- Thu Nov 09, 2023 7:04 pm
#441998
I did a little *very crude* testing of the four different types of lights I have for my plants. I did say...*very crude*.
Basically I used the Photon app and held my iPhone beneath the lights at ~12 inches and took a reading of PPFD and DLI. From what I've read here and yonder, if you can hit between 15 and 20 DLI you should be good to go...hitting up around 30 DLI and things do really good. I'm shooting for somewhere around 20 DLI. I haven't been hitting it for most plants but they seem to be doing "okay". Here are the results of my little test.
Viparspectra XS1000............................. 12" 680-PPFD 28-DLI
3-panel LED garage light 8000-lumen... 12" 365-PPFD 16-DLI
........."............"........................................... 6" 755-PPFD 27-DLI
3 - 48" Wmart LED 5000k 5000 lumen.... 12" 240-PPFD 9.5-DLI
Yescom 225 White LED........................... 12" 190-PPFD 8.4-DLI
Like I said, this was a *very rough* test.
I'm sure the math won't make the respective PPFD and DLI numbers match up correctly as I was hand holding the iPhone and probably not real accurate. But, for comparative purposes it gives me some food for thought. The extra 6" reading for the garage light was on a whelm, but shows that cutting the distance in half is getting close to doubling the illumination....inverse square law. So, close enough for my *very rough* test.
The Yescom coming in as the weakest light surprised me...I might do some more testing on that. Btw, if anybody wants to shoot holes in the test...please do!!!
In regards to the Yescom's and the 3-panel garage lights. If you catch the garage lights on sale at Costco or somewhere else you can get a pair for about $30...a Yescom 225 white panel costs roughly $25 each. The garage lights have twice (from my rough test) the illuminating power. Right now, though, Costco doesn't show having any in inventory. Looking around I see other model/designs of the 3-panel garage light that have similar specs for less than $10! Right now the ones like I have seem to be priced too high at places I've looked. Kind of interesting to me, just thought I'd throw that out to ya'll. The ones I've got look like this: Now, I'm trying to figure out how to utilize what I have. Being as the Yescoms *appear* to be the weakest, I'm thinking of using them close to seedlings and sprouting seeds. The three 48" shop lights are a little stronger so maybe use them similarly. The garage lights are definitely bright and cover about the same area as a single Yescom covers, but have almost double the strength....maybe use them for older, larger plants. And finally, the lone Viparspectra XS1000...I figure I will dedicate it to "precious things"...special seedlings, plants, whatever. Basically, I have no idea what to do, so if you have an idea throw it out here.
My shelf system is actually an old merchandise shelf from an old Gulf gas station. I've only got two shelves on it, but have more. I figure one more shelf will max it out, though...pots of moist peat moss might be a bit heavier than air filters and cheese crackers, if you know what I mean.
With the garage lights hanging from the ceiling I'm thinking of moving the taller plants to that shelf, plus maybe some leaf-cuttings or whatever. The other (eventual) two shelves will be for the shop lights on one shelf and for three of the Yescoms on the other shelf. The remaining Yescom will go beside the Viparspectra over the desk. Here's an older shot of the shelf and desk. Say "Hi!" to John Doe while you're looking, he's faithful to keep a lookout for me, but a real quiet guy...kinda strange in a two-dimensional way.
Anyhow, that's my plan and I have no idea if I'm sticking to it. Feedback, if you managed to last this long through the post and don't have a booming headache, is appreciated! 


Viparspectra XS1000............................. 12" 680-PPFD 28-DLI
3-panel LED garage light 8000-lumen... 12" 365-PPFD 16-DLI
........."............"........................................... 6" 755-PPFD 27-DLI
3 - 48" Wmart LED 5000k 5000 lumen.... 12" 240-PPFD 9.5-DLI
Yescom 225 White LED........................... 12" 190-PPFD 8.4-DLI
Like I said, this was a *very rough* test.



In regards to the Yescom's and the 3-panel garage lights. If you catch the garage lights on sale at Costco or somewhere else you can get a pair for about $30...a Yescom 225 white panel costs roughly $25 each. The garage lights have twice (from my rough test) the illuminating power. Right now, though, Costco doesn't show having any in inventory. Looking around I see other model/designs of the 3-panel garage light that have similar specs for less than $10! Right now the ones like I have seem to be priced too high at places I've looked. Kind of interesting to me, just thought I'd throw that out to ya'll. The ones I've got look like this: Now, I'm trying to figure out how to utilize what I have. Being as the Yescoms *appear* to be the weakest, I'm thinking of using them close to seedlings and sprouting seeds. The three 48" shop lights are a little stronger so maybe use them similarly. The garage lights are definitely bright and cover about the same area as a single Yescom covers, but have almost double the strength....maybe use them for older, larger plants. And finally, the lone Viparspectra XS1000...I figure I will dedicate it to "precious things"...special seedlings, plants, whatever. Basically, I have no idea what to do, so if you have an idea throw it out here.
My shelf system is actually an old merchandise shelf from an old Gulf gas station. I've only got two shelves on it, but have more. I figure one more shelf will max it out, though...pots of moist peat moss might be a bit heavier than air filters and cheese crackers, if you know what I mean.


