New newie got 1800W COB LED’s needs advice

nfhiggs

Well-Known Member
if you cant return them for cash see if he will give you credit towards DE HPS or CMH, at least they will work for you - you want 4x315 CMH or 2 x 750 or 1000 DE HPS for that space

assuming he doesnt have any decent LEDs (or understanding of such) if those are the LEDs hes pushing

Most hydro shop owners put profit and margin ahead of happy customers and too many of them have zero knowledge of the products they rep.
Word.
 

fearnoevil

Well-Known Member
You seem to be assuming I'm anti LED. I'm not at all.

I'm merely pointing out that the LED industry needs a standard so owners of them like the OP, and lets face it we see a thread like this every day get and understand what they are paying for.
I'm not sure why this puts you onto the old HID VS LED debate. Just for the record I agree LED are superior to HID in most applications. I'm waiting for some strips to arrive so I can build a veg light. I will be looking at a summer flower LED light in the future. Some interesting new fixtures becoming available soon like the Hortilux 240R.

But ill say it again, its time the LED industry developed and stuck by a standard like the HID industry has.
You keep arguing with CobKits as if he had any say in how the manufacturers of LED lights market their products, when the fact is there's no actual laws that govern whether manufacturers fudge the numbers or not. For most applications OTHER than grow lights, most LED light stats are accurate (even coming out of China), but with the "gold rush" of cannabis grow lighting, a lot of greedy manufacturers are willing to lie and put profit over truth in advertising (imagine that, lol).

And the fact is, YOU are behind the times if you think LED's aren't way better than HPS and MH at this point, and those systems really are like dinosaurs just teetering on the verge of extinction. Efficiency and PPF are better with LED's and if you want proof just look at the wasted energy emitted as heat, something that usually has to be reduced at yet more cost. Price point is better with some ready made (but not all) but the real savings is if you DIY, not hard even for noobs if you can get good advice (like from CobKits ;?).

Just because you can't wrap your head around the technical jargon (and I do sympathize, it took me a long time to get it too) doesn't in any way negate the facts that LED's are the way to go and that means NOW, not in the future.
 
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Lucky Luke

Well-Known Member
You keep arguing with CobKits as if he had any say in how the manufacturers of LED lights market their products, when the fact is there's no actual laws that govern whether manufacturers fudge the numbers.

And the fact is, YOU are behind the times if you think LED's aren't way better than HPS and MH at this point, and these systems really are like dinosaurs just on the verge of extinction. Efficiency and PPF are better and if you want proof just look at the wasted energy emitted as heat, something that usually has to be reduced at yet more cost.

Just because you can't wrap your head around the technical jargon (and I do sympathize, it took me a long time to get it too) doesn't in any way negate the facts that LED's are the way to go and that means NOW, not in the future.
I'm not arguing at all...I'm stating my opinion and a fact.
Do you see 600w HID lights being advertised as 1000w? No? Because they follow an industry standard, as do most industries. I bet even the fuel you purchase for the car has a certain RON, an industry standered. Time the LED companies and resellers did the same.

And if you bother reading my posts you can clearly see I'm a fan of LED tech...but I cannot use it year around as I need heat in winter and HID saves me running a heater. I'm not alone in that.

You sound like you need a cone.
 
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ANC

Well-Known Member
A simple 350W wall panel heater keeps my room temps toasty in winter, or I could just set the aircon higher. Need to work a bit on roof insulation a bit though to keep it in.
 

Lucky Luke

Well-Known Member
A simple 350W wall panel heater keeps my room temps toasty in winter
I'm sure it does. I'm in an uninsulated tin shed and only a 4 x 4 flower tent. Why run the expense of a heater when I can just run a HID?
Not all of us are running the plant counts some of you guys do.
 

fearnoevil

Well-Known Member
I'm not arguing at all...I'm stating my opinion and a fact.
Do you see 600w HID lights being advertised as 1000w? No? Because they follow an industry standard, as do most industries. I bet even the fuel you purchase for the car has a certain RON, an industry standered. Time the LED companies and resellers did the same.

And if you bother reading my posts you can clearly see I'm a fan of LED tech...but I cannot use it year around as I need heat in winter and HID saves me running a heater. I'm not alone in that.

You sound like you need a cone.
You were being argumentative plus you keep insisting that you want some "standard" to be imposed before you'd commit when the facts are you'll be waiting a LONG time, lol.

The best option is to SIMPLY ASK FOR ADVICE from those who are trusted and can give you the straight dope on what you're looking for. In fact there are a few businesses/advertisers right here on RIU, as well as dozens of experienced growers who can also give you the 411.

But you can just go on making excuses and stick with an outdated and more costly/problematic tech, I personally don't give a rats ass, lol. Oh, and using waste-heat from lights for heating may work, I have done in the past, but it's just another excuse because it is far less efficient than going with LED's and then adding a heater (and in summer you probably have to spend money on cooling, another negative ;?)
 

fearnoevil

Well-Known Member
And probably the main reason you don't see 600w HPS being sold as 1000w has less to do with some standard then the fact they've been around A LONG TIME, and is a simpler technology that is much more easily understood (and manufacturers of bulbs would probably go out of business if they lied because there's just too much competition from some very big and well-established companies).

