I'm new here. I have an idea for a really low cost led grow light to cover a 4 foot square, that I'd like to share. It starts from the fact that "T5" format led lights are quite economical from China and can be had with "respectable" lumen output. My plan is to order 15each 4 foot 24W fixtures that claim 3000 lumens each @24watts each, specifying 3 cool white, 4 natural white, and 8 warm white at a cost of about $130. Make a 2'x4' frame out of aluminum angle stock with holes spaced 3", starting 3" from the end, for the mounting clips. The order of the lamps will be:
(ww),(NW),(ww),(CW),(ww),(NW),(ww),(CW),(ww),(NW),(ww),(CW),(ww),(NW),(ww)
The natural white and cool white will be on one "string" of 7 lights and the warm whites will be on another "string of 8 lights. The warm whites will only be on during "flower" while the natural & cool whites will be on for both veg and flower. My proposed coverage area is 4'x4' so I'll have about 2800 lumens / sq ft, about 22.5W/sqft with all lamps on (360wats total). Comments please!
Regards
Jerry