LED Lights from LEDLIGHTSCHINA on eBay - Wattage Questions???

So I bought some 300w LED's off eBay. Here's the link below.

300W IR Full Spectrum LED Grow Light Panel For Medical Indoor Flower Plants Grow (eBay - in case link below does not work)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300W-IR-Full-Spectrum-LED-Grow-Light-Panel-For-Medical-Indoor-Flower-Plants-Grow-/271564432614?pt=US_Hydroponics&hash=item3f3a8064e6

So I understand that there has been discussion on many posts concerning quality LED's from China and these LED's appear to be good quality (plants have been growing well under them), but what I am looking for here from the community is if the wattage advertised is correct. I connected these 300w LED's to a killawatt meter and up displayed 98-99w.

So am I missing something?

I wrote the company::

Hello,
I have bought these 300W LED's. However, I recently had the chance to connect each one to a wattage meter that shows a draw around. 100W. Why is it showing 100 watts and not 300 watts.

Their response:

Hi, I am so sorry to make you confused.
The main chips of led grow lamps emit the red light. The red light accounts for 75% as per the reasonable color ratio. Meanwhile, the wattage of the led chips of red light is 2.2-2.4V. The better the chip is, the lower its wattage is. The Cree chips, as the best led chips in the world, have the lowest wattage with 2.0 -2.1v for red light and the lowest power consumption.
The high quality chips emit enough lights though with low power consumption.
Some shoddy led grow lights suppliers take the following measures to increase the power consumption:
1.Because the white light and blue light have higher wattage of 3.6v and use cheap chips, they adopt a lot of white light and blue light which are no good for the flowering and fruiting stages of plants to increase the power consumption.
2.They adopt inferior led chips which have high wattage and power consumption but little light.
3. They add resistance on the lights which will result in high power consumption and more heat generating but little light.
Our led grow lights have the reasonable color ratio with a over 75% percent of red light and include the real IR with the lowest wattage of 1.8V. Moreover, We adopt low wattage chips from Epileds.
That is why our lights have low power consumption. But the light our lamps emitting is adequate,actual and effective.
So the buyers have to learn more about the secret of led grow lights to free from deceives !If you are not satisfy with the lights, we will refund you unconditionally. Our wish is to Offer our customers a great shopping experience
Best regards!
Jason

Can some of you knowledgeable growers please educate me and provide your thoughts on the LED's in the link above and the company's response.

Thank you in advance!!!

You should return it, read a few threads on the first few pages of this sub-forum, and then get a better light.

Return it , sounds like a Chinese garbage panel, go buy a panel that advertises actual draw and tells you the actual type of LEDs they use. EpiLEDs are junk and it says in your note that your panel is made out of them.

Actually it really sucks to send a panel back to China.They're going to do everything to get the OP to keep it. You'd be better off telling Ebay/PayPal you got hoodwinked. and seeing what they say to do. You might get your money back.

And like it's been pointed out that 300w shit is meaningless actually. It's the maximum possible wattage the panel could run at which would be all of 5 seconds if you tried to run them at their max wattage.

As people have said, the 300 watt rating is the theoretical maximum those led's could run at. Sometimes they will list the actual power draw (Usually about 50-60% of the maximum stated wattage) in addition to the maximum rating (although this is not the case in your listing, which is a bit of a red flag). However, all that being said, if the plants are growing well under the light, does anything else really matter? I mean, it's still a bummer it isn't living up to the advert, but it's not like you forked out a grand or anything, and if it feels like the plants are growing at a rate you consider to be fair for a $95 light I wouldn't chalk it in the loss column.

mc130p said:

You should return it, read a few threads on the first few pages of this sub-forum, and then get a better light.

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While I kind of agree, I feel like most people who would be considering a $95 300w light probably won't be able to fork out $859 for a 120w Apache tech, you know what I mean? Especially for a non-pro, I would think that a cheap light that works for what he's using it for is probably better than a super expensive light that he won't be skilled enough to fully utilize. Even a mediocre harvest will pay back his $95, whereas he would have to pull a pretty exceptional crop to make back his $859, which he may not have the skill for even if the light makes it more plausible.

Ace Yonder said:

As people have said, the 300 watt rating is the theoretical maximum those led's could run at. Sometimes they will list the actual power draw (Usually about 50-60% of the maximum stated wattage) in addition to the maximum rating (although this is not the case in your listing, which is a bit of a red flag). However, all that being said, if the plants are growing well under the light, does anything else really matter? I mean, it's still a bummer it isn't living up to the advert, but it's not like you forked out a grand or anything, and if it feels like the plants are growing at a rate you consider to be fair for a $95 light I wouldn't chalk it in the loss column.

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Ace Yonder said:

While I kind of agree, I feel like most people who would be considering a $95 300w light probably won't be able to fork out $859 for a 120w Apache tech, you know what I mean? Especially for a non-pro, I would think that a cheap light that works for what he's using it for is probably better than a super expensive light that he won't be skilled enough to fully utilize. Even a mediocre harvest will pay back his $95, whereas he would have to pull a pretty exceptional crop to make back his $859, which he may not have the skill for even if the light makes it more plausible.