With LED's it is far more complicated, it's fairly new in comparison, a lot of manufacturers are in China where there's not nearly as much regulation (and a lot of cheating even where existing regs are concerned) and again, where grow lights are concerned it's still a bit like the wild west with the onus on the buyer to make sure they're dealing with a reputable company.
 

Canadain Closet Gardener

Well-Known Member
Ah shit really, so if I use these what other ones would I need? Does it mean the total wattage is 320? Sorry if I sound dumb, just thought I had bought good lights.
You didn't do anything really wrong but trust a sales person at a retail store. Not all retail employees are like this but some can be. Especially if manufacturers give incentives to retail employees to push their products. I've been a manager at a sports retailer, Merch Manager for VS and have been a part of this :oops:. Adidas sent me to Bermuda a few times for being the top a sales person. Alot salespersons get gift cards, gifts and clothing as sales incentives. With hydro stores it's alot of they have had this product on the shelf for years.

How tall is your tent?

Cheers
CCG
 

ANC

Well-Known Member
I'm sure it does. I'm in an uninsulated tin shed and only a 4 x 4 flower tent. Why run the expense of a heater when I can just run a HID?
Not all of us are running the plant counts some of you guys do.
Man, If I could run HID without attracting attention from the FLIR choppers, I'd break out my old shit in a minute rather than spend money building new expensive equipment. I do make up for it by growing some outdoor in winter as ours is very mild and even easier to grow in, than summer. Those cost no money to grow, the pots stay outside all year with weeds in waiting for the next cycle a year later. I'm busy brewing some compost. biochar and vermicompost to topdress and inoculate the soil with a nice piece of fungi
 

Dave455

Well-Known Member
well once you guys get your act together and a set of standards then maybe they will be obsolete.

Some LEDs with heat would be nice for winter in my case......

LED tech has a way to go that's for sure and everything on the market today will be old hat in 24 months time.
A par map of the area covered by the light and PAR readings per square foot and distance great also !
 

a mongo frog

Well-Known Member
Man, If I could run HID without attracting attention from the FLIR choppers, I'd break out my old shit in a minute rather than spend money building new expensive equipment.
Why, are you unhappy with any of the final product LED has brought you vs HID lighting? You said you would break out the old shit in a minute, why is that?
 

ANC

Well-Known Member
Our local cops spend over $100000 to buy a flir camera for the chopper. That fucker is adjusted to pick up anything over 50C.

These are smart cops too.
They busted one of our group (well I don't know them personally but they are in my network), nothing stood out, even the exhaust was coming from the kitchen, but the cops noticed that it seemed like they were "always" cooking when they come over.
 

ANC

Well-Known Member
Why, are you unhappy with any of the final product LED has brought you vs HID lighting? You said you would break out the old shit in a minute, why is that?
No, no unhappiness, just the startup cost can be big, but it really is comparable once you start factoring in reflectors, ducting and all the shit that comes with HID rigs.

Buy your strips in 10's that gives you a free one, and buy drivers as money comes in. I'm getting 2 more this week. Decided I'm going to split my 10 strips into one set of 4 on 320W, and two sets of 3 on 240W using the more efficient one for the veg area.
 
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Lucky Luke

Well-Known Member
You were being argumentative plus you keep insisting that you want some "standard" to be imposed before you'd commit when the facts are you'll be waiting a LONG time, lol.

The best option is to SIMPLY ASK FOR ADVICE from those who are trusted and can give you the straight dope on what you're looking for. In fact there are a few businesses/advertisers right here on RIU, as well as dozens of experienced growers who can also give you the 411.

But you can just go on making excuses and stick with an outdated and more costly/problematic tech, I personally don't give a rats ass, lol. Oh, and using waste-heat from lights for heating may work, I have done in the past, but it's just another excuse because it is far less efficient than going with LED's and then adding a heater (and in summer you probably have to spend money on cooling, another negative ;?)
And probably the main reason you don't see 600w HPS being sold as 1000w has less to do with some standard then the fact they've been around A LONG TIME, and is a simpler technology that is much more easily understood (and manufacturers of bulbs would probably go out of business if they lied because there's just too much competition from some very big and well-established companies).

With LED's it is far more complicated, it's fairly new in comparison, a lot of manufacturers are in China where there's not nearly as much regulation (and a lot of cheating even where existing regs are concerned) and again, where grow lights are concerned it's still a bit like the wild west with the onus on the buyer to make sure they're dealing with a reputable company.
Nearly every industry has a standard. Its actually good for the industry to have one. Be fantastic for the LED industry to have one. They would sell more lights to a more educated public.

Ive already committed to LED. As ive stated at least twice on this thread...It took me awhile due to the confusion of them. Man strips are so cheap arnt they? I can see why people are going to them in droves.
I'm not sure why you keep saying and implying I'm anti LED......its kind of strange. Like I'm typing and your not reading or comprehending.

I don't need to spend money on cooling in summer. As I only use a 600HID/HPS. I don't know how you think running an extra 350W plus of heater would be less expensive in an in uninsulated tin shed with say 400-500W of LED.
 

ANC

Well-Known Member
This is a little different. 400, 600 and 1000W have fixed footprints they handle optimally. These will be the same across all brands.
With LEDs, the footprint depends on the ideal hanging height and light desperation angle or optics. The distance from light to light also comes into play with multipoint source light.
 
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