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

Status
Not open for further replies.
Cost wise. 4 hans panels would be the way to go for a 4x4. About $1000. The new hans panels have white leds now.. I've been waiting for that dude to incorporate those. I'm so interested now. But I'm to broke.... The a51 you would need maybe 3 or 4 panels. Or the new apaches. Tags420 knows more about the apaches than any of us. Or mix and match panels.
 
tags420 said:
Spectrum is only half of the equation actual output of actually photons is the other half. Spectrum makes more of them usable, but you are still constrained my the output because of the energy in it to drive photosynthesis.
Here is a very theoretical example...
Lets say a 400w hps puts out 1400µmols, but only 60% is usable by the plants. Thats about 840µmols that are considered used.
Well if you get a led panel that puts out 800µmols in a 90% usable spectrum it will still fall short despite the added benefits from the spectrum.

If you are trying to step up from the 400hps than hans would not be my pick. His panel is amazing at making the best of very small spaces...but a step up in normal situations I would not agree.

The days of LED's only having a better spectrum and not enough intensity is a thing of the past. A51 is a great choice and are using tech that will compete with the 400w in the intensity category and blow it away with spectrum. Specially there newer model to come.
Click to expand...

i was thinking either 4 Hans or 2 51s for a 4x4. I'd spend damn near the same after 2 Horti HPS, 2 nice air cooled hoods, and two new ballasts. What do you guys think?!
 
RedCarpetMatches said:
I'm no LED expert but I know a useful spectrum. Just look at the spectrum of an HPS and you'll see all the green and yellow it puts out...all wasted power. That's why I only veg and flower with CMHs and get better results. Now look at the spectrum of a Hans and you'll notice the blues and reds which the plants do use. I'm convinced and seen enough to know I'm ready to join the big boys.
Click to expand...

One of the things you'll notice about the Hans and A51 are the efficiency of the diodes used. Don't fall in love with just spectrum RCM. Well made panels use efficient diodes and as HPS and it's wasted spectrum tell us is marijuana loves an efficient and energetic source of light. Good panels use quality diodes that have a high level of efficacy to get great results. Proper spectrum comes into play too, but you need that delivery system first, something the majority of Asian panels lack. And go see captainmorgan's grows for what high efficacy can do. It's my favorite actually :).

Go with Apache's latest or A51.
 
Apache is a mystery so if they ever come out, then rock on and are my choice as everyone knows. Till I see it, A51 is the best out IMO. They are the closer to a hps replacement, than a alternative to T5/cfl's.
I have been on a DIY binge lately. All the pieces necessary to make the best light possible is basically available to anyone. And there are no constraints like inventory and manufacturing things involved with the business aspects of led companies so you can fit to the grow space and have the latest tech. Although it will cost me a bit more for the same parts at a DIY scale, it's worth it.

Matches- Check out Dawg. He is doing amazing in a 4x4 with two a51's.
 
hyroot said:
use both. Get another tent. Or hang the cmh's vertical.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately they've all been through three runs and they're the horizontal models. Month 18/6 and two months average flower on each run. That's why I'm shopping around. I was thinking 2 CMHs in a a 4x4 just to squeeze every last drop out of em for veg and flower with the LEDs. I would love to do the 51s on top and new 210 CDMs vertical but they're just a rip off right now...did I just say rip off on an LED thread lol. Nice to see another CMH fan Hyroot!
 
I'm new to growing but i've been looking at lights for weeks and reading up from various places. I'm looking to sink about $2,000 into some lights to support a 7x4 area.

I was going to go for 4x A51 but reading their site all the lights in their system are 4500K spectrum?

Let me explain my thinking so that you guys can convince/educate me a bit or agree: I emailed him and he said that 4500K contains 20% blue light - To me this seems like a lot of wasted wattage as i'd prefer that all my wattage on veg is blue (~2700K) and all my wattage of flower is red (~6400K). When i've obviously got limited wattage it makes no sense to waste portions of it on producing less useful wavelengths - reproducing the sun is wasted wattage as they don't even use all visible wavelengths (plants would be black if they used all visible wavelengths from the sun). Essentially i'd want a light that when i turn it on my plant leaves look black as this is visually showing me the plant is using all of the visible wavelengths that are being produced by the lights watts.

