1k w/ light mover

[killabrown420]

So here's my question, hopefully someone has experience with a 1k and mover since they are pretty common and can help me out.

My room is ~5.5 ft. x 10ft. x 8ft. (lwh) Currently I have my 1k covering a 5x5 footprint and 2 400's covering a 3x5 area. I was going to hook up the mover so that it moves just the 1k across it's footprint, but realized that with the length of rail that came with the mover I could actually keep the 5x5 footprint and extend it the length of the room using 1 light instead of 3. I could then move the 2 400's in a smaller space more suitable for 400's.

I've read many threads on light movers but I still can't seem to find a consensus for how they are best utilized. Some say you can double your space, which essentially is what I'm doing, with the downside of stretchy plants and diminished return. Others say movers are best used in the standard 5x5 footprint, and will give an extra 10% yield.

So what should I do? Use half the rail and max out the 5x5 space w/ the 1k and mover? or use the whole rail and a 5x8 footprint using the 1k, and put the 2 400's in a better suited space? I imagine the 400's would do better in a smaller space with bigger yields, but not sure if the 1k is strong enough to cover a 5x8 space.


This is what the room would look like if I changed it up and used the 1k only w/ light mover

 

[Dr.Snow]

did you ever think about using the 400 watters vertically (at 3.3 and 6.6 ft) while using the 1000watt horizontally over the whole length of rail?

btw i used a light rail with a 1000w on the full length of track and did not have strechy plants or loose buds... but there were two rails next to each other so... good luck !

 

[killabrown420]

did you ever think about using the 400 watters vertically (at 3.3 and 6.6 ft) while using the 1000watt horizontally over the whole length of rail?

btw i used a light rail with a 1000w on the full length of track and did not have strechy plants or loose buds... but there were two rails next to each other so... good luck !

not sure i follow you on the 400's. i can't quite picture it in my head

 

[killabrown420]

bump...

will a 1k with a 6ft rail light mover cover a 5x8 area? I'd rather have just the 1k in the big room with the light rail and the 2 400's in a different space. That would allow me to run the 1800 watts off the same circuit by having the 2 rooms flip flopped so after one room turns off the other room turns on.

Let me rephrase the question, would it be more productive to flower under a 5x8 space with a 1k on a light mover with a 6ft rail, or a 5x5 space with the 1k on a light mover with a 4 ft. rail?

Would the added number of plants with the 5x8 be worth the potential drop in light intensity with the added distance the light has to move? I would guess that the plants under a 5x5 w/ mover would be denser and yield more than the ones in the 5x8 on average.

I could tighten up the width and make it 4x8 if that would make for a better use of the light. Right now it the room is more like 6x10. It would actually make things easier for me if I only used 4x8 of it so I could move around and actually get to the plants.

 

[nuggiespl]

I would set it up where the light mover only moves 1-2 ft max, So if u set it center of 8ft have it move a foot in both directions would be ideal u could proally go 3 ft movement. Thats just on the research I have done. Mine is set up to growzillas dual 600's and they move about 1 1/2 ft total, in a 7x8 ft room. The goal is to get the light closer to the plants and hit the plants from diff angles, to help with penatration and also eliminate hot spots. Sure u could have it move the entire span. Good luck.

 

[NiteTiger]

Why are you using a light mover? 5x8 would be perfect for 2 1kw lamps. Probably cheaper than the mover too.

 

[badugi]

I don't believe in stretching (doubling or otherwise) the canopy area much with movers for the reasons you've mentioned. I use a single linear light mover system (Light Rail 5) to move 6 x 1000w in a 12x10 room.

I can keep the light closer to the canopy w/o bleaching than I could without a mover.

Oh by the way: light movers are one-time investments and do not incur repetitive costs (i.e., electricity from more lighting wattage; if 10w usage from the motor is too much for you, then I suggest you get a new hobby).

 

[killabrown420]

Why are you using a light mover? 5x8 would be perfect for 2 1kw lamps. Probably cheaper than the mover too.

I don't have enough amperage to power 2k's at once. I tried running the 2 400's and the 1k at the same time and tripped the breaker. The mover uses very low wattage, and like badugi said is an investment that'll pay off over time.

After sitting in my room thinking hard about this situation I think I'm going to use a 4x6 footprint and only use half the rail. I'll play around with the distance it travels, but it sounds like keeping it within 3 ft. is the way to go.

I

 

[NiteTiger]

I see now killa, makes sense to me Plus, badugi makes a good point on getting them closer, although I've never had a problem getting within a few inches myself, that was in a vertical setup though.

 

[killabrown420]

.

appreciate the help guys, it's kinda hard making these decisions without any experience. every growroom and grower is different so searching the net often leads to more questions than answers. Nite, I got the 1k in a rigged cooltube, so i don't expect heat to be a problem, but with the light constantly moving I will definately take advantage of how close I can get the bulb to the tops.

I gotta say I always picture my grows to look like badugi's. Just a solid space of healthy plants, and I've gotten it w/ the limited space I've used in the past. This is a huge jump up for me in terms of wattage and grow space. I'm only planning 2 grows before summer heat so I want to get it right the first time. thanks again for the help

 

[NiteTiger]

I gotta say I always picture my grows to look like badugi's. Just a solid space of healthy plants, and I've gotten it w/ the limited space I've used in the past. This is a huge jump up for me in terms of wattage and grow space. I'm only planning 2 grows before summer heat so I want to get it right the first time. thanks again for the help

You certainly chose a good one to emulate

 

[badugi]

Wow thanks for the nice comments.

I would set it up where the light mover only moves 1-2 ft max, So if u set it center of 8ft have it move a foot in both directions would be ideal u could proally go 3 ft movement. Thats just on the research I have done. Mine is set up to growzillas dual 600's and they move about 1 1/2 ft total, in a 7x8 ft room. The goal is to get the light closer to the plants and hit the plants from diff angles, to help with penatration and also eliminate hot spots. Sure u could have it move the entire span. Good luck.

Somehow I missed your post earlier but I personally agree completely. What you describe is pretty much how I have my system set up. So far I'm happy with it, although the end pause timing could get a little more dialed in.

How are you liking the Growzilla hoods? I've always been a bit skeptical, but on movers it might be a different story.

 

[nuggiespl]

I love the growzillas, I'm running dual 600 hps in each, Sealed room, ducting brings air from underneath house through lights and out roof with a 6in can fan 375cfm. Seems to be working I can get the lights really close 14-20 in with out any burn, although I do notice a lil bleaching sometimes, easy fix though. I really like to be flexible, and have options play with spectrum run 1k and 600. or 1k hps & 400w mh. I haven't done that yet but it's nice to have options. I think the dual 600 was a great choice, I could change to dual 1k if I wanted to so 4k in 2 fixtures. wow 290,000 lumens per fixture . I have great penatrating power I have great growth on lower branches, so I would say I'm glad I went this way. It really all depends on ur set up. Would 4 seperate fixtures spaced evenly over the canopy be better proally but I already have the fixture I could just buy a single fixture. I like planning a head and have options. Peace