Where would you hang these lights? Tough to answer.

Narsbars · Nov 12, 2021

Conditions: 4x4 Tent 8 ft high. Two plants in 5 gal buckets with FF OF with perlite. 2nd week of 12/12. Plants about 20 inches tall.
Here is the challenge. I do not have a PAR meter or an app calibrated for my lights. I have three Viparspectra P1500s on the center support going across the tent with about six inches clearance on both sides. Every guide I read tells me roughly how high to hang ONE light that might be the same 4500 total but I have never found a reference without a PAR meter to even guess where or how high to hang the lights. Currently I am stuck with "hang em high" at about 22 inches and don't raise them until I see the leaf tips curling down or showing leaf tip burning signs.
Does anyone have any experience in using multiple lights"

BirdLaw86 · Nov 12, 2021

I can tell ya that if you see damage bc their too close then stick to keeping them farther back so not to damage the tissue in the leaf. Its better to have them asking for a little more light rather than frying them by hanging lights too close. I have 3 ft between my 2ft plant and the lights and shes loving it. Infact i have a 2nd high quality light and dont even use it bc when i did add in the extra light, the plant wilted and was looking like trash, I removed 2nd light and she bounced back like a beauty queen.

Narsbars · Nov 12, 2021

BirdLaw86 said:
I can tell ya that if you see damage bc their too close then stick to keeping them farther back so not to damage the tissue in the leaf. Its better to have them asking for a little more light rather than frying them by hanging lights too close. I have 3 ft. between my 2ft plant and the lights and she is loving it. In fact I have a 2nd high quality light and don't even use it bc when i did add in the extra light, the plant wilted and was looking like trash, I removed 2nd light and she bounced back like a beauty queen.

Thanks, I have noticed that just a couple of inches can make one of the plants stretch and increase the distance between nodes. I think I am going to have to break down and try to find the cash for a PAR meter.

mysticepipedon · Nov 12, 2021

Looking at their PPFD maps, it seems like hanging them straight across wouldn't be the best configuration. That might be the only way you can hang them, though.

Because I've burned the shit out of my first two LED grows, I now hang them as high as possible and start at 50%, gradually going up unless/until I see signs of light stress.

Narsbars · Nov 12, 2021

mysticepipedon said:
Looking at their PPFD maps, it seems like hanging them straight across wouldn't be the best configuration. That might be the only way you can hang them, though.

Because I've burned the shit out of my first two LED grows, I now hang them as high as possible and start at 50%, gradually going up unless/until I see signs of light stress.

Thanks, just can't figure out a good configuration with three. I would always have two in one area, 1 in another. A trusted site, Cocoforcannabis does PAR tests in real world conditions but even with their results just can't figure it out. I know I don't want burns but I also know I don't want excessive stretch due to low light. At least I will know the results in about 8 weeks.

growsince79 · Nov 12, 2021

Narsbars said:
Conditions: 4x4 Tent 8 ft high. Two plants in 5 gal buckets with FF OF with perlite. 2nd week of 12/12. Plants about 20 inches tall.
Here is the challenge. I do not have a PAR meter or an app calibrated for my lights. I have three Viparspectra P1500s on the center support going across the tent with about six inches clearance on both sides. Every guide I read tells me roughly how high to hang ONE light that might be the same 4500 total but I have never found a reference without a PAR meter to even guess where or how high to hang the lights. Currently I am stuck with "hang em high" at about 22 inches and don't raise them until I see the leaf tips curling down or showing leaf tip burning signs.
Does anyone have any experience in using multiple lights"

I use 3 100w in my 2 x 4. If I use only one light at the end at 16", I need to raise to 22" when I turn the center light on. With all 3 lights on, the one in the middle needs to be a couple inches higher than the outsides to make it even.

Narsbars · Nov 12, 2021

growsince79 said:
I use 3 100w in my 2 x 4. If I use only one light at the end at 16", I need to raise to 22" when I turn the center light on. With all 3 lights on, the one in the middle needs to be a couple inches higher than the outsides to make it even.