So using this thinking and the comments in this thread i went on to look at getting 2x Magnum Plus2: Reading the website there isn't enough information about the light, and at the bottom of each page is 3-5 comments all 5 star ratings. To me this stinks of a knock off Chinese crap website.

Now im thinking of getting 2x 400 Solarstorms however they are giving draw wattage with actual wattage pretty close to it (400w vs 345w). It's running at 85% wattage when most do 70% max to maintain LED longevity. Are my LED's going to burn out in 6 months because of this?

Any thoughts? Any LED recommendations? I was almost going to post a separate thread as i imagine convert reps lurk this one but i thought it might be a bad start for the forums.
 
I'm incredibly biased but I'd go with the 4 A51 lights. I already have the Red and White SGS and I can't believe what this thing can do for only 120/155 draw. I've got an area almost just like yours. 7.5 x 4 and I'm considering 4 for that (of the white). If all that white light is your issue then they still have the red/white available last I saw.

Now I'm no expert but from reading these and other LED forums I've gathered the new thought is that yes the red light is super useful for flower and the blue not so much, BUT it seems these plants still like having the whole spectrum available to them. Also the effeciency of the new whites at 120/175 draw is amazing for the coverage area they offer. I don't think much is wasted there.

Again as I said I'm kinda biased because the one I got has done amazing things for my grow.

Edit: let me also say your screen name is awesome.
 
carlosdanger said:
I'm new to growing but i've been looking at lights for weeks and reading up from various places. I'm looking to sink about $2,000 into some lights to support a 7x4 area.

I was going to go for 4x A51 but reading their site all the lights in their system are 4500K spectrum?

Let me explain my thinking so that you guys can convince/educate me a bit or agree: I emailed him and he said that 4500K contains 20% blue light - To me this seems like a lot of wasted wattage as i'd prefer that all my wattage on veg is blue (~2700K) and all my wattage of flower is red (~6400K). When i've obviously got limited wattage it makes no sense to waste portions of it on producing less useful wavelengths - reproducing the sun is wasted wattage as they don't even use all visible wavelengths (plants would be black if they used all visible wavelengths from the sun). Essentially i'd want a light that when i turn it on my plant leaves look black as this is visually showing me the plant is using all of the visible wavelengths that are being produced by the lights watts.

So using this thinking and the comments in this thread i went on to look at getting 2x Magnum Plus2: Reading the website there isn't enough information about the light, and at the bottom of each page is 3-5 comments all 5 star ratings. To me this stinks of a knock off Chinese crap website.

Now im thinking of getting 2x 400 Solarstorms however they are giving draw wattage with actual wattage pretty close to it (400w vs 345w). It's running at 85% wattage when most do 70% max to maintain LED longevity. Are my LED's going to burn out in 6 months because of this?

Any thoughts? Any LED recommendations? I was almost going to post a separate thread as i imagine convert reps lurk this one but i thought it might be a bad start for the forums.
Click to expand...

you want blue and red in both veg and flower along with a little green and amber. The whites cover all that. I haven't used either panels. I plan to one day. I have a feeling the all white panel is the way to go. Just from captainmorgans all warm whites and trueg all white Apollo.
 
Does anyone have or can link a spectral distribution chart for the cree xp-g 4500k emitter???? to post on here, I want to take a look it again. No love from google or I'm just stupid and can't find it.
 
I don't know how many times I've comes across that damn site lol. Real purty tho! Have to wait a month to by my 51s...hate spending that much at once.
 
NewtoMJ said:
After many long weeks researching different lights ( black dog, pro-grow, the perpetrators) I think im gonna go with a CLW solar flare. BD and progrow i read have some warranty issues. the penetrators are expensive. I really just want 1 or 2 oz, and i think this light can do that
Click to expand...



I just purchased a 200 watt clw solar flare, vegged 2 clones for a week and was blown away at the veg capability of this "full cycle" lamp. The next Friday I will flip the lights and see what the 12" par light will do flowering.
A note onCLW, the product is bomb; well made solid no rattles. The people; nothing but the best I had a few questions and they were answered no probs. In general be wary of any led company that will not give you data like NM,PAR WATTS OR DIODE % UNDER OR OVER WATTAGE (ACTUAL WATTAGE) just my 2 cents i did a little reading and shop talk before i built my closet. cheers!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top