Induction Lights? The newest (supposedly) technology in Induction Grow Lights

chazbolin

Well-Known Member
Hiya PSU! Went to the SF show last weekend and got a chance to visit the Parlux booth. I listened to what they had to say and thoroughly checked out all their products HID and Induction lights. They don't make any attempt to claim Made in the USA and told me the lights come from Korea not China. Moving through Korea perhaps but it's got China made written all over it.

I asked the nice Parlux rep as to why would you desire to put three lamps in a single hood? Wouldn't you be better off buying two of the 400's for a few hundred $$$ more and separate them for multiple point sources? They told me that the multiple lamps in a single hood allowed them to increase area coverage and lumen output over the plants which increased flower size. I was told that the name Parlux which is trademarked, is by design a way of merging visual and plant standards by signifying that the lamps LUX output is designed for PAR wavelengths. I listened politely and left without offering any comments to anything I had heard.

I had hoped to see more induction companies at the show but it was only Inda-Gro and Parlux who had booths. IBeam had a booth last year but didn't have one this year. IGrow who had missed the MI show which is in their backyard, wasn't at the SF show either.

I visited the Parlux booth on Sunday which was the open to the public day. They didn't ask if I was a potential dealer with a retail hydro store but they gave me their 2013 products catalog anyway. I'll share these images here which show product specs as well as retail and dealer prices. My notes just pick on technical specs/claims that are missing the mark. What motivates me to do this is that I believe induction systems values can be easily misstated and if the end user get's less than stellar results the technology is tainted. In the case of Parlux they make most of their comparisons to HID which as you can see they also sell.

Parlux  Dealer Brochur  (1).jpgParlux  Dealer Brochure (2).jpg
A 10% safety margin? Per the National Electrical Code they should be recommending a 30% safety margin. They're telling us we can run a 90% load on a branch circuit??? Two 800 watt lamps on a universal power supply are going to draw ~1700 watts which on a 120 volt circuit will in all likelihood draw the voltage down to a 110 volts with a continuous load (oh let's just hypothetically say 12 hour/day duty cycle) and actually exceed the 15 amps rating with a 16.5 amp draw. Not only do they not meet the 10% safety margin but they exceed the supply circuit capacities as shown in the first graphic.

Parlux  Dealer Brochure (3).jpg Parlux 3.jpg DSCN0130.jpg
The area of coverage on their 62# 1200 watt light is claimed to be 75 sq ft. With that reflector geometry? Utter nonsense.

Parlux 5.jpg
Lamp:Housing/Reflector fit

Parlux 7.jpg
First time I've seen a major induction mfg allow the two RF wires to run exposed on the outside of the driver housing. These wires carry 200-300 volts RMS peak to peak. This is not a UL approved installation and a search of the UL database does not show the part number or Parlux as a UL listed manufacturer of this model number.

Parlux 3.jpgParlux 1n.jpg
Here you can see the AC driver supply wiring being routed into a terminal block of sorts. The ends of the terminal block are wide open.

Parlux  Dealer Brochure (4).jpg
The upper chart shows comparisons to HID and lists all lamps as PLM or Pupil Lumen/Watt. Pretty much everyone reading this knows Lumen's is for humans but there are some pretty substantial errors listed here even in these values. For example their Lumen Depreciation Rates show a 40% depreciation of a metal halide at 2000 hours and a 30% depreciation of an HPS @ 2000 hours. Then in the chart at the bottom of that page they show Usage Cost Comparisons and in that chart they list a lux comparison which is totally irrelevant to plant lighting but even so these values are grossly overstated. If nothing else they should have been stated in lumens since they don't give the circumstances for how these readings were taken as would be required of a density per meter squared lux reading.

Parlux  Dealer Brochure (5).jpg
On this page it becomes apparent they are just blindly parrotting a commercial lamp specification since no gardener would give a shit about Cold Ignition operational value @ -40 degree C. Even so when they give the same value in Farenheit they list it at -20 degrees F when it would actually be -40 degrees F. This just happens to be where the two values equal each other and they missed it.

Parlux  Dealer Brochure (6).jpgParlux  Dealer Brochure (7).jpg
So after they go to all the trouble of eviscerating HID the next page in the brochure shows all the HID lamps they'll sell you.