These are 150watt lights, but.......Damn! Sound of hand smacking forehead! Raising the middle light should have been as obvious as a 1lb cola. Thanks, will be adjusting that today.

dreamnfox · Nov 12, 2021

Narsbars said:
Thanks, I have noticed that just a couple of inches can make one of the plants stretch and increase the distance between nodes. I think I am going to have to break down and try to find the cash for a PAR meter.

You can get a free par/dli meter on google play. Its not as accurate as the real thing but its close enough.

dreamnfox · Nov 12, 2021

PPFD Meter - Grow Light Meter - Apps on Google Play

Effortless PAR Meter: Elegant, Accurate, Feature-Packed & Insightful

play.google.com

Narsbars · Nov 12, 2021

dreamnfox said:
You can get a free par/dli meter on google play. Its not as accurate as the real thing but its close enough.

I have several but none of them have tested against the Viparspectra P1500s and when comparing a real test done by Cocoforcannabis none of the PARs are close enough to use. It may be my Pixel 3XL but I don't think so. I had one I tested and thought it would work out but was only in useable range when I used one light and got weird with more than one.

Narsbars · Nov 12, 2021

dreamnfox said:
PPFD Meter - Grow Light Meter - Apps on Google Play

Effortless PAR Meter: Elegant, Accurate, Feature-Packed & Insightful

play.google.com

Any chance of testing it on Some Viparspectra, or other brand name quantum boards?

totamus · Nov 12, 2021

I bought a PAR meter and do not regret it. I have 3 across the top of a 3x5. I hang them at max height and adjust the dimmers using the PAR for the levels I want. There is a lot of interaction between the lights and it takes meter to be able to adjust for your space.

FOE20 · Nov 12, 2021

Watch how the plants respond cause a PAR meter in small enviros is kinda pointless....plus push PAR in bloom where its most effective...
growing is easy and cheap dont make it to complicate man....
but then just make adjustments and start lower watts at a higher distance....move closer and turn them up to get reaction..then find a sweet spot that works best for Your plants...and your self......gl
FOE20

GrowHobo · Nov 12, 2021

Are you running the same strains across the bored? Some like more or less imo the only way to really dial things in is by eye. Watch the plants. Make them pray but not too much if they pray like hell half of the day then flatten out half the day that’s pushing it. This is why I prefer multiple smaller lights as opposed to one big light. Fine control. Good luck

Narsbars · Nov 12, 2021

GrowHobo said:
Are you running the same strains across the bored? Some like more or less imo the only way to really dial things in is by eye. Watch the plants. Make them pray but not too much if they pray like hell half of the day then flatten out half the day that’s pushing it. This is why I prefer multiple smaller lights as opposed to one big light. Fine control. Good luck

Thanks, pretty much what I am doing now, they either stress or pray. Measuring to the top of the plants, both early bloom, and move up or down just a little but the damn sweet spots seems to be tiny.

DirtKing · Nov 12, 2021

I didn't have time to read all of the replies but it sounds like you're going to have to regularly keep a close eye on the lights distance until the plants settle down.

Can you dim the lights? That would broaden that sweet spot... or in other words allow for more lax placement.

If you know other growers or have a dispensary nearby, try downloading a PAR meter app and dial it in/compare it side by side with their meter.

Good luck!

Narsbars · Nov 13, 2021

DirtKing said:
I didn't have time to read all of the replies but it sounds like you're going to have to regularly keep a close eye on the lights distance until the plants settle down.

Can you dim the lights? That would broaden that sweet spot... or in other words allow for more lax placement.

If you know other growers or have a dispensary nearby, try downloading a PAR meter app and dial it in/compare it side by side with their meter.

Good luck!

Thanks, I may need the luck. Been through the PAR apps and none of them even get close to a tested PAR map and then they don't seem to understand multiple lights. I always hate dimming lights as it seems I am wasting my investment .........I have to get over it....You might be right.

Where would you hang these lights? Tough to answer.

Where would you hang these lights? Tough to answer.

Narsbars

BirdLaw86

Narsbars

mysticepipedon

Narsbars

growsince79

Narsbars

dreamnfox

dreamnfox

PPFD Meter - Grow Light Meter - Apps on Google Play

Narsbars

Narsbars

PPFD Meter - Grow Light Meter - Apps on Google Play

totamus

FOE20

Maestro Loco

GrowHobo

Narsbars

DirtKing

Narsbars

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