Why I am making the change

In an industry typically inundated with "hippies", it seems odd that no one has really brought up the green benefits of cob lighting. I just hear HPS growers saying "fuck it, power is cheap." I think the cost of energy is larger than the $0.12/kwh on my bill. Ive seen crazy estimates about the percentage of grid power that goes to grow ops. I've grown with HPS, but am currently switching all rooms over to cob and installing a grid tie solar array. By doing this I expect to consume about 1/4 of the power I was using before once cooling is factored in, all while yields remain the same. This will cost me significantly more than setting rooms up with de hps, but in this game with margins being what they are it seems pretty irresponsible to not try and look out for the planet.

I'm still waiting for COB technology to get cheaper. Standard LED "bulbs" that used to cost $20 are now selling for $5, and I believe the same thing will happen with COBs.
It's a technology thing involving mass production efficiency. Similar to computer tech in the 90s. Remember when a decent laptop cost $10,000+? Now they are less than $1,000.
Not sure when it will happen, but it's coming.
And when COBs are cheap, old gear will be completely worthless. All those old reflectors should recycle nicely...

Chunky Stool said:

I'm still waiting for COB technology to get cheaper. Standard LED "bulbs" that used to cost $20 are now selling for $5, and I believe the same thing will happen with COBs.
It's a technology thing involving mass production efficiency. Similar to computer tech in the 90s. Remember when a decent laptop cost $10,000+? Now they are less than $1,000.
Not sure when it will happen, but it's coming.
And when COBs are cheap, old gear will be completely worthless. All those old reflectors should recycle nicely...

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Yeah, it'll definitely get cheaper... kind of off topic though. It always seems more expensive to do the right thing... fair trade, sweatshop free, cage free, clean energy etc... unfortunate, but it is the way it is. Ironic to see people gobbling up power at the rate of 30 average US households while touting their organic feeding regime, no-till or otherwise. These people love to talk from their high horse about sourcing minimalist ingredients locally.

First cob light was about $2 a watt... Just built a veg light for $1.30 a watt... There headed in the right direction... need to be less than a buck a watt!

upsetter. said:

Yeah, it'll definitely get cheaper... kind of off topic though. It always seems more expensive to do the right thing... fair trade, sweatshop free, cage free, clean energy etc... unfortunate, but it is the way it is. Ironic to see people gobbling up power at the rate of 30 average US households while touting their organic feeding regime, no-till or otherwise. These people love to talk from their high horse about sourcing minimalist ingredients locally.

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When fusion power arrives power will be dirt cheap and power savings will be less relevant

upsetter. said:

In an industry typically inundated with "hippies", it seems odd that no one has really brought up the green benefits of cob lighting. I just hear HPS growers saying "fuck it, power is cheap." I think the cost of energy is larger than the $0.12/kwh on my bill. Ive seen crazy estimates about the percentage of grid power that goes to grow ops. I've grown with HPS, but am currently switching all rooms over to cob and installing a grid tie solar array. By doing this I expect to consume about 1/4 of the power I was using before once cooling is factored in, all while yields remain the same. This will cost me significantly more than setting rooms up with de hps, but in this game with margins being what they are it seems pretty irresponsible to not try and look out for the planet.

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Have you actually ran a test harvest with the intended lighting source?

upsetter. said:

Yeah, it'll definitely get cheaper... kind of off topic though. It always seems more expensive to do the right thing... fair trade, sweatshop free, cage free, clean energy etc... unfortunate, but it is the way it is. Ironic to see people gobbling up power at the rate of 30 average US households while touting their organic feeding regime, no-till or otherwise. These people love to talk from their high horse about sourcing minimalist ingredients locally.

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If electricity savings and initial investment are not the topic, then exactly what is the topic?
Besides, *many* growers including myself, have medical permits and grow only for ourselves. We have no profit margin.
Hmm...
So you grow a lot of weed and have high margins? Now why would anyone say such a thing in a public forum?
*sniffs air*
Is that bacon?

Haha, yeah... I'm just saying initial investment is not my topic, it's been covered over and over again. I see plenty of people battling back and forth about how a small increase in yield more than pays the electric bill (an anti led argument I have seen ad nauseum... probably from other cops.) What I am pointing out is that if I don't have to go out and buy my supply at the local dispensary, that is 500+ dollars a month saved... a pretty big profit margin if you ask me. Sure beats growing my tomatoes under cob lighting.

Also keep in mind people live in different places, some places where it is legal according to state law to make a living cultivating. I'm not going into my situation, you can take whatever you will from it. It is also a send up of large commercial facilities that don't switch over. Even if yield were to suffer slightly and initial cost of LEDs is higher, there is still money to be made in these warehouse grows and sometimes the right thing to do is not the cheapest / most profitable thing to do. Our kids are gonna have to inherit this mess someday

Chunky Stool said:

I'm still waiting for COB technology to get cheaper. Standard LED "bulbs" that used to cost $20 are now selling for $5, and I believe the same thing will happen with COBs.

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it already has, and will continue. today $15 chips are as efficient as ones people were buying for $50 a year ago

OneHitDone said:

Have you actually ran a test harvest with the intended lighting source?

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I have not. I feel I have seen enough evidence out there to go all in on my little setup. People like growmau5 and sixstring seem to be doing well enough.

upsetter. said:

try and look out for the planet.

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Do you know that you can triple energy efficacy of your led lamp.

