Solar Storm 400 GFP

Forum ONLY for California Lightworks Grower Feedback Program
Post a reply
82 posts • Page 4 of 9 • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 9

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby SisterMaryElephant » Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:57 am

rkymtnman wrote:I think the best part is that there is not the wasted spectrum of HID. HPS produces a lot of useless spectrum. The LED is dialed in to the spectrums that the plant uses.


I'm not sure that's entirely accurate but I guess it depends on what spectra you think is wasted. It wasn't that long ago that people thought that plants didn't use green light but now we know they do, just not as much as they use blue and red. I think the PAR measurement is more LED hype than usable fact. If LED only provides usable light then why don't they yield as much as (or more than) large HID lights?

When smaller LED lights can truly compete with larger HID lights, perhaps I'll change my mind but, so far, they can't even keep up with HID running watt for watt.


Also, I'm not sure that marijuana is part of the weed family. I think some people just call it "weed" because it kind of grows like a weed but it's really closer to Hops, which is also not a weed IIRC. ;)
Disclaimer:
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
SisterMaryElephant
 
Posts: 2633
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:05 pm

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby rkymtnman » Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:18 pm

SME, the weed reference is more to how fast it grows and the multitude of conditions it can grow in. from high elevation to sea level and from the equator to alaska. but yeah, my neighbor grows hops and it is very similar. now i need to figure out how to hop my IPA with my ganja and i'll be set. LOL.

i know you are a big HID fan but HPS bulbs weren't designed for horticulture (and MH too). but they do throw out gobs of what the plant needs. LED can be fine tuned to exact Nm which the technical side of me thinks is really cool. but the HID vs LED vs Plasma vs what ever is next will be an argyment nobody can win. personal preference. like you said, there is no right way to grow.
rkymtnman
 
Posts: 475
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 10:13 am

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby SisterMaryElephant » Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:40 pm

I think the nickname "weed" came from when America used to grow hemp and it was transported by railroad. During shipment the seeds would fall out along the railroad tracks and grow...like weeds. ;) There are people that make cannabis beer so it should be possible. :D

I'm only a fan because they produce the results, if LED could truly keep up or surpass HID then I'd switch in a heartbeat and so would millions of other growers. The original HID bulbs weren't designed for horticulture (but they have since been tuned for growing) but neither were LED diodes. My point is there is no known "exact" Nm spectra needed, that knowledge is still evolving.

I'll put it a different way; why do HID lights yield more if LED lights only give what is needed and HID wastes so much?
Disclaimer:
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
SisterMaryElephant
 
Posts: 2633
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:05 pm

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby rkymtnman » Sun Jun 16, 2013 1:57 pm

Well SME, HID yields more quite simply. In the words of Ron Jeremy, "penetration" is the key. I think it's intensity that is the reason. These 5 W diodes are a step in the right direction. But I think in 5 yrs when there are 19 W diodes (or whatever), the penetration levels will be on par with HID and then it will more like comparing apples to apples.

But If I was growing for a living, I'd have so many HPS watts it would blow your mind. In my situation, where I would have needed to upgrade to air-cooled hoods, new bulbs and maybe an A/C, the cost of this LED isn't much different from where I would have been at with HID. And come on SME, the purple glow is REALLY cool!!!!!!
rkymtnman
 
Posts: 475
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 10:13 am

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby SisterMaryElephant » Sun Jun 16, 2013 2:24 pm

rkymtnman wrote:Well SME, HID yields more quite simply. In the words of Ron Jeremy, "penetration" is the key. I think it's intensity that is the reason. These 5 W diodes are a step in the right direction. But I think in 5 yrs when there are 19 W diodes (or whatever), the penetration levels will be on par with HID and then it will more like comparing apples to apples.

I've been saying that, here, for nearly 2 years but LED propaganda says they're competitive or superior now which isn't backed up by reality. ;)

But If I was growing for a living, I'd have so many HPS watts it would blow your mind. In my situation, where I would have needed to upgrade to air-cooled hoods, new bulbs and maybe an A/C, the cost of this LED isn't much different from where I would have been at with HID. And come on SME, the purple glow is REALLY cool!!!!!!

