ProGrow 180 LED 2x2x5 Closet Tent Grow - White Widow & Sensi Star

Hey All,

I purchased the ProGrow LED 180 from Hydroponics Hut and while doing the research it was difficult to find a 100% ProGrow 180 grow. So for the greater good, I will be growing some White Widow and Sensi Star in a 2x2x5 Grow Lab 60 tent using the ProGrow 180. I have a Watts-Up meter to monitor my electrical usage and an auto stepdown transformer to control the speed of the inline fan.

I like the Pro Grow 180 so far. When I first plugged it in I was surprised that it was so loud. There are three 80mm fans cooling the LED heatsink. I replaced these fans with quieter magnetic bearing fans. I also purchased a few potentiometers on eBay so that I can control the speed of the fan since it's still pretty loud even with only two fans running and the quieter fans. I haven't had any heat issues so far running on only two fans.

ProGrow 180 Power Usage (with one fan disabled):
Blue Switch: 49.8 Watts
Red Switch: 64.8 Watts
Both: 112.6 Watts


The girls where germinated 4/20 and planted in soil on 4/23.

Setup:

Autotransformer:

4/28 - Sensi Star, Both Switches ON:

5/1 - Sensi Star, Both Switches ON:

5/9 - White Widow / BlueBerry Kush / Sensi Star, Blue Spectrum ON:

I'll be very interested in following your journal...have been looking at Busy Bee LED.
Good luck!!

Subbed. Great strains for a LED journal. But you are aware that you won't notice any "heating problems", otherwise known as LED degradation, on the panel until after it happens? I hate the fans on LED panels, but you should have a thermostat capable of measuring the temperature to be sure you're not going to cause your panel any loss of output/premature death because I think Ben at HH won't be too understanding come warranty time. Anyways Good Luck and Happy Growing.

FranJan said:

Subbed. Great strains for a LED journal. But you are aware that you won't notice any "heating problems", otherwise known as LED degradation, on the panel until after it happens? I hate the fans on LED panels, but you should have a thermostat capable of measuring the temperature to be sure you're not going to cause your panel any loss of output/premature death because I think Ben at HH won't be too understanding come warranty time. Anyways Good Luck and Happy Growing.

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Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately I'm assuming my warranty is already voided since I swapped out the stock fans. So I am being extra careful not to screw up anything on this panel.

I did do exactly what you are suggesting before disconnecting the fan. The temperature inside the panel was only a couple degrees higher than the tents ambient temperature. This panel seems to hardly generate any heat. I will do this test again once I get the potentiometers installed. I figure with a little investment I can make the panel nearly silent while still maintaining cool temperatures.

Glad to have you aboard!

iforgotagain said:

This panel seems to hardly generates any heat. I will do this test again once I get the potentiometers installed. I figure with a little investment I can make the panel nearly silent while still maintaining cool temperatures.

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Excellent idea IFA. One of the members here actually returned their PG180 because it was too loud so I would assume people would really like to learn to quiet their PGs or even other manufacturer's panels if this applies to them. When you're ready you should make a post in the LED section. They'll definitely sticky a post like that, if you're into all that . Ohh and who's strain of White Widow will you be growing?

FranJan said:

Excellent idea IFA. One of the members here actually returned their PG180 because it was too loud so I would assume people would really like to learn to quiet their PGs or even other manufacturer's panels if this applies to them. When you're ready you should make a post in the LED section. They'll definitely sticky a post like that, if you're into all that . Ohh and who's strain of White Widow will you be growing?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, I never pass up a chance for internet fame! I am growing White Label's White Widow strain.

The potentiometers finally arrived from eBay and I was able to install them in about an hour. The installation was a breeze.

I first located the area to drill for my potentiometer and marked the holes with a permanent marker.


Using a screwdriver and a hammer, I created a divot to help the small drill bit not slip. Once the divot was created I drilled a small hole.


Switching to the larger drill bit, I was able to easily expand the hole. I used a piece of cloth to prevent the drill bit from slipping/snagging.


All three holes are drilled.


Soldering the potentiometer to the PG180 power supply. The fan positive terminal on the fan connects to the middle (slider) terminal, the positive connection on the PG180 connects to either of the outer connections on the pot. The ground of the fan goes directly to the PG180 fan power supply.


Everything all connected.


The LED panel is significantly quieter with only a small reduction in voltage. I will be messing around with the fan speeds to find the best tradeoff between heat and noise.

All in all I am happy with the PG180. Growth seems a little slower to me, but this could be my own impatience.

5/11 - White Widow


5/11 - Sensi Star

I like that little mod. That's what LED panels should be about, customizing it as needed and not worrying about some pro-rated warranty. Screw the warranty ! So +rep to you IFG.

Are you going to LST those ladies?

and so what happened to your grow? Did the 180w peogrow live up to expectations? did you purchase another one?

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What happened? Where's the pics?