Definitely a newbie question but I have to ask it!

SPLFreak808

SPLFreak808

Well-Known Member
TF Leary said:
I am currently running a 400w MH. I am constantly having to run an ac unit, along with 2 fans. Would I come out better running a 600w led? I definitely want to give my plants the optimal light but at the same time, I don't want to be using excessive electricity!!
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Dumme is right.
The efficiency of a bulb/diode will change how much heat gets emitted regardless of wattage. For example a 600 watt HPS will produce LESS heat then a 1000 dimmed down to 600w. Why? One bulb/ballast is in operating range for optimal efficiency while the other is not. For example
Amplifier # 1 produced 1000 watts at 12 volts using 90 amps.
Amplifier # 2 produced 1000 watts at 12 volts using 80 amps.

Amplifier # 1 will create more heat then amplifier # 2 even though they both have the same power output. One took more power to make power resulting in less efficiency and more heat.

Shade your thermometer from the light in the room for 45 minuits with the lights on and see what the temp is.
 
Alienwidow

Alienwidow

Well-Known Member
420PyRoS said:
I dunno, my cheap pos LED is doing fine and temps are always 21C or around 70F Had issues before trying to keep temps up. Mind you this is a smaller LED.
It gives off no heat, my plants can touch it all day long all night long, but the light penetration is a little weak. Really is only good for one plant although I have 2 flowering under it.
300w (150w actual) will do something like this for $179 + $10-$14 month in hydro costs depending on where you live. I live with high costs so mines around $14month

Heres an auto under it currently using about 2/3 the light or less while sharing it with another plant. Def only good for one plant as the light spread is shit.

Edit: My light is also about a ft higher then the tallest plant so I can share it... not exactly the best light I'm giving either one of them atm

Also, this is for personal usage. Not 52lbs a year
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Well im just thinkin about the 150 watts of real power on yours vs one six hundred.
Youd need four of yours to equal the 600 watts true power and new digi balasts usually come with boosts dont they? So you can push more watts to the bulbs? I dont know i just no the 1ks do.....so four of your lights would cost almost 800, like 750 or somthin.
A six setup would be around 160 bucks. That leaves around 600 dollars for a window a/c and cabbage in your pocket to run the power for almost a year. So where is the savings? Just what i see here.
 
420PyRoS

420PyRoS

Well-Known Member
Alienwidow said:
Well im just thinkin about the 150 watts of real power on yours vs one six hundred.
Youd need four of yours to equal the 600 watts true power and new digi balasts usually come with boosts dont they? So you can push more watts to the bulbs? I dont know i just no the 1ks do.....so four of your lights would cost almost 800, like 750 or somthin.
A six setup would be around 160 bucks. That leaves around 600 dollars for a window a/c and cabbage in your pocket to run the power for almost a year. So where is the savings? Just what i see here.
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Oh don't get me wrong, there's no real savings with the initial cost.
Over 8 years maybe without replacing bulbs.

Its important to note for me in the beginning, it was mostly based upon my space requirements as I had very little. That is rectified.

I think generally, hps/mh seems like a huge bang for the buck if growing multiple plants or plan on doing it. Using one plant though, I might question.
 
TF Leary

TF Leary

Active Member
I keep the closet wide open. I just recently changed to a hps, which seems to be putting off more light and has less heat. My past experiences have been with cfl's...this is my first shot with HID's and its been a hassle with the heat and humidity. I did also buy a little humidifier and its seem to help things a little, but we shall see!
 
dannyboy602

dannyboy602

Well-Known Member
If you're worried about electric and heat issues you can even grow some nice buds using T5 floros. Buds might turn out a little less dense but so what if its only for your own stash. The quality will still be there.
 
Krake

Krake

Active Member
TF Leary said:
I keep the closet wide open. I just recently changed to a hps, which seems to be putting off more light and has less heat. My past experiences have been with cfl's...this is my first shot with HID's and its been a hassle with the heat and humidity. I did also buy a little humidifier and its seem to help things a little, but we shall see!
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What time of the day do you have your lights on?
 
TF Leary

TF Leary

Active Member
My lights come on at 6:00am and go off at 11:00pm. If I were to change the schedule, would that negatively affect the plants, because they've already been through some abuse with the several mistakes I've made. Ha
 
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