Quote:
Originally Posted by Racefan
I too would like to try a LED grown bud. unfortunately I haven't heard of anyone getting through a harvest using just them. All that I've seen required supplemental lighting from HID's or floros just to get a half assed crop. I like the single light grows on a light mover. less hazards and worries.
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I am going to try using 3-4 120 watt LED's spread out for flowering.
If that doesn't work I will buy a 300 watt system with 5 watt bulbs instead of the 1 watt bulbs.
I haven't seen anyone try anything other than a Procyon 100 to flower cannabis with. 120 watts of LED's isn't enough for flowering.
A 300 watt LED system is about the equivalent to a 400-600 watt HPS system. Which run about $1500 dollars right now. It theoretically saves money by saving on the air conditioning required and not changing light bulbs. So if there is any value in LED's its in how long the bulbs "REALLY" last.
For a 600 watt HPS system over 5 years replacing the system after 3-4 years if you use it alot will cost $500 dollars for 2 600 watt HPS systems over the same life of a LED light system.
HPS over 6 years time will require 12 bulbs for a price of $960 dollars at a average price of $80 dollars. Some run even higher than $80 dollars. Especially if you try growing with blue MH lights which are standard lights on LED's.
LED=$1500 HPS= $500+$960= $1460
So we are at parity LED and HPS.
So the factor of climate here is the biggest factor concerning the economics of LED's. The savings on air conditioning and cooling can be large though. Also you can find deals on LED systems and thereby saving money. Also LED's if they last as long as 10 years @12 hours use per day which they "should". The economics rise even more in favor or LED's over the long term.
So the biggest case concerning the viability of LED's over HPS is weather or not LED light systems really last as long as 5 years and 10 years or weather they only last 3 years. And what climate you live in. Everything else is about the same. (For now)