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MannyBoy · 11-13-2009, 07:25 AM

I think I can save you some money and grief, but I will pre-warn you that not everyone is going to agree with this suggestion. And this is only a suggestion.

You could consider trashing the whole idea of HID lighting for the very problem you are struggling with - heat. HIDs come with an array of difficult issues related to heat from the lamps. The other variable you have not yet encountered: cost of electricity to run your bulb.

In my area (midwest US) the cost of electricity at the moment is 6.88 cents a kw/hour. If I am correct in my math (I have been wrong very often) let's work out the elect. cost. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. So, your 400 watt HID bulb will cost roughly 66 cents a 24 hour day to run (about the same a window air conditioner). These numbers are 400 watts X 24 hours = 9,600watts = 9.6 kilowatts (thousand watts).
9.6 kilowatts X 6.88 cents = 66.05 cents. For a 6 month grow period (24 hours to simplify the math) that's roughly 175 days X 66.05 cents = $115.

My suggestion would be to consider returning your HID lighting system and buying an LED light. You can see an LED panel in the photo on my prior post. My light is probably underpowered, it is supposed to be equivalent to a 250 watt HID. You could buy a UFO LED that is equivalent to a 400 watt HID for $200 to $300 on ebay. Electricity cost of a UFO LED (it uses 90 watts) $26 for 6 months at 24 hours a day. Saving $89 every 6 months or $178 a year in electricity.

My problem is not enough heat. The temp in my cab is a constant 67 degrees F.

LEDs are very specifically tailored to only the exact wavelengths the plants need for photosynthesis. HIDs give all of the light for the visible light spectrum. More light. More heat. Problem is the vast majority of this light (although we can see it) the plant cannot.

I will warn you. LEDs are a newer technology for growing grass. Some of the earlier attempts in the 90's and early 2000's were with LEDs of the wrong light spectrums. These older tech lights created poor results, thereby understandably making the cannabis growing community cautious. I for one think they have arrived. So much so that I am using one for my first grow. I have only started so I can't say definitively from my experience they work. But it is doing fine so far. And I found many cannabis growers who are getting excellent results.

Just an option.

11-13-2009, 07:25 AM	#25 (permalink)
MannyBoy YaHookan Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 58 Thanks: 20 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Another headache reducer I think I can save you some money and grief, but I will pre-warn you that not everyone is going to agree with this suggestion. And this is only a suggestion. You could consider trashing the whole idea of HID lighting for the very problem you are struggling with - heat. HIDs come with an array of difficult issues related to heat from the lamps. The other variable you have not yet encountered: cost of electricity to run your bulb. In my area (midwest US) the cost of electricity at the moment is 6.88 cents a kw/hour. If I am correct in my math (I have been wrong very often) let's work out the elect. cost. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. So, your 400 watt HID bulb will cost roughly 66 cents a 24 hour day to run (about the same a window air conditioner). These numbers are 400 watts X 24 hours = 9,600watts = 9.6 kilowatts (thousand watts). 9.6 kilowatts X 6.88 cents = 66.05 cents. For a 6 month grow period (24 hours to simplify the math) that's roughly 175 days X 66.05 cents = $115. My suggestion would be to consider returning your HID lighting system and buying an LED light. You can see an LED panel in the photo on my prior post. My light is probably underpowered, it is supposed to be equivalent to a 250 watt HID. You could buy a UFO LED that is equivalent to a 400 watt HID for $200 to $300 on ebay. Electricity cost of a UFO LED (it uses 90 watts) $26 for 6 months at 24 hours a day. Saving $89 every 6 months or $178 a year in electricity. My problem is not enough heat. The temp in my cab is a constant 67 degrees F. LEDs are very specifically tailored to only the exact wavelengths the plants need for photosynthesis. HIDs give all of the light for the visible light spectrum. More light. More heat. Problem is the vast majority of this light (although we can see it) the plant cannot. I will warn you. LEDs are a newer technology for growing grass. Some of the earlier attempts in the 90's and early 2000's were with LEDs of the wrong light spectrums. These older tech lights created poor results, thereby understandably making the cannabis growing community cautious. I for one think they have arrived. So much so that I am using one for my first grow. I have only started so I can't say definitively from my experience they work. But it is doing fine so far. And I found many cannabis growers who are getting excellent results. Just an option.