Got my GE BrightStiks

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
You beat me to it...and I thought I was on to something quick/cheap/easy and effective haha
View attachment 3694259
I replaced my (4) 4' fluoro bulb shop light that was 128W.
They had a sale going on the Utilitech 9W 750 lumen led bulbs at Lowes for $3.29 for a 2 pack. I bought (2) 2 packs and a power strip from HF with a 25% off coupon along with 6 socket adapters from Home Depot. I already had 2 of the older style 9.5W 800 lumen bulbs(which are way better quality than the new cheapy ones).
OLD STYLE NEW STYLE
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It is going to get upped from 6 to 12 tomorrow. This fits the format of my 4'x4'x room perfect and once upped to 12 it will be just right for 2 mommas in 5gal buckets and a 9 site bubble cloner that will sit under 4 bulb 104W T5 fixture. I used my adjustable hangers right through the slots on each end made for anchoring the power strip. Hangs perfectly balanced like thats what it was meant for. All together to get 10 lights/power bar/sockets + taxes I'm in it for about $69 all together.
Im using a total of 109w for a total of 9100 lumens (83.4lu/W). No benchmark numbers by any means, but a great option to replace the fluorescents and to shave off some kWh.
By my figures my annual cost for both will break down like this:

FLUORESCENT

32W bulbs x 4=128W
128W/1000=0.128kw/hr
0.128kw/hr x 18 hrs= 2.304kwh used per day
2.304kwh used daily x 365 days=840.96kwh used annually x $0.13 per kwh = $109.32 per year to run 18/6.

LED LIGHT
(2) @ 9.5w + (10) @ 9w=109W
109W/1000=0.109kw/hr
0.109kw/hr x 18 hrs=1.962kwh used per day
1.962kwh used daily x 365 days=716.13kwh used annually x $0.13 per kwh = $93.10 per year to run 18/6

$109.32 fluorescent
- $93.10 led
=$16.22 savings per year to run led over fluorescent

$69.00 total investment/ $16.22 = 4.25 yrs............51 more months and this baby has paid for itself! :mrgreen:

In all seriousness though, with little steps like this along with building my own led bars to replace my 1k hps in the summer and reduce my AC costs, my monthly power consumption is declining quickly.
So weird. I was literally thinking how much better used my BRIGHTSTIKS would be in this format for not blocking all that delicious cob light above it like the hoods I'm using now do. I still love my GE BrightStiks :) 1,520 lumens of 2700K goodness.
 

HydroRed

Well-Known Member
So weird. I was literally thinking how much better used my BRIGHTSTIKS would be in this format for not blocking all that delicious cob light above it like the hoods I'm using now do. I still love my GE BrightStiks :) 1,520 lumens of 2700K goodness.

Small issue I'm facing is finding an inexpensive (60W replacement) led bulb like I found at home depot in something other than 3000K. I'd love to find some 5000k in the Utilitech 9.5W 800lu.
Anything more than the 60W replacements would likely be too hot for the application I'm using mine in. I think a BrightStik would melt this thing lol
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Small issue I'm facing is finding an inexpensive (60W replacement) led bulb like I found at home depot in something other than 3000K. I'd love to find some 5000k in the Utilitech 9.5W 800lu.
Anything more than the 60W replacements would likely be too hot for the application I'm using mine in. I think a BrightStik would melt this thing lol
Ya they do get pretty damned hot. They havent melted the Y splitters their currently in thoufh
 

SoOLED

Well-Known Member
You're late to the party bro.........

View attachment 3694456 View attachment 3694457

No way I was passing on this light new for the cost of a phantom.......
the phantom is cheaper.....but what...wait..i just asked you about CMH last night? did you go out and buy one today? looks good( a sexy time yes), perrrfect for that tent too. its gonna be totes!!!!




how drunk was I....?? OMG I hope I didn't leave any forums bombs....
 

SoOLED

Well-Known Member
Thought the phantoms were $400 ...... I paid $435 shipped
if you look up phantom CMH google shopping, you can find them from sources close to you from 350-400 I think its fair to say 370 is average.

I used to run 2 suntec's with two K3's I like the suntec reflector better the phantom: mostly aesthetically I think. this is my first use of the phantom, but I know right off the bat the external ballast was keeping more heat out of the tent.

but if you just have the one, I don't see you having much problems anyway. $435 is good for a Suntec shipped for sure. the suntec is a great light, with the 3100k bulb you will be hitting deep UV/UVB hard.
 

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
i paid $320ish each for mine in dec from growers house but i also spent $2500+ with them
 
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SoOLED

Well-Known Member
i paid $320ish each for mine in dec from growers house but i also spent $2500+ with them

big baller, looks like they gave you a deal, cause of package.

did you get the phantoms or suntecs. the suntecs are hard to find under 400usdm
 

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
they were also on sale when they first came out, like $330-$350

i got 4 phantoms and 2 acde setups
 
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