northone said:

how far do you think they penetrate?

Click to expand...

ship0nip said:

Hey there in regards to you stretching issue. i also have similar leds from another manufacturer (blackstar 500s) 250w draw power. On alotta of these led pannels the capacitors are not properly grounded so the leds will stay dimmly lit for many hours after the timmer shuts off. Two of my four pannels do this. For some reason if i walk up and tap the pannels on the side they dim down significantly. But even then some stay dimmly lit. I called the manufacturer (Gotham hydroponics) and they argued with me saying that it would not affect the plants or the life of the pannels. But they do. Just thought this could also be your issue as to why some are stretching & some are not.

Click to expand...

surferbum6900 said:

looking great, so how is you penetration?

Click to expand...

ship0nip said:

i think that most of these leds are made by the same few factories in china, the main difference between magnums, spectrums, and blackstars is the the led wattage, configuration of bulbs, and lens angles. In general i would say this from what i have experianced.
1:) a 1 watt chip at 90 deg angle gives you 3 ft penetration
2:) a 2 watt chip at 120 deg angle gives you 3 ft penetration
3:) a 3 watt chip at 180 deg angle gives you 3 ft penetration

I would be curious as to what a 3 watt chip at 90 deg angle would do. Also i noticed that 2 and 3 watt chips give off quite a bit more heat than 1 watt chips. I think there is a manufacturer offering 1 watts at 60 deg angle but not sure.

not trying to hijack your thread but if anyone is interested in my blackstar 500/hps grow

I dont think there is a single blackstar diary on this site, as to my research they are the cheapest for your buck & if you call them you can talk them down. I only payed $520 for my blackstar 500 (250w draw) including shipping.

Click to expand...