Setting correct light distance using LUX meter?

pthobson said:

Yeah doesn’t seem right at all. That’s crazy. Those diodes should blind the shit out of you at full power as well.

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Ya thats kinda what i was expecting too, but not the case. They arent that blinding at all really. Even at max power you can stare at them easily enough.

BUT

@ChiefRunningPhist done some researching and math for me on the strips and drivers im using, he figures they are performing as they should, hes one of the smartest people ive ever spoken with i think, so im inclined to believe him lol

I see around 45,000 lux at 5", 32w/ft from the wall. 3500k Bridgelux EB-Gen 2, about 3" apart.

1212ham said:

I see around 45,000 lux at 5", 32w/ft from the wall. 3500k Bridgelux EB-Gen 2, about 3" apart.

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Ok and im seeing 45,000 at 10-12" and 40w/ft from the wall...3000k cutter strips

At 2-3" i get up to 60,000k thats with everything max power

SMT69 said:

Yea that doesn't sound right I agree man

I'm running 480h driver with 14 strips and get 50,000 lux at 12" above using 300w dimmed (2x4' tent) , our spaces are different but still

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SMT69 posted earlier that he was getting 50,000 at 12" and only using 300w dimmed...as he said, different spaces, so maybe thats making the big difference?

diggs99 said:

SMT69 posted earlier that he was getting 50,000 at 12" and only using 300w dimmed...as he said, different spaces, so maybe thats making the big difference?

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Edited
Space absolutely has alot to do with it I'd guess, I believe these flux meters are way off, but those leds on full blast should be blinding bright. Mine are, I have to dim way down- but i built it to do that so theyd run cool

If you're running full blast, and only getting 60,000 flux at 3" something wrong, could be the meter

SMT69 said:

Space absolutely has alot to do with it I'd guess

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lol i wish i knew more about this stuff, im trying to learn but apparently not at a fast enough pace to keep up with required troubleshooting lol

Im just wanna get through this grow, if they produce good ganja and im happy, ill keep them and not concern myself with the lux or meter lol. If they dont, they coming down and ill find something else to spew some money away on lol

I think if we are measuring directly under the light at close range, we should use watts/ft of fixture area rather than tent size. At greater distances, reflectivity of the surroundings should have more effect. So, what is the size of you light and SMT69's? Also, I think we are all using different strips, so efficiency is a factor.

1212ham said:

I think if we are measuring directly under the light at close range, we should use watts/ft of fixture area rather than tent size.
So, what is the size of you light and SMT69's? Also, I think we are all using different strips, so efficiency is a factor.

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My lights are 3` x 4`
18 strips per fixture ( ran at 26w each or 572ma)
Cutter j series 3000k 90 cri and 80 cri
480w A drivers

i have 3 tables all 3x4 in a 7x14 room. each fixture covers a table. ( 3rd light not built yet)


i should also add, i took numerous readings( about 15-17) all across the canopy at 10-12"...highest was 50,115...lowest was 41,245

so it def seems they are holding decent light quality across the canopy.

Yes this is comparing apples to oranges were all different specs.

You're probably fine just enjoy the lights they are incredible I assure you.

Sorry if I missed it....not sure if this applies...or redundant.

Have you tried power-up with the dimmer(s) disconnected? I ask because if its like my Meanwell....the driver runs at full power with the dimmer disconnected.


Lux testing befo/after.....and or wall killawatt meter.

TintEastwood said:

Sorry if I missed it....not sure if this applies...or redundant.

Have you tried power-up with the dimmer(s) disconnected? I ask because if its like my Meanwell....the driver runs at full power with the dimmer disconnected.


Lux testing befo/after.....and or wall killawatt meter.

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Can you disconnect the dimmer on the A type? I assumed not because they were built in

Nope, I'm sure he was thinking of the B type. BTW, the Kill a Watt he mentioned is a good thing to have, very handy.

1212ham said:

Nope, I'm sure he was thinking of the B type. BTW, the Kill a Watt he mentioned is a good thing to have, very handy.

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Ya thats what i thought, wasnt 100% sure tho.

Yup, im gonna order a kill a watt from amazon, are they all made fairly equal? or any specific one to buy?

I bought a Kill A Watt EZ P4460 years ago, it's the more advanced model. Don't know about other brands.

http://www.p3international.com/products/energy-savers.html
https://shop.p3international.com/p/kill-a-watt-ez
https://shop.p3international.com/p/kill-a-watt

1212ham said:

I bought a Kill A Watt EZ P4460 years ago, it's the more advanced model. Don't know about other brands.

http://www.p3international.com/products/energy-savers.html
https://shop.p3international.com/p/kill-a-watt-ez
https://shop.p3international.com/p/kill-a-watt

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Twinsies!

Hope you get it sorted diggs...the meter that is...Because that rig IG gonna grow the dank ganja.
I am in the market,finally,for a lux meter.I was looking at the Dr.Meter on Amazon. if you are having tech issues with yours I may have to try another brand.Its wild because as you've stated...it's the only one with decent reviews and half of the reviews aren't for grow light readings.
I've seen randomblame mention a cheap one on eBay and a conversion factor,I've also seen the Dr meters suggested. What's a guy to get?

CoB_nUt said:

Hope you get it sorted diggs...the meter that is...Because that rig IG gonna grow the dank ganja.
I am in the market,finally,for a lux meter.I was looking at the Dr.Meter on Amazon. if you are having tech issues with yours I may have to try another brand.Its wild because as you've stated...it's the only one with decent reviews and half of the reviews aren't for grow light readings.
I've seen randomblame mention a cheap one on eBay and a conversion factor,I've also seen the Dr meters suggested. What's a guy to get?

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Ill be honest bro, i think the meter is fine and works great.

I think it was the numbers it was showing me that i didnt like lol

not the meters fault, just me being a newb more than anything.

I like it, very easy to use and as you said, has good reviews.

I think your probably right. Youre rouning these strips close to nominal so the individual diodes will not "look bright" when you look at them in comparison to cobs or hid. They will not measure huge close. Also with a linear fixture its harder to get a high reading.
But around 4x the distance its only dropped about 20%, thats due to overlapp and even cover. I suggest you run your fixture 8-10" distance, getting there by lowering slowly.
Between updated numbers and maybe a slightly off meter, i think your in more or less the right territory. Also, some of your strips are 90 cri which gives lower lux, but still high ppfd.
Grow and be joyfull