Led lighting question

smooth88

Well-Known Member
I'm planning on growing in a stealth dresser now that I need to keep things as low profile as possible. The space will be around 1 3/4' deep by 3' wide by 3.5-4' tall.

I also plan the following:
- scrog with big bud as my strain.
-grown in a dirt mix
- under some sort of led hopefully.

I want to use led since its a small space and they create less heat and seam to get similar or better results then hids.

Question is with so many different led makers which is the best? Im thinking http://store.prosourceworldwide.com/Illuminator-180W-UFO-LED-Grow-Lights-p/illuminator jumbo ufo 180w.htm
this light seems to get the best reviews but have read good things about cheaper lights and ferro lights, but you have to call for pricing.
 

jcmjrt

Well-Known Member
I haven't seen your prosource in person so can't make a lot of comments on that but I chose to go with Kessil. Heat management for the LED is critical for the LED to perform for amount of light, light on spectrum and longevity. Repeat that longevity part as one buys LEDs for a long term investment. Kessil is backed by a major corporation - Dicon - and has real engineers and botanists on staff. Yes, they have grow tents at their company. :) Anyway, they actually did a rather clever bit of heat management (a phase change cooling wafer) to keep the structure strong, lightweight (lightweight is nice for hanging,etc and not having to have a monstrous structure) AND cool. You can purchase 90 watts - an H350 - at growershouse for $270. I'd get two of those (magenta) and use them in your box. You'd be able to use them in a variety of ways and angles to give you good coverage. They can easily be hung or can be put on a gooseneck, etc for side lighting. I'm having a great veg cycle right now with close internodal distances and really lush, thick growth.
If there's someone there who you can talk with, you might ask about what their heat management is? Are they using thermal grease to keep the diodes cool? If they are (and most are), grease will eventually go through enough heat/cool cycles that it will spread and be gone. Thermal pads are better because they are more effective to start with and last...but of course cost more money than a just a cheap tube of thermal grease. But obviously, there are many ways to skin a cat and they may have come up with a great one so ask 'em.
 

PSUAGRO.

Well-Known Member
^^^^yeah that's a good suggestion(kessil)....but he's running a stealth "dresser" and according to some it runs loud & hot..........IDK maybe puff can clarify how noticeable they operate .......I would look into something that's silent(no fans would be optimal) and with a remote driver........good luck
 

smooth88

Well-Known Member
Hmm one of the reviews said kessil performed close to but not quite as good as prosources, or the solar flare. However the solar flare is supposed to be Hot! I'm leaning towards pro sources 180watt but want to see some results. Btw they're 100 ddollars off right now
 

dbkick

Well-Known Member
you guys talking about a kessil 150? they get real hot, that much wattage in a small package.
 

jcmjrt

Well-Known Member
Hmm one of the reviews said kessil performed close to but not quite as good as prosources, or the solar flare. However the solar flare is supposed to be Hot! I'm leaning towards pro sources 180watt but want to see some results. Btw they're 100 ddollars off right now
I don't know what review you are looking at but I have seen one review that seemed to be comparing wildly different wattage instruments head-to-head...which is really misleading. I don't think that the Kessil is loud or hot but there is a fan and no fan is silent.
 

smooth88

Well-Known Member
Search"kessil prosource" in YouTube and you'll find the review was against the 350 kessil tho which would be hotter if this is true

However the kessil is still half the wattage of the others and didn't perform that much less then the bigger lights. Makes me think the others would also be loud and hot, which none admit to.
 

tenthirty

Well-Known Member
The leds are top quality. Full stop!
The drivers are the best made.

For your space, less than 200 watts and less than $500.00.
Plus your time of course.

Now to what spectrum????
 

dbkick

Well-Known Member
I'd build,I particularly like the solderless kit at rapidled but would probably do a little soldering for a more custom panel/
 

smooth88

Well-Known Member
I want something dimable and suited for both veg and flowering, flowering being my main concern. prosources light for 500 will cover up to 3x3 for flower and it has proven results, I think I'm leaning towards them. However if I can find the parts to easily build something similar I might do that
 

smooth88

Well-Known Member
Decided to go with two 90 watt illuminators from prosource worldwide. Between the 90 day trial 3 year warranty great price and repeated rave reviews it was a no brainer. Thinking about starting a journal to hopefully prove what these things can do. Already have 2 chronic seeds going for about two weeks but look nice and healthy so I think these LEDs will finish them off nicely.
 
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