power usage/ thermal imaging question

[honda5150]

i know that my power bill will be going up quite a bit, but my question is will it be a red flag for the power company ( southern ca edison)? i am running 2 x 1000 watt lights 24 /7, but going to 18/6 this week. i hear the ghetto bird above all the time and also want to know if they can see heat from my house with thermal imaging? I hear this is common to use now to bust people? i am in the law in my state with under 24 plants for the 2 of us here in the house, but wanted to know anyway. any thoughts on this? also, does mylar on the ceiling prevent this? i have the walls covered in mylar but not the ceiling?

 

[trichlone fiend]

...run your lights during the daylight hours while your roof is fire hot ...fuck'em all up.
...mylar reflect light, that's about it. I don't know of any antidetection foils that really work...someone else maybe able to help ya on that...I just aircool.

 

[Defcon9]

From what I understand about thermal imaging, it depends on what they are using. If they are using the older technology then they can only see the heat escaping from the house, but the newer technology then they can see into the house and yes they can see it. No Mylar will not help as it is not a thermal barrier. There are different product on the market to help you though. I can't remember the name, but there are a lot of wall coverings that will trap the heat and block the ghetto bird above. As far as 2 X 1000W lights that is a alot of power draw, I know the general rule of thumb for not getting caught is no more than 1 X 1000W light. I can reccomend you to switch to LED lights. I've switched over to LEDs and yes they do work well. I use 1 X 120W and 1X 300W lights from a Canadian company called glow Dyynamics. I'm very happy with them but think the quad band LEDs would be better. If gogin with the LEDs get the quad band lights if you can they are better. I got these because I live in Canada and don't like shipping big products like that over the border, I just don't trust those that run the country. Also get at least the 1W LEDs as they are better unless you can afford to get the 2W version. I would really recomend the Stealth Grow 600W LEDs. They look extremelly impressive, but they are extremelly $$$. They give you 600W of LED power consuming 385W of power. That is like both your lights combined. The theory is that the HPS lights give only 30% usable light and 70% wasted light where the LEDs give 100% usable light allowing you to use less power with similar results. My 120W I put up againt my friends 400W HPS and I can get a larger harvest, My 300W is crazy and his 400W HPS can't hold a candle to it. If you switch lets say to either 2 X 300W LEDs which equvalent to your 2 X 1000W lights you save 1400W of power consumption. Well under the radar and 90% less heat. Don't buy the cheap LEDs though you will be disapointed, make sure they are good quality. The 600W stealth grow solves the penetration problem people complain about using LEDs but the 300W (1w bulbs) work great. even if you get a lower yield they money you save on power and the safety you gain can be worth it.

Hope this helps you a bit. Good Luck Happy growing.

 

[honda5150]

awesome Defcon9, really appreciate you spending the time to respond with such goos insight & feedback, i wasnt expecting this type of response, thank you. I have heard that LED is the new way to go, and really produces well on yield. The thing is for me is i just spent over $1200 to get everything for this `1st grow, im totally new to this but i spend alot of time researching & learning so i pick it up quick. So, as far as the LED that are comparable to mine now you say are the 2x 300w led's how much would that cost me? I will be able to get this new led set up after this 1st harvest hopefully. Like i said, i am within in the law here, i live in huntington beach california so the technology for cops is sick, they have all the new stuff. I just dont want the attention legal or not. I will look into those lights for sure, what brand do you recommend? lol, i dont trust my country either shipping over the border, nor do i trust my own government, corrupt bitches! lol. i will reseach american companies, but let me know if you know any good ones. thanks again for the help, i will post some pics of my set up for you today. i am going to add you as a friend if you dont mind. cheers my fellow canuck!