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It might work for a less than ideal veg light, but I'll bet money that it won't flower well. There are lots of other options besides Apache. I think it would be a waste of time for even the most experienced grower to try to get good buds with that light. I don't want to sound like an asshole, but if 95 dollars is all the OP is willing to invest in a ready made LED lighting source, then he is SOL and should stick to other methods.

Ace Yonder said:

As people have said, the 300 watt rating is the theoretical maximum those led's could run at. Sometimes they will list the actual power draw (Usually about 50-60% of the maximum stated wattage) in addition to the maximum rating (although this is not the case in your listing, which is a bit of a red flag). However, all that being said, if the plants are growing well under the light, does anything else really matter? I mean, it's still a bummer it isn't living up to the advert, but it's not like you forked out a grand or anything, and if it feels like the plants are growing at a rate you consider to be fair for a $95 light I wouldn't chalk it in the loss column.

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Good point but sometimes you just wish that when a light says 300w it actually draws 300w. Kinda a way to deceive the customer, dirty tactics but it sells lights.

Yodaweed said:

Good point but sometimes you just wish that when a light says 300w it actually draws 300w. Kinda a way to deceive the customer, dirty tactics but it sells lights.

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I totally agree, especially on ads like his where it doesn't list the power draw AND it winds up being substantially lower than the usual norm (~50%). I find it less shitty when they tell you on front street if your 400W panel will have an actual power draw of 200w±3%. Even when you're doing DIY LEDs you don't usually run them at their full wattage, I believe.

Its fairly standard for leds to list lights at heir max wattage instead of actual pull as stated above. Im running a 300 watt ebay light from viparusa i spent 130 or so on it and it runs awesome for veg and flower. And has decent penetration, it does have 5 watt leds though. Makes crazy foxtails in everything ive flowered under it.

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Rollitup mobile app

kmog33 said:

Its fairly standard for leds to list lights at heir max wattage instead of actual pull as stated above. Im running a 300 watt ebay light from viparusa i spent 130 or so on it and it runs awesome for veg and flower. And has decent penetration, it does have 5 watt leds though. Makes crazy foxtails in everything ive flowered under it.

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Rollitup mobile app

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What's the actual wattage draw on the 300 watt eBay lights from ViperUSA?

MakingMyOwnRoad said:

What's the actual wattage draw on the 300 watt eBay lights from ViperUSA?

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Mines about 180, but my buddy has same model and draws around 160 so they probably range from 60 to 80 percent.

Sent from my LG-LS980 using Rollitup mobile app

mc130p said:

It might work for a less than ideal veg light, but I'll bet money that it won't flower well. There are lots of other options besides Apache. I think it would be a waste of time for even the most experienced grower to try to get good buds with that light. I don't want to sound like an asshole, but if 95 dollars is all the OP is willing to invest in a ready made LED lighting source, then he is SOL and should stick to other methods.

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Thank you for your candid insights.I appreciate honest replies. I'm merely a vegetable and fruit grower and under these lights, my peppers and seedlings are growing fast and big. The peppers are also budding and flowering. However, I am always seeking to improve my environment. Is there somewhere on this forum where the LED light companies are rated or voted on y the community?

MakingMyOwnRoad said:

I connected these 300w LED's to a killawatt meter and up displayed 98-99w.

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A 300w fixture for $96 should have been a strong clue something wasn't right. It's common for lights to run at 40-60% of capacity. You're not too far off at 30%. With Chinese lights you'll need 35-40w/sq ft in flower (maybe 30 in veg.). If you need to supplement, you can use Cree replacement "lightbulbs" from Home Depot. (<<link). That's a relatively inexpensive way to incrementally add light, and it's relatively high quality light. You only need about 25w sq. ft.

fuck all that shit.. payed 300 bucks for 210W of CXA power...

mc130p said:

It might work for a less than ideal veg light, but I'll bet money that it won't flower well. There are lots of other options besides Apache. I think it would be a waste of time for even the most experienced grower to try to get good buds with that light. I don't want to sound like an asshole, but if 95 dollars is all the OP is willing to invest in a ready made LED lighting source, then he is SOL and should stick to other methods.

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I don't agree at all. LED technology is improving very fast, and every generation the last generation will drop steeply in price. There is nothing wrong with people having a budget, not everyone has the luxury of expensive equipment right off the bat, and don't say DIY because that requires a lot of equipment (Soldering Iron, Silicon Sealant, Thermal Glue, Nice Workspace, etc.) that if you don't already have will push the price up just as high as a good quality panel, not to mention the actual skill required. If all the OP has to invest is 95 dollars, investing it in an older generation LED panel will still yield him more weed than he could buy with that $95, and probably more than he could get with $95 of other equipment. Even if you HAVE the capital, sometimes cheap still makes more sense. I grow outside, and my total costs for the entire season are about $200, seed to harvest. I want to grow one or two plants over the winter to test strains that don't grow so well outdoors in my climate, which is something I previously did successfully with CFLs. I am going to step up to LED, but I wouldn't fork out cash for a top of the line LED panel because I'm not going to put it to use in a major way that would make it worth it. LED technology is dirt cheap to manufacture, there is no reason anyone should be paying an arm and a leg for it, and 15 years from now people are going to laugh that we even considered paying the prices people are paying right now, especially at a time when the technology is advancing so fast that whatever top of the line rig you get will look like dogshit compared to whatever comes out even 1-2 years from now.