Watercooling with very low Tj (25°-50°C) and up to 85% energy efficacy.
Cheap heat exchangers available everywhere. 300W lamp(15h) can produce 80L of hot water.

I can give you support to buy your individual needs.

You`ll find more info in my contents.

I agree with upsetters initial post. This is why I started my power savings thread. This is a nice sunny day for me.

Unfortunately solar is still out of reach for many who need it. Prices have come down, slightly but efficiency has gone up for top tier panels. Panels produce more power than they did 5 years ago. Seeing as this is true, the cost stays high because the new panels that are the same size now produce more for the sq. footage taken up.
It stinks that to grow, even in a "legal" state, it can not be outside.

MediheaLed said:

I agree with upsetters initial post. This is why I started my power savings thread. This is a nice sunny day for me.
View attachment 3921215
Unfortunately solar is still out of reach for many who need it. Prices have come down, slightly but efficiency has gone up for top tier panels. Panels produce more power than they did 5 years ago. Seeing as this is true, the cost stays high because the new panels that are the same size now produce more for the sq. footage taken up.
It stinks that to grow, even in a "legal" state, it can not be outside.

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This thread probably should have been a post on your thread. It was heartening to see someone using solar and cobs together.

How can we feel good about this and accept the status quo?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-21/as-pot-growing-expands-power-demands-tax-u-s-electricity-grids

"Without design standards or efficient equipment, the facilities in the 23 states where marijuana is legal are responsible for greenhouse-gas emissions almost equal to those of every car, home and business in New Hampshire. While reams of regulations cover everything from tracking individual plants to package labeling to advertising, they lack requirements to reduce energy waste."

MediheaLed said:

I agree with upsetters initial post. This is why I started my power savings thread. This is a nice sunny day for me.
View attachment 3921215
Unfortunately solar is still out of reach for many who need it. Prices have come down, slightly but efficiency has gone up for top tier panels. Panels produce more power than they did 5 years ago. Seeing as this is true, the cost stays high because the new panels that are the same size now produce more for the sq. footage taken up.
It stinks that to grow, even in a "legal" state, it can not be outside.

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We can't even grow without a Med Card in Wa. and it's a legal rec state...
Then it's four plants but you can only possess 4 oz. WTF. or you can be put on a register and grow 8 plants w pot Nazi visitors.. not really "legal" .. There's already a big stress on our power grids and the price is going up..

HydoDan said:

We can't even grow without a Med Card in Wa. and it's a legal rec state...
Then it's four plants but you can only possess 4 oz. WTF. or you can be put on a register and grow 8 plants w pot Nazi visitors.. not really "legal" .. There's already a big stress on our power grids and the price is going up..

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From: http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/Marijuana/MedicalMarijuana/AuthorizationDatabase
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Authorization Database
Medical marijuana patients with a valid authorization form may join the medical marijuana authorization database and receive their medical marijuana recognition card. Joining the authorization database is voluntary and isn't required in order to be a medical marijuana patient unless the patient is under the age of 18. However, the medical marijuana recognition card affords the patient many benefits.

A recognition card holder may

• Purchase products at the medically endorsed retail stores sales-tax free.
• Purchase up to three times the current limits at licensed retail stores with a medical marijuana endorsement.
• Purchase high-THC products–when available.
• Possess six plants and eight ounces of usable marijuana. A healthcare practitioner may authorize additional plants to a maximum of 15; a patient so authorized may possess up to 16 ounces of usable marijuana produced from their plants (see RCW 69.51A.210).
• Participate in a medical marijuana cooperative (see RCW 69.51A.250).
• Have arrest protection (see RCW 69.51A.040).

Chunky Stool said:

From: http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/Marijuana/MedicalMarijuana/AuthorizationDatabase
-----------------------
Authorization Database
Medical marijuana patients with a valid authorization form may join the medical marijuana authorization database and receive their medical marijuana recognition card. Joining the authorization database is voluntary and isn't required in order to be a medical marijuana patient unless the patient is under the age of 18. However, the medical marijuana recognition card affords the patient many benefits.

A recognition card holder may

• Purchase products at the medically endorsed retail stores sales-tax free.
• Purchase up to three times the current limits at licensed retail stores with a medical marijuana endorsement.
• Purchase high-THC products–when available.
• Possess six plants and eight ounces of usable marijuana. A healthcare practitioner may authorize additional plants to a maximum of 15; a patient so authorized may possess up to 16 ounces of usable marijuana produced from their plants (see RCW 69.51A.210).
• Participate in a medical marijuana cooperative (see RCW 69.51A.250).
• Have arrest protection (see RCW 69.51A.040).

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Authorized patients not entered into the database

• Patients and designated providers who hold valid authorizations but aren't entered into the database may purchase only in accordance with the laws and rules for non-patients.
• They will have an affirmative defense to criminal prosecution if they possess no more than four plants and six ounces of usable marijuana.

In my opinion this is entirely unacceptable and I will not conform.. I played their games long enough. I'm an old hippie just living in the woods.. fuck em!

ThaiBaby1 said:

When fusion power arrives power will be dirt cheap and power savings will be less relevant

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when people starting to use their brains rationaly there will be no more wars. as likely happening in our lifetime as your hope for fusion power...

sethimus said:

when people starting to use their brains rationaly there will be no more wars. as likely happening in our lifetime as your hope for fusion power...

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Fusion power is just a few years away...

And always will be.

ttystikk said:

Fusion power is just a few years away...

And always will be.

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Nope, less than 20 yrs