Swap to led?

Hi! Long time Learker first time poster!

So I'm a long time hps user and I'm interested in using LED's, I've basically got 2 questions, what led lights would I need to compete with a 600w hps over. 4 foot by 4 foot footprint? Some sites say there lights will cover this area no problems but forums say that I would need 2 lights at 270 watts each? So that's 540 watts? Not far from the usage off a 600 w hps power consumption ? Then I read that LEDs use 80% less power?

There seems to be alot of conflicting info with regards to LEDs!

Basically I'm looking to reduce my electric consumption without compromising quality...

If so could you recommend a model?

Please advise! Thanks in advance!

My advice, which may be controversial to some, is to think hard about swapping. As you rightly point out, the electricity savings aren't quite as legendary as some might have you believe (although they easily work out cheaper in the long run, since they have a long-life) if you want to compete with HID for light intensity.

I have a couple of DIY LEDs, which I think are perfect for vegging, but I still just bought a new HID ballast because I think the initial outlay needed for a kW LED grow is just too high to justify, and HID is still the way to go for flowering to get consistently good yield.

If you can afford it though then there are plenty of people out there who report great results with these top-of-the-line panels.

MajorCoco said:

My advice, which may be controversial to some, is to think hard about swapping. As you rightly point out, the electricity savings aren't quite as legendary as some might have you believe (although they easily work out cheaper in the long run, since they have a long-life) if you want to compete with HID for light intensity.

I have a couple of DIY LEDs, which I think are perfect for vegging, but I still just bought a new HID ballast because I think the initial outlay needed for a kW LED grow is just too high to justify, and HID is still the way to go for flowering to get consistently good yield.

If you can afford it though then there are plenty of people out there who report great results with these top-of-the-line panels.

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thx for the reply bud!


ok so ive been doing more digging and ive found the "magnum plus 357" now this says it has a light spread of 4x4 and only 357 watts of actual draw? so this would be adequate for a 1.2 tent with like 8 plants? as i understand the spread isnt great on leds?? would i need 2 smaller lamps to cope with an area that size?

Uzergu1de said:

thx for the reply bud!


ok so ive been doing more digging and ive found the "magnum plus 357" now this says it has a light spread of 4x4 and only 357 watts of actual draw? so this would be adequate for a 1.2 tent with like 8 plants? as i understand the spread isnt great on leds?? would i need 2 smaller lamps to cope with an area that size?

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Maybe ask this dude; https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/521297-two-357-magnum-plus-4x4.html

Forever is cool, and always happy to talk LEDs...

IMHO, there is a more than just "actual draw" wattage to consider. Lenses, angle or degree of said lenses, spectra, even growing style, etc. all play a big part.

Usually any vendor claim of area coverage is at the theoretical maximum. I subtract 20% as a real world application. Also be sure to understand the difference between "Maximum draw" and "Actual draw". What is usually advertised is maximum wattage, the LEDs on the lamps generally draw anywhere from 20 - 60% less.

I surmise that HPS/MH light essentially spreads in a wide array 270-320º from the source, providing saturating light from many directions. LED light is much more focused and finite, anywhere from 60 - 140º to help focus or "concentrate" it to not only cover a specific area but allow for a specific depth of light penetration. Thus, I find that in most situations, 2 smaller or mid-sized LED lamps are more functional than a single large lamp of even greater wattage than the combined output of the smaller two. Unfortunately, this does increase the already pricy tag of LED.

That said, I've run a single LED lamp (240 watts full draw) in a 54 inch x 35½ inch area and compared the results with my 600 Watt HPS (in a similar space, with similar plants, but nothing scientific). After two grows with each, the LED up about 15 - 30% less overall yield per plant (really strain dependent). But factor in that the LED used less than half the electricity than the HPS (not counting reduced Air conditioner usage), and you are on to something. In a grow or two, its paid for itself and will continue to save $.

When I added in a second unit (160 watt, full draw), that definitely closed the gap and at still at a 40% power savings. I can't say it is so much the additional wattage, but more the ability to utilize light from an additional direction to fill in where otherwise would have had sub-par lighting.

I still feel though, HSP is a bit faster, slightly less work. I won't get into the debate of if LED grown is better quality than HPS, but I will say it is different (different good, too!). I think if you find a good balance in your garden utilizing both, you'll be doing twice as good!


As I stated, the grows were similar, Needless to say both plants were spectacular!

glad to see you around endive.....your blue mystics never did auto also if I remember correctly?

PSUAGRO. said:

glad to see you around endive.....your blue mystics never did auto also if I remember correctly?

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Thank you PSUAGRO!

The Blue Mystic Autos... Hahaha, Good memory! Correct, the 1st gen. never autoed, but they 12/12'd nicely! I've had some seeds, from that harvest (2nd gen, self pollenated) that have gone auto, about 1 in 3.

Actually both Jocks above were from Nirvana's infamous batch of bad autos too(late 2010).

when counting electricity usage remember that a 600 HPS uses closer to 640 watts. And a 6 inch can fan pulls another 130 watts. Then you need to adjust for less A/C usage if you are lucky enough to have A/C, or like me factor in that you can grow in the summer months.

No way will a single blackstar light a 4x4 area.
Sidd