Hermming - light "afterglow" question

Lockedin

Lockedin

Well-Known Member
So I was running though my whole tent before starting this run, and was checking for light leaks (blanket on one side thanks to crap storm flaps).

In the dark I noticed that two of my lights have IR diodes that are still visible - a nice, IR shade of purple.
1 diode on one light, 6 diodes on another.

Unplugging the fixtures turns them all the way off - plugging it back in lights them again - not full power; dim, but visible in pitch black...you get it.

So my question is whether or not this could cause hermming?

Thanks RIU!
 
Lockedin

Lockedin

Well-Known Member
Feminized seeds for this run (OG Kush from Humboldt Seed Co).

Wondering if I can find a way to cut their power further down the line to fool the diodes into thinking they've been unplugged.
 
Powertech

Powertech

Well-Known Member
Lockedin said:
Feminized seeds for this run (OG Kush from Humboldt Seed Co).

Wondering if I can find a way to cut their power further down the line to fool the diodes into thinking they've been unplugged.
Click to expand...
What light is it? External driver? If it is all internal, then there may be an internal power diode you can tape off with electrical tape, if external add switch between driver and light, which may still be possible if internal but i'd have to see the light
 
Lockedin

Lockedin

Well-Known Member
They're both chinese no-name burples. Although they each have a pair of 150w power supplies inside (nice surprise!).

Edit - this shot was taken just now - the light has been powered down for about 12 hours since I tested it.

20200918_060044.jpg
 
Lockedin

Lockedin

Well-Known Member
93OG said:
Are they plugged into a timer? Some timers seem to leak a bit of electricity
Click to expand...
Yes, that's what I was thinking as well - power leak somewhere in the line.
At work I'd use a ground lifter - but that doesn't seem too safe in this application.
Maybe a power conditioner / battery backup would help - this house is OLD and the AC panel shows it; but it works for us on a number of other angles for now.

Ugh - I just got all that crap zip-tied in!
But, I'd rather find it now than later.
 
9

93OG

Well-Known Member
Maybe try several different brand timers and return the ones that don’t completely turn it off. If you have a multi meter to test the electricity you might find that the outlet is wired backwards. Are you in the US?
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
Lockedin said:
Yes, that's what I was thinking as well - power leak somewhere in the line.
At work I'd use a ground lifter - but that doesn't seem too safe in this application.
Maybe a power conditioner / battery backup would help - this house is OLD and the AC panel shows it; but it works for us on a number of other angles for now.

Ugh - I just got all that crap zip-tied in!
But, I'd rather find it now than later.
Click to expand...
I'm looking into a backup UPS as well. I've got one for my computer equipment but it would be nice to have a backup in case the lights go out mid flowering or something like that. The issue is that lights have a MASSIVE constant power drain... This UPS for instance would only run for ~1.5 hours with 100W off of it...

Amazon.com: APC 1500VA Smart UPS with SmartConnect, SMC1500C Sinewave UPS Battery Backup, AVR, 120V, Line Interactive Uninterruptible Power Supply: Electronics

Buy APC 1500VA Smart UPS with SmartConnect, SMC1500C Sinewave UPS Battery Backup, AVR, 120V, Line Interactive Uninterruptible Power Supply: Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

Have you tried it on a different timer?
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
I'm looking into a backup UPS as well. I've got one for my computer equipment but it would be nice to have a backup in case the lights go out mid flowering or something like that. The issue is that lights have a MASSIVE constant power drain... This UPS for instance would only run for ~1.5 hours with 100W off of it...

Amazon.com: APC 1500VA Smart UPS with SmartConnect, SMC1500C Sinewave UPS Battery Backup, AVR, 120V, Line Interactive Uninterruptible Power Supply: Electronics

Buy APC 1500VA Smart UPS with SmartConnect, SMC1500C Sinewave UPS Battery Backup, AVR, 120V, Line Interactive Uninterruptible Power Supply: Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

Have you tried it on a different timer?
Click to expand...
Maybe something DIY? Can up the capacity and put it in a nice steel enclosure.

www.instructables.com

DIY Size & Build a Battery Power Backup Generator W/ 12V Deep Cycle Batteries

DIY Size & Build a Battery Power Backup Generator W/ 12V Deep Cycle Batteries: ***NOTE: Be careful when working with batteries and electricity. Do not short batteries. Use insulated tools. Follow all safety rules when working with electricity.*** Be prepared before the next time the power goes...
www.instructables.com www.instructables.com
 
Lockedin

Lockedin

Well-Known Member
93OG said:
Maybe try several different brand timers and return the ones that don’t completely turn it off. If you have a multi meter to test the electricity you might find that the outlet is wired backwards. Are you in the US?
Click to expand...
In the US, yes. I think the issue was noise. I had one cord running to a surge strip to power everything. Simple, but noisy power-wise.

Running a second cord for circulation and keeping the lights isolated seems to have fixed it.
Thanks for the timer hint! :bigjoint:

SpawnOfVader said:
Maybe something DIY? Can up the capacity and put it in a nice steel enclosure.

www.instructables.com

DIY Size & Build a Battery Power Backup Generator W/ 12V Deep Cycle Batteries

DIY Size & Build a Battery Power Backup Generator W/ 12V Deep Cycle Batteries: ***NOTE: Be careful when working with batteries and electricity. Do not short batteries. Use insulated tools. Follow all safety rules when working with electricity.*** Be prepared before the next time the power goes...
www.instructables.com www.instructables.com
Click to expand...
I'm planning to craigslist an old one for cheap and replace the cells. Not too hard on APC (American Power Company) units.




EDIT: I noticed that my extension cord was daisy chained for storage - 100' unshielded capacitance coil. :eyesmoke:
 
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SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
Lockedin said:
In the US, yes. I think the issue was noise. I had one cord running to a surge strip to power everything. Simple, but noisy power-wise.

Running a second cord for circulation and keeping the lights isolated seems to have fixed it.
Thanks for the timer hint! :bigjoint:



I'm planning to craigslist an old one for cheap and replace the cells. Not too hard on APC (American Power Company) units.




EDIT: I noticed that my extension cord was daisy chained for storage - 100' unshielded capacitance coil. :eyesmoke:
Click to expand...
Lol you say that, some of those APC units require two batteries to be taped together with a weird coupler/adapter... probably less of a PITA when they aren't the rack mounted units like we have at work.
 
Lockedin

Lockedin

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
Lol you say that, some of those APC units require two batteries to be taped together with a weird coupler/adapter... probably less of a PITA when they aren't the rack mounted units like we have at work.
Click to expand...
I was thinking of a rackmount VA-2000 (model#?) - I don't really need the 20a, but the batteries are gel cells with jumpers attached. Might buy an hour or two if I used it selectively - 2 lights, extraction fan - bare minimum.

lol, I forgot about the double-stick batteries! Left that industry a while ago.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
Lockedin said:
I was thinking of a rackmount VA-2000 (model#?) - I don't really need the 20a, but the batteries are gel cells with jumpers attached. Might buy an hour or two if I used it selectively - 2 lights, extraction fan - bare minimum.

lol, I forgot about the double-stick batteries! Left that industry a while ago.
Click to expand...
I'm hoping to soon. Working on my business plan, got a couple potential investors and a property that the owners will lease me/want to sell in the next 1-2 years. Light DEP commercial here I come
 
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