OrganicGorilla
Well-Known Member
Go with COBs. They will last for years
Help buying LED
- Thread starter BlackBean
- Start date
chasingwaterfalls
Active Member
FWIW, I am also using Advanced LED, and I must say getting it is the only thing I haven't had to second-guess. Def overpriced with diy in mind, but it was worth it to me - to be lazy and to not learn how to build a light haha. Great warranty and customer supp, too.
I've used Platinum (Chinese from amazon) and Area51 for LEDs before, and I've been impressed. Lights come with dimmer switches, which is a nice touch.
My XTE300 draws 270w at max power, but I also don't go past half power during veg and early flower..
With a 2x2 you could def go smaller (and cheaper!) This one is the same series I use but more for your space - https://advancedledlights.com/products/led-grow-lights/ds-xte-200/
I've read good things about the XML series posted above, too. My - limited - opinion as a noob.
This is what's under my light rn:
Edit: in case someone also points this out - I believe "LEDs made in the USA" means the grow light is made (assembled) in the states.. LEDs are still sourced from anywhere.
Cree/Cob is best on the market- far superior to 5w or 3w diodes. That being said im still running my 2x P150 and 2x P300 Platinum LEDs and a 300w galaxyhydro LED.I think the Platinum's are some of the best lights out there and not overpriced for what you get, my results with them have been wonderful, i had one plant under one P150 and pulled 2.6oz on a less than 12" plant, might not sound overly impressive to some of you but again it was a very short plant and only under a 150w (the P150 has a true watt value of like 137 at full load so very close to the actual marketed wattage unlike most leds). The galaxy hydro light does run a bit warm when on full load but also has seen some decent results, i honestly just bought that one as a filler light for my larger tent with the P300s. Overall i recommend platinum for the first time led grower, you wont be dissapointed, other than that find a quality cree/cob light which willl probly cost you an arm and a leg unless you build it yourself.
chasingwaterfalls
Active Member
I agree! The P300 is what I had, and ime I started getting rock hard nugs after I got my shit together - the light certainly can perform.
I think the important thing is to know what you're getting. For example, I recall the p300 really only drawing 180w
I think the important thing is to know what you're getting. For example, I recall the p300 really only drawing 180w
From Platinum's website-
- Avg. Power Draw - 93w Veg / 180w Bloom.
chasingwaterfalls
Active Member
Have you used a killawatt to check? I don't mean anything by it, no offense, but I do believe that's what I was getting from my p300, 180w with bloom and veg switches on.From Platinum's website-
You will recall that Platinum's have seperate switched for veg/bloom, When i refer to the lights being under "full load" im refering to both vega nd bloom switches being on, as they work better together during bloom, so combine both wattages above to get the true wattage under full load and thats 273w. Like i said before Platinum is one of the only LED brands that actually builds their lights to the marketed wattage, thats why they can accurately claim that a P150 can replace a 250w HPS.
- Avg. Power Draw - 93w Veg / 180w Bloom.
They might just be cleverly wording it to omit the fact that veg + bloom = 180w
No offense taken
thats what these forums are for is to have discussions and spread knowledge and experience. I have not personally checked tbh so you could be right, but i know my electric hasnt gone down THAT MUCH since switching to LED over HPS so im inclinded to believe the full load is both wattages added still, would be interested to check though! i dont have a kw meter but i could just call platinum and ask them.. maybe ill do that sometime today and post back with my findings just to make sure neither of us is spreading false info
chasingwaterfalls
Active Member
In any case, the advice holds true for all pre-built lights - most, if not all, are overpriced, and especially so because the actual power draw is less than how most models are named; try to know what you're buying before you pull the trigger!
Side note, I would recommend a killawatt meter if you wanna drive yourself crazy haha. I started hydro this year, and my light is prob only half of my power usage re: grow setup. Got a chiller now, too
Side note, I would recommend a killawatt meter if you wanna drive yourself crazy haha. I started hydro this year, and my light is prob only half of my power usage re: grow setup. Got a chiller now, too
Agreed. And awesome man! Hope you enjoy hydro, i been doing it for a few years now, tried DWC to start and had soem issues there so i went to flood and drain tables and loved that for a long time but the maintence involved killed me, I literally just this week upgraded to a Ebb and Flow bucket system and my chiller is on the way! I'm already planning on running an icebox off the chiller also to help cool the incoming air to my tent. The only thing slowing me down is that i need to figure out a way to make my own icebox using either SS or titanium for the core, sadly the HI icebox products use a copper core so you cant run nutes through them (or rather you SHOUDLNT) and i dont have the space to run another res just for the chiller, plus then id have to invest in wort chillers, temp controlled rheostats, and electronic watergate valves, whole lotta exyta $$ for something that i can accomplish very easily once i find the proper coreIn any case, the advice holds true for all pre-built lights - most, if not all, are overpriced, and especially so because the actual power draw is less than how most models are named; try to know what you're buying before you pull the trigger!
Side note, I would recommend a killawatt meter if you wanna drive yourself crazy haha. I started hydro this year, and my light is prob only half of my power usage re: grow setup. Got a chiller now, too
I need to do some research on COB setups. I'm lost when it comes to how they work identifying what I want/need and all that.
TBCH idk that much about how they work compared to other LEDs, but i was considering a small one such as this for my seedling/early veg tent which is a 2ftx2ft:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBWFX6B/ref=asc_df_B06XBWFX6B5003075/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B06XBWFX6B&linkCode=df0&hvadid=193139379506&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1833682083977400668&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009718&hvtargid=pla-309085222304
SouthCross
Well-Known Member
The things I enjoy with COBs over box LEDs.
You can position the individual lights to cover more of the grow space. An LED can't be expanded unless you buy another and daisy chain it.
I can expand a COB array. Currently using 4 COBs. The driver has a capacity of 10. I can add another 6 COBs to the existing four. I can hang them in any configuration I need or want. Mixed color temperatures or single.
If a COB go's titty up. I can replace a single chip. Not throw the whole thing away like a busted box LED.
You can position the individual lights to cover more of the grow space. An LED can't be expanded unless you buy another and daisy chain it.
I can expand a COB array. Currently using 4 COBs. The driver has a capacity of 10. I can add another 6 COBs to the existing four. I can hang them in any configuration I need or want. Mixed color temperatures or single.
If a COB go's titty up. I can replace a single chip. Not throw the whole thing away like a busted box LED.
SouthCross
Well-Known Member
The best place to learn is here. You can have a conversation directly with the person you'd be buying from....and they're Johnny on the spot answering questions. Otherwise do a search for, 'LED forum'. There's a couple sites that specialize in just LED grow lights.
just to clairfy COB is a type of LED, so you wouldnt be "steering away from LED and into COB" its still LED
its worth mentioning that if you have the electrical knowledge to replace a cob chip then you can certainly replace burnt out diodes in a box LED as well..
edit for terrible spelling xD
I've been looking for a diagram or something that can explain the essential parts of s cob setup. So the "chip" is what actually emits the light?
Lol yes I just realized it myself as I'm browsing on the subjectjust to clairfy COB is a type of LED, so you wouldnt be "steering away from LED and into COB" its still LED
its worth mentioning that if you have the electrical knowledge to replace a cob chip then you can certainly replace burnt out diodes in a box LED as well..
edit for terrible spelling xD
blake9999
Well-Known Member
Yes, COB means Chip On Board