You'd be surprised how few KW you'd need to make a decent living growing and I've done the cost/benefit analysis but LED is still more expensive even if you factor in bulb changes, cooling, electricity and fans. Prices will eventually come down like they did with HID after it got popular but it's still not cheaper compared to 1000w HPS lights. :D


That's my story and I'm sticking to it... :lol:
Disclaimer:
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
SisterMaryElephant
 
Posts: 2633
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:05 pm

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby rkymtnman » Sun Jun 16, 2013 2:53 pm

I'm with ya SME.

My ultimate room would be like 8x8 with a few 1000 w hps hung vertically with a split A/C unit keeping it cool. And a bunch of 6 foot tall trees that would be encrusted in a trichome forest of happiness...................

I just was at the pt where i was looking at 400 to 500 to complete my HID setup. So the price difference isn't much. But maybe my ROI will be a bit sooner than most. And I liked how George put these units together. He wants LED"s to become viable for some growers who want it.
rkymtnman
 
Posts: 475
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 10:13 am

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby SisterMaryElephant » Sun Jun 16, 2013 3:59 pm

8x8 would run 4KW but it'd be better to use 2 4x8 areas so you can split the load during the 12/12 cycles. That should yield 4-8 pounds per harvest, depending on experience, genetics, etc. It could be even more than that, for exceptionally good scenarios.

There's no doubt that LED lights not only work, they even do better than florescent lights but they're not king of the hill yet, despite marking hype. I've seen the CLW products up close and personal and, I agree, they are well made and George is a nice guy too.
Disclaimer:
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
SisterMaryElephant
 
Posts: 2633
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:05 pm

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby rkymtnman » Sun Jun 16, 2013 5:01 pm

oh no, dont' get me wrong, SME. HID is the shiznit. LED is close if not very close. for me with what I needed to do, LED fit the bill and I wanted to see what I could get.

I was looking at this bill:
2 6 inch air cooled 130 per
2 new CMH bulbs 50 per
1 window A?C 100
total: 460

My goal is about 6oz per harvest. with a 6 plant max. I want to do it with 3 plants. I just found my last strain that does well. So my next grow will be 3 plants of the same strain. Much better control. but i'm LED all the way at this point
rkymtnman
 
Posts: 475
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 10:13 am

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby SisterMaryElephant » Sun Jun 16, 2013 5:14 pm

6oz (180g) per harvest should be easily attained with LED. Even one SS400w (or equivalent) should be able to do more than that once dialed in. It might not be the biggest/most dense flowers ever but it should still be pretty good quality. One of my new clients (no real grow experience) just pulled 600g from a 1000w HPS which isn't great but it shows how relatively easy 6oz should be. ;)
Disclaimer:
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
SisterMaryElephant
 
Posts: 2633
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:05 pm

Re: Solar Storm 400 GFP

Postby rkymtnman » Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:59 am

I hope my goal will be pretty easy to achieve. This LED is the last piece of the puzzle. And now I have my CMH's for vegging and keeping a perpetual grow going.

I'll have more pix up on Wed. Will be the end of the 5th week of 12/12
rkymtnman
 
Posts: 475
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 10:13 am
PreviousNext
Post a reply
82 posts • Page 4 of 9 • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 9

Return to California Lightworks

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


ABOUT LED GROW LIGHT FORUM


LED Grow Light forum is an independent forum for indoor horticulture enthusiasts using LED technology to collaborate, share tips and tricks and post their own grow light reviews and journals. Since LED technology for indoor growing is relatively new, this forum is designed to provide a candid communication realm outside the marketing and sales hype disseminated by LED grow light companies. Whether you are new to LED grow lights or a seasoned guru, you will find very useful information in the posts within this forum. Everyone is welcome to join and participate in the discussions.

LED Grow Light Forum