led

[Indican 11,063]

Ok guys thats been using and keeping up with leds, I need a 24 inch by 18 inch saturated with leds. Beachbud recommended one in my thread but figured Id get some opinions. Best brands? Websites? Prices? Any help is appreciated.

[Native Roots 14]

I have zero knowledge or experience with LED grow lights. I have heard and read about Area 51 LED lights. a51led.com/store/

 

 

 

 

edit: kind of sounds like "but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night". Just offering up the website and brand.

I have no affiliation with that company. I know nothing about LED.

Edited March 26, 2014 by Native Roots

[Indican 11,063]

Thats cool dude..im clueless on brands as well. Sunsystems may have strips but i gotta chek em out.

[Malarkey 293]

Yeah dude look for yourself, you didnt specify anything like is it for supplemental purposes size of your room.

[Shoeless 4,338]

Hey Indi. I have a Black Dog 450U that I am very happy with. Pricey, but it does the trick for me. I am growing in a 3.5' W x 2.5' D x 4' H tent so I have good coverage. I could actually fit another light next to it, but am thinking of hanging a small hps. A lot cheaper than a second panel. No complaints on the light, just a cheaper alternative that suit my grow.

Thanks again for the package.

 

www.blackdogled.com

[BalzaSteel 2,136]

you mentioned in Fatrastas thread that you'd like to try some UVb, I think LEDs might just be the best way to do that.

 

after a couple years of researching and shopping I decided I was tired of being lied to, I'll build my own when buying LEDs Caveat Emptor should be your motto, almost as many shady LED sites as shady seed sites.

 

If you do find one you love let me know

 

gee, ain't I a big friggin help eh?

 

Y'all stay safe,

 

BalzOut

 

EDIT: the site Shoeless posted looks good, they actually post the true wattage of their panels , that's usually the first lie they tell ya, prices don't seem more out of line than usual.

[BuurtpoesBledder 93]

after a couple years of researching and shopping I decided I was tired of being lied to, I'll build my own when buying LEDs Caveat Emptor should be your motto, almost as many shady LED sites as shady seed sites.

 

I'm thinking along the same lines, Balzy. I've been looking at them for about a year now and I see a big split between the 'horticultural quality' LED systems out there and the crap that people are buying on AliBaba and reselling at a 100% markup because it's the 'new thing' - especially with the exploding popularity of cabinet and small tent growers. I can buy a batch of Cree, Osram and Luxeon emitters and wire them up for about the same price as one of those pre-assembled Chinese-made junk panels - that might be my fall DIY project. I'm looking at a few circuit diagrams now and saving up some reclaimed cooling fans and power supplies for just such a home-brew.

 

Incidentally, I'm a big fan of camping and hiking - so last summer, I put together a small 'solar generator' for myself so that I could power some of my electronics and small appliances when I'm out and about. It was so successful that I'm going to build a second version with a higher battery storage capacity to use with the LED panel when the time comes - ideally, I'd like to run my next generation cabinet system totally off-grid so it can be tucked into a shed out back in the yard.

 

BB

 

---

 

edit: should have also said: @Indican - I can't speak from personal experience, but I have a buddy who has done pretty well using Blackstar UFOs in large bucket grows - his only issue has been the amount of heat that they generate. I've also read some pretty interesting reports on the Illumitex linear-type fixtures being used in legal medicinal grows - I wish you luck on your quest, sir!

[Indican 11,063]

This seems to be the issue with these leds. I see you guys make your own and I just cant find time to do a search much less build panels. My technical side I left back in the '90s.

 

LEDs have changed dramatically the past couple years. If i dont find something I feel is perfect for my applicaytion Ill go with the t5s, about a 4 tube 24" long. Not really a huge deal but I love the cool looking lights these leds put out. And since Ive already got t5s Im really just wanting new toys. Ive been broke since fuckin christma with prob after prob...now im just about in the red. I thought I owed two grand in taxes but went n redid them last night n getting back $850...thats more fuckin like it! But I think I saw someone on here ppost pics of led strips, maybe sunlight supply? I mayve dreamed that shit...anyway beachbud do u have a link or is your guy email only? The search continues.