Parlux  Dealer Brochure (9).jpgParlux  Dealer Brochure (10).jpg
In addition to the induction lights these are some of the other products they sell which are listed in the brochure.

+++++++++++++++

Looking at this in it's totality I would have to say:

Many of their claims are overstated (grossly) or just wrong.
Their analysis of the branch circuit rating is wrong and just plain dangerous.
Many of their specifications are parroted from commercial/industrial specs which have no relevance to plant lighting applications at all.
They know not of what they speak.
 

Attachments

tags420

Well-Known Member
They got me and threw the sales pitch at me too on sunday. He was nice guy, but was just regurgitating what his boss told him. Very cheaply made for sure...that is the first thing to jump out to me. I measured their par in the 2 400 bulb fixture and it wasn't very much more than my single inda-gro w/ pontoon. They had some different spectrum bulbs and one weird 1/2red 1/2blue. Like I said it was very cheap quality in appearance and with a barely introduction educated staff was a turn off for me. I tried to get away quick so I didn't even look at the crazy amps. The only good thing saw was they had a huge 12"inline fan that was really quiet.
In my rush to get away I never even got their prices for anything though.
 

Kite High

Well-Known Member
Wait a minute, what the hell do the 930-942 #'s mean??????? ^^^their both 4200k, never got this option when I purchased mine and you definitely want the ?942? version looking at the charts............



Problem is Kite......... I was told by a couple of growers now that that vendor is shit^^ and the 210w bulb seems to have the best spectral distribution for cannabis! huh, small stealth growers rejoice!!:p


Another Induction company surfaces http://www.shop.parluxcorporation.com/main.sc 800w for $900 not bad, but look rebranded :p
I have done repeated business with them. The owner fell ill a while back and the employees took advantage. All I can say is 2 days after ordering my 6 400 watt retros last week from them, I had them!
 

chazbolin

Well-Known Member
They got me and threw the sales pitch at me too on sunday. He was nice guy, but was just regurgitating what his boss told him. Very cheaply made for sure...that is the first thing to jump out to me. I measured their par in the 2 400 bulb fixture and it wasn't very much more than my single inda-gro w/ pontoon. They had some different spectrum bulbs and one weird 1/2red 1/2blue. Like I said it was very cheap quality in appearance and with a barely introduction educated staff was a turn off for me. I tried to get away quick so I didn't even look at the crazy amps. The only good thing saw was they had a huge 12"inline fan that was really quiet.
In my rush to get away I never even got their prices for anything though.
Hiya Tags! I heard I missed ya on Saturday and on Sunday I got in early and raided the swag. Place was a friggin zoo! Got enough crap to start my own hydroshop. I did see your video though. That new AT is a friggin beast! Can't wait to see that one hanging over your garden. Any idea when?
 

hyroot

Well-Known Member
I ordered 6 retro white 400's to hold me over until I upgrade to the 315's and rec'd them in 2 days from ATL
They also sent me this awesome info on a MOGUL BASE 315 and the Philips Ballast for the 315-210


NEW UNRELEASED Ceramic Metal Halide Lamp for 210 and 315 this is not the T9 PGZX-1 current availbe lamps (those thin tubed ones) these are better
to our customers please pass around
http://advancedtechlighting.com/cdmmw.htm
Past USA customers email right after order for a $20 usd rebate per combo pack, (as an extra thanks and sorry for some of our past delays)
just email right after order and our pricing reflects how much we care about the end customers out of pocket costs.
Buying with our combo pack saves you this.
also shipping is including in the combo packs
each combo pack comes with a
Philips MasterColor CDM Elite MW Lamp 210 or 315 watt 4k Mogul socket Lamp
and Philips Advance Ballast (that drives either the 210 or 315 by a simple switch
remember the combo sale price is with shipping also (USA customers) check out the savings even from our standard non combo sale price. especially vs our competitors exaggerating or just ripping you off
Combo Packs 1 2 3 4 5 6
combo sale $260.00 $510.00 $760.00 $1,000.00 $1,220.00 $1,445.00
Saved W/combo without shipping
$5.00 $20.00 $35.00 $60.00 $105.00 $145.00
Saved With Combo & Ship $15.00 $35.00 $55.00 $85.00 $135.00 $180.00




Also the 860 for $99
the
860 watt
http://advancedtechlighting.com/cdmea860.htm


That is less than 1/2 the cost for the inferior DNA Chinese Manufactured Ballast which is GEL. These are the PHILIPS Ballast specifically for these lamps, and will carry and be honored with the Philips warranty which will be void if run on the DNA. GEL, DNA, and some Electrical Supply house all share the same address in Idaho.


