Sun Systems LEC 315 - Reviews?

GroErr

GroErr

Well-Known Member
Hapo said:
....so the 240 volt light is more efficient...???...

...is there any difference in power or intensity of the light...???...
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No, the bulb is the bulb and the light output is the same (technically there could be an ever so slight difference but nothing to be concerned about). Where the difference in efficiency comes in is much lower amperage and overall wattage draw with the 240v circuits and units. The 120v units need a step-down converter (included/integrated in the 120v LEC unit). This adds some overhead and 120v pulls/requires more Amperage. As you can see by the amps, it's like 1/2 the required amps for 240v, and about 40W less overall wattage pull without the additional overhead. Same ballasts, same bulbs. Attaching the Sun Systems tech specs for reference, had a hell of a time finding them so here they are...
 

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thejuan

Member
Good Info, Thanks :)
I do have the 240v's as amp draw was a deciding factor. I didn't want to have to provide 50 amps to the light controller sense all 8 of these only draw 1/4 that.

Do you see a problem with hooking 4 up to a surge protector->timer->dedicated 10a? Should I consider 15a? I don't have a meter to see what kind of initial current they pull on startup :/

I did see on the lamp though, something about "if the light is powered off within the first 2 minutes of ignition, you must wait 1 hour....", which is not something light controllers would help detect, as far as i know.
 
GroErr

GroErr

Well-Known Member
thejuan said:
Good Info, Thanks :)
I do have the 240v's as amp draw was a deciding factor. I didn't want to have to provide 50 amps to the light controller sense all 8 of these only draw 1/4 that.

Do you see a problem with hooking 4 up to a surge protector->timer->dedicated 10a? Should I consider 15a? I don't have a meter to see what kind of initial current they pull on startup :/

I did see on the lamp though, something about "if the light is powered off within the first 2 minutes of ignition, you must wait 1 hour....", which is not something light controllers would help detect, as far as i know.
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Yeah you should be good and you'll have some room left in the sub panel for expansion if needed. If he can put in 15's would be good for some head room, electrical codes are regional, the electrician will be able to tell you what options you have where you are. Putting 4 on one is risky and may trip up on start-up anyhow. I use one per light myself, cheaper than frying a unit.

When I metered mine, noticed they start up cold and warm up, pulling more wattage as they warm up until they reach the full output. The Amp reading on my meter has a peak value option and it never went beyond 3A. They take a couple of minutes to ramp up to full power. I metered mine initially right after start up and noticed it was lower than when I metered it a second time and waited about 2-3 minutes to get the full draw. Have never done that first two minutes thing but I think I did see the warning, they take about 10 minutes before you can re-fire them if you shut them down.
 
PSUAGRO.

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
GroErr said:
Yeah you should be good and you'll have some room left in the sub panel for expansion if needed. If he can put in 15's would be good for some head room, electrical codes are regional, the electrician will be able to tell you what options you have where you are. Putting 4 on one is risky and may trip up on start-up anyhow. I use one per light myself, cheaper than frying a unit.

When I metered mine, noticed they start up cold and warm up, pulling more wattage as they warm up until they reach the full output. The Amp reading on my meter has a peak value option and it never went beyond 3A. They take a couple of minutes to ramp up to full power. I metered mine initially right after start up and noticed it was lower than when I metered it a second time and waited about 2-3 minutes to get the full draw. Have never done that first two minutes thing but I think I did see the warning, they take about 10 minutes before you can re-fire them if you shut them down.
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Soft start ballast then.......cool stuff

Old tech-mag bulbs hate that shit ;-)
 
borbor

borbor

Well-Known Member
GroErr said:
2x 315's would be great coverage but maybe a little much in that space. Each 315 covers a 3x3 really well, you could probably stretch it but loose some edge coverage. Depending on how you'll run it you could do 1x 315w and 1x210w. The Elite Agro bulbs only come in those 2 sizes. The heat won't be a concern (with the Elite Agro's) if you have some head room, how high is the room/tent? I'm running 2x 315's in a 4x9.5x7' room and they put out the same heat as when I was running 700w of LED's in there.
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just got a 3x3 tent for my first grow since high school, dude at my local grow shop and a coworker had both pretty much sold me on the lec 315, but I had to read to read exactly this post word for word to be totally sure. thanks!
 
GroErr

GroErr

Well-Known Member
borbor said:
just got a 3x3 tent for my first grow since high school, dude at my local grow shop and a coworker had both pretty much sold me on the lec 315, but I had to read to read exactly this post word for word to be totally sure. thanks!
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Yeah, they're worth it, pulled 10.9 zips in my first 3x3, just about to post the results of one Blue Dream in a 7gal fabric pot, 7 zips. They work well, enjoy :D
 
borbor

borbor

Well-Known Member
how many plants would you recommend in a 3x3? looks like 4 just looking in the tent, but looks like you did two?
 
