i never bought artificial lighting, i just stuck my FC next to a window and rotated it daily. I know some people use LED lights attached to the inside of their fruiting chamber, you really dont need alot of light to convince the myc its broken the grounds suface and its time to fruit.
As far as the poor yeilds and uneven pinning, i think thats typically why some people absolutly despise cakes and go bulk as its easier to get an even pinset. Or it could just be the multispore, dont give up! Patients is EVERYTHING in this hobby, as im sure you know.