[Indican 11,063]

Oh, I guess for those that dont know the size of the light needs to be 24" x 18". Or just 24" strips. Its just in a greenhouse shelf that is 26" x 20" or so. I dont veg more than 3 weeks now so I just want the plants below the light. My seedling tray fits perfectly and my t5s fit perfect. Any 2 foot light whether led, floros, t5s...whatever. Of course I want quality and price does mean something. These lil lights dont cost a fortune so Im not payin a fortune. Id rather spend my real money in my flower room. Thats where the majic happens.

[BuurtpoesBledder 93]

@Indican - I use one of those mini-greenhouses as a cloning/seeding/veg chamber as well, so I know that space is tight and that heat build-up can be a problem as well. I've been using a home-built reflector with 4 x 23W CFLs on it - each one with a switch so I can control light levels as I need.

 

In a space that small, most of the commercial-grade strips and fixtures (like Phillips, Illumitex, etc.) are way too big to fit - they range from 3 feet to 4 feet in length. Phillips does make a drop-type light though - a PAR-type 'bulb' with a built-in reflector that screws into a standard lamp fixture that might suit your needs - also the Blackstar UFO can light up a 2 x 2 growing area, it's low-profile circular 'puck' that packs a pretty mean punch in a small space - that's what a friend uses in his 'bucket grows'.

 

(links are just for samples - you can get product info sheets and the like on the Googles - or DuckDuckGo for more privacy)

 

All the best,

 

BB

[BalzaSteel 2,136]

if you're just using it to veg you don't really need a quality panel, couple of cheap assed ufos with a red:blue of not higher than 3:1 (unless you want your plants to stretch in veg) should be fine, check HTG if you're in the states.

 

Stay safe

 

BalzOut

[Greystone 200]

If your just doing veg go with blu led. Reasonable prices for the same overpriced Chinese panels, but I have one for veg and it works great, plus the warranty keeps you dealing in the states instead of shipping to china. Also you may want to look at kessel lights for veg... Blackstars I've read a lot about but never personally used.

 

If you want something more than a slow veg... California Lightworks and black dog. I like to support American made things so I spent more than I had to.

[urban guerilla 302]

The Hans 65w panels that Damar runs in his diary look quite good and i think they are about $200 so not too expensive.

[Indican 11,063]

Blackdog has been recommended a couple of times. Def checkin it out. The ufos ive seen but look like they direct a little heat which is what I want to avoid..I want nice even coverage which is why Im thinnking just a four tube t5will ne fine. I see links to companies on other sites all the time but really not much info as to how effective they are and I have to see one in action. With t5s I know exactly what Im getting...not that im done looking!!!

[starinhazy 2,938]

I can tell you I am looking into this also and have been centering around http://www.ideal-spectrum-led.com.

 

I think Silver Surfer, an OG member, he is owner or partner or something like that. I have been reviewing his rigs and see his lights in alot of OG threads, its either that or everyone making these homemade systems, builds with same look. Its a simple design and high quality parts. Their kits are pretty basic looking, but they seem to deliver some goods from some members on here.

 

I have also seen some great grows on LED from Barney and Wrecks, and many others on here. I am sure they would respond to a PM from you.....I know I would....My .02, good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Be safe.

 

I personally feel there is alot of "marketing" being baked into some of the panels being sold commercially, dont get me wrong they are using solid components but they are also marking up retail costs, IMO, oh and covering costs maybe for manufacturing standards and sertifications, etc.

 

Right now, I broke down and bought a huge 65w flouro that is supposedly equivalent to an old 200w, (light rig was under $25usd, the new clones kicked out some much larger leaves and seem happier, they previously were sharing only about 45w of undercabinet flouro power....

 

I want an LED and look forward to seeing your progress. I am on the bench for a while as I owe my bank money right now....

[GhostPoet 322]

Starinhazy, I checked the link and it seems interesting, but way beyond my skills to put a working led light together. Any instructables availeble online etc? Thanks.

