May want to read this before buying from Black dog Led

Fatleg77

Fatleg77

Well-Known Member
The very first light I bought was a black dog phytomax 200 LED.if you're not familiar these lights they are handmade supposedly high-quality products based out of Colorado. the light was approximately $650 for 200 Watts.ran the light for a single plant grow everything went fine but realized I needed more lighting for my space and I ordered the timber 4vl3500 k. I have been using the Timber without issue but decided to use the black dog on another single plant run.installed the Lite and got the grow running and noticed that one quadrant of the light board was not working and one of the three fans had failed.I swapped in the timber and I'm currently Trucking along but just wanted to give this as a warning to anyone looking at buying from Black Dog Led. after communicating with their service department they informed me that I would be responsible for all shipping cost and labor and that they would Supply any parts necessary to correct the problem .I don't disagree with their warranty and I understand they are running a business but if their light is only good for one single plant run before it fails I certainly would never buy from them again and don't feel that I should be liable for any cost to repair such an expensive lite with so few hours. I really hate to leave a poor review but if it helps someone else from wasting their money then it's worth it
 
farmingfisherman

farmingfisherman

Well-Known Member
Why did you buy at 200 watt light for $650 bucks in the first place? I mean it maybe assembled here but likely with parts that are made overseas not to mention the outdated purple light they they produce. So many options out there for less with simpler designs, more watts and better quality of light produced. Funny as I type there is a HLG ad flashing away which is one company I'd rather give $650 Glad you decided to go with Timber, never used their products but hear nothing but good things about them.
 
Fatleg77

Fatleg77

Well-Known Member
You're absolutely right I just figured I was buying a good quality product based on the research that I had done at the time the light is only about 2 and 1/2 years old and yes the timber is a very high-quality light and very reasonably priced in my opinion for what you get
 
MidnightSun72

MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
Fatleg77 said:
The very first light I bought was a black dog phytomax 200 LED.if you're not familiar these lights they are handmade supposedly high-quality products based out of Colorado. the light was approximately $650 for 200 Watts.ran the light for a single plant grow everything went fine but realized I needed more lighting for my space and I ordered the timber 4vl3500 k. I have been using the Timber without issue but decided to use the black dog on another single plant run.installed the Lite and got the grow running and noticed that one quadrant of the light board was not working and one of the three fans had failed.I swapped in the timber and I'm currently Trucking along but just wanted to give this as a warning to anyone looking at buying from Black Dog Led. after communicating with their service department they informed me that I would be responsible for all shipping cost and labor and that they would Supply any parts necessary to correct the problem .I don't disagree with their warranty and I understand they are running a business but if their light is only good for one single plant run before it fails I certainly would never buy from them again and don't feel that I should be liable for any cost to repair such an expensive lite with so few hours. I really hate to leave a poor review but if it helps someone else from wasting their money then it's worth it
Click to expand...
Just curious. When you buy a light is your main criteria high price and poor efficiency? Because both those lights are class leaders.
 
Rocket Soul

Rocket Soul

Well-Known Member
Fatleg77 said:
The very first light I bought was a black dog phytomax 200 LED.if you're not familiar these lights they are handmade supposedly high-quality products based out of Colorado. the light was approximately $650 for 200 Watts.ran the light for a single plant grow everything went fine but realized I needed more lighting for my space and I ordered the timber 4vl3500 k. I have been using the Timber without issue but decided to use the black dog on another single plant run.installed the Lite and got the grow running and noticed that one quadrant of the light board was not working and one of the three fans had failed.I swapped in the timber and I'm currently Trucking along but just wanted to give this as a warning to anyone looking at buying from Black Dog Led. after communicating with their service department they informed me that I would be responsible for all shipping cost and labor and that they would Supply any parts necessary to correct the problem .I don't disagree with their warranty and I understand they are running a business but if their light is only good for one single plant run before it fails I certainly would never buy from them again and don't feel that I should be liable for any cost to repair such an expensive lite with so few hours. I really hate to leave a poor review but if it helps someone else from wasting their money then it's worth it
Click to expand...
Leave the review on their website, explain that the light only lasted for one grow until you had to have it serviced at own cost (minus parts, which is likely less than shipping and labor or either or). Take a screen shot in case they just delete it.

Fair enough we do clank down on black dog for reasons mentioned above but I find it a bit harsh to pick on OP: this post have probably not changed the mind of anyone here already but this is the first I ever hear of their after sales which I assumed would be at least decent after hearing all their fan boys enthusiasm, thx for letting us know.
 
