LED lights for indoor growing.

[Poink88]

Recently, there are leaps in LED technology which is resulting in better lights and cheaper prices. My local Costco was even offering Snap-On shop lights for cheap (Snap On portable LED Work Light 52 LEDs 1600 Lumens 6500k brightness 32 Watts)! Anyone know how well these LED lights be for indoor growing?

My current set-up is using T8 lights and while sufficient, I feel I need to bump it up for the plants to really thrive. The LED (being compact) would be nice at the sides if they will work.

Thoughts (pro and con) appreciated. Thanks!

 

[dkraft81]

I was wondering the same thing recently. I have no clue though, I tried to Google it, but like many things on the internet I found it to be as clear as mud.

 

[Poink88]

Just added this on the OP

Snap On portable LED Work Light
52 LEDs 1600 Lumens 6500k brightness 32 Watts

Looks promising w/ 6500K spectrum (same as my T8 bulbs) actually.

 

[coh]

How expensive are the lights? You might just have to buy a few and do some testing.

Chris

 

[Poink88]

How expensive are the lights?

If I recall correctly, less than $50 each. Really reasonable I think.

 

[Jason_mazzy]

I have been trying to get ahold of this guy: http://ultraledlights.com/full_spectrum_grow_light.htm

 

[Poink88]

Jason,

Those are expensive!

At those prices, I'll add a few T8 instead...they only cost about $30 per 4 foot 2 tube setup. Adding 4 to my current set-up should take care of it.

 

[Jason_mazzy]

supposed to be more light than a mercury HID or halo

 

[edprocoat]

The definite bonus to an LED light would be the less wattage needed and the lifespan of LED's, you could run them with less energy cost and they far outlast any bulb. Another bonus? or what could be a drawback in some instances is the fact that an LED produces less heat than regular bulbs while producing as much light spectrum, used for a growth light they would supply ample light but in a situation where warmth is needed the drawback would be less heat. I bought a worklight tube last year from Home Depot that had a 50 LED array and my plants loved it, this fall I noticed that on a 28 degree day the temperature inside the insulated boxed in area beneath my bench was only 36 degrees ! I added a 40 watt, soon to be banned, regular light bulb inside the box and the temps soared to 89 degrees.

ed

 

[Poink88]

Ed, you hit it on the head. I actually need the heat in my garage and the T8 seem to hold the temp there always around 60s even when the temp outside it at 20s. it is pretty sealed and my garage doors are also insulated.

I also have my plants in a rack/shelving so can't fully utilize a LED panel as being sold to the fullest. The long tubes work well in my case. I may still get some cheaper LED to compensate what I have now.

 

[davetree]

I have been trying to get ahold of this guy: http://ultraledlights.com/full_spectrum_grow_light.htm

This guy is lying when he says 36 watts of LED lighting is equivalent to 600 watts of HID lighting. It's equivalent to about 80 watts of HID lighting. There are good LED lights now, but the best ones use high power LEDs, like 3 or 5 watts for each LED.

 

[Wee]

Dario.....This one may be a better deal.....?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DesignerEdg...043?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecb938bcb

Brian

 

[Poink88]

Dario.....This one may be a better deal.....?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DesignerEdg...043?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecb938bcb

Brian

Brian, nope, it is only 350 lumens vs 1600 lumens on the Snap-On for just a few dollars more. Thanks anyway.

 

[Wee]

I didn't even pay attention to that...I just figured more led's = more light.

I have been looking for a low watt exterior flood light for my shed....I think led will be the way to go....I'll keep the lumens in mind.

Brian

 

[Poink88]

Here is the one I saw at Costco for less than $50. It is small but sure is bright. Even with the full lights in the store/warehouse, it was blinding when I turned it on.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251410092976?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[Beng]

Not to hijak your thread but if anyones interested i have two excellent black outside metal halide light setups I no longer need. They were well over $450 each. I'd be willing to part with either of them for 250 each. They both take 250 or 400 watt lights. I have one 250 and one 400 watt light. PM me if intersted.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

You can't beat this in terms of bang for your buck, but you'll need some electronics know how in order to hook it up to a CPU cool. An added bonus is that it is all near chlorophyl a and B ' peak for photo reactiveness. Get a similar red setup and maybe a white for good measure and you'd have enough light to grow some pines indoors.

http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drop-shipping-100W-LED-Blue-High-Power-5600LM-LED-Lamp-SMD-Chips-Free-Shipping-/261321759387?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cd7fd9a9b&vxp=mtr

 

[Jason_mazzy]

This guy is lying when he says 36 watts of LED lighting is equivalent to 600 watts of HID lighting. It's equivalent to about 80 watts of HID lighting. There are good LED lights now, but the best ones use high power LEDs, like 3 or 5 watts for each LED.

where did you find this was 36 watts? I only saw 575 l.e.d.s including UV

 

[davetree]

where did you find this was 36 watts? I only saw 575 l.e.d.s including UV

On the link you gave one his products is a 36 watt light. He states it is the equivalent to a 600 watt HID lamp. He doesn't give wattage for the other products, which is suspicious. The lower watt LEDs do not have very good light penetration.

 

[davetree]

The "full spectrum led grow light"