PAR/light meter recommendations

SSR

SSR

Well-Known Member
Hi folks.
I've played about with differing spectrums etc over the past couple years but don't have a PAR meter.
I really want one as I'm going to build from scratch but......

The reason the thread title says light meter too is that I'd like to be able to measure from IR down to UV.
These will be done as single and combined spectrums if that makes any difference?
Throw out anything you have or know about other than integrating spheres lol and ill pick my way through and see if something fits my budget and needs

Thanks
SSR
 
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CobKits

CobKits

Well-Known Member
SSR said:
The reason the thread title says light meter too is that I'd like to be able to measure from IR down to UV.
Click to expand...
most par meters measure par range only

if you want accurate readings of IR and UV as well you'll prob be in the thousands
 
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SSR

SSR

Well-Known Member
CobKits said:
if you want accurate readings of IR and UV as well you'll prob be in the thousands
Click to expand...
Thankyou and Ouch.
This is just for me playing at home there's no way i want to spend that much.
Decent par meter it shall be then lol
Its not very good trying to find reviews though
 
R

Ryante55

Well-Known Member
SSR said:
Thankyou and Ouch.
This is just for me playing at home there's no way i want to spend that much.
Decent par meter it shall be then lol
Its not very good trying to find reviews though
Click to expand...
Decent par meter is like 500
 
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graying.geek

graying.geek

Well-Known Member
SSR said:
Thankyou and Ouch.
This is just for me playing at home there's no way i want to spend that much.
Decent par meter it shall be then lol
Its not very good trying to find reviews though
Click to expand...
Depends on how advanced your needs are, but a free LUX Meter app for my phone suits me just fine.
 
SSR

SSR

Well-Known Member
Rocket Soul said:
Most likely meter youve seen on youtube vids.
If you want one step up, for a par meter that is accuarate in all the spectrum from 400-700nm i think Licor is your best bet. But really, if your using white leds, and only really need it for evening your light spread then a normal lux meter (15$) will do fine.
Click to expand...
This is for measuring intensity for different LEDs in a couple boards I'm making (for my own use). I'd like good accuracy but i do backyard science not lab science lol
Ill give licor and Cobkits link a look over just now

Thanks guys
 
Moflow

Moflow

Well-Known Member
SSR said:
Arent their PAR meters for aquaria?
I don't know if that even makes a difference lol
Click to expand...
Here's some info from apogee might help....

Ideal for Measurements in Air and Underwater
Apogee quantum sensor are calibrated to make absolute PPFD measurements in air. The waterproof sensors can be used to make absolute PPFD measurements underwater by applying an immersion effect correction factor, the SQ-420, SQ-520, MQ-210, and MQ-510 already apply the correction factor. For details on making underwater measurements, please refer to Underwater PAR Measurements
 
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Randomblame

Randomblame

Well-Known Member
To measure UV-A/B you need a UVA/B meter. The one below is avaiable for UVA 280-400nm(160$) and UVB 220-275nm(480$). Combined meters are much more expensive and the smartphone sensors(240-380nm) for headphone jacks(40$) are unfortunately not precise enough to compare for example reptile bulbs. They only show a level but you don't get true readings. Same like with thermometers with air quality monitoring. It indicates when it should be aired but you do not get CO² numbers.

https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-UV513AB-Digital-280-400/dp/B002JOR0JO

If you only work with white diodes you can use a lux meter but as soon as you add other wavelength like red, deepred, or blue you will not get real measurements anymore.
But how about a spectrometer?
There are simply DIY spectrometers and the measurements are done using a smartpbone cam and are evaluated by an online tool so you get all the numbers you need, including SPD spectrum charts. Certainly not too 100% accurate, but for hobbyists it should be okay.
You can print the original template 1: 1 on thin cardboard and a refraction grating and empty DVD only cost a few dollars. Unfortunately the manual is not available in english but google translator helps you to translate it. Most of the how-to is anyway self explantory and I'm pretty sure you will find something similar with englich how-to. I've seen spectrometers made from LEGO and arduino web cam(85$ I believe).
Unfortunately I have lost the link somehow but if I find him I post him here later.

original-1517424873.jpg
 

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SSR

SSR

Well-Known Member
Randomblame said:
But how about a spectrometer?
There are simple DIY spectrometers and the measurements are done using a smartphone cam and are evaluated by an online tool so you get all the numbers you need, including SPD spectrum charts.
Click to expand...
Brilliant, that will fit the bill. I'm not looking for perfect accuracy with some of it and will provide a good start.

Randomblame said:
Hmmm! ..not screwed up... just too stupid to look for, lol!

Here it is...
https://publiclab.myshopify.com/products/lego-spectrometer-kit?variant=7468634308636
Click to expand...
Champion, ill head off and start reading

Randomblame said:
Unfortunately the manual is not available in english but google translator helps you to translate it. Most of the how-to is anyway self explantory and I'm pretty sure you will find something similar with englich how-to.
Click to expand...
Im sure it won't be worse than the chinglish instructions with some gear.
Some of them are really bad lol
 
Randomblame

Randomblame

Well-Known Member
Here is another cardboard spectrometer but in englich.

Do you have a 3d printer? I have 3d printable templates too.
Unzip the zip file below and you get a text file with how-to and four 3d prinable templates(.stl files) for all 4 parts of the spectrometer. For more info here is the link...

http://www.upb.edu/en/contenido/spectrometry-software-for-android


Edit,
I've added a paper about UVB in the "help choosing UVB ..." thread. Could be interesting too..
 

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SSR

SSR

Well-Known Member
Randomblame said:
Here is another cardboard spectrometer but in englich.

Do you have a 3d printer? I have 3d printable templates too.
Unzip the zip file below and you get a text file with how-to and four 3d prinable templates(.stl files) for all 4 parts of the spectrometer. For more info here is the link...

http://www.upb.edu/en/contenido/spectrometry-software-for-android


Edit,
I've added a paper about UVB in the "help choosing UVB ..." thread. Could be interesting too..
Click to expand...
I do have a 3D printer, I'll hop on my laptop and have a look at those files
Thanks
I found a bit on webcam spectrometers and they look really interesting, apparently people are measuring nutrient solutions with them, could be fun playing with that too ☺

Ill also go have a look at that paper.
Thanks
 
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