Anyone used Hydrofarm 6' Light Track system?

sfttailpaul

sfttailpaul

Active Member
I have the 4 ft. version. I use 600 W HPS and have 8 of them covering a 144 sq.ft. bloom. plants and me love them.
As far as the track goes:
1) They are built pretty lean so installation is very, very critical. They will work fine for you if you install correctly and be sure to leave PLENTY OF CORD SLACK, otherwise the guide pin will rip out of the track/ Also eazy to fix... eazy to install.
Note: The 4 ft. track covers 6 ft overall; 6 ft. track covers 8 ft. That's the whole deal.
A complete cycle on the 4 ft. takes +/- 20 minutes; 6 ft. ???
One gets 50% free coverage on the 4 ft.; 33.3% for the 6 ft.
My only complaint is that they are not consistent with respect to each other. If one started with say 4 together, sooner or later, some will be at opposite ends.
2) I actually sell them (lots); I am a dealer giving advice (growing all my MJ life since the summer of 1964) and deals to all the MMJ growers in my town.
They are well worth the minimal investment. Together with the reflector (Light Wing) the cost will rival a better track alone. I always want the most bang fo my buck and I could have opted out for a Sola Rola or a "Light Rail" (the original).
 
lakew00d

lakew00d

Well-Known Member
sfttailpaul said:
I have the 4 ft. version. I use 600 W HPS and have 8 of them covering a 144 sq.ft. bloom. plants and me love them.
As far as the track goes:
1) They are built pretty lean so installation is very, very critical. They will work fine for you if you install correctly and be sure to leave PLENTY OF CORD SLACK, otherwise the guide pin will rip out of the track/ Also eazy to fix... eazy to install.
Note: The 4 ft. track covers 6 ft overall; 6 ft. track covers 8 ft. That's the whole deal.
A complete cycle on the 4 ft. takes +/- 20 minutes; 6 ft. ???
One gets 50% free coverage on the 4 ft.; 33.3% for the 6 ft.
My only complaint is that they are not consistent with respect to each other. If one started with say 4 together, sooner or later, some will be at opposite ends.
2) I actually sell them (lots); I am a dealer giving advice (growing all my MJ life since the summer of 1964) and deals to all the MMJ growers in my town.
They are well worth the minimal investment. Together with the reflector (Light Wing) the cost will rival a better track alone. I always want the most bang fo my buck and I could have opted out for a Sola Rola or a "Light Rail" (the original).
Click to expand...
thanks for the reply man!
I noticed that weight limit on them of about 20 LBS and that worried me, I will be using a cooltube which weighs about 25 pounds.
And I have been researching the Hydrofarm rail and a lot of people said its flimsy and doesn't last. But I really like the price. ):
I found a Light Rail brand to be more durable, they say they can have up to 50 pounds.. and I really like the delay feature.
But I will continue to research light rails!
I have decided not to get a light rail yet. I am just going to purchase a 600 watt light to work in addition with my 400 watt i have now.

I really appreciate your help!
+rep
 
sfttailpaul

sfttailpaul

Active Member
I understand the wait, sounds like you are level headed and investigate stuff before you buy. Good attitude and you'll do better this way. I do believe the low weight limit is due to the chain they use. Pretty slim whereas the Light Rails's much more heavy duty. Then again, it is double. The Hydro Farm (in a sense) has a delay also (not adjustable) because when it reaches one of the ends, it takes about 2 minutes for the guide arm to go around the gear and then it moves in the opposite direction. This delay doesn't seem to have much time difference. The Light Track has a beefier high-torque motor in it and together, with the heavier duty construction, it should last quite awhile. If I had the bucks, I'd definitely get the Sola Rola, but that is another discussion. That brand is for the rich retired guys, not us workin' fools! About the biggest advantage I see is that any form of "light mover" is going to let you bring the reflector closer to the canopy. That's the real deal. Incidentially, there is a neat light mover for LED's made by Kessil. They have 150 and 350 Watt Grow Lights in 4 color spectrums and their "Spectral Spinner" holds UP TO 6 of them! One can mix colors and wattage to achieve optimal results. If one started with two Grow lights AND the Spectral Spinner, the cost is about the same (depending on your source) as a HID set-up (Reflector, Ballast & Bulb). Can see at Hydro farm .com
 
SaMokinTheGreens

SaMokinTheGreens

Member
sfttailpaul said:
I understand the wait, sounds like you are level headed and investigate stuff before you buy. Good attitude and you'll do better this way. I do believe the low weight limit is due to the chain they use. Pretty slim whereas the Light Rails's much more heavy duty. Then again, it is double. The Hydro Farm (in a sense) has a delay also (not adjustable) because when it reaches one of the ends, it takes about 2 minutes for the guide arm to go around the gear and then it moves in the opposite direction. This delay doesn't seem to have much time difference. The Light Track has a beefier high-torque motor in it and together, with the heavier duty construction, it should last quite awhile. If I had the bucks, I'd definitely get the Sola Rola, but that is another discussion. That brand is for the rich retired guys, not us workin' fools! About the biggest advantage I see is that any form of "light mover" is going to let you bring the reflector closer to the canopy. That's the real deal. Incidentially, there is a neat light mover for LED's made by Kessil. They have 150 and 350 Watt Grow Lights in 4 color spectrums and their "Spectral Spinner" holds UP TO 6 of them! One can mix colors and wattage to achieve optimal results. If one started with two Grow lights AND the Spectral Spinner, the cost is about the same (depending on your source) as a HID set-up (Reflector, Ballast & Bulb). Can see at Hydro farm .com
Click to expand...

I purchased the 6 ft and have a Raptor on it. Runs smoothly with no problems. Glass was removed from the Hydrofarm Raptor. This is underrated in my opinion. I am running at a little more than double the weight and am very pleased. It is typical for manufactures to rate weight limits at about 50% of what it can handle. Im also lag bolted into the studs. Very clean and easy install.
 
R

RAncorman

New Member
[FONT=&quot]that thing is junk! I used it prior to my system I have now and it was awful. I use Gualala robotic’s product. This light mover is so sturdy man the best part is the product is made in the US. The motor stays cool which is nice, I don’t have to worry about possible fires. You should check it out![/FONT]
 
M

max420thc

Well-Known Member
Yea ive used the chain driven light movers before.(junk)I have 4 light movers stored away that have the intelli drive motors on them.
A light rail mover is best used in veg.I used to use movers in flower but get allot better results with stationary lamps.
 
nevergoodenuf

nevergoodenuf

Well-Known Member
I've had 5 light rails with great results. Everyone worked perfect for years. 3 were hand-me-downs. I'm not a fan of trying to stretch the light, I prefer to only have them move no more than a foot. I don't stretch the light, I let the light move enough to eliminate shaded spots.
 
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