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Air cooled reflector testing with Digital footcandle meter

D

dongle69

No, but it is simple.
Just add another layer of gasket material on top of the other one.
 
So at the end of the day it would seem from the reading here that the Supersun 2 offers the best bang for the buck, or did I read something into this that I should not have?

Just trying to judge the best options here before heading out the door to drop a few bucks on what I hope to provide the best coverage that I can provide while keeping things cool. This is the one that I can pick up locally http://www.mavericksun.com/Reflectors6.htm and seem to be a pretty close match to the Supersun.
 
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pico

Active member
Veteran
SS2 is still my choice.

Maverick looks like it is a prettygood design. I would go with the 6" vents instead of the 8". It looks like it could be bigger than the SS2. so not sure how that will affect light spread. Could go either way. I also don't like the socket cord design, you have to loop it back through a slot in the vent and then tape it up to get a good seal. The SS2 cord comes out the top of the reflector, and is sealed up already. Better design if you ask me.
 
SS2 is still my choice.

Maverick looks like it is a prettygood design. I would go with the 6" vents instead of the 8". It looks like it could be bigger than the SS2. so not sure how that will affect light spread. Could go either way. I also don't like the socket cord design, you have to loop it back through a slot in the vent and then tape it up to get a good seal. The SS2 cord comes out the top of the reflector, and is sealed up already. Better design if you ask me.

I did not have the chance to make it to the shop here today, but will be sure to look into the cord now that you mention it. The shop owner here is pretty good to me with offering me his cost on most items, but he tells me that his supplier can not get him the SS line. Suppose I could do the mail order route if the cord looks to be a little too much of a McGyver operation just to complete a proper seal. Not to mention he only has the 8" which would require a reducer anyway for the vortex blower I have.

Thanks for the feedback and great work, always appreciated when you obtain good advice :)
 

pico

Active member
Veteran
The problem with 8" is that you lose a lot of light, and if you are not using 8" ducting anyways you would lose the only benefit to having 8".

I don't like 8" no matter what. I figure I would rather spend the extra time and build a plenum if I need the cooling power, not lose a bunch of light.
 
Correct me if I am wrong on this, I might be. Could I just not place a 4" or 6" insert into the 8" openings thus reducing the diameter of the openings? In theory it seems like this might work to restrict the air flow and light loss if done properly. Like they say, where there is a will there is a way :)

My only problem is that my hydro store deals with company (A) which for some reason only stocks the 8" Maverick units. Best price I have seen in Canada for the Supersun 2 is $175.00. US prices are better, $104.00, but once I add on the exchange, shipping and duty I am in that range once again.

Sux to be me.....
 

pico

Active member
Veteran
You could buy some of the spectral aluminum, cut it to fit over the opening, and try to regain that lost light from the 8" ports. I think this will be a pain in the ass, and would not be as good as just getting the best reflector for you needs in the first place.
 
S

Signiant

Jeeeez PICO!!!! one of the most significant threads since Quantum Leap!! and i do not say that lightly..your chest pico ..:respect::respect:
 

craigos

New member
Wow that was a lot of information man, and i cant use any of it because im in U.K. lmfao 6 supersuns came to $800 than $600 shipping hahahaha, what would you recommend for a u.k. veteran?
 

pico

Active member
Veteran
Hmm, well just doing a quick look around the UK online hydro shops, I would probably go with a Diamond, or a SuperNova. Just from first glance, and I probably didn't see everything that is available over there.
 

craigos

New member
Thx for the quick reply Pico, and im glad you said SuperNOva cus thats the conclusion I came to, closest looking to a supersun I could find
 

mikeross

Member
has anyone compared the ss2 to the xxxl magnum?

I am going a 4x600 grow and am not sure which hood to go with. Any insight is appreciated. I'm looking for large footprint because I am growing over an 8x8 canopy.

thanks
 

pico

Active member
Veteran
I would be interested to test them, but I have not done so yet. That being said, the SS2 is a great reflector and I think you would have no problem with four 600s in an 8x8. I think that would do very well.

Maybe, just maybe, I will go buy one and try it out. Or maybe I can convince my shop to loan me one. That might be a hard sell, but I will try.


Hackk - Sorry, I must have missed that post. Find anything interesting?
 

mikeross

Member
I would be interested to test them, but I have not done so yet. That being said, the SS2 is a great reflector and I think you would have no problem with four 600s in an 8x8. I think that would do very well.

I hear so many mixed reviews about the xxxl. I think its a mix of so many happy SS owners and the fact that not so many people are running the xxxl yet.

How new is the magnum xxxl? Any idea when they released it?
 

Hackk

Member
Hackk - Sorry, I must have missed that post. Find anything interesting?

I was just jumping between the idea of the XXXL myself vs. the SS2. I asked a redundant question that had been asked numerous times before, I just missed it throughout the many pages. But I simply came to the conclusion that the XXXL is extreme overkill for anything "non commercial". It is built well, and looks massive. But the lumen spread will be too great, and the sheer mass of the hood would make it a pain to deal with.

But Pico, Im gonna ask another one of those annoying questions... and I was set on the SS2, and until recently was gonna run all 4 of my 1000's with um. But now Im stumped... You did the testing with 600's correct? do you think the results will vary much with 1000's (position of bulb etc)?

The reason I ask this, my hydroshop guys are REALLY pushing for me to run the radiant6 or 8 (I would run 6" for improved light vs cooling). I can get the radiant for cheaper, which isnt that big of a deal to me, but the construction is what Im more concerned with. The Radiant6 looks really really good. Sealed and powdercoated, the glass uses a hinged and very well sealed gasket, and the reflector looks very well designed (could use a weld or two to seal some seams in the reflective material, but over all good). A major difference however is the use of a flat reflective aluminum vs the traditional stamped "bumpy" aluminum, which is a slightly duller gloss which I assume is to prevent hotspots.

So after reading your great review on the SS2, Im on the fence. ALL the hydroshops in my area either carry JUST the radiant or the SS, not both, so I cant run a side by side comparison in design and construction.

Is there anybody out there with a bit of experience with these two hoods? Ill be making my purchase within the next few days, so any advice is priceless.

Thanks
 

pico

Active member
Veteran
You know, I am sure you will be happy with either one you choose. I currently have 20 or so SS2 and am running everything from 600w to 750w, to 1000w in them and I love them in every configuration. The SS2 I know for sure works very well, and until I personally test something I like better, I will stick with it. People love their Radiants though, so I can't imagine you will have any problems with them.

Also, consider which ballast you are using and what type of plug it uses. I would rather not use an adapter, but it isn't that big of a deal if you need to.
 
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