Hope it helps. Sure is a good deal for the lamp and Philips ballast and you can continue to use your same hoods and sockets.


As I have years of stock left in retro whites and my mag coil ballasts are only one year old it will be a while before I upgrade so just wanted to pass on what I see comparatively as a great deal on the new lamps and ballast.

And the spds are great on these as well....great umoles for only 315 watts


210 Watt 4,200 Kelvin
CDM210/U/O/4K ED28

General Characteristics
315 Watt 4,200 Kelvin ED37
CDM315/U/O/4K ED37
General Characteristics
[FONT=gs_light_regular]General Characteristics
BaseExclusionary Mogul Screw [Exclusionary Mogul Screw]
BulbED28
Bulb FinishClear
Operating PositionUniversal [Any or Universal (U)]
Avg. Hrs. Life20000 hr

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Light Technical Characteristics[/FONT]
Color Code942 [CCT of 4200K]
Color Rendering Index92 Ra8
Color DesignationCool White
Color Temperature3850 K
Color Temperature technical3850 K
Initial Lumens22800 Lm
Luminous Efficacy Lamp EL108 Lm/W
Lumen Maintenance 2000h94 %
Lumen Maintenance 5000h88 %
Lumen Maintenance - 10% life94 %
Photosynthetic Photon Flux PPF1.76 umol/s
Design Mean Lumens20500 Lm
Chromaticity Coordinate X0.386 -
Chromaticity Coordinate Y0.378 -

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Electrical Characteristics[/FONT]
System Power EL230 W
Energy Used210 W
Lamp Wattage EL210 W
Lamp Voltage105 V
Lamp Current EL2.1 A
Lamp Current Run-Up2.8 A
Ignition Time3 (max) s
Run-up time 90%3 (max) min
Re-ignition Time [min]15 (max) min

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Environmental Characteristics[/FONT]
Mercury (Hg) Content25 (nom), 26 (max) mg
Picogram per Lumen Hour60.7 p/LuHr

[/FONT]


[FONT=gs_light_regular]UV-related Characteristics

Damage Factor D/fc0.45 -
PET (NIOSH)16.7 h500lx
UV A16.5 mW/cm2
UV B0.19 mW/cm2
UV C0.01 mW/cm2

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Luminaire Design Requirements[/FONT]
Cap-Base Temperature210 C
Bulb Temperature400 (max) C

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Product Dimensions[/FONT]
Overall Length C211 (max) mm
Diameter D90 mm
Light Center Length L125 (min), 127 (nom),
129 (max) mm
Arc Length O12.3 mm
Maximum Overall Length [inch]8.3 (max) in
Light Center Length L5.0 in
Diameter D3.54 in

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Product Data[/FONT]
Order code928601175301
Full product code928601175301
Full product nameMasterColor CDM Elite 210W ED28 CL U
Order product nameCDM210/U/O/4K ED28 12PK
Pieces per pack1
Packs per outerbox12
Bar code on pack - EAN146677427054
Bar code on outerbox - EAN350046677427059
Logistic code(s) - 12NC928601175301
Net weight per piece0.001 kg

[/FONT]

.............[FONT=gs_light_regular]General Characteristics
BaseExclusionary Mogul Screw [Exclusionary Mogul Screw]
BulbED37
Bulb FinishClear
Operating PositionUniversal [Any or Universal (U)]
Avg. Hrs. Life20000 hr

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Light Technical Characteristics[/FONT]
Color Code942 [CCT of 4200K]
Color Rendering Index85 (min), 93 (nom) Ra8
Color DesignationCool White
Color Temperature4140 K
Color Temperature technical4140 K
Initial Lumens34300 Lm
Luminous Efficacy Lamp EL109 Lm/W
Lumen Maintenance 2000h93 %
Lumen Maintenance 5000h87 %
Photosynthetic Photon Flux PPF1.82 umol/s
Design Mean Lumens30780 Lm
Chromaticity Coordinate X0.378 -
Chromaticity Coordinate Y0.385 -