GroErr

GroErr

Well-Known Member
borbor said:
how many plants would you recommend in a 3x3? looks like 4 just looking in the tent, but looks like you did two?
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I'm playing around with different configs/footprints, that tent you're referring to is actually a different grow. The LEC runs are in my main flower room that's 4x9.5x7'. I ran 2 plants initially as I pulled 3 males out of 5 plants first round I got it. I ran 4x plants in 5Gal after that run, just finished it about 3 weeks ago and pulled 10.9 zips from that one. Then I ran a large Blue Dream by itself in a 7Gal pot that took up about 24" x 36", it was just a test to see what I could pull from a larger 7Gal plant, that came in at 7 zips dry. Right now I'm running 2x 315w LEC's side by side in a 3x6. First 3x3 I'm running 6x plants in 3Gal pots, 2nd 3x3 I put in a week ago, that's 3x 5gal and 2x 2gal smaller spare clones I had.

It depends on size of the plants and typically the pots they're in. The 6x 3Gal plants in the first 3x3 (were put into flowering at about 16-18" tall and they're now about 24" tall) and filling the 3x3 after stretch. The second 3x3 in 5Gal's were about 24" tall going into flowering, they'll end up around 30" tall, then I added 2 smaller plants in 2Gal to fill in the open spot, they're now filling in the 3x3, when they finish stretch next week they'll fill the full 3x3. You have to guesstimate the final size by allowing for stretch depending on what strains you're running and how you've trained them. If you have the veg room or flowering them in the same space 4x 5Gal or 6x 3Gal will typically fill a 3x3 well.

The thread I've been posting those runs is the red link in my sig if you want to read through more details. I tried to upload a shot of the current 3x6 (2x 3x3's) but there's an issue right now trying to upload files, will try an update it in my thread once whatever's going on right now gets fixed. Cheers.
 
borbor

borbor

Well-Known Member
takes up more space than I thought in a 3x3, but runs cooler than I thought after warming up, just a few pieces left til I can report back
 

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borbor

borbor

Well-Known Member
yeah, I didn't see the hole just like that tiny one but higher up around light level before somehow, my guess is that after I hung the light I just didn't look behind it, but yep everything's safe
 
Deusracing

Deusracing

Well-Known Member
pepperdust said:
these bulbs are amazing.. there's many things great about these

-super great color ( 92 CRI index )
-amazing spectrum
-a lot of power in the red spectrum


now some things to keep in mind.

-these ballasts run hotter then a "normal" electronic ballast
-small wattage
-low support for bulbs
-mercury still


4x4, honestly, I can't suggest this for you, as it's just not the right setup. it's perfect in a 2.7x2.7 tent. 3x3 I think is pushing it a little, seen a grow but wasn't finished so can't say, but it could work, but don't expect the fattest buds.

the idea of running led with it is fine I guess, but it's so nice to not keep adjusting many lights, but just one ( the CDM ).


this product is pretty cheap at horticulturesource , and bulbs are cheap there.. but I would think the e papillon system would be a little better as you can replace the insert as they sell separate, and the open air design is better but it costs a lot more. but I have not got a chance to run one with my actual hands, but I have a couple of the sun system CDM, and a built one for a bell hood for a 2x2 tent ( can you say 1000+ PAR with me ) 1000+ PAR.

you can build one also, if you can find the parts cheap, it's cheap then these, but then it's "DIY"


also to keep in mind, there 2 versions of that system, 120 volt and 240. if you get 240 and only have 120, you need a voltage transformer from amazon or the likes.. just pointing that out if you buy one there is 2 models..




honestly I'm not sure why more people are jumping at these, I think it's the price, but i never care as what you grow is worth more then buying 100 fold..



if your wondering if they grow, go to IC, and check out the CMH sub section in the lighting, and go to the last 10 pages, and check the grows.. also a guy named rives, check his pics....
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Thanks for the Input on these i have been searching for a few more lights Low wattage great results.. I have one that is awesome but can't afford anymore yet. i was looking into these and I'm glad i ran into this before purchasing. guess ill hold out for a few more of the lamps i currently own. to me the thought of running 6 lamps and drawing 1380 watts really intrigues me. and the footprint i already know is 4x4 all day long... in other words it may not be as bright visibly as you want it but results speek for themselves. IMG_5624.jpgIMG_5589.jpg
 
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dlbenton

Member
Thanks for the kind word of support. First time grower...Nice to hear I may be on track.....
GroErr.... I can only hope to have that kind of yield...., Well done.........
 
GroErr

GroErr

Well-Known Member
Heavy Consumer said:
Has anyone in here tried the Sun systems 630W fixture yet? Can't find ANY info about coverage areas or PAR readings anywhere online.:???:
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Haven't seen any grows or mention of those 630's. Running 2 side by side is pretty good coverage over a 3x6, could probably stretch it to 3x7 if you could feed it in one go and keep an even canopy. You get a lot of cross-over running them side by side.
 
GroErr

GroErr

Well-Known Member
dlbenton said:
Thanks for the kind word of support. First time grower...Nice to hear I may be on track.....
GroErr.... I can only hope to have that kind of yield...., Well done.........
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Thanks, yours are looking great, should have a nice haul there :) Those I posted were in 3 gal pots, I have 3 in 5 gal pots that are twice the size/weight coming up ;)
 
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