Ace Yonder said:

don't say DIY because that requires a lot of equipment (Soldering Iron, Silicon Sealant, Thermal Glue, Nice Workspace, etc.) that if you don't already have will push the price up just as high as a good quality panel, not to mention the actual skill required.

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Gotta disagree with ya here a bit. I did my last DIY in my apartment on milk crates with nothing more than a drill and thermal pads. No soldering. No special shop. And really no special skills . DIY is cheap and easy, just the way I like em' .

Ace Yonder said:

If all the OP has to invest is 95 dollars, investing it in an older generation LED panel will still yield him more weed than he could buy with that $95, and probably more than he could get with $95 of other equipment. Even if you HAVE the capital, sometimes cheap still makes more sense. I grow outside, and my total costs for the entire season are about $200, seed to harvest. I want to grow one or two plants over the winter to test strains that don't grow so well outdoors in my climate, which is something I previously did successfully with CFLs. I am going to step up to LED, but I wouldn't fork out cash for a top of the line LED panel because I'm not going to put it to use in a major way that would make it worth it. LED technology is dirt cheap to manufacture, there is no reason anyone should be paying an arm and a leg for it, and 15 years from now people are going to laugh that we even considered paying the prices people are paying right now, especially at a time when the technology is advancing so fast that whatever top of the line rig you get will look like dogshit compared to whatever comes out even 1-2 years from now.

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Chinese based panels and LEDs are so specious that you are always better off with CREE bulbs. And I assure you LED tech is not cheap and easy. That first model chip off the assembly line cost millions to produce. Guess the smart thing to do would be to spread that out a bit, huh. And we won't touch design which isn't really easy at all. Lotsa of time and research go into that. And it's not they're gonna laugh at the prices which new tech commands, see the history of the personal computers; $5000.00 30 Meg HDs, remember them? What they're gonna laugh at is that we managed to grow any weed with these modern LEDs at all . And for the record I've owned and grown with Chinese budget panels and will never touch another for years. Maybe even never. Waste of money and time.

FranJan said:

Gotta disagree with ya here a bit. I did my last DIY in my apartment on milk crates with nothing more than a drill and thermal pads. No soldering. No special shop. And really no special skills . DIY is cheap and easy, just the way I like em' .

Chinese based panels and LEDs are so specious that you are always better off with CREE bulbs. And I assure you LED tech is not cheap and easy. That first model chip off the assembly line cost millions to produce. Guess the smart thing to do would be to spread that out a bit, huh. And we won't touch design which isn't really easy at all. Lotsa of time and research go into that. And it's not they're gonna laugh at the prices which new tech commands, see the history of the personal computers; $5000.00 30 Meg HDs, remember them? What they're gonna laugh at is that we managed to grow any weed with these modern LEDs at all . And for the record I've owned and grown with Chinese budget panels and will never touch another for years. Maybe even never. Waste of money and time.

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First, a drill is an expensive piece of equipment if you don't own one, so my point remains valid.
Second, your comparison to computer HD is exactly my point. People spending $1000 on a 200w LED panel is the exact same as paying $5000.00 for a 30 Meg HD (Which by the way is MUCH larger than the HD on my first computer was). In 15 years, 1/10th the cost will get you 10X the power. LED tech IS cheap and easy, designing and implementing it is what is expensive, and it is those costs that you are paying for right now. Just like computer HD, the quality will increase and the price will drop. A Macintosh Plus was $2500 when it was released in the 80's, and right now a cheap knockoff Chinese smartphone has more processing power than that Mac Plus could have ever dreamed of. A TI-89 Calculator has more processing power than the computer that sent human beings to the moon. If you think LED technology is somehow going to be an exception to this rule, you are sorely mistaken.

Yodaweed said:

Good point but sometimes you just wish that when a light says 300w it actually draws 300w. Kinda a way to deceive the customer, dirty tactics but it sells lights.

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My sentiments exactly, I have started my search for the perfect LED light for my needs and discovered this deceptive business practice which in turn led me to do some real research on lights and I have learned a lot. I found this thread helpful:

https://www.rollitup.org/t/how-to-choose-an-led-grow-light.617250/

But it's now and if you want to play you gotta pay and that's been true of all tech really. And how long did it take computer prices to come down? All LEDs aren't created equal and are made in different economies that dictate wildly different prices. And please don't make assumptions like I'm thinking LED prices are going to stay the same. Believe it or not I'm not that ignorant there fella. Bro if you want to argue like a lawyer and "win" go right ahead. I'm trying to be correct. And sorry if that offends you, I respect your opinion and all but hate arguing in this format.