Mars is sponsoring a grow, and sent me a new light.
https://www.mars-hydro.com/fc-e4800-commercial-led-grow-light
The RG11 Port #1 can now be used on this driver Mars sent me, to control the power on a FCE 4800.
The driver has a control box (on the right), and that is where the action happens I think. Note the switch on the back of the little box.
The light's job is to make light, the controller's job is to control the light. I asked if Mars could make their lights control the same as others do, with the 0-10 volt RG-11, and they seem to have done just that. Who says nobody ever listens to Dopers?
In my opinion, and I will be testing this opinion, this puts the Mars lights in the same class for control-ability as the e680 lights I am using now. Good job Mars.
The power cord between the individual (and replaceable without having to send in the whole light if one bar goes bad) light bars, and the driver, is about 8 feet long. That might allow me to locate the driver in my control closet with the other controls.
The 14" power output numbers on this 3' x 3' 6-bar 480 Watt light at full power (via rotary knob which adjusts continuously, no clicks), are about 970 u-moles (Photobio handheld). The power distribution across the center 3' is acceptably even. t 14" I did not see the Photobio meter changing when I went across the grain of the bars when the meter sensor was in-between bars. I wish I had worn the green glasses. I had the light running full bore almost two hours while I did this. The light bars on top were warm, but not hot, and the driver also only warm. I could put my hand on and leave it there comfortably. No worries about melting the air exhaust filter's outer-wrap.
My plan is to change out the e680 light that I am currently running in one of my tents, with this FCE 4800. That will be when I do the post-run cleanout of the run #4 NLD tent, in preparation for the next run (more NLD).
The other tent will still be running the 680 Watt light it currently has, and both tents are controlled by the existing Growers Choice controller, independently. Changing to the Mars will be a simple plug and play change. That is the beauty of a standard interface that the companies all use. There are other companies making controllers also, and this same standard applies.
https://www.mars-hydro.com/fc-e4800-commercial-led-grow-light
The RG11 Port #1 can now be used on this driver Mars sent me, to control the power on a FCE 4800.
The driver has a control box (on the right), and that is where the action happens I think. Note the switch on the back of the little box.
The light's job is to make light, the controller's job is to control the light. I asked if Mars could make their lights control the same as others do, with the 0-10 volt RG-11, and they seem to have done just that. Who says nobody ever listens to Dopers?
In my opinion, and I will be testing this opinion, this puts the Mars lights in the same class for control-ability as the e680 lights I am using now. Good job Mars.
The power cord between the individual (and replaceable without having to send in the whole light if one bar goes bad) light bars, and the driver, is about 8 feet long. That might allow me to locate the driver in my control closet with the other controls.
The 14" power output numbers on this 3' x 3' 6-bar 480 Watt light at full power (via rotary knob which adjusts continuously, no clicks), are about 970 u-moles (Photobio handheld). The power distribution across the center 3' is acceptably even. t 14" I did not see the Photobio meter changing when I went across the grain of the bars when the meter sensor was in-between bars. I wish I had worn the green glasses. I had the light running full bore almost two hours while I did this. The light bars on top were warm, but not hot, and the driver also only warm. I could put my hand on and leave it there comfortably. No worries about melting the air exhaust filter's outer-wrap.
My plan is to change out the e680 light that I am currently running in one of my tents, with this FCE 4800. That will be when I do the post-run cleanout of the run #4 NLD tent, in preparation for the next run (more NLD).
The other tent will still be running the 680 Watt light it currently has, and both tents are controlled by the existing Growers Choice controller, independently. Changing to the Mars will be a simple plug and play change. That is the beauty of a standard interface that the companies all use. There are other companies making controllers also, and this same standard applies.
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