[starinhazy 2,938]

@ghostpoet - I am not following you. I think they offer pieces but also preassembled kits. Check this link:

 

http://www.ideal-spectrum-led.com/produit/kit-3-spots-croissance-copier/?lang=en

 

or the big mama

 

http://www.ideal-spectrum-led.com/produit/kit-4-spots-floraison-80cm-63w/?lang=en

 

it says plug and play. I am still researching, but this is where I am leaning if/when I find extra $$

[GhostPoet 322]

Ah well, thanks. Seems quite pricey for such low wattage. But interesting concept. I'll research that site a bit more now.

[Malarkey 293]

[shiskaberry savior 1,249]

I've said this before and I'll say it again !!

Have a look at using surface mounted vehicle lighting (like the grill lights in cop cars or fire trucks tons of options new wide optics are great for lighting a larger area and used lights like this are cheap! Most surface mount heads are min of 3 LEDs and increase from there New lights are built using 5 watt LEDs x6 =30 watts per head @ roughly 40.00 dollars per light using less than 1/2 a amp per light !

 

My veg box consists of 3 light heads with 9 LEDs in each light plus 3 other light heads with 4 LEDs in them all lights are rated at 3 watts per led so total wattage is 39 x3 = 117 watts mixed red and blue one small comp fan all mounted to the lid of a action locker tub !

 

You ask would these lights work for veg lights ? Well if my plants could talk they'd say yes!! My last mom that had been vegging in there since last sept put into bud jan 26 loved it filled the 65 litre tub completely who needs a scrog net lol.So for 240.00 plus a 5 amp dc power supply 15.00 dollar tub 6.00 fan 40.00 power supply total 300.00 investment pretty cheap to get your feet wet with LEDs,nice thing is you can always add more led heads as required.And if your not happy you can mount them in your car and pull people over and check them for weed lol!!! Shiska

 

Nice thing about my setup no heat to speak of in fact for the first few weeks I never ran the fan just to get the seedlings to start it worked great!

48" inch light stick with 8LED heads with six 5 watt LEDs in each head producing 9500 lumuns isn't too shabby !!

[BeachBud 7,927]

Ah well, thanks. Seems quite pricey for such low wattage. But interesting concept. I'll research that site a bit more now.

 

This is where many folks get hung up when considering led's. You should not think more watts are better and you cannot effectively compare them to other forms of lighting and the wattage's they use.

 

The 22.5 watt units that ISLED sold me are perfect for the area they are meant to illuminate. I have used these with much success and can assure you they are plenty bright. As for the price, you get what you pay for and in ISLED's case you get the highest quality components backed up by extensive research and very accommodating customer service. I won't look anywhere else in the future.

[Malarkey 293]

Couldn't of been said better Ghostpoet is coming to conclusion without even looking at it.

using a 50cm kit 28W old version. They're good aren't they.

 

[BalzaSteel 2,136]

Beach bud is bang on, LEDs run on amperage rather than wattage, and the same unit can emit LESS light with more wattage because LEDs become less efficient as they get warmer producing more heat and less light.

 

Stay Safe

 

BalzOut

[Guest Soi]

I like led, I I have seen many different panel, and a good pricing, I have also discussed light penetration with couple of friend, bud quality was very good,

 

Main thing is light penetration, do grow and creat a plant like hd do? Big question

I suppose comes down to your growing technique, do you flower cuttings with light low, or medium sized plant and the extreme plants etc

 

These growing technique effect what u can do...

Personally I like hd technique esko has made a brilliant thread how to flood hydro, sums it up. Pretty much all you need to know with out any bullshit. What he said was spot on.

 

I love the led talk,,, and the debate will continue ....

All the best

[DreamOfGreen 1,916]

if all you're using them for is veg. i'd consider looking at ones on amazon. no clue what brands to avoid and what ones are worth a poop. their are deals for multiple led lights that are intriguing. makes it very economical.

 

that ideal spectrum is interesting looking but way overpriced for the low wattage they are.