MidnightSun72

MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
Honestly one
Fatleg77 said:
Just curious what are your choices in lighting
Click to expand...
Just pick anything with 2.6 umol/J or better. Anything less than that and the price really stops being justified.

umol per J is how much useable plant light per watt you get. the higher the number the more efficient the light is at creating photons for plant growth instead of heat.


A light that makes 2.9umol/J @600w
Gives you 2.9x600= 1740umol/s

A light that makes 2.3 or less umol/J like the black dog and the timber for example @600w
Will give you 2.3x600= 1380umol/s

so you can see you spend the same number of watts but in one case you get an extra 360umol/s

or 26% more light for the same watts spent.
 
Fatleg77

Fatleg77

Well-Known Member
MidnightSun72 said:
Honestly one

Just pick anything with 2.6 umol/J or better. Anything less than that and the price really stops being justified.

umol per J is how much useable plant light per watt you get. the higher the number the more efficient the light is at creating photons for plant growth instead of heat.


A light that makes 2.9umol/J @600w
Gives you 2.9x600= 1740umol/s

A light that makes 2.3 or less umol/J like the black dog and the timber for example @600w
Will give you 2.3x600= 1380umol/s

so you can see you spend the same number of watts but in one case you get an extra 360umol/s

or 26% more light for the same watts spent.
Click to expand...
Can you recommend a light that hits that number?
 
MidnightSun72

MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
Fatleg77 said:
Can you recommend a light that hits that number?
Click to expand...
What size grow space are you working in? Is it sealed? Air conditioned? CO2 or no? Almost any brand. Does 2.6+ now.

In any case a few examples depending on budget and ceiling height and plant arrangement. I'll assume you are lighting a 2x4 based on your other two light selections.

This light comes with 5 yr warranty and made in the USA. Company has outstanding customer service.

$399 and will exceed both the black dog and timber for PPFD
horticulturelightinggroup.com

HLG 300L Rspec®

HLG 300L Rspec is ideal for a 600W HID replacement. High efficiency white light quantum boards. Samsung LM301H LED Full-spectrum White and 660nm Red
horticulturelightinggroup.com horticulturelightinggroup.com

that's just one example many many many many more options for more or less money. But one reason I suggested these as I see you like strong America based brands. So HLG fits that. If you want to order off Ali Baba or even go with other imported lights. Lots in the 2.7umol+ range in both bars and quantum board style.
 
WubbaLubbaDubDub

WubbaLubbaDubDub

Well-Known Member
I just want to point out another over looked thing about black dog.
They have UVA diodes in their fixtures and that’s part of them declaring a premium full spectrum light.
Problem I see with this design,UV and IR diodes just don’t last as long as the other common diodes.
If your lucky and a fan doesn’t die and kill 1/3 of your light then you get to look forward to eventually owning a led with all the UV diodes burned out.

If companies want to include UV and IR in their lineup I feel it should be with supplemental fixtures
 
MidnightSun72

MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
WubbaLubbaDubDub said:
I just want to point out another over looked thing about black dog.
They have UVA diodes in their fixtures and that’s part of them declaring a premium full spectrum light.
Problem I see with this design,UV and IR diodes just don’t last as long as the other common diodes.
If your lucky and a fan doesn’t die and kill 1/3 of your light then you get to look forward to eventually owning a led with all the UV diodes burned out.

If companies want to include UV and IR in their lineup I feel it should be with supplemental fixtures
Click to expand...
Black Dog uses insanely low diode numbers per watt as well. They run those babies flat out.
 
MidnightSun72

MidnightSun72

Well-Known Member
WubbaLubbaDubDub said:
That’s fine they got fans…

JK ya your absolutely right, more diodes ran lighter is much better for longevity
Click to expand...
84 diodes. 210W $629USD.
It's insane. Granted they are 5W diodes. But still lot of power concentrated in a small area. No good for long term. Not to mention just poor efficiency on the diode so the boards will see more heat on their life than a board that creates more light.
 
WubbaLubbaDubDub

WubbaLubbaDubDub

Well-Known Member
MidnightSun72 said:
84 diodes. 210W $629USD.
It's insane. Granted they are 5W diodes. But still lot of power concentrated in a small area. No good for long term. Not to mention just poor efficiency on the diode so the boards will see more heat on their life than a board that creates more light.
Click to expand...
I’m to high to remember the exact science behind it but it’s a google search away for someone interested.
But smaller watt diodes are actually more efficient per watt than larger 5,20,100w diodes.
So I agree with you 100%, jam more smaller diodes into a fixture and you won’t need to run it full tilt.

My last tent run I don’t think I went above 65-70% with my led lights and I still light stressed them on a couple occasions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top