From what I understand about thermal imaging, it depends on what they are using. If they are using the older technology then they can only see the heat escaping from the house, but the newer technology then they can see into the house and yes they can see it. No Mylar will not help as it is not a thermal barrier. There are different product on the market to help you though. I can't remember the name, but there are a lot of wall coverings that will trap the heat and block the ghetto bird above. As far as 2 X 1000W lights that is a alot of power draw, I know the general rule of thumb for not getting caught is no more than 1 X 1000W light. I can reccomend you to switch to LED lights. I've switched over to LEDs and yes they do work well. I use 1 X 120W and 1X 300W lights from a Canadian company called glow Dyynamics. I'm very happy with them but think the quad band LEDs would be better. If gogin with the LEDs get the quad band lights if you can they are better. I got these because I live in Canada and don't like shipping big products like that over the border, I just don't trust those that run the country. Also get at least the 1W LEDs as they are better unless you can afford to get the 2W version. I would really recomend the Stealth Grow 600W LEDs. They look extremelly impressive, but they are extremelly $$$. They give you 600W of LED power consuming 385W of power. That is like both your lights combined. The theory is that the HPS lights give only 30% usable light and 70% wasted light where the LEDs give 100% usable light allowing you to use less power with similar results. My 120W I put up againt my friends 400W HPS and I can get a larger harvest, My 300W is crazy and his 400W HPS can't hold a candle to it. If you switch lets say to either 2 X 300W LEDs which equvalent to your 2 X 1000W lights you save 1400W of power consumption. Well under the radar and 90% less heat. Don't buy the cheap LEDs though you will be disapointed, make sure they are good quality. The 600W stealth grow solves the penetration problem people complain about using LEDs but the 300W (1w bulbs) work great. even if you get a lower yield they money you save on power and the safety you gain can be worth it.

Hope this helps you a bit. Good Luck Happy growing.

 

[honda5150]

hahahha, no shit hah! cool, thanks bud

...run your lights during the daylight hours while your roof is fire hot ...fuck'em all up.
...mylar reflect light, that's about it. I don't know of any antidetection foils that really work...someone else maybe able to help ya on that...I just aircool.

 

[dnkfrmthasoilz7]

Look no one is going to get in to trouble by thermal imaging they cannot get a warrant for light spots in your roof that is if you are in america of course the uk is a different story. also you live in so cal every other house has at least 4000w running so unless your are running 20,000w you are just one of the people there not going to bother fucking with. - DNK

 

[autoflowa]

Look no one is going to get in to trouble by thermal imaging they cannot get a warrant for light spots in your roof that is if you are in america of course the uk is a different story. also you live in so cal every other house has at least 4000w running so unless your are running 20,000w you are just one of the people there not going to bother fucking with. - DNK

they actually do use this . i know for a FACT. spike tv has a show called DEA and they go around raiding dealers. last weeks episode they used the helicopter with thermal imaging to target this particular grower cus he had heat coming from his house. the grow was done in his basement OK? so ya dude there is a risk.. dude had crazy plants almost ready for harvest he was pissed!

 

[rs444]

Dont know about USA, but in the UK the cops do fly overs all the time with thermal imaging systems that they either own or have borrowed from electricity companies (since they getting fucked too when people stealing their juice) and they are able to organize warrants just because of a little bit of shitty heat.

I have heard you can get various types of insulation that will keep most of the heat in the house, or best way pal is to try and keep your shit cool.

Good Growing.

 

[autoflowa]

they actually do use this . i know for a FACT. spike tv has a show called DEA and they go around raiding dealers. last weeks episode they used the helicopter with thermal imaging to target this particular grower cus he had heat coming from his house. the grow was done in his basement OK? so ya dude there is a risk.. dude had crazy plants almost ready for harvest he was pissed!

they definitely use this method in the USA this was Detroit MI USA

 

[goten]

they actually do use this . i know for a FACT. spike tv has a show called DEA and they go around raiding dealers. last weeks episode they used the helicopter with thermal imaging to target this particular grower cus he had heat coming from his house. the grow was done in his basement OK? so ya dude there is a risk.. dude had crazy plants almost ready for harvest he was pissed!

fuck man , iv seen that dea show on my guide but never watched it

now i will !

im gonna have to start paying more attention to wtf their doing to cover my ass !

i grow with cfl`s so i should be ok due to the fact that they dont put that much heat out

but then again who knows ........

