3x1000w Led In 4x8x6.5 Grow Tent .. Too Much Light (flower) ??

[Dixi Normous]

8 plants
Drip system
4x8x6.5 grow tent
3 x 1000W LED
8" exhaust fan with charcoal filter

The above system has been problematic, so in an effort to improve it I'm wondering if 3x1000W LED is too much light ??

Much of what Ive read suggests 50W/sqf is ideal, which suggests 2x1000W should be more than enough for flower

 

[Dan789]

So these I’m assuming are manufacturers claims for wattage or equivalence, not actual draw (amperage) from a wall receptacle. I've got two 1200 King plus fixtures inside one 4x4 tent right now, (these each draw about 220 watts each).(Wattage is the result of a calculation where the product of the voltage X the current or amperage X something called power factor.)(IE 120 volts X 10 amps =1200 watts (ignoring for the moment power factor).

 

[DGP]

Yeah, the manufactures claims in their specs are so hard to interprete and often just seem arbitrary. I use a 12 COB light for a 4X4 flower space and it draws 750 watts out of the wall (true power). I use it to replace a 1K HPS and I am getting slightly more light intensity.

I think 3K is a lot of light for your space assuming that is true out of the wall power.

D

 

[Irietime]

What is the make of the led?

 

[DGP]

My own build. Used luminous 50v 65w COBS with mean well drivers.

 

[Dixi Normous]

Seems my problem may be too little light then

They were advertised as:

BOSSLED 1000W LED Grow Light Full Spectrum For Hydroponic Indoor Plants flower

Model: 1000WDC

• LED Type: Double 5W Epistar LED
• LED quantity: 100PCS
• Dimension: 310*210*60 mm
• Product Weight: 2.9kg(6.4lbs)
• Input Voltage(V): AC85V-265V
• Frequency: 50-60Hz
• Actual Power Consumption: 185W±10%
• Working Lifetime: >20,000 Hrs
• Plug Type： AU , EU , JP , UK , US-Type
• Surface Material: Anti-oxidation aluminum
• Warranty: 2 years
• Certification: CE, RoHS
• For: Ideal for all phases of Indoor plant growth, and works well with water solution culture and soil culture.

Based on that information .. what actual amperage are they most likely ?

 

[Dan789]

185 (watts)/120 (voltage)=1.5 amps per fixture

 

[ZXC]

What you really need is a quantum PAR meter: power consumption really doesn't give you too much information . Obtain one, rent or buy, and take readings from the canopy in multiple locations all across the canopy. This way you can map out the radiation reaching your gals, and adjust from there.
hth,
- ZXC

 

[BombBP]

I'm getting some strange calculations when trying to figure up your amps. Those 5w epistar are 15-20vdc each. It says you have 100 so you'd only need 90 to 120ma or .09 to .12 amps to get close to 185w. 15-20vdc x 100 = 1500-2000vdc. I'd love to see the driver. It is 2am also so I could be screwing something up.

 

[BombBP]

My strange calculations were from the wrong specs posted on the first site i looked on. Those chips are 6vdc each so to run 100 and get 185w your light is 300ma or .3 amps. 100x6vdc=600vdc×300ma/.3amps=180w.

Sounds right since the chips are rated 700ma/.7amp max.

 

[sixstring]

185 (watts)/120 (voltage)=1.5 amps per fixture

yes or .77 amps if running @ 240v

 

[DGP]

Yeah, your array, if it is running about 500-600W between the 3 of them, is about enough power for a 4X4 area.....Total energy used from the wall is just an estimate though for a rough idea because we don't know how efficiently they are running. A PAR meter will tell you the real numbers but chances are good this is only about 1/3 to 1/2 the power you likely need. I have been using the rule of thumb of 50W or so per sq ft (still learning a lot here). but right now I am able to hit 65 which leaves me some latitude when dimming the array for younger plants and seedlings or cranking it up for full on flower.

I can't afford a PAR meter right now but I borrowed one a while back to do some checks on my system. However, I have used a LUX meter for relative measurements between my old lighting system and new lighting system. I know they are not as accurate because they don't consider exact/true growth spectrum but it gives you relative brightness at least....

D

 

[BombBP]

yes or .77 amps if running @ 240v

So, are they over driving the chips? I thought you used the DC output for your calculations, not your input. What am I missing?