Old skool here, need help finding right information on led ! Please help !

getogrow

Well-Known Member
I Thought that the bar/strip style LED lights took over the quantum boards?
They did to certain people like me. QB's are too compact and hot comparing to strip style lights. (You can run them with lower power for less heat, thats the best way to do any leds. less power and more strips/boards.)

Me too ! That's why I'm finding out everything I can, newer doesn't mean better so research and questioning the right people !
lm301b or newer are the best diodes out there for the price. Any light using genuine diodes is going to be great. (they are all close to the same with some differences in the way they are built/materials used.)

650 watt strip lights are your best bet for coverage. most of them are about 107cm x 107cm so perfect for a 4x4' area.

With these lm301 diodes , you can expect 500 actual watts to EASILY replace a 1k hps fixture, with WAY better spread. I speak from experience.
Just a note: Keep your new leds very high and dim them until you are used to the difference. Dont put too much thought into the spectrum...3k 3500k and 4k will all work great for flower. Its kinda a preference at that point.

mejui 650 watt f8 lights from china. half the price of most companies,
 

Original StinkyG

Well-Known Member
They did to certain people like me. QB's are too compact and hot comparing to strip style lights. (You can run them with lower power for less heat, thats the best way to do any leds. less power and more strips/boards.)


lm301b or newer are the best diodes out there for the price. Any light using genuine diodes is going to be great. (they are all close to the same with some differences in the way they are built/materials used.)

650 watt strip lights are your best bet for coverage. most of them are about 107cm x 107cm so perfect for a 4x4' area.

With these lm301 diodes , you can expect 500 actual watts to EASILY replace a 1k hps fixture, with WAY better spread. I speak from experience.
Just a note: Keep your new leds very high and dim them until you are used to the difference. Dont put too much thought into the spectrum...3k 3500k and 4k will all work great for flower. Its kinda a preference at that point.

mejui 650 watt f8 lights from china. half the price of most companies,
Thanks, I was thinking the same but like to hear from people such as yourself who are doing it and used various lighting solutions !
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
If heat or power are not an issue a 1000 watt HPS for a 4 x 4 is a very good light. I'm biased because I have cheap electricity and can control the heat for all but 2-3 months out of the year when I can just grow outdoors.

I also like the HPS because with a sealed hood I can let the plants get closer to the light and use more of the vertical space in the tent. I'll move to LED eventually but for now the upfront costs aggravate any rational financial decision to switch over. Different growers have different situations. I penciled it out and it didn't make financial sense to tie up my money for 3-4 years for the lights to pay for themselves when that money could be used more effectively to increase my wealth.

If I lived in Hawaii or someplace where electricity and heat are more of a concern I would already be rocking the best LED money could buy.

:peace:
 

getogrow

Well-Known Member
Thanks, I was thinking the same but like to hear from people such as yourself who are doing it and used various lighting solutions !
i skipped the whole cfl stage but have used everything else in my years. led strips have made veg super efficient. Im kinda just starting with flowering with leds. im only using 25watts a sq/ft and doing the same or better then the hps with a WAY better spread.
 

getogrow

Well-Known Member
If heat or power are not an issue a 1000 watt HPS for a 4 x 4 is a very good light. I'm biased because I have cheap electricity and can control the heat for all but 2-3 months out of the year when I can just grow outdoors.

I also like the HPS because with a sealed hood I can let the plants get closer to the light and use more of the vertical space in the tent. I'll move to LED eventually but for now the upfront costs aggravate any rational financial decision to switch over. Different growers have different situations. I penciled it out and it didn't make financial sense to tie up my money for 3-4 years for the lights to pay for themselves when that money could be used more effectively to increase my wealth.

If I lived in Hawaii or someplace where electricity and heat are more of a concern I would already be rocking the best LED money could buy.

:peace:
And for that exact reason we have not fully switched yet. My opinion is that they will pay for themselves fast enough to justify the spending but if a low cost setup is what your looking for then hps still cant be beat.
It will take me roughly 30 months to call my lights "free" if we are only considering light watts.
 

Original StinkyG

Well-Known Member
i skipped the whole cfl stage but have used everything else in my years. led strips have made veg super efficient. Im kinda just starting with flowering with leds. im only using 25watts a sq/ft and doing the same or better then the hps with a WAY better spread.
that's interesting, better footprint than hps is good !
 

Original StinkyG

Well-Known Member
If heat or power are not an issue a 1000 watt HPS for a 4 x 4 is a very good light. I'm biased because I have cheap electricity and can control the heat for all but 2-3 months out of the year when I can just grow outdoors.

I also like the HPS because with a sealed hood I can let the plants get closer to the light and use more of the vertical space in the tent. I'll move to LED eventually but for now the upfront costs aggravate any rational financial decision to switch over. Different growers have different situations. I penciled it out and it didn't make financial sense to tie up my money for 3-4 years for the lights to pay for themselves when that money could be used more effectively to increase my wealth.

If I lived in Hawaii or someplace where electricity and heat are more of a concern I would already be rocking the best LED money could buy.

:peace:
I'm running 600's as is ! 1000w are too hot for me and without aircooling too far away for my
Liking, I have mates run them but in 5x5 or using light movers. I just never wanted to make that leap when 600's have treated me well !
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
I'm running 600's as is ! 1000w are too hot for me and without aircooling too far away for my
Liking, I have mates run them but in 5x5 or using light movers. I just never wanted to make that leap when 600's have treated me well !
A 600 watt HPS will keep you in weed. Quality weed. That's what I'm rolling with. It might not be the latest technology and it might have it's problems heat and energy cost wise. But if those factors are not a problem then you can grow enough top shelf fire with a 600 watt to keep most people drowning in all the weed they need.
 

Original StinkyG

Well-Known Member
A 600 watt HPS will keep you in weed. Quality weed. That's what I'm rolling with. It might not be the latest technology and it might have it's problems heat and energy cost wise. But if those factors are not a problem then you can grow enough top shelf fire with a 600 watt to keep most people drowning in all the weed they need.
of course, my first light was a resin venture 600w that stunk when hot. WOw, grew me a few lots of bud though.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Used digital since 2008 though
All that really matters is that you've been growing weed. What kind of light is irrelevant.

The end result is what matters and you can get to a successful finish with different lighting options. I understand the efficiency factor with LED's. I also know that an HID will kick out some solid product and they should not be overlooked for an inexpensive entry into growing some good cannabis. It depends on a variety of factors as to which lighting solution is the best choice for different growers and their particular environment and situation.

:peace:
 
Top