Why LEDs make bad plant lights (facts + pics!)

[RJSquirrel]

they make light meters to measure any kind of light.the cheap light meters wont even measure fluorescent.you have to get a meter thats made for multiple lighting sources or to suit your own type of lighting specifically.

LEDS arent there yet. We have been installing them for over a year and ripping them right back out. Of course the ones that are working to specs are the expensive ones with 10w/10mm LEDS..Not the 5w or the 3W LEDS. The small wattage LEDS have a small Lens and therefore do not spread the light around..Very site specific.

[Mean & Green]

It's 2017 now so does anyone have anything new they would like to share?

[Orchid Whisperer]

The original post is ancient by internet and LED development standards.

This is sort of like comparing Edison's original incandescent light bulb to the incandescent bulb of today, which produces much more light.

Today's LED lights produce much more light than back in 2008. I do not currently grow under LEDs, however, so it would be better for LED users to chime in on the details. Suffice to say, a lot has changed, and many growers do grow successfully under LED lights.

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

The original post is ancient by internet and LED development standards.

This is sort of like comparing Edison's original incandescent light bulb to the incandescent bulb of today, which produces much more light.

Today's LED lights produce much more light than back in 2008. I do not currently grow under LEDs, however, so it would be better for LED users to chime in on the details. Suffice to say, a lot has changed, and many growers do grow successfully under LED lights.

It's amazing to think how technology has changed since 2008.

[Subrosa]

I flowered an almost 4' tall Cymbidium Little Black Sambo under leds last winter. And the fixture is an outdated unit intended for reef aquaria. Similar fixtures can be had for around $100. Leds are here.

[sesh]

Hi.
Ordered this from aliexpress.
<img src='https://i.imgur.com/QxSuuyq.png' />

Has anyone tried these kind of leds? With the driver built in, i mean.

Regards.

---------- Post added at 03:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:18 PM ----------

[Ray]

Have not time tried them, but it's certainly worth thinking about. I suspect they'd need on hell of a heat sink.

[estación seca]

Ray referenced a site earlier in this thread, sevengens. The owner stopped updating the site in 2012 and the original site is no longer available. However, the Internet Archive has the site.
LED Horticulture Resource Site

The technology has moved on but there is still a lot of good information there.

[sesh]

Originally Posted by Ray

Have not time tried them, but it's certainly worth thinking about. I suspect they'd need on hell of a heat sink.

Thanks Ray

I imagine so too, they're 50W each. I also think that the miniaturization itself would be adding some inefficiencies, which usually outputs as heat (not an expert). Probably why they have huge disclaimers with "DON'T USE WITHOUT HEAT-SINK" on their page.

IF the heat can be siphoned away, and the chips last a while, this would make urban gardening very easy!

Will update!

---------- Post added at 12:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 AM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Ray referenced a site earlier in this thread, sevengens. The owner stopped updating the site in 2012 and the original site is no longer available. However, the Internet Archive has the site.

The technology has moved on but there is still a lot of good information there.

Thanks, estación seca!

Lovely resource! I wish I had seen this website while it was active. Sadly many missing pages now

[Subrosa]

I have a couple of 30 W units similar to that that I've yet to try out on plants. Product Review: Blue Moon Aquatics' P30 LED Pendant — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
The heat sink is indeed an impressive hunk of aluminum!