 

[honda5150]

I dont know that i feel any better about it, but as long as i am within the law of 24 plants for 2 people i am fine from what i read on sb420. 12 plants each & no more than 6 of those in flowering stage.

 

[green.budz]

ca law is 6 mature plants 6 young .

 

[Defcon9]

I really like the product put out from Stealth Grow (Advanced Nutrients sub company). I use lights from a Canadian company called Glowdynamics. The main thing to look at is to make sure the drivers for the LEDs are made in the USA. The drivers from china are cheap and low quality. the US made stuff is more expensive, but you get what you pay for. They say that a 300W LED is equivilant to a 1000W HPS. Again make sure you get at least 1W LED bulbs or you will have a lot of penetration issues. I paid $800 CDN for my 300W, I know the stealth grow product was expensive I think $1600 for their 300W and $2500 for their 600W. I got mine right from the manufacturer and I know when they were distributing through stores they were $1200 not $800. HPS is a much, much cheaper way to go. I'll try to find out who is making the thermal imigaing blocking stuff. I know I have it written down somewhere.

I believe as far as american law is concerned, they can not use the new technology to lookinto your house, but all that really means is they can not use it in court, what is to stop the cops from using it to look in and then find other excuses. here in Canada they allow the cops to use the infrared to do as they please.

 

[autoflowa]

fuck man , iv seen that dea show on my guide but never watched it

now i will !

im gonna have to start paying more attention to wtf their doing to cover my ass !

i grow with cfl`s so i should be ok due to the fact that they dont put that much heat out

but then again who knows ........

ya its definitely cool to see how everything goes down, that was the first weed bust ive seen on it, its mostly coke, crack and heroin dealers lol

 

[tip top toker]

they actually do use this . i know for a FACT. spike tv has a show called DEA and they go around raiding dealers. last weeks episode they used the helicopter with thermal imaging to target this particular grower cus he had heat coming from his house. the grow was done in his basement OK? so ya dude there is a risk.. dude had crazy plants almost ready for harvest he was pissed!

It is pretty much impossible to obtain a warrant on a heat signature alone. There are 1001 legal explanations as to why you mmight have a hot area of your house, such as an electric radiator..

 

[wiseguy316]

if you are doing this in a garage that doesn't have insulation over it(like most) it will glow in the dark from a ir detection. As far as the DEA show every house they looked at was already busted,,they already knew. Had enough to obtain a warrant already to look at the house with IR. Stay with in you plant limits and pay your power bill, you will be fine.

 

[autoflowa]

It is pretty much impossible to obtain a warrant on a heat signature alone. There are 1001 legal explanations as to why you mmight have a hot area of your house, such as an electric radiator..

his house was glowing like a fuckin nuclear power plant, well they scanned the house due to informant, dude im not lying.. why would i lie??? i'll try and find a link for it give a minute.. they said if they had enough time theyd scan the whole city obviously its easier if they get a tip-off

 

[autoflowa]

http://www.spike.com/full-episode/marijuana-grow-house/27490

click on this link heres the episode im talkin about

dont waste your time fast forwarding it, theres a timeline just click on the one that says SECRET WEAPON THERMAL IMAGING TO MAKE A BUST

BASICALLY THEY FOUND OUT FROM AN INFORMANT BUT BOTTOM LINE IS THEY DO USE THIS TECHNOLOGY

WAIT TO YOU SEE HOW MUCH WEED THEY STUFF INTO THE GARBAGE BAGS LOL THEN THE MAILMAN WALKS BY LAUGHIN ASKIN WHERE THE PARTY AT LMAO

 

[tip top toker]

The video is not available in my country.

"The agents use thermal imaging to target a sophisticated marijuana grow house and mount a daring plan to put it out of commission."

But that alone tells you there was more to it than a camera. They use the camera to identify the targetss and then as the description states, they then mount and investigation to obtain enough evidence to get a warrant.

Else someone somewhere would be fucking the cops off by running around the country settling up "heat signatures" and running the police budget dry

 

[autoflowa]

Else someone somewhere would be fucking the cops off by running around the country settling up "heat signatures" and running the police budget dry

obviously ..