IMHO;Gonna start another thread but thought I'd chime in with some quick specs for 1k bulbs. I've been researching 1k options, moving up from two 6oo's and I'm finding and hearing all kinds of stuff, mostly half truths.
Here are some specs about par, average life hours and costs for bulbs that I found pretty quickly. For the record Hortilux does not list par for their bulbs on their website that I could find. I've included links below.
Ushio Super HPS SE: 1,810 par, 24,000 avg life hrs, $70
Ushio Super HPS DE: 1,950/2100, 10,000, $140
Phillips/Gavita HPS DE: 1,850/2100, 10,000, $120
Quick observations are that the double ended bulbs have a slightly higher par output, little bit less blue and more red, and an average life that is half of a single ended hps bulb. Double ended bulbs might work great for large scale operations or greenhouses with 440 volt connections but for the average grower I think the standard single ended bulbs are still a great option. When you factor in costs involved with changing out reflectors, bulbs, wiring and possibly ballasts it doesn't pencil out. Am I missing something? Any thoughts?
http://www.ushio.com/products/horticulture/hiluxgro.php
http://www.lighting.philips.com/mai...pressure-sodium/horti/928196305116_EU/product
http://growershouse.com/gavita-master-plus-gpt-el-400v-electronic-lamp
Rivercat
Gonna start another thread but thought I'd chime in with some quick specs for 1k bulbs. I've been researching 1k options, moving up from two 6oo's and I'm finding and hearing all kinds of stuff, mostly half truths.
Here are some specs about par, average life hours and costs for bulbs that I found pretty quickly. For the record Hortilux does not list par for their bulbs on their website that I could find. I've included links below.
Ushio Super HPS SE: 1,810 par, 24,000 avg life hrs, $70
Ushio Super HPS DE: 1,950/2100, 10,000, $140
Phillips/Gavita HPS DE: 1,850/2100, 10,000, $120
Quick observations are that the double ended bulbs have a slightly higher par output, little bit less blue and more red, and an average life that is half of a single ended hps bulb. Double ended bulbs might work great for large scale operations or greenhouses with 440 volt connections but for the average grower I think the standard single ended bulbs are still a great option. When you factor in costs involved with changing out reflectors, bulbs, wiring and possibly ballasts it doesn't pencil out. Am I missing something? Any thoughts?
http://www.ushio.com/products/horticulture/hiluxgro.php
http://www.lighting.philips.com/mai...pressure-sodium/horti/928196305116_EU/product
http://growershouse.com/gavita-master-plus-gpt-el-400v-electronic-lamp
Rivercat
Yes I have a better way, I did a side by side and the Gavita provided me with hard nugs top to bottom. And I am not talking about larf, I mean hard bud all the way to the bottom. I never achieved that with SE bulbs vert or horizontal. Quality, frosty goodness. That was all it took for me to take down every lamp I had after that. All of my SE equipment has been sold on Craigslist. THAT is how they compare to my Gavitas. I could go on about these things, and I understand not wanting to pull the trigger unless you were getting the best info you can. Hands down Zen, this is what you will be wanting in you garden.
Not trying to jack this thread just thought it'd be nice to get some more information about the DE bulbs for the community here. The DE bulbs have my attention and I am looking to upgrade to 1k's I'm just not sold on them yet.
How did you do your side by side, how many plants? How far did you place your DE bulb compared to the SE above the canopy? Were both bulbs new, what brands? I'd be real intersted in seeing a vert compared to a DE bulb. I checked your profile and didn't see any journals.
When you look at the lumen and par numbers there's about a 15% increase with DE bulbs. I know par isn't the best measurement for some people but it's at least a decent measurement. If the DE bulbs are pushing 15% more par watts I can understand a 15% yield increase and some other improvements. I've read quite a few posts on multiple forums claiming 20-40% yield increases and I'm just not seeing how that's possible.
I've read that some people suggest keeping the DE bulbs higher above the canopy than regular bulbs, I've heard 3 feet. If I compared the par watts with a 1k DE bulb 3 feet up and SE bulb 2 feet up the SE bulb would have much more par watts hitting the plants. If I was growing larger scale I would be fine with having my lights 3-5 feet above the canopy so I could maximize light spread. This is a situation where DE bulbs could make sense and that's probably why greenhouses and some commercial growers like them. For small scale grow ops I don't see a clear advantage.
Not knocking DE's just trying to figure out if there worth the investment. Sounds like they work well for people and they're a decent option. I might hedge my bet and buy a digital 1k ballast that is compatible with DE bulbs just to give me that option down the road. Happy growing.
Not trying to jack this thread just thought it'd be nice to get some more information about the DE bulbs for the community here. The DE bulbs have my attention and I am looking to upgrade to 1k's I'm just not sold on them yet.
How did you do your side by side, how many plants? How far did you place your DE bulb compared to the SE above the canopy? Were both bulbs new, what brands? I'd be real intersted in seeing a vert compared to a DE bulb. I checked your profile and didn't see any journals.
When you look at the lumen and par numbers there's about a 15% increase with DE bulbs. I know par isn't the best measurement for some people but it's at least a decent measurement. If the DE bulbs are pushing 15% more par watts I can understand a 15% yield increase and some other improvements. I've read quite a few posts on multiple forums claiming 20-40% yield increases and I'm just not seeing how that's possible.
I've read that some people suggest keeping the DE bulbs higher above the canopy than regular bulbs, I've heard 3 feet. If I compared the par watts with a 1k DE bulb 3 feet up and SE bulb 2 feet up the SE bulb would have much more par watts hitting the plants. If I was growing larger scale I would be fine with having my lights 3-5 feet above the canopy so I could maximize light spread. This is a situation where DE bulbs could make sense and that's probably why greenhouses and some commercial growers like them. For small scale grow ops I don't see a clear advantage.
Not knocking DE's just trying to figure out if there worth the investment. Sounds like they work well for people and they're a decent option. I might hedge my bet and buy a digital 1k ballast that is compatible with DE bulbs just to give me that option down the road. Happy growing.
There is no comparison to what a SE 1k puts out to the DE setups.
I have my DE's 5.5' on center and have 5 covering a 30' row of plants in the same area that would take 7 SE bulbs. My room went from 28 SE 1k's down to 20 DE's covering the same area. I have them 4' off the canopy as you will get bleaching if you aren't careful and some strains don't like being close to them. Par is what we see, not the plants....
billy, Sounds like DE bulbs are a good fit for your set up. I'm considering two lights over a 4x8 table and it seems like DE 1k bulbs would be overkill. The par watts and light penetration I could get with a standard SE 1k bulb 2 feet above my plants would be more than enough. For the record, PAR is for plants, lumens are for humans.
http://www.gavita-holland.com/index.php/item/lumens-are-for-humans.html
WTF like comparing apples to oranges there is a reason the industry is moving in the DE bulbs direction and that is more par value and efficiency Period as well as longer bulb life
Which in turn is savings in your pocket right ???
In my opinion Gavita spent lots of money to where there at people like Solis tech is only trying to get into that market
I run Gavita presently and also making a new room that will opticlimate 6000 pro 3 series climate control that will be used in conjunction with 10 Dimlux 600's
which i think is head to head with Gavita so if your planning to upgrade i would think these 2 units would or shold be your choice for the best on the market
http://www.care4air.com/en/dimlux-expert-series-1000w-de-el-uhf-full-fixture.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mk9wUP_A5c
You could use the optimlimate on a closed loop on a chiller and not waste any tap water.