reflector coverage area

[djrico]

Hi Guys,

I have a 400w HPS lamp and I am about to start a scrog. I just purchased a mini sunsoaker reflector for the light (link)

My question is this, how big can the screen be and still have adequate light if my 400w with this reflector is 18" from the screen?

Thanks for your help,
DJRico

 

[grow nerd]

Those parabolic style reflectors suck. I don't recommend it at all, especially not for $100 + shipping. Look into a smaller "hood style" reflector, and your canopy size will effectively be something like 3x3 or smaller.

 

[FreezerBoy]

2' x 3' would give you 67 watts per square foot. 2.5' x 3' would be 53 watts. Lamps throw their light to the side. If you can place lamp perpendicular to the length of the grow, you can hang lower with a larger footprint. Parallel to the grow you'll have to lift the lamp much higher to cover the same area.

 

[DJXXPLATINUM]

3 x 3 is optimum for a 400 watter!!! but i have one and it was enough for a 4 x 4 space!!! peace dj

 

[Greyskull]

get a sun system super sun I or II
when you decide to upgrade wattage you can still use the same killer reflector....

many use the SSI & SSII tocover 4x4 areas with 1ks..

something to thinkabout.

 

[dongle69]

Hi Guys,

I have a 400w HPS lamp and I am about to start a scrog. I just purchased a mini sunsoaker reflector for the light (link)

My question is this, how big can the screen be and still have adequate light if my 400w with this reflector is 18" from the screen?

Thanks for your help,
DJRico

Since you already purchased, I will say that those sunsoakers are nice.
I used to run the larger version with 1000's.
They have one of the most even light footprints that you can get from a hood.
Not the best for 400 watts, even with the small version.
2.5ft x 2.5ft solid coverage with what you have.
3 x 3 a bit weaker.
If you ever move to a horizontal hood, the majority of them have a rectangle lighting footprint instead of even distribution.
greyskull is right about the sun hoods.
They are pretty nice and handle more wattage gracefully.

 

[Lazyman]

get a sun system super sun I or II
when you decide to upgrade wattage you can still use the same killer reflector....

many use the SSI & SSII tocover 4x4 areas with 1ks..

something to thinkabout.

Yep agreed, I've got a few of the II's and have always liked them. I've read some charts recently that shows the Radiant AC hoods make a tighter pattern for square trays, but alas I'm all stocked up on hoods atm.

Hey you got a light meter? I had done some readings on my digital ballasts when I first hooked em up, and got 5500-6500 foot candles at 2 feet, now I get about 1000 foot candles just 3 months later (!) Was wondering if anyone else had noticed similar issues. Gonna have to do some experiments (and try a couple new bulbs) to see if it's ballasts or bulbs...

 

[dongle69]

Hey you got a light meter? I had done some readings on my digital ballasts when I first hooked em up, and got 5500-6500 foot candles at 2 feet, now I get about 1000 foot candles just 3 months later (!) Was wondering if anyone else had noticed similar issues. Gonna have to do some experiments (and try a couple new bulbs) to see if it's ballasts or bulbs...

Wow that is an extreme drop.
Even if they were really old bulbs that sounds low.
Some digital ballasts overdrive the bulbs (like overclocking a cpu) which cuts their lifespan, but your situation seems different.

 

[Greyskull]

Yep agreed, I've got a few of the II's and have always liked them. I've read some charts recently that shows the Radiant AC hoods make a tighter pattern for square trays, but alas I'm all stocked up on hoods atm.

can you share that chart/info by any chance? I have been loking for more information on reflectors & light spreadbut the best i can find is pico's killer thread.

i ouwld have thought for sure a bulb company would have done some kind of independant test one coverage w/ their bulbs....