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Electrical Characteristics[/FONT]
System Power EL340 W
Energy Used315 W
Lamp Wattage EL315 W
Lamp Voltage100 V
Lamp Current EL3.15 A
Lamp Current Run-Up4.15 A
Ignition Time3 (max) s
Run-up time 90%3 (max) min
Re-ignition Time [min]15 (max) min

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Environmental Characteristics[/FONT]
Mercury (Hg) Content23.4 (nom), 24 (max) mg
Picogram per Lumen Hour39 p/LuHr

[/FONT]


[FONT=gs_light_regular]UV-related Characteristics

Damage Factor D/fc0.37 -
PET (NIOSH)146 h500lx
UV A13.88 mW/cm2
UV B0.1 mW/cm2
UV C0.01 mW/cm2

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Luminaire Design Requirements[/FONT]
Cap-Base Temperature210 C
Bulb Temperature400 (max) C

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Product Dimensions[/FONT]
Overall Length C288 (max) mm
Diameter D118 mm
Light Center Length L174 (min), 178 (nom),
182 (max) mm
Arc Length O14.0 mm
Maximum Overall Length [inch]11.3 (max) in
Light Center Length L7.0 in
Diameter D4.625 in

[FONT=gs_light_regular]Product Data[/FONT]
Order code928601175501
Full product code928601175501
Full product nameMasterColor CDM Elite 315W ED37 CL U
Order product nameCDM315/U/O/4K ED37 6PK
Pieces per pack1
Packing configuration6
Packs per outerbox6
Bar code on pack - EAN146677427047
Bar code on outerbox - EAN350046677427042
Logistic code(s) - 12NC928601175501
Net weight per piece0.001 kg

[/FONT]
that ballast does not run a 120v:cuss: I wonder if those bulbs run on hps or mh
 

hyroot

Well-Known Member
Good find. Are those safe? Also if I run the 240v into it and step it down to 120v does the amps being used increase or stay the same. Curious. All my available circuits are 15 amps. So running 2 of those and 2 mag allstart 330 on one circuit. Or I would have to run a longer cord to another room on one light.

Does say a 500 watt one use all 500 watts or does it just use what ever the light is?
 

Kite High

Well-Known Member
Good find. Are those safe? Also if I run the 240v into it and step it down to 120v does the amps being used increase or stay the same. Curious. All my available circuits are 15 amps. So running 2 of those and 2 mag allstart 330 on one circuit. Or I would have to run a longer cord to another room on one light.

Does say a 500 watt one use all 500 watts or does it just use what ever the light is?
you can put 3 of the Philips ballasts on 1 1000 watt plugged into 1 15 amp120 safely and effectively. When you step up voltage amps go down.

It will only draw as needed but as with any electricaldevice there is a bit of loss. Should be in the specifications on the units.
 

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
Just stick with the old All starts, it's not a major upgrade IMO or worth the hassle of using a step down. it doesn't seem safe compared to a dedicated 220v line from your breaker box


Maybe chaz can chime in on these less than twenty dollar step downs:-P
 

chazbolin

Well-Known Member
Watts is watts. If you pull 5 amps on a 220 volt circuit you'll pull 10 amps on a 110 volt circuit. A step up/down transformer won't make the primary circuit capable of providing more power. As P said, go with the dedicated 220 line from the box and with a 2 pole 15 amp circuit you can run up to 2500 watts which allows for a safety 25% safety factor on the branch circuit.
 

hyroot

Well-Known Member
I just have 110 / 120v circuits here. There is an 220/240v slot on the breaker but not installed. So only 110 / 120v. I was curious on those volt converters. But I will just stick with what I have. Im moving in a few months anyway. Then maybe I will upgrade.
 

Kite High

Well-Known Member
Just some more chinese glorified fluros designed to part inexperienced and uninformed growers from their very dirty green dollars. Utter poppycock that the ballast.creates no heat. On that one utterly idiotic lie I know to ignore this shyster. Hope you allsee thru it as well
 

captainmorgan

Well-Known Member
315 watts of LED should kill 200 watts of edfl. Should be 200 vs 200 to see any advantage or I would like to see 150 watts LED against 200 watts edfl to see how equal they are.
 
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