CAUTION: Not All LE Tubes are Wiredd The Same

I found a few, ranging from 8.5-15W. Some with internal ballasts, others without.

I'm tempted to DIY instead, but the ability to use T8 fixtures is quite tempting. What I want is quite close to what the market already has... but that's usually where I have a nerdgasm and just make my own.

Since I don't remove all my undergrowth, I figured 15-25watts spread out under the canopy would make her fill out a lot more. I had also considered 2x HHGB (Household globe bulbs, or whatever shortened term you want to use). Like 2X 9W, but mounting/adjusting the tubes would be more ideal.
 
These are currently the most tempting of the options. In NW(4100-4500K).
http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesaler...UTF8&qid=1373046506&sr=8-2&keywords=T8+LED+24

And these:
http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-23651...YT84/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A1OKQR6K61KBEK

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Tags - Do you happen to know if AT is doing 24's? I would hold off buying anything if I knew they were going to be doing that soon.

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I simply cannot fit a 3ft or a 4ft, 18-24" is my limit. And it's for supplemental lighting, so I don't need a ton of watts. Overhead is 155w, I figured 10-20% as supplemental would plenty. I had also considered making a panel with 4-6 bar slots on it, and making a seedling to early veg panel. For now, I'm specifically looking at options to increase under growth. "Bulbs" + fixtures + wiring = <$100 so I figure it would be worth a try, even if it's not until the next run.
Stupid question, but if they're fed 110VAC, I'm assuming they're internally "ballasted"? Two prongs on the tubes means no 3rd ground plug?

I haven't spent any money yet, and I'm always up for suggestions.
 
Ya, most are internally(in one end of bulb) ballasted. But some brands do have a remote/external ballast.
AT doesn't have the 2' tubes in yet.

They do have 22w 4footer's though. But the 22w are not UL yet so if that matters to people. Still have to rewire the fixture which would make the UL void anyways.
 
djwimbo said:
These are currently the most tempting of the options. In NW(4100-4500K).
http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesaler...UTF8&qid=1373046506&sr=8-2&keywords=T8+LED+24

And these:
http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-23651...YT84/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A1OKQR6K61KBEK

-----

Tags - Do you happen to know if AT is doing 24's? I would hold off buying anything if I knew they were going to be doing that soon.

-----

I simply cannot fit a 3ft or a 4ft, 18-24" is my limit. And it's for supplemental lighting, so I don't need a ton of watts. Overhead is 155w, I figured 10-20% as supplemental would plenty. I had also considered making a panel with 4-6 bar slots on it, and making a seedling to early veg panel. For now, I'm specifically looking at options to increase under growth. "Bulbs" + fixtures + wiring = <$100 so I figure it would be worth a try, even if it's not until the next run.
Stupid question, but if they're fed 110VAC, I'm assuming they're internally "ballasted"? Two prongs on the tubes means no 3rd ground plug?

I haven't spent any money yet, and I'm always up for suggestions.
Click to expand...

How are you going to be mounting them under the canopy there djwimbo?
 
Chronikool said:
How are you going to be mounting them under the canopy there djwimbo?
Click to expand...

my cab is 21.75x30x48in, I was thinking of running one per long side(the 30" measurement) just above the tops of the AP's.

I honestly want to try a run with 2x WW's like my current run, but instead of flipping the reds on, switch the side lights on. Keep similar wattage, and see yield/potency difference.

Edit: if the question is about material, I have a few options. Heavy duty plastics or compressed paperboard(as well as a few others). Both are super high density, and above all resistant to fire/non-susceptible to heat. Ever handled a bathroom partition? I know a guy who has some scraps of those materials around.
2x of those 24's would make the setup 120W overhead, ~20W under canopy.
 
Rewiring tip

The tombstone is prewired to ballast from manufacture. DO NOT remove the wires.

Snip them 2" and use connectors to make proper connection. Otherwise, the flimsy copper inside the tombstone wire holes will loose its' tension.

I ruined a couple and wasted a lot of time disassembling them. I had to run back to HD/Lowes to buy blank tombstones ($4.97/2-OUCH). LEDwholesalers sells non-shunted tombstones @ $1.50

I don't think AT tubes will be anything unique (aside from price) than you can buy elsewhere. My 23w iBrights use 0.5w Samsung 5050 diodes. Available in 3 color temps + 2ft. 4ft is $35 + shipping- min order $100

http://www.atgelectronics.com/tube/E58i-LED-Tube-(HO-Version).html

So far, my plants are loving them.
 
Do you think you would be able to put a power meter on one of those tubes? Would like to know what the overall tubes are drawing and how much each diode is drawing (approx).

Also how many diodes on these? 40-50?
 
WTF is a power meter? I have a Multi-Meter. You would have to tell me how to configure to get a proper reading.

Let's do the math: 23w divided by 0.5w diodes = ?????? :fire:

Actually there are 50/ half, so not 0.5w diodes

My apologies to all
 
Ummm....not sure what they call them....kill-a-watt is a brand name that some nationalities use i guess...?

So you have 1500mm tubes? They are rated at 23 watts.

Ok...So 23watts (if that is what they draw...not what they are rated) divided by 50 diodes = 0.46 watts....so if the diodes are rated at 0.5 watts they are pushing them at around 92%

Does this maths add up?
 
Here's the link, maybe you have a better grasp of the 411, but there are 100 diodes/1200mm tube, so 0.25 w/diode. Looks like they are driven at 95% + small driver.

One thing is certain, plants are loving them.

Next grow I will add 2 more bulbs (probably COBs) and shoot for 4 plants
 
I have a kill a watt meter. Or power meter. It measures how many watts you are using.. Thats about it. It doesn't work like a multimeter. It works like a timer. plug into the wall and plug your light into it.
 
Yeah i have one too...just where i am it isnt called a kill-a-watt...very cheap and handy though...great for when you want to get the truth out of your LED's... :D
 
Chronikool said:
Yeah i have one too...just where i am it isnt called a kill-a-watt...very cheap and handy though...great for when you want to get the truth out of your LED's... :D
Click to expand...

Yes, and no. I mean 'no' for those of us who have been playing around with leds for a good while now.

People are always going to chase the rabbit for a few extra grams, IMHO, ozs ain't gonna happen by simply adding 660 & 730.

It's all a matter of balance

All we need to do is get in the ball park. The plants will likely be able to make small adjustments

Of course I could be wrong about this. Totally speculative, but you saw what captainmorgan did with all 9w Cree globes, right? F me, I'd be stoked.

I get that quality under my HOT5s, and didn't do too shabbily growing the mother of my 4 current clones under ~ 50w of household globes then finished by adding a RB ufo 90. I'm way ahead of that grow now thanks to 92w of led tubes spreading light evenly over 3ft of canopy
 
i decided on those cree globes for side lighting. plus its the cheapest option. I'm going to buy 2 6 packs. I just got some mylar too. 2 walls where tha plants are practically against the wall is getting the mylar. Then the 2 longer sides will get 5 globes hanging vertically on each side. then the other 2 will replace my t5 for the clone tray.

capt is using 5000k and 2700k so there is probably an equal amount of 630 and 660. but more blue heavy on the 5000k.
 
hyroot said:
i decided on those cree globes for side lighting. plus its the cheapest option. I'm going to buy 2 6 packs. I just got some mylar too. 2 walls where tha plants are practically against the wall is getting the mylar. Then the 2 longer sides will get 5 globes hanging vertically on each side. then the other 2 will replace my t5 for the clone tray.

capt is using 5000k and 2700k so there is probably an equal amount of 630 and 660. but more blue heavy on the 5000k.
Click to expand...

Holy shit they come in 6 packs? What's the bulb savings? Regular price $12.97 each
 
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