiteBud]

Think of it as cost of an education WB. Build it yourself if you have the time and means. Start small so if any screwups happen they'll be less costly. And those 2800Ks might be Blue and Yellow so be careful with your selection. Plus lots of white LEDs have their blue diode set at 430 so separate 430nm is kinda redundant in my book. Good Luck.

Hello, dear friend. Thanks you for your reply. Do you have any idea and can you give me an advice how much of each nm LED i need so i can try and build my own LED grow light ? . I will have in total 45 LED's but i need some advice how much of each and how to position them on the PCB's. Thank you again.

 

[jcmjrt]

WB, If you just want to learn about LEDs or you think that you'll be into a larger grow area soon, then diy now is good so you can learn. If you just want to grow some good bud in a small box, then check out the hans panel at bonsaihero.com It will end up being easier and you'll grow better bud than what you are talking about...and thus will even probably be cheaper since you'll keep using and growing.
Even if you don't go with bonsai hero, at least they tell you what they use for LEDs...as does Area 51...and you can check out some of their ideas.

If you do decide to go with diy, then you should check out the specification sheets on those e-bay LEDs and compare them to Philips Luxeon ES and Cree XTE and XPE spec sheets. If the dealer won't provide the spec sheet to you, I'd be VERY leery of what I was getting.

 

[FranJan]

Hello, dear friend. Thanks you for your reply. Do you have any idea and can you give me an advice how much of each nm LED i need so i can try and build my own LED grow light ? . I will have in total 45 LED's but i need some advice how much of each and how to position them on the PCB's. Thank you again.

Here's the best advice I can give you. Guod is the person that is infinitely more qualified to answer your questions. Read his thread below and do whatever he does . It appears he's built a winner.
https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/547085-diy-modular-led-light.html

 

[RB1956]

Hey everyone I would buy these apache techs area 51 ect.. Sorry but they are way to much money for so little watts.. I would rather buy direct I know chancy but if we can dial in on which BLSED cidly whoever else is the best and most reliable it would be best for everyone, except for the dealers getting there 3-4x markup.. I mean I was quoted for 419 for 3x apollo 4's shipped to usa, wicked cheap.. Havent seen a better quote.. But went with 2x 140w ufos 460 shipped pretty nice deal.. Considering 1 sells for 499+ on ebay.. Please no one take offense JMO.. I mean 1000+ for 2-300w's that's crazy when dealers are paying a buck or less per w maybe up to 1.50 if they use REAL CREE.. But then again how do we know if they are real cree or not.. Do they say CREE on them?? This is why I like Bsled so much for the CREE but like before stated how do we know if its real cree bulbs

 

[Eraserhead]

I wish I could pay $1.00-$1.50 per watt with my Cree's.... And 3-4Xs markup is not accurate. I have a 35% markup.

It's not all about watts, if it was, these would rule, not all LED watts are created equal.

 

[RB1956]

Hey, I have talked directly to manufactures and I can add/make my leds be ALL cree for 1-1.50 more.. So if I had 80x3w and the light cost 150 originally it would now be 250-275 depending on how many units I bought.. And this is less than 10 units im sure if you bought 100's at a time like a REAL business selling LEDs would do then im sure its cheaper.. 600 bucks for 150w actual draw area 51, apache tech 156w for 1099, Advanced DS 150w= actual draw 130ws 549 bucks.. Im sorry but watts do have a lot to do with things.. You can only grow as much herbs/medicine as you have watts.. So if you spend 600 bucks on 150watts and your only getting 4-6oz well that's not very good.. Compared to buying a 400w+ light directly from the man who makes them for the same 600 bucks and now your getting 12-18oz how is there not a difference and how is it not all about the actual draw and watts.. You still need the power/watts to get more and well 150w or less for 600 bucks is just PLAIN STUPID IMO.. Yes all watts are created equal a watt is a watt.. But the bulbs themselves might last longer or put out a better color spectrum that's the only difference..

 

[RB1956]

AGAIN how do we know they are CREE bulbs.. Do they say cree on them?? Just curious because otherwise its just taking there word for it..

 

[ellydee]

I got a pop-up toaster that draws 1200 watts and it only cost $50.00. It can't grow for shit though.

I thought "a watt is a watt"?

 

[Eraserhead]

I guess binning is meaningless then.....

To Hell with it, I'm gonna get into the toaster oven business....

 

[jcmjrt]

Im sorry but watts do have a lot to do with things.. You can only grow as much herbs/medicine as you have watts.. Yes all watts are created equal a watt is a watt.. But the bulbs themselves might last longer or put out a better color spectrum that's the only difference..

I really don't understand this whole "a watt is a watt" thing. Efficiency varies wildly with the type of light and then with manufacturing differences!! A watt is most certainly not a watt unless you are just talking power draw...but we were talking growing "herbs/medicine". A cheap chinese LED or even cheap Cree/Philips will NOT put out the same amount or quality of light given the same amount of power as a top bin Cree or Philips...not even close. Longevity IS increased through quality manufacturing but mostly, you'll find longevity varies with heat management...which is expensive and usually quite poorly accomplished by manufacturers of low end fixtures. Quality counts. Quality of parts AND construction....and if you buy a blackstar, you'll get a good chance to find out about quality issues.

My experience leads me to conclude that top BIN Cree/Philips can grow well under as little as 25 - 30 watts/ft2 (given you have good physical coverage of your plants) whereas the cheaper fixtures require more like 40 watts/ft2. Figure that into your difference in costs

 

[RB1956]

LMAO well I see I get a couple of tards, but that happens on these sites.. A watt is a watt as far as power goes.. A toaster that's your small brain at work there I see.. But AGAIN you say you use CREE bulbs how do we know that.. If I buy a light for 600 bucks with 420 watts of power DRAW there folks, it will destroy the 600 bucks I spent on a 150w unit, THAT SAYS THEY USE ALL CREE BUT WONT PROVE IT.. So go ahead a buy a 150w light that the company has less then 2 bills into and ill buy mine from the same place they do CHINA.. I DONT BUY CHEAP SHIT.. I buy the same things that certain people are selling on ebay and other sites for 500+ and paid 230.. Ill do that.. A TOASTER wow.. Let me know how that works.. MY 600 watt TV is great

 

[RB1956]

What a DONK..

 

[RB1956]

GL with that.. A stoner like you should be able to make it work..lol

 

[RB1956]

Apparently you forgot to read the next sentence.. You go ahead and grow with you $600 light from Area 51 and get 130w of actual power and get your 3-6 oz, ill spend 600 bucks on a 420w CREE ufo from BSLED and get my 12+ oz... And im the idiot who says a watt is a watt WHEN I COMES TO FINAL WEIGHT